***City v Spurs Official Match Thread***

[zuricity]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

[PeterParker]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

[stupot]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

You agree 1000000%
So we struggled to beat anyone in the top 6 despite the fact we beat 4th, 5th and 6th.
The never keeping the same
team despite everyone being delighted with that team at the start.
The useless use of subs despite putting on the only changes from said last week team.
2nd goal was a crazy mistake, we should have had a stonewall pen on Bobb. We missed some sitters. Could have been very different

[PeterParker]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

You agree 1000000%
So we struggled to beat anyone in the top 6 despite the fact we beat 4th, 5th and 6th.
The never keeping the same
team despite everyone being delighted with that team at the start.
The useless use of subs despite putting on the only changes from said last week team.
2nd goal was a crazy mistake, we should have had a stonewall pen on Bobb. We missed some sitters. Could have been very different

I was wondering when will you find some alibi for him this time.

[zuricity]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

Don't recall a dubious VAR and screw up by the defence like yesterday, at Wolves.

All teams create some chances.

Many City players were slipping on the new surface yesterday. Stones regularly. A taller right back like ,dare i say Nunes might have cleared the ball that the much smaller Rico unfortunately could not get a touch on to stop the first goal.

As for the second , it is disgraceful that defenders think it is ok for the last man, the goalie to pass the ball around in the one place we should not be dribbling - the five yard box. Even Ed doesn't always get it right.

[Nickyboy]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

You agree 1000000%
So we struggled to beat anyone in the top 6 despite the fact we beat 4th, 5th and 6th.
The never keeping the same
team despite everyone being delighted with that team at the start.
The useless use of subs despite putting on the only changes from said last week team.
2nd goal was a crazy mistake, we should have had a stonewall pen on Bobb. We missed some sitters. Could have been very different

I was wondering when will you find some alibi for him this time.

You weren't able to refute anything he said in his 'alibi' though. Pep did everything you always complain about him not doing yesterday.

Kept a settled back line. We've been a bit more direct and counter quicker. Brought on subs earlier to change things.

Yesterday the final ball was often the wrong one and there was poor decision making in the final 3rd. As I said, have a bit of balance. It was a very tight game yesterday we just didn't take our own chances. And it's the second game of the season.

Also that was the youngest average City starting XI for over a decade. We're going to have some inconsistency but we'll be absolutely fine this season. Only worry for me now is how strong Arsenal will be with their additions. They defend and use set pieces like Stoke and now have depth in the creative areas.

[Mase]

Rodri and Ed

[zabbadabbado]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

For perspective mate, it was Wolves we beat last week.

As bad as we have become i expect us to turn over Cannon fodder not capable of sustaining the high press.

Even so in that game we still gave up good chances to a very shit Wolves side.

Liverpool/Arse/possibly Rags will rip our defence a new arsehole targeting Rico Lewis/Dias/Ake etc. All the usual suspects being targeted and making mistakes all Season.

We couldn't even get rid of the real dead wood in the team Sure KDB lost a yard of pace. Still he has the Brain as seen last night to deliver. Could have been used sparingly as a super sub.you know maybe an illusive PLAN B if needed.

I expect us to take nothing from the next 3 games.

We will turn up pull down our pans lubricate up and play to the High press strengths. It is all we know.

He isn't going to change.

We might look like peak Barcelona beating shit sides, fans will get giiddy. Before we get destroyed in the next time by properly managed teams with a plan.

I will bet you now if you want we will not finish top 4 this season for the first time in God knows how many years.6th if we are lucky after spending half a Billion.

Our fall from grace will then be be complete.

And still there will be fans calling it a success and remember the Treble,as Pep laighs his bollocks of collecting his reported £20,000 000.

No room for sentiment in football it cost the Rags over a decade in the wilderness.

Yet here we are making the same mistakes

[PeterParker]

^^^^^^

Well Zabba, that is a lot to take in.

I'm just curious as to why you didn't write all that after last weeks 4-0 victory away at Wolves ?

It might take a couple more games to get the whole squad going.

I agree 1000000% with him, Zury.

It does not matter if we get our modjo back in a couple of games, the same pattern is there: brainfart vs Spuds. And will be followed by overthinking in key moments and copy&paste of the same calamities.
Those are the signs of our problems: his arrogance.

PS: Wolves had their chances last week exactly on the same mistakes.

You agree 1000000%
So we struggled to beat anyone in the top 6 despite the fact we beat 4th, 5th and 6th.
The never keeping the same
team despite everyone being delighted with that team at the start.
The useless use of subs despite putting on the only changes from said last week team.
2nd goal was a crazy mistake, we should have had a stonewall pen on Bobb. We missed some sitters. Could have been very different

I was wondering when will you find some alibi for him this time.

You weren't able to refute anything he said in his 'alibi' though. Pep did everything you always complain about him not doing yesterday.

Kept a settled back line. We've been a bit more direct and counter quicker. Brought on subs earlier to change things.

Yesterday the final ball was often the wrong one and there was poor decision making in the final 3rd. As I said, have a bit of balance. It was a very tight game yesterday we just didn't take our own chances. And it's the second game of the season.

Also that was the youngest average City starting XI for over a decade. We're going to have some inconsistency but we'll be absolutely fine this season. Only worry for me now is how strong Arsenal will be with their additions. They defend and use set pieces like Stoke and now have depth in the creative areas.

I posted on the other page what is wrong from my point of view, not going to repeat because is redundant.
Just want to add I had no problem with the eleven whatsoever. My issues are others.

[zabbadabbado]

None so blind than those that point blank refuse to see.

Watch yesterday game and every loss from the last 18 months and you can clearly see similarities and a pattern.

So what are the common denominators i talk of ?

Style + Manager. So obvious

The style has become pretty much redundant. Unless you enjoy spunking half a billion on players to become the very definition of just flat track Bullies.

With 11 technically gifted players you can play the Pep " Russian Roulette" possession football out from the back. Still you might lose a goal or two to a quick counter attack but still run out winners.

Here lies the problem, we replaced all the "Tier 1"" technically gifted superior players with "Tier 2/3" quality players. Calling them the future. When what was obviously needed were immediate "Tier 1 " replacements for the system to work. It was obvious shopping in Tesco after shopping at Harrods was going to heavily impact our style of play.

Yet our genius manager still thinks a team made up of old slow defenders and inferior quality players can still play out from the back. Dias struggles under pressure, Lewis struggles. Pretty much the entire side is not very good at retaining possession for long periods important to this playing style. Yet still we persist with it Yesterday we won 0 second Balls

The decline in our playing style goes hand in hand with player recruitment. We literally spent £100 000 000 on defenders who never start and yet still have no recognised right back and have to use Rico ;Lewis, it is criminal. We could have used the £100 000 000 on Wirtz

Where the fuck is the planning ?

Why are we still trying to replicate what is now impossible given the drop off in player quality from recruitment.

Even so we could at least try to adapt in games to accommodate our short comings instead of carrying on regardless. This lies with the manager.

He has shown zero intention to play any other way, and it is going to kill us again this season.

Going to be a season of 4-0 wins against shit sides, and heavy defeats to any half decent side,

There is no real master plan to beat us needed. High press if you have good quality players who can break at speed. Or just stick 11 behind the Ball and wait for the inevitable sloppy pass or fuck up. Very telling yesterday Frank targeted both Dias and Lewis he did his home work,2 players who need 10 minutes to trap a Ball just to pass it competently.

[Mase]

Our biggest issue at the moment is leadership. We have none. Dias is the biggest faker in football - the guys not a leader, he's had one good season with us and has lived off that ever since. More interested in going to music award shows and becoming a celeb. Who else have we got that's a leader? Kompany and Fern to these cunts. It's bad

[ayrshireblue]

Wasn't able to watch the game yesterday and just caught up with the highlights. On the issue of Trafford and possibility of signing Donnarumma, I feel that Trafford knew the pass to Nico was dangerous but thought that was what Pep would want done in that situation. He isn't strong enough in character to do what Ederson or I suspect Donnarumma would have done and put his foot through the ball and if needed tell the manager later that it was better to do that than lose a goal. Unfortunately Trafford is just at the start of what looks like being a good career but I feel we can't turn down the chance of signing Donnarumma as he has the strength of character and will to tell the manager that he can want the ball passed about at the back but sometimes the keeper has to out laces through the ball and be safe.

[Mase]

Wasn't able to watch the game yesterday and just caught up with the highlights. On the issue of Trafford and possibility of signing Donnarumma, I feel that Trafford knew the pass to Nico was dangerous but thought that was what Pep would want done in that situation. He isn't strong enough in character to do what Ederson or I suspect Donnarumma would have done and put his foot through the ball and if needed tell the manager later that it was better to do that than lose a goal. Unfortunately Trafford is just at the start of what looks like being a good career but I feel we can't turn down the chance of signing Donnarumma as he has the strength of character and will to tell the manager that he can want the ball passed about at the back but sometimes the keeper has to out laces through the ball and be safe.

That's exactly the way I saw it as well. Love Pep, can't thank him enough - but this shadow he has over the players when they have a chance to make their own decision takes the piss. Trafford should have booted that but he probably had to process "what will Pep say if I do" whilst looking for a pass between two experienced CBs that didn't want it and Nico that had a man on him.

[PeterParker]

You know how PSG start a half? Long rugby ball out of play, near the opp goal. Then press.
Not this nonsense to start small passing from the gk to invite pressure

[Dub City]

Our biggest issue at the moment is leadership. We have none. Dias is the biggest faker in football - the guys not a leader, he's had one good season with us and has lived off that ever since. More interested in going to music award shows and becoming a celeb. Who else have we got that's a leader? Kompany and Fern to these cunts. It's bad

Dias was very poor and yesterday looked like he was bullied by Richarlison far too often and letting the ball bounce instead of taking charge. Can’t remember the last time he dominated a centre forward and while he was never the quickest the last year he looks to have slowed down which at 28 and just signing a 4 year deal is a worry. Two years ago I thought he was going to be the leader of the team for years to come but at the moment I’m not sure he even makes our first 11 when all fit.

[Outcast]

Pmsl.. how many times Spuds beat Pep? They've beat him when he had his best players in their prime. They've got his number, let's stop making excuses.

I'd seriously look at Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace as potential replacement if Pep decides to leave.

[Outcast]

Pmsl.. how many times Spuds beat Pep? They've beat him when he had his best players in their prime. They've got his number, let's stop making excuses.

I'd seriously look at Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace as potential replacement if Pep decides to leave.

[Harry Dowd scored]

Pmsl.. how many times Spuds beat Pep? They've beat him when he had his best players in their prime. They've got his number, let's stop making excuses.

I'd seriously look at Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace as potential replacement if Pep decides to leave.

We have won 4 of the last 13 league games v Spurs

[Mase]

Our biggest issue at the moment is leadership. We have none. Dias is the biggest faker in football - the guys not a leader, he's had one good season with us and has lived off that ever since. More interested in going to music award shows and becoming a celeb. Who else have we got that's a leader? Kompany and Fern to these cunts. It's bad

Dias was very poor and yesterday looked like he was bullied by Richarlison far too often and letting the ball bounce instead of taking charge. Can’t remember the last time he dominated a centre forward and while he was never the quickest the last year he looks to have slowed down which at 28 and just signing a 4 year deal is a worry. Two years ago I thought he was going to be the leader of the team for years to come but at the moment I’m not sure he even makes our first 11 when all fit.

I genuinely thought he'd go down in the League as a Kompany, Vidic, Terry legend. Absolutely no way he does

[Indianablue]

Wasn't able to watch the game yesterday and just caught up with the highlights. On the issue of Trafford and possibility of signing Donnarumma, I feel that Trafford knew the pass to Nico was dangerous but thought that was what Pep would want done in that situation. He isn't strong enough in character to do what Ederson or I suspect Donnarumma would have done and put his foot through the ball and if needed tell the manager later that it was better to do that than lose a goal. Unfortunately Trafford is just at the start of what looks like being a good career but I feel we can't turn down the chance of signing Donnarumma as he has the strength of character and will to tell the manager that he can want the ball passed about at the back but sometimes the keeper has to out laces through the ball and be safe.

Agreed. Trafford is a good young keeper, that may become great. He looked to be playing to instruction yesterday and playing from the back was not the right option with 6 Spurs players pressing our defence. All he had to do was take a long goal kick and hold out til half time. 2 or 3 times yesterday Trafford came out and saved our defenders.