The mancityfans.net football forum

Thought it was an attritional performance and with many playing 3 games in a week it looked like they played through the barrier.

Could easily go for Sergio but there were a fair few who could rightly take it.

stones. solid as a rock.

Gone for stones for very special mention for ferna who is doing a brilliant job this season. He was everywhere today.

A few good individual displays. Stones has started so assuredly but I'll give it to Silva, who I think is getting back up to speed rather nicely. He is technically brilliant and seems more spacially aware than the rest of our forwards.
His passing was greatly improved today also. KDB and dare I say Kun even though he's bagged another two, are a bit behind him yet in coming up to match fitness.

4-1 away at Stoke and we have s team only bedding in and getting match sharpness. Strap yourselves in lads, we're in for one helluva ride.

Silva for me. Put in the shift required in addition to his silky skills but Stones was very good too. Barely missed a pass although one went to Guardiola!

Stones did what was needed at the back, and brought the ball out of defence into some great positions to set up attacks - exactly what I assume we bought him for, great week for him

Merlin was really outstanding for me: in Pep we trust!

Renato_CTID wrote:Merlin was really outstanding for me: in Pep we trust!

I noticed how he dropped deeper as the game went on.

Fernandinho was brilliant.

Slim wrote:Fernandinho was brilliant.

I was going to post how he now seems to be doing the Barry role. Very undersung.

Little Ferdinand was amazing again. Brazilian Busquets and then some tbh. I've chosen him.

Stones had a great match as well I thought.

Silva was off for me a bit. He just didn't have that last pass in him that takes him from good to great today. No biggie given the result.

Willys distro was let's say "less than holistic" we can't get Bravo in fast enough. And it obviously shows that Joe isn't playing because he wouldn't do what pep wanted. He's sending a message to the team. His way. Or the highway. We knew he would, just didn't think Joe would be the one to test his patience so early.

Cheers

Silva, raheem both very good but think Johnny stones is the man today. For a lad who 'can't defend' he's doing alright.

Once again Fernandinho for me

aristation wrote:Once again Fernandinho for me

Me too. OM's for Kun,Rocky & Dave. Nacho superb 10 minutes. Harry looking a bit off the pace.

Stones has been brilliant for us so far and settled in immediately (he said that in the post match interview where Zaba also congratulated him afterwards). Top signing to me that I am glad is getting the chance to silence his critics and pundits who will constantly bring up the fee (which of course came up today comparing his fee against all buys under Hughes by one of the Sky announcers...will that come up about Pogba during games?).

He will only get better and has completely calmed our defence as I expected. It is just what we needed. Now when Vinny is out we are not a shambles anymore. Thank goodness.

Fernandinho was excellent as well again. Ho hum. Just another day at the office for him. Another great signing many were shocked at the fee when we bought him and one of the most underrated players in the league if you ask me. Whe Gundogan comes back I think he may go to the inverted left or right back role.

KDB still coming into his own in his new role, whilst Silva looking comfortable, but that KDB free kick was perfect (shows he still makes an impact) for Sergio who also had a chance to silence critics today. He's up and running quickly isn't he!? He looked VERY happy at the end of the game and he was taken off, which he usually seems upset about. Credit to the man management of Pep who I might actually give MOTM to if I could.

Subs were excellent, showing our depth, which isn't even at full strength yet. Really happy for Nacho and so glad he had an opportunity to show he learned from his mistake already! (Pep is surely delighted for him as well). Nolito's movement is so good and gives us another scoring threat as well.


Sterling was first half MOTM again, and enough has been said about him. Still room for improvement, but the rest of the league must be very scared right now.

Stones with honorable mentions to aguero, sterling, Fernandinho and silva.