But He Is Great With Ball at His Feet

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

The reality is he has just been nominated for FIFA's world XI shortlist, the reality is he has consistently outperformed Hart over the last two years, the reality is he has won the award as South America's best keeper in the last two Copas, the reality is that he was named in La Liga team of the year in 2014/15 season.

He's struggling to make a positive impression since he's signed for us but to call him a liability or suggest he's a poor keeper is just ignorant.

Playing in La Liga for Barca is so very different to playing for City in Premier League. The football is different, the pace of game is different and first and foremost the attitude playing style of mid- and lower level teams playing against top teams is very VERY different than in Spain.

Don't disagree that the football is different but if we look at just the numbers over the past couple of years Bravo faced on average just .37 shots on target less per game than Hart did with a save percentage of 79%, Hart's over the last two seasons ( league only ) 69%.

I've seen enough of him and Barca (who hasn't) to know what Bravo is about. The difference clearly comes from the fact that PL football pokes his weaknesses and hides his strengths. In Spain (even more so in Italy) lot of mid and lower level teams settle for shooting from distance when they finally get the ball to oppo half which probably gets his stats up. Very few will try ever cross it as they are instructed to cut in rather than go towards corner flag.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY it's the exhausting pace of game in PL. Teams are all about counter attack and when they counterattack it's pass-pass-shoot or pass-pass-cross not 72×pass and then shot from outside the box. Lot has changed over the years, most players aren't even British anymore and it's much much more sophisticated than it used to be yet the pace of the game has never really slowed down. And I'm not calling PL better league than La Liga (well I think it's better but that's down to personal preference.... there's very good case to be made to call La Liga as good if not better) but there are very few teams who just come in and roll over and die. I think this has taken even great Pep by surprise and he and Txiki simply overestimated how quickly "The System" will adapt to England and understimated how much they need to mix parts of traditional British football to that aforementioned system. Bravo is just part of that learning curve. Poor fit to Premier League.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

The reality is he has just been nominated for FIFA's world XI shortlist, the reality is he has consistently outperformed Hart over the last two years, the reality is he has won the award as South America's best keeper in the last two Copas, the reality is that he was named in La Liga team of the year in 2014/15 season.

He's struggling to make a positive impression since he's signed for us but to call him a liability or suggest he's a poor keeper is just ignorant.

Playing in La Liga for Barca is so very different to playing for City in Premier League. The football is different, the pace of game is different and first and foremost the attitude playing style of mid- and lower level teams playing against top teams is very VERY different than in Spain.

Don't disagree that the football is different but if we look at just the numbers over the past couple of years Bravo faced on average just .37 shots on target less per game than Hart did with a save percentage of 79%, Hart's over the last two seasons ( league only ) 69%.

I've seen enough of him and Barca (who hasn't) to know what Bravo is about. The difference clearly comes from the fact that PL football pokes his weaknesses and hides his strengths. In Spain (even more so in Italy) lot of mid and lower level teams settle for shooting from distance when they finally get the ball to oppo half which probably gets his stats up. Very few will try ever cross it as they are instructed to cut in rather than go towards corner flag.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY it's the exhausting pace of game in PL. Teams are all about counter attack and when they counterattack it's pass-pass-shoot or pass-pass-cross not 72×pass and then shot from outside the box. Lot has changed over the years, most players aren't even British anymore and it's much much more sophisticated than it used to be yet the pace of the game has never really slowed down. And I'm not calling PL better league than La Liga (well I think it's better but that's down to personal preference.... there's very good case to be made to call La Liga as good if not better) but there are very few teams who just come in and roll over and die. I think this has taken even great Pep by surprise and he and Txiki simply overestimated how quickly "The System" will adapt to England and understimated how much they need to mix parts of traditional British football to that aforementioned system. Bravo is just part of that learning curve. Poor fit to Premier League.

Now that's a fair, well considered post and ultimately you may well be right, I'm still inclined to give him more time as he's proved throughout his career that he's a top keeper.

Much prefer to read stuff like this than people labelling him a liability or a clown and what not. Kudos.

[City64]

The reality is he has just been nominated for FIFA's world XI shortlist, the reality is he has consistently outperformed Hart over the last two years, the reality is he has won the award as South America's best keeper in the last two Copas, the reality is that he was named in La Liga team of the year in 2014/15 season.

He's struggling to make a positive impression since he's signed for us but to call him a liability or suggest he's a poor keeper is just ignorant.

Playing in La Liga for Barca is so very different to playing for City in Premier League. The football is different, the pace of game is different and first and foremost the attitude playing style of mid- and lower level teams playing against top teams is very VERY different than in Spain.

Don't disagree that the football is different but if we look at just the numbers over the past couple of years Bravo faced on average just .37 shots on target less per game than Hart did with a save percentage of 79%, Hart's over the last two seasons ( league only ) 69%.

I've seen enough of him and Barca (who hasn't) to know what Bravo is about. The difference clearly comes from the fact that PL football pokes his weaknesses and hides his strengths. In Spain (even more so in Italy) lot of mid and lower level teams settle for shooting from distance when they finally get the ball to oppo half which probably gets his stats up. Very few will try ever cross it as they are instructed to cut in rather than go towards corner flag.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY it's the exhausting pace of game in PL. Teams are all about counter attack and when they counterattack it's pass-pass-shoot or pass-pass-cross not 72×pass and then shot from outside the box. Lot has changed over the years, most players aren't even British anymore and it's much much more sophisticated than it used to be yet the pace of the game has never really slowed down. And I'm not calling PL better league than La Liga (well I think it's better but that's down to personal preference.... there's very good case to be made to call La Liga as good if not better) but there are very few teams who just come in and roll over and die. I think this has taken even great Pep by surprise and he and Txiki simply overestimated how quickly "The System" will adapt to England and understimated how much they need to mix parts of traditional British football to that aforementioned system. Bravo is just part of that learning curve. Poor fit to Premier League.

You have answered the bigger picture question with your reply there NQDP . The big picture is that Peps "system" isn't working yet in the Premier League because of the reasons you have articulated plus the fact it is now almost impossible for any one club to dominate in the PL in this current era . Also "outside" factors handicap clubs results on the pitch in the PL last Saturdays "performance " by Anthony Taylor plus the media cover up are a prime example . None of this is Bravo,s fault he is just part of Pep,s system and I also believe Joe Hart would have suffered even more in the current system because his distribution is diabolical although he is an exceptional shot stopper . Pep is in the most difficult period of his managerial career right now , the Sheik and Tixi know this , Pep is facing a huge challenge . Chelsea and Arsenal will be our main title contenders and Liverpool wont be far off , the next month is going to be very interesting indeed .

[johnny crossan]

...Much prefer to read stuff like this than people labelling him a liability or a clown and what not. Kudos.

like the OP lol

[Foreverinbluedreams]

...Much prefer to read stuff like this than people labelling him a liability or a clown and what not. Kudos.

like the OP lol

Yes and NQDP will be fully aware that's what I was referring to.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Poor Giuseppe didn't have a great day at the office at the weekend either.

3 min 20 sec in

https://youtu.be/9TrDcW9sKmg

[mr_nool]

Poor Giuseppe didn't have a great day at the office at the weekend either.

3 min 20 sec in

https://youtu.be/9TrDcW9sKmg

Fabulous shot-stopping

[Moonchesteri]

The reality is he has just been nominated for FIFA's world XI shortlist, the reality is he has consistently outperformed Hart over the last two years, the reality is he has won the award as South America's best keeper in the last two Copas, the reality is that he was named in La Liga team of the year in 2014/15 season.

He's struggling to make a positive impression since he's signed for us but to call him a liability or suggest he's a poor keeper is just ignorant.

If he makes basic errors at City and we concede because of it he how is it ignorant to call him a liability? Because that is also reality.

He can't really be a shit keeper when "reality is that he's this and that" but he plays like one now.
What is the reason behind that is up for discussion though. Lack of time together with the "back four"? Lack of confidence which could be why he is so incredibly hesitant coming out of his line? Has the pace and style of football taken him by surprise? Is he injured? I don't know but we need him playing like an experienced pro not like a 13yo boy because Gunn could do that too.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

The reality is he has just been nominated for FIFA's world XI shortlist, the reality is he has consistently outperformed Hart over the last two years, the reality is he has won the award as South America's best keeper in the last two Copas, the reality is that he was named in La Liga team of the year in 2014/15 season.

He's struggling to make a positive impression since he's signed for us but to call him a liability or suggest he's a poor keeper is just ignorant.

If he makes basic errors at City and we concede because of it he how is it ignorant to call him a liability? Because that is also reality.

He can't really be a shit keeper when "reality is that he's this and that" but he plays like one now.
What is the reason behind that is up for discussion though. Lack of time together with the "back four"? Lack of confidence which could be why he is so incredibly hesitant coming out of his line? Has the pace and style of football taken him by surprise? Is he injured? I don't know but we need him playing like an experienced pro not like a 13yo boy because Gunn could do that too.

Fair enough on the liability but for me he has made very few errors, he's getting blamed for almost every goal we conceded since he's arrived, that's just nonsense imo.

I was disappointed with him on Saturday but I still have faith he'll find form and show why he's been rated as one of the world's best keepers over the last few years.

[johnny crossan]

Fair enough on the liability but for me he has made very few errors, he's getting blamed for almost every goal we conceded since he's arrived, that's just nonsense imo.
I was disappointed with him on Saturday but I still have faith he'll find form and show why he's been rated as one of the world's best keepers over the last few years.

We all hope he lives up to his billing soon, it's early in his City career and there's still time to repay the faith shown in him by the Pep.

[iwasthere2012]

The thing that really struck me about Bravo on Saturday was his lack of stature.
You see Courtois at one end fill the goal and make it look small for our forwards and you look at the figure of Bravo on the one on ones and he doesn't look intimidating.

[johnny crossan]

The thing that really struck me about Bravo on Saturday was his lack of stature.
You see Courtois at one end fill the goal and make it look small for our forwards and you look at the figure of Bravo on the one on ones and he doesn't look intimidating.

All the goals caught him on his heels, he didn't anticipate the timing of the shots and was late with his positioning - not poised and ready to spring.
It's happened before and it looks like a serious technical issue. There was a passing reference by Kamara on GOS, it's favourite theme of his, usually wheeled out for Joe.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I've just been looking through the numbers in terms of shots on target for and against between this season and last.

Something that struck me was that last season we conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

Since Bravo has come in we have conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

[Plain Speaking]

I've just been looking through the numbers in terms of shots on target for and against between this season and last.

Something that struck me was that last season we conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

Since Bravo has come in we have conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

Have you got a source?

[Original Dub]

Well they're pretty clear stats.

Obviously we should be concentrating on other areas.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I've just been looking through the numbers in terms of shots on target for and against between this season and last.

Something that struck me was that last season we conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

Since Bravo has come in we have conceded 3.2 shots on target per game in the league and conceded 1.07 goals per game.

Have you got a source?

http://www.footcharts.co.uk/index.cfm?t ... tsontarget

They're overall team stats, so had to take out the three games Caballero played at the start of the season and do some math.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Well they're pretty clear stats.

Obviously we should be concentrating on other areas.

Wait, are you saying that A) we were defending well last year so we should concentrate on other areas and/or B) Claudio Bravo is playing as good if not better that Joe Hart last season?

[Original Dub]

Well they're pretty clear stats.

Obviously we should be concentrating on other areas.

Wait, are you saying that A) we were defending well last year so we should concentrate on other areas and/or B) Claudio Bravo is playing as good if not better that Joe Hart last season?

I'm saying it appears that little has changed in the goalkeeping department from this point last season.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Well they're pretty clear stats.

Obviously we should be concentrating on other areas.

Wait, are you saying that A) we were defending well last year so we should concentrate on other areas and/or B) Claudio Bravo is playing as good if not better that Joe Hart last season?

I'm saying it appears that little has changed in the goalkeeping department from this point last season.

Yet, watching the games tells everyone a LOT has changed. Just goes to prove once again that football isn't really numbers game.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Well they're pretty clear stats.

Obviously we should be concentrating on other areas.

Wait, are you saying that A) we were defending well last year so we should concentrate on other areas and/or B) Claudio Bravo is playing as good if not better that Joe Hart last season?

I'm saying it appears that little has changed in the goalkeeping department from this point last season.

Yet, watching the games tells everyone a LOT has changed. Just goes to prove once again that football isn't really numbers game.

In terms of keeping the ball out of the net fuck all has changed as the numbers show.