***OFFICIAL CITY vs STOKE MATCH THREAD***

[BobbyJ1956]

I think Silva will pass the ball even if he is alone in front of the open goal.

Hasn't shot since Blackpool away.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I think Silva will pass the ball even if he is alone in front of the open goal.

Hasn't shot since Blackpool away.

He'd probably try and pass in a penalty shootout.

[guv111]

No league game for three weeks. Wow. We could play Hull with an awful lot changed at the top of the table.

Anyway, a huge improvement is needed against Sunderland. They will be well up for it.

[PeterParker]

As per BBC, our possession stats say 74% to their 26% and 19 shots (7 on target) vs their 7 shots (2 on target) ...

8 fucking corners we got, but didn't seem to do anything with while they had just the 3 ...

You know what is really funny? CIty is the leading team in scoring goals from set pieces this season. Fuck all knows how we did that when it looks like we are clueless.

We are top, Chelsea or Arse are second and Everton third.

[guv111]

As per BBC, our possession stats say 74% to their 26% and 19 shots (7 on target) vs their 7 shots (2 on target) ...

8 fucking corners we got, but didn't seem to do anything with while they had just the 3 ...

You know what is really funny? CIty is the leading team in scoring goals from set pieces this season. Fuck all knows how we did that when it looks like we are clueless.

We are top, Chelsea or Arse are second and Everton third.

Yaya's and Kolarov's direct free kicks, presumably.

[zuricity]

I think Both Dzeko and Negrado struggled because Stoke simply packed the box with all their players. It made it very difficult to pick them out from midfield coming through , or from the wings. Stoke have some tall guys in there too making it difficult.
However, looking at the table right now, I'm pleased we could take the points. I never thought we would lose.

Stoke are relegation candidates . They have to fight now, especially as teams like Crystal Palace can pick up easy points playing mid table teams like the Rags.

[zuricity]

City's free scoring days seem a distant memory. On the plus side, we had a similar trailing off of form in our championship winning season, and we did win. We are looking a soft arse team at the moment, though, and we're not even managing to flat track bully ordinary opposition.

Silva clearly has a definite psychological block when it comes to shooting.

Add corners and free kicks to that mental block thingy too.

[Lee_R]

Dont worry too much folks.. we'll be lifting the cup next week!

[Slim]

I think Both Dzeko and Negrado struggled because Stoke simply packed the box with all their players. It made it very difficult to pick them out from midfield coming through , or from the wings. Stoke have some tall guys in there too making it difficult.
However, looking at the table right now, I'm pleased we could take the points. I never thought we would lose.

Stoke are relegation candidates . They have to fight now, especially as teams like Crystal Palace can pick up easy points playing mid table teams like the Rags.

Or we've had 6 months of playing free flowing football that has given every opposition team a chance to study us for 6 months and now they are learning to counter us. We have a manager flat out refusal to put a plan B in place, except versus Barca and that was a god awful shambles that looked like it was scrawled on the back of a bar napkin 5 minutes before kickoff.

[guv111]

I think Both Dzeko and Negrado struggled because Stoke simply packed the box with all their players. It made it very difficult to pick them out from midfield coming through , or from the wings. Stoke have some tall guys in there too making it difficult.
However, looking at the table right now, I'm pleased we could take the points. I never thought we would lose.

Stoke are relegation candidates . They have to fight now, especially as teams like Crystal Palace can pick up easy points playing mid table teams like the Rags.

Or we've had 6 months of playing free flowing football that has given every opposition team a chance to study us for 6 months and now they are learning to counter us. We have a manager flat out refusal to put a plan B in place, except versus Barca and that was a god awful shambles that looked like it was scrawled on the back of a bar napkin 5 minutes before kickoff.

Barca was a bloody disaster however that Football365 journalist wanted to dress it up. Chelsea in the league not long before, too. I hope we don't make a habit of bottling these big games. Sunderland could make or break our season. If we stroll that I'll be very surprised.

[freshie]

honestly, when he's not in sparkling form and finding the killer pass, Silva looks average. frankly, he contributed nothing really today.

he did have that nice 1-2 with Yaya that almost led to 2-0 but thats about it.

He contributed more today than you do to this board. Silva had a great game today - what the fuck were you watching? You don't half post some shit on here

[PeterParker]

We have to give it to him, Garcia was class today. Nothing passed him. 20 minutes, but exceptional.

[sheblue]

honestly, when he's not in sparkling form and finding the killer pass, Silva looks average. frankly, he contributed nothing really today.

he did have that nice 1-2 with Yaya that almost led to 2-0 but thats about it.

LOL LOL LOL,
For fuck sake that is funny.

[zuricity]

I think Both Dzeko and Negrado struggled because Stoke simply packed the box with all their players. It made it very difficult to pick them out from midfield coming through , or from the wings. Stoke have some tall guys in there too making it difficult.
However, looking at the table right now, I'm pleased we could take the points. I never thought we would lose.

Stoke are relegation candidates . They have to fight now, especially as teams like Crystal Palace can pick up easy points playing mid table teams like the Rags.

Or we've had 6 months of playing free flowing football that has given every opposition team a chance to study us for 6 months and now they are learning to counter us. We have a manager flat out refusal to put a plan B in place, except versus Barca and that was a god awful shambles that looked like it was scrawled on the back of a bar napkin 5 minutes before kickoff.

You credit Hughes with too much intelligence. Believe me, that guy has goldfish swimming between his eyes.

[phips]

honestly, when he's not in sparkling form and finding the killer pass, Silva looks average. frankly, he contributed nothing really today.

he did have that nice 1-2 with Yaya that almost led to 2-0 but thats about it.

He contributed more today than you do to this board. Silva had a great game today - what the fuck were you watching? You don't half post some shit on here

aw, youre too kind

[Blue2]

honestly, when he's not in sparkling form and finding the killer pass, Silva looks average. frankly, he contributed nothing really today.

he did have that nice 1-2 with Yaya that almost led to 2-0 but thats about it.

He contributed more today than you do to this board. Silva had a great game today - what the fuck were you watching? You don't half post some shit on here

Agree, thought he was MOM today.

[Goaters 103]

Drab game but we dug out the points. Principal problem was we were so poor up top. Dzeko was poor, Negredo just bloody anonymous and static - made them both easy to mark.

Aguero cant get back quick enough, especially with Jovetic becoming Rodwells new BFF in the trophy room.

Thought Kompany trod a very fine line on a booking today with several fouls. Navas and Garcia added to our performance when they came on, whilst Nasri has picked up where he left off. Ya Ya took the chance when it came and that was what we needed.

8 days now to get ready for Wembley - Id make them watch a video of that Wigan debacle last May every bloody day, to keep it fresh in their minds as to what happens when you don't turn up.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

We have to give it to him, Garcia was class today. Nothing passed him. 20 minutes, but exceptional.

Well spotted. And a shot from 30-ish yards. Where's this guy been for 18 months?

[gillie]

We have to give it to him, Garcia was class today. Nothing passed him. 20 minutes, but exceptional.

Well spotted. And a shot from 30-ish yards. Where's this guy been for 18 months?

Good cameo from him but I still think he turns slower than an oil tanker.

[Dubciteh]

honestly, when he's not in sparkling form and finding the killer pass, Silva looks average. frankly, he contributed nothing really today.

he did have that nice 1-2 with Yaya that almost led to 2-0 but thats about it.

He contributed more today than you do to this board. Silva had a great game today - what the fuck were you watching? You don't half post some shit on here

Agree, thought he was MOM today.

Agreed. Phips I have no idea where you got that from.