Match Ratings Ratings vs City

[BringBack_leGin]

This part of the season under Pochettino the performances are always a bit off, it’s as if the players need the first 7/8 matches to develop the cohesion and intensity Pochettino’s system requires. As long as we pick up the necessary points I’ll be patient, as aside from last season when we were sabotaged by a crippling injury record and poor depth, we always hit our stride about 1/4 of the way in and start dominating. I have faith that this season will follow that pattern.

 

[madroosta]

Not really sure it’s post of the season.

Man City didn’t win and we didn’t lose - considering just how strong city actually are - i’d Say job well done.

2ng game into season, unsettled squad, city away (hardest game of the season), a well fought out draw.

Yes we didn’t create much, set up differently from previous encounters. Yet we still didn’t lose, doing better than last year.

Interesting stat - in the last 16 home games, city have conceded 8 goals. 5 of them from Spurs.

Suggests that this point was a good point, happy with it considering the pressure we were under.

Cannot disagree with your post at all. Well said, with a slightly disjointed squad we still managed a draw with the strongest team, who have strength in depth too in terms of on paper players, yes VAR came in to it but then that's what it's there for.

 

[EastLondonYid]

I used the word embarrassment as I was thinking that the footballing world were (are) expecting us to run both Liverpool and City closer this season, but with a performance as poor as that shows that we are nowhere as good as we have been led to believe. So in that context I was embarrassed. So no, not taking the piss. Saying that and reading the various posts, the majority seem to think it was not as bad as I thought.

Really

Seeing as you brought up the footballing world, all pundits had us to lose yesterday, one 4-1
We are Not title contenders this season, and even if we were, missing some major players whilst bedding in new ones against imo the best team on this planet was never going to be easy
We dug in and got a fantastic point, I don't give a fuck about var, embarrassing would have been to get hammered, we didn't.
Stop believing all the shit, we are not at city's level, once you understand that you may feel less embarrassed mate.

 

[bigpalacios]

This part of the season under Pochettino the performances are always a bit off, it’s as if the players need the first 7/8 matches to develop the cohesion and intensity Pochettino’s system requires. As long as we pick up the necessary points I’ll be patient, as aside from last season when we were sabotaged by a crippling injury record and poor depth, we always hit our stride about 1/4 of the way in and start dominating. I have faith that this season will follow that pattern.

Agreed, I think during the xmas period we seem to put teams to the sword while others are ambling over results.

 

[Gilzeanking]

History repeats...In the CL quarters City score in the dying seconds Pep is doing cartwheels down the touchline in pure joy, I shut the tv off in a rage...then find later, drunk wha-hey we're in the semis . Exactly the same again last night, tv off in a rage..came in seriously drunk ..wha-hey..

What I like most about the match is how beautifully unfair it all was . From Lamela strangling a forward and bafflingly no pen..thru to the ball brushing innocuously a blue arm and goal disallowed . 30 shots to two..on and on , a wonderful and complete injustice , so sweet .

There is a downside...what , WHAT ! has happened to our intensity ? City had the freedom of the flanks and often space found round our area . Wtf is going on ?

 

[KILLA_SIN]

I thought we were one Dybala type short of challenging but after yesterday we're more like 3-4 short, Need more depth not just to challenge but to be able to play to our max every game by not fatiguing players or picking up injuries. I think our pressing game is more selective now because we can't maintain that level throughout the season with the number of players we have. I was hoping this wouldn't be a transitional season but I think it will be a with a couple or few question marks over some players. Bringing on Lo Celso and Moura, with Jan, Dier, Son, Ali all out is all positives, more depth and quality added but we need more. Desperately need a player in front of the CB's, A fully fit Wanyama [unlikely] or Dier. I like Winks but against a City, Pool we need someone with more presence and physicality to get stuck in I think our defence would be instantly better for it. Either these two need to get back into the side or we need to go out and buy. KWP played mostly pretty well. I would rest Lamela maybe for Newcastle and bring him back against Arsenal. He's put in 2 shifts and with his injury problems he needs to be managed I think he is best against top 6 sides when you need a shift.

Top 3 and I will be happy.

 

[DiamondLites]

People saying we are still a few players short of competing with City, well yesterday we had no Son, no Dele and GLC nowhere near up to speed - those 3 are integral first XI players for a start. Add in the Vertonghen situation, that’s 4. So it’s little wonder we looked some way short of a full strength Man City

The set up from Poch was all wrong which compounded matters, not helped by some utter non performance from a few players. We all would’ve taken a draw at the start, we got one take it and move on

Lloris 7
KWP 7
Toby 6
Sanchez 8
Sissoko 5
Winks 5
Ndombele 6
Eriksen 4
Lamela 7
Kane 5

Lucas 7

Poch 2

 

[hughy]

I thought were one Dybala type short of challenging but after {1} yesterday we're more like 3-4 short, Need more depth not just to challenge but to be able to play to our max every game by not fatiguing players or picking up injuries. I think our pressing game is more selective now because we can't maintain that level throughout the season with the number of players we have. I was hoping this wouldn't be a transitional season but I think it will be a with a couple or few question marks over some players. Bringing on Lo Celso and Moura, with Jan, Dier, Son, Ali all out is all positives, more depth and quality added but we need more. Desperately need a player in front of the CB's, A fully fit Wanyama [unlikely] or Dier. {2} I like Winks but against a City, Pool we need someone with more presence and physicality to get stuck in I think our defence would be instantly better for it. Either these two need to get back into the side or we need to go out and buy. KWP played mostly pretty well. I would rest Lamela maybe for Newcastle and bring him back against Arsenal. He's put in 2 shifts and with his injury problems he needs to be managed I think he is best against top 6 sides when you need a shift.

Top 3 and I will be happy.

1. Don't really understand this comment, particularly when you go on to mention Lo Celso, Dele and Son are to come in to the team/squad. Surely those are three of the "3 or 4 payers short". Not to mention Sessegnon who will give us an option from the bench. If not, what exactly are you expecting? Because if it's 3 or 4 more additions you won't be getting it.

2. Winks has proven he can compete for us in the big games. In the last 2 seasons he's been outstanding in games at Madrid and Dortmund, as well as being our best player in the CL final last season.

 

[Mornstar]

Did poor lo celso even touch the ball?

If someone has time, can they compile his game highlights into a short YouTube video?

 

[SlotBadger]

If someone has time, can they compile his game highlights into a short YouTube video?

I think YouTube has a lower limit of 3 seconds

 

[hughy]

If someone has time, can they compile his game highlights into a short YouTube video?

Done. See below.









Any good?

 

[Mornstar]

Sissoko - Got a bit better when he went into centre mid, as he held his position. On the right, and so for the vast majority of the game, he was absolutely terrible. Work rate was really poor and didn't offer any help to KWP. Seemed unable to get about the pitch, a real cynic would suggest too many birthday beers last night......

He's a devout muslim and does not touch alcohol, hence his supreme fitness levels. A living example of the benefits of following an Abrahamic religion

 

[Mornstar]

Done. See below.









Any good?

THe clip you've embedded isn't working for me. I've tried tapping the screen several times, including once with my back scratcher.

 

[Ronwol196061]

I thought Sanchez was terrible. I loved him when he first came to the lane. He positioning seems to be off at times. The high line is really difficult to play as judgement comes into it when you have to decide high line or mark the player.
We will miss Verts big time

 

[Mr Pink]

Yes City looked a level above but there are serious mitigating factors from our point of view.

The players we had missing are big game players.

I don't know why some are deflated. Actually for all City's dominance of the ball I thought we restricted them quite well.

Yes we were disappointing in possession but we did well restricting the amount of clear cut chances.

That's digging in. We normally start the season slowly, and this is the hardest fixture in the league.

When players return and we find form we'll be flying if we can continue to pick up points in the mean time.

I'm buzzing from that point yesterday.

 

[Lilbaz]

He's a devout muslim and does not touch alcohol, hence his supreme fitness levels. A living example of the benefits of following an Abrahamic religion

When he was shit was that because he was muslim too?

 

[Mornstar]

When he was shit was that because he was muslim too?

As I understand it, he only converted to Islam about a year ago....in fact shortly before his upturn in form.

 

[Lilbaz]

As I understand it, he only converted to Islam about a year ago....in fact shortly before his upturn in form.

Better convert the rest of the squad then.

 

[alexis]

Painful viewing for most of the match, mostly because we still seem unable to break a high press. Compare us to City who always seem to have a player in space when they bring it out, then acres of space once they're through it. The drilling they do to gain that fluidity and comfort on the ball is patently evident. That is the measure of Guardiola. Yes he has the best tools around, but it's the coaching that has made them the unit they are. In comparison, we looked slow and laboured because they are superb at closing down channels. As good a coach as Poch is, I don't think he's near Guardiola's level yet, and I think that game bears that out. Yes I know we were missing some key personnel, but does anyone honestly believe that having Son and Alli in the team would have changed that?

I honestly thought the set up was the right one when I saw it, compact and looking to counter. For me it was about making sure we didn't give any stupid goals away early and grow into the game. For the first 20 mins or so it worked, after a fashion, but they were relentless with their press. It's telling that the one time they didn't press like madmen we then go up the other end and score.

Just on the 2 games I've seen of them so far, this City team looks even better than last season, with KDB looking at the very top of his game. I can't see anyone living with City in this current form, they are streets ahead of anyone in World Football atm imo.

So painful yes, embarrassing no but, for me, Poch should be looking at how Guardiola has drilled his team and should be looking to emulate much of what he has done with that City team.

Our players aren't mugs, they're top notch professionals that could play that high tempo game if it's drilled into them.

Great assessment and far from some of the more reactive embarrassing posts that we have on here. We will improve got schooled by the best team in the world and KDB on fire, if stays fit worth a bet for Ballon D'or.

 

[Ronwol196061]

Better convert the rest of the squad then.

Eriksen never would go to the mountain he would wait for the mountain to come to him