Manchester City Post-Mortem

[BG1973]

We didn't help ourselves, defensive mistakes and a blunt attack = 3-0.

spot on.

We had best chance of game with downing - surprise surprise he misses it. they go up the other end and score a fluke.

We control the game playing great passing football for the next 15 mins. they score from a set piece.

Kuyt has a great chance to get one back, it hits Kompany's arse.

They go down to 10 men, we bring on our 3 best attacking players and we give the ball away and they counter and score a dubious penalty.

We were unlucky in the overall scheme of things...I think we controlled the game however...they are more cilinical and made less mistakes in both final thirds. The howler from Pepe was a real shame.

[BigChief]

That system also puts a HUGE amount of pressure on your defensive midfielder

That system would resolve to:

Hendo Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard Maxi
Suarez

So basically we replace Adam with Hendo next to Lucas. Doesn't really change how we were set up start of the season, if anything younger Hendo legs. This team would smash opponents as it finally puts together what's been missing all season: goalscorers (Gerrard, Maxi and Bellamy).

The opposition wouldn't have the ball enough to worry our backline, even if they scored by fortune we'd score 3 nearly every game. Enrique and GJ also become 100% more effective with this line-up.

[MrMichael]

That system would resolve to:

Hendo Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard Maxi
Suarez

So basically we replace Adam with Hendo next to Lucas. Doesn't really change how we were set up start of the season, if anything younger Hendo legs. This team would smash opponents as it finally puts together what's been missing all season: goalscorers (Gerrard, Maxi and Bellamy).

The opposition wouldn't have the ball enough to worry our backline, even if they scored by fortune we'd score 3 nearly every game. Enrique and GJ also become 100% more effective with this line-up.

I really like the look of that lineup. Really like it.

Its a shame we won't get to see it, what with Lucas being out, Suarez suspended, Bellamy seemingly unable to start 2 games in a row, and Maxi being in & out of favour for whatever reason

[Neil Young]

I really like the look of that lineup. Really like it.

Its a shame we won't get to see it, what with Lucas being out, Suarez suspended, Bellamy seemingly unable to start 2 games in a row, and Maxi being in & out of favour for whatever reason

You forgot to mention that we don't have a player called Hendo and that Gerrard is finished.

[BG1973]

Sorry but this is insanity. We spent 94 minutes putting crosses into City's box and I honestly can't remember AC coming close to scoring from even one of those crosses. So either no one in our team can cross or perhaps Andy is a slow donkey without the movement or guile to get on the end of those crosses.

Hoofing the ball towards AC is not and never will be the way forward for this club.

The crosses were all poor - nothing for him to attack. All were in defenders favour.

Carroll however is such a limited footballer. Hideously limited and slow.

[Lecter]

The crosses were all poor - nothing for him to attack. All were in defenders favour.

Carroll however is such a limited footballer. Hideously limited and slow.

One thing that really pisses me off is that we get into areas were a good early cross might actually benefit Carroll

IF we do decide to cross it then generally the delivery isnt up to much or it hits the first man

More often than not we check back fanny around a bit and then punt the ball hopefully into the box.

Then we probably all sit there wondering why Carroll is stood there waiting

[BG1973]

Yeah but it doesnt matter - if you sign a player and he performs well, he's a good signing. If he doesnt, he's not a good signing. Irrelevant of the fees.

as long as you have a bottomless pit of money.

[cream]

Unfortunately, the money already spent on strikers is going to dictate how much we spend on our next striker. It would be silly to assume otherwise, unless one of our striker is leaving.

[Vermilion]

One thing that really pisses me off is that we get into areas were a good early cross might actually benefit Carroll

IF we do decide to cross it then generally the delivery isnt up to much or it hits the first man

More often than not we check back fanny around a bit and then punt the ball hopefully into the box.[/B]

Then we probably all sit there wondering why Carroll is stood there waiting

Do you think this has anything to do with players looking/wanting to find AC, they're all so keen to put the cross in that he scores from that it's having an effect, they aren't playing a natural game, they look especially for AC... if he's not there...they faff about....maybe not spotting a different option, then when they look up and he is there....they're so set on putting the perfect cross in that most of the time it ends up telegraphed to the extent that defenders make easy work of defending it.

edit: Or maybe they're just not LFC material, takes more than being just a good player.

[Lee]

That system would resolve to:

Hendo Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard Maxi
Suarez

I really like the look of that lineup. Really like it.

When everyone is fit then that's our strongest line-up in my opinion.

[cream]

Do you think this has anything to do with players looking/wanting to find AC, they're all so keen to put the cross in that he scores from that it's having an effect, they aren't playing a natural game, they look especially for AC... if he's not there...they faff about....maybe not spotting a different option, then when they look up and he is there....they're so set on putting the perfect cross in that most of the time it ends up telegraphed to the extent that defenders make easy work of defending it.

edit: Or maybe they're just not LFC material, takes more than being just a good player.

Carroll's movement is really poor, something that needs to worked on.

[Vermilion]

Carroll's movement is really poor, something that needs to worked on.

That's the weird thing, it seemed fine at Newcastle, a player needs to play his natural game, AC doesn't seem to be doing that at the moment, for whatever reason, but yeah, everyone can improve too..

[BigChief]

When everyone is fit then that's our strongest line-up in my opinion.

I think KK really wants to play that all the time, when everyone's fit of course. However, I think his hands are tied due to the summer spendings which have become a hinderance than a help.

Players like Downing / Carroll need to play to justify their cost and also give them confidence and gelling time. KK's team last season was small and focused enough, however now he has a bigger squad to nurture. This is not something he's done too often. In the past, i.e the 80s, he had smaller squads and egos to deal with.

[ric.williams]

never lost 3 nil before but felt quite positive about it

their opener was a rare reina error. he'd save that 99 times out of a hundred.

we made the would be champions play counter attacking football at their place.

their third was a dive and the ref was always going to try 'balance it out' after sending off barry

[Lecter]

Do you think this has anything to do with players looking/wanting to find AC, they're all so keen to put the cross in that he scores from that it's having an effect, they aren't playing a natural game, they look especially for AC... if he's not there...they faff about....maybe not spotting a different option, then when they look up and he is there....they're so set on putting the perfect cross in that most of the time it ends up telegraphed to the extent that defenders make easy work of defending it.

edit: Or maybe they're just not LFC material, takes more than being just a good player.

Dunno but no doubt someone will blame it on Carroll