Manchester City Post-Mortem

[Lecter]

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

I still think people are being harsh on him

Generally yes you might have a point but he makes a run into the box expecting an early ball/delivery but he never gets it because its often checked back or the delivery doesnt beat the first man

Yes he then might be slow to react and make further movement but all impetus is lost anyway by that point

Its no coincidence that he was making runs and getting on the end of Gerrards crosses V Newcastle

Because they were delivered early into the areas he wants the ball

How often have out other players done that

Not that often imo

This is why United always look dangerous they are not afraid of constantly firing balls into danger areas and they always do it early

Put the ball in early when forwards are attacking the goal and defenders are running towards the goal and you have a greater chance of making something happen

Allow defenders to set, and get their backs to goal then you will be less effective

Dont get me wrong there are times we have put great balls in and Carroll hasnt managed to convert them (some was good goalkeeping other poor finishing / bad touches) but not last night

[Mostar]

That system would resolve to:

Hendo Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard Maxi
Suarez

As much as I like the look of that formation we need better.

2 of them cannot play week in and week out, which kinda puts that system in question.

Would really like to see us go out and buy a defensive mid, a striker and hopefully attacking mid/winger type of a player.

[doogle]

Only read page one and the critism of Carroll for last night is ridiculous, With Kuyt and Downing on either wing he got crap service and what service he got was ****ing floated again, Carroll held it up well last night and first touch was generally spot on, watched it with a utd fan and he couldn't believe the amount of times Downing decided to cut back instead of driving down the wing, Kuyt last night positional play was awful, when attacking down the right he always tucked inside or would go and stand 5 yards away from Johnson instead of going wide to create width, he was either told this to try and get Johnson to the byline to get extra bodies in the box or I hope this isn't true he didnt have a clue what we were trying but whatever the reason we weren't getting players to the line or weren't getting good early balls in either which I think Carroll would thrive on/needs, like I said earlier his other general play was good and got a few knock-ons and knock-downs but if there is no supply to him what is he expected to do, generally the type of player he is you don't normally see 'mature' till later, Drogba was a late bloomer and maybe Drogba has a bit more skill but still uses his strength to hold it up/bundle through players, this is why I being more patient with Carroll who at 22 still has potential and is what maybe we have bought him for but Downing on the other hand should be near enough finished product so should be performing better than what he has

[Mostar]

Downing & Kuyt were shoscking imo

I genuinely think Dirks time is up

Thought Adam was ok (nothing more nothing less)

Carroll well I've addressed that elsewhere

Oh and Henderson seems to be growing week by week

For me only Hendo out of those got passing mark.

Carroll was little bit better than normal but imo he is far from starting material.

In fact I wouldn't feature any of them in the starting lineup going forward except Hendo, who I thought has a very good understanding with Stevie. If he can expand his game (improve defensively and gain confidence to start dribbling and taking a man going forward) he has potential to be a very good and important player for us.

All others to me were more less disappointing yesterday and I really hope we go out and get some decent players as watching some of those yesterday was beyond frustration.

[sssiho]

When are City going to be charged with not keeping there players under control? There were 3 times when the ref made a decision they did not like and he was surrounded by 5/6 players shouting and pointing. The same happened in the Arsenal game on Monday they surrounded the ref and started shouting & screaming when do they get charged?
Why do Liverpool get fined for disputing a wrong decision?

[Shanks]

henderson i don't get ... he looks quality on the ball, his technique seems pretty fine and when he tries to play he's got quite some pass on him as well but he seems too afraid to do anything advanterous with the ball unless it's the safest bet. i really hope he grows in confidence and believe and determination over time.

I've been really pleased with Henderson. He's obviously not the finished article but I think he is getting better and better. That was a lovely first time pass last night to set up Downing's chance.

Oh and Henderson seems to be growing week by week

Looked decent last night.. Great workrate from him..
Apparently THE fittest lad at the club, in terms of stamina..


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPF-DwZYlm0"]JORDAN HENDERSON | vs. Manchester City | 3.1.12 | HD - YouTube[/ame]

[danperkins]

Hendo was ok last night, for me he needs someone like Gerrard beside him to learn from IMO. He is a big lad with good engine, decent technique but for me he needs a bit more aggressive & needs to learn how to affect the game a bit more. Time i son his side and hopefully he can progress.

[peekay]

Kuyt and Downing - 0 goals and assists this season

Carroll, Henderson, Spearing , Adam - less than 6-7 goals this season and not a great number of assists even.

No pace, no movement, no creativity, no drive. the game could have gone on for 10 hours and Downing could have sent in 100000 crosses and Kompany would have headed them away comfortably.

Bad day at the office for the King. Hopefully we dont play this line up often.
We were set up for a draw, I think.

We missed Lucas really badly. As for Adam - I was very happy with the way he performed before Stevie G came on couple of weeks ago. Now I am not sure if he is having a bad run of form or whether Gerrard is just highlighting the gulf in class between the two. Anyway he needs a break.


And let us not start comparing Rafa and the King every time we loose. It is pointless. I have been a huge Rafa supporter and was against him being fired. However, we did have some absolutely shocking performances under him in the PL.

We need to get the signings correct in the next two windows though. No more Jelavic, Bent level signings.

[Mattshark]

Kuyt and Downing - 0 goals and assists this season

Carroll, Henderson, Spearing , Adam - less than 6-7 goals this season and not a great number of assists even.

No pace, no movement, no creativity, no drive. the game could have gone on for 10 hours and Downing could have sent in 100000 crosses and Kompany would have headed them away comfortably.

Bad day at the office for the King. Hopefully we dont play this line up often.
We were set up for a draw, I think.

We missed Lucas really badly. As for Adam - I was very happy with the way he performed before Stevie G came on couple of weeks ago. Now I am not sure if he is having a bad run of form or whether Gerrard is just highlighting the gulf in class between the two. Anyway he needs a break.


And let us not start comparing Rafa and the King every time we loose. It is pointless. I have been a huge Rafa supporter and was against him being fired. However, we did have some absolutely shocking performances under him in the PL.

We need to get the signings correct in the next two windows though. No more Jelavic, Bent level signings.

I think Adam needs Lucas to cover for his lack of work in the defence. He has looked poor since Lucas' injury.

[peekay]

I think Adam needs Lucas to cover for his lack of work in the defence. He has looked poor since Lucas' injury.

[Exiled_red]

I think Adam needs Lucas to cover for his lack of work in the defence. He has looked poor since Lucas' injury.

[Bender]

it's the manner of defeat which is not acceptable and dalglish's signings in general have not been good so far other than suarez....... carroll /downing and adams all have prem experiene and should be doing better........but where still in the race for the champs league...... we really need to use maxi/bellamy more often ...... and why not give one of our youth/reserve strikers a chance

[Lee]

it's the manner of defeat which is not acceptable and dalglish's signings in general have not been good so far other than suarez.......

Bellamy? Enrique? Henderson?

Probably a bit too early to mention Coates but he comes with a good reputation.

Heck, even our reserve keeper is better than last seasons.

I agree that Downing has been ****e but you're being unfair with that statement I think.

[Neil Young]

Bellamy? Enrique? Henderson?

Probably a bit too early to mention Coates but he comes with a good reputation.

Heck, even our reserve keeper is better than last seasons.

I agree that Downing has been ****e but you're being unfair with that statement I think.

He's using old data.

[Lee]

[Bender]Why isn't Meijer in the squad?[/Bender]