Vs Manchester City (A): Post Match Thread

[EwarWoo]

Despite the scoreline quite happy with that. We just looked slightly off the pace and City were far too good, but plenty of positives.

First goal was 2 individual errors (Allen's crappy clearance and Moreno's daydreaming in the box) until then we looked well in it.

Also great to finally have subs who can come on and make a difference.

And hopefully Johnson has a minor short term injury which will give someone a chance to make themselves first choice.

Awful to drop 3 points, but to do it in that manner away to City I can live with it.

[Icon]

So we go...

Mig
Flano Skrtel Lovren Moreno
Gerrard Allen
Sterling Sturridge Mario Markovic

[ronanm]

Hard to know if it was good or bad with so many new players. Need something from spurs.

[Leyton388]

One up front doesn't work for us.

[john316]

Can't essentially play last sesson's midfield/attack minus Suarez and sadly expect success. Chronic lack of goal threat that the likes of Markovic/Lallana/Balo etc need to address. Sturridge hasn't a hope without help around him.

Diamond formation with Balo starting for me on Sunday. Sooner Lallana is available the better as he walks into this starting XI as well.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

**** this result, but I'd only be concerned if we're this poor defensively (and offensively, in the final third) the next match.

Lovren and Moreno are new to a defensive unit which isn't up to scratch. Marvokic looks to have earned a starting place against Spurs at the expense of Coutinho.

[JohnDoe]

I was really looking forward to this one too. Oh well, we should learn from this and go again next Sunday. Looking forward to seeing Manquillo at right back and perhaps Sakho back in the side?

Should Markovic start in place of Coutinho?

I wouldn't drop Lovren. I think this game was rough for him mainly because Moreno was sleepwalking defensively.

Coutinho should definitely be dropped, but for Balotelli. I want to see a diamond with Sterling behind the two strikers.

This is a disappointing result but not the end of the world. It's a long season.

[G]

Meh.

Lambert needs to relax, its playing on his mind too much where he is. That second chance was a great one. Shades of Crouch at the beginning of his time here. Good for the goal though and Sturridge defo better with a partner up with him. Horrendous mistakes at the back and Mignolet with his second clanger in a game there, Lovren poor too, fully punished while our own chances went begging. Plenty of work to do on the back 5 and the movement, speed of passing up top. Not many teams will get much at City though.

[leo]

Am i the only one hoping Glen Johnson is out for few weeks?
I hope we sign a better keeper than Mignolet. I don't think he's very good.

[Muddled]

We had Manchester City's number for 40 minutes and an individual mistake cost us.

Our tactics and general play had been great to watch away from home to the reigning Champions. We didn't panic and continued to probe, but a sloppy second goal and we went all out knowing we could concede a third. It was the risk we took.

Certainly plenty of positives despite losing to a better team.

Markovic looks a great impact player to have from the bench. Whether he can off enough tracking back, time will tell. Moreno had a baptism of fire and certainly has attributes that could mean our left-back position is good for the next five plus years.

The defeat is hard to take, but Manchester City won't drop too many points at the Ethiad.

[ChesterDave]

I don't think we were as bad as some people are making out. Seems like Jeff Stelling's "doom and gloom" has infected some.

Looked creative enough. A bit lacking in the final third and caused plenty of defensive panic for City - they just got away with their numerous sliced clearances.

Punished us for each mistake we made and not every team will do that. Plus its new players and the team finding each other out so not going to gel immediately.

Definitely promising. Makovic did not in 60 seconds than a few players did in 90 minutes!

[Gibbo]

We weren't very good.

I'm not so sure about that, we controlled City for long periods. I personally believe we need to play 2 up top but that's just me.

Sort out the defence a bit and we are deffo looking strong.

[BobTheCharmer]

I thought we were holding our own until their first. They are sharper and ruthless in front of goal. I do worry we will be more arsenal like and in fact that's how Brendan likes us. Lots of ball, lots of passing, eye of the needle stuff. Let's see. Markovic looks quick and direct. Its going to be hard getting in the team when they are fit. The squad is pretty even quality wise with few stands out stars. In theory you can rotate easily and they all perform, I wonder if half our strength last season was the continuity of the team through necessity. Can't afford to lose next week.

[Leyton388]

We defo need some serious competition for the Mig.

[Red_Polo]

FFS thread merged so I lost my lengthy post when submitting. ****ing **** like the game was.

*goes off in huff*