PL 2021/22 Season

[Maxiedge]

It's not like City to catch a lucky break

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59818457

haha came to post this.

Not going down the path of conspiracy theory or anything but they have pulled away due to a nice set of fixtures. And now playing a team that could have possibly taken points off them but no chance now without a manager.

[Exiled_red]

Man City have been on a good run but have we not been f*cked over here by the fixtures?

They got to play massive under-strength Leeds while our fixture was cancelled. Then they play a Newcastle with very little rest and again with squad issues. They had 5 days rest when Newcastle had 3. As if they need a helping hand ffs.

They played Leicester at home who were basically psychologically throwing the game by not starting Vardy and then they get another 5 day break and play thursday (where we would have played 2 games in 3 days).

I understand the gap has widened but, f*ck me, they've had a good run of it last 2 weeks. Very few complaints from their camp about the fixtures.

City have had some luck yes, but I don't think we've really been ****ed over by fixture. We had a decent rest before the Leicester game we were more or less at full strength (only Thiago out injured/with Covid and Robertson suspended), Leicester were without CBs and playing midfielders out of position. Last night's result was purely down to us.

Spurs we were ****ed over by the officials yes we were missing a few players but we were in a winning position until the mistake which gifted them the equaliser.

[danperkins]

City have had some luck yes, but I don't think we've really been ****ed over by fixture. We had a decent rest before the Leicester game we were more or less at full strength (only Thiago out injured/with Covid and Robertson suspended), Leicester were without CBs and playing midfielders out of position. Last night's result was purely down to us.

Spurs we were ****ed over by the officials yes we were missing a few players but we were in a winning position until the mistake which gifted them the equaliser.

[Norbs]

haha came to post this.

Not going down the path of conspiracy theory or anything but they have pulled away due to a nice set of fixtures. And now playing a team that could have possibly taken points off them but no chance now without a manager.

To be fair though, Arsenal usually roll over and get their tummies rubbed by City

[Charly]

To be fair though, Arsenal usually roll over and get their tummies rubbed by City

With their legs spead wide.

[spud_gun]

It's not like City to catch a lucky break

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59818457

The last time he tested positive the world shut down

[fabinho]

If we look subjectively at our team now compared to the title winning season, the players just aren't consistently at the required level. Look, we're one of the top 3 teams in the league still, no doubt. But to topple City we need to be excelling and we've all seen that we aren't quite good enough despite what the records and results may suggest. Over a 38 game season, you will come up short if the short comings aren't rectified.

Here's my take on player form;

Becker - always has an error in him but I think his goalkeeping is actually the best since he's been here. He's in brilliant form.

Trent - he's better than last year. His crossing is superb although his form is still a little patchy. For me considering how clean he hits a ball, he should be getting 5 to 10 goals a season for me. Roughly same form as title winning season.

Robbo - signs he's getting back to it. But for me he's at 70% of title winning form. He's more hesitant and rarely uses his right foot to keep the ball moving quicker.

Matip - I think he's been at a fairly good level this season. Needs to do more at corners from an attacking point of view

Virgil - here's the biggest issue for me. He's still our best player but he's barely at 70% for me. He's very little threat at corners for us which is a big loss. He also hasn't got the pace back. He's dropping deeper and standing off players. He's been at fault for a lot of goals this season. Yesterday he should have blocked that shot. It's understandable considering the injury he suffered. But him not at 100% is massive for us.

Henderson - he still has the desire and drive but his body isn't allowing him to influence in the same way. He's also trying to be a creative force when he isn't. I think he's way off the form of 2 years ago.

Fabinho - best DM in the league. He's not an issue for me.

Thiago / Ox / Keita - none are playing regular enough and none are doing enough. Ginni was a better cog in our system although he peaked and last season was patchy. I don't think we're missing him we needed a better replacement.

Mane - was my favourite player - poor shadow of the player he was. Effort is same as previous but his effectiveness in the team is barely 20% of required level. Shooting is awful. Too many touches. He's ****ed and he ain't coming back. Time to be ruthless and replace him in January.

Bobby - there's glimpses but he's finished for me. You can accept the lack of goals if he's working hard and creating stuff. I don't think his body can do it anymore. Not at the level that our team needs. For this team to excel everyone needs to be at 100%. He's way off and the peak has been I'm afraid.

Salah - his all round play has been superb this season. Not just the goals. But he looks mentally and physically knackered. He is the sole creative force. He's unable to do it every game.

Our 70% is better than 17 other teams in this league. But it's not enough to challenge City.

The team is older and peaked perfectly 2 years ago. It's too big an ask to expect us to get back to that level.

Hopefully we win something. I'd take 3rd and a cup over 2nd and no trophy.

There's always hope that City implode, but I personally don't think we can take advantage. If I'm wrong I'll be delighted.

I agree with pretty much all of that. Mane and Henderson are the two biggest issues we have in my opinion. If they were both at even 80% of their best, we'd probably still be ahead, but they've been off it for far too long, and I'm not convinced either of them will ever get back to their best.

Virgil gets a pass though, I knew it would take him a season to get back up to level.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/basstunedtored/status/1476200299605942276"]https://twitter.com/basstunedtored/status/1476200299605942276[/ame]

City need to collapse like the England top order

[Norbs]

And they'll spend another £200M in January to ensure they stay where they are

[Paul12]

Just feel sad. It WAS a poor performance, but season it feels like ManCity's poor performances don't result in as many dropped points as ours.

I also wonder why we don't go radical when a game is not going for us, and I don't mean leaving Virgil up or bringing Ali up for corners. I mean (a) inverting the full backs (it allows the full backs to become a direct goal threat and draw the defence out towards them), (b) overloading attacking areas of the pitch through more sideways movement of players and (c) switching positions of attacking players more so defenders cannot settle...for example.

On the other hand, I am just a garage mechanic and I wouldn't accept Jurgen telling me how to get under the bonnet.

[Kenneth]

I think that’s always been levelled at Klopp, ie there’s essentially one tactical plan and no plan B. Plan A seems to work pretty damn well though.

[fabinho]

Just feel sad. It WAS a poor performance, but season it feels like ManCity's poor performances don't result in as many dropped points as ours.

I also wonder why we don't go radical when a game is not going for us, and I don't mean leaving Virgil up or bringing Ali up for corners. I mean (a) inverting the full backs (it allows the full backs to become a direct goal threat and draw the defence out towards them), (b) overloading attacking areas of the pitch through more sideways movement of players and (c) switching positions of attacking players more so defenders cannot settle...for example.

On the other hand, I am just a garage mechanic and I wouldn't accept Jurgen telling me how to get under the bonnet.

How long should it take to tighten a slipping fan belt on an old Hilux? Is there much to it, do I simply undo a couple of bolts and pull it tighter and retighten or is there more to it than that? ��

It's squeezing like a right ******* at the moment

[Exiled_red]

I have to say it does take supreme confidence in plan A that 3 or 4 mins into 5mins of stoppage time in a game that you are 1-0 down in you are still prepared to play the slow build up rather than getting it forward ASAP, somewhat frustrating to watch as a fan when it doesn't work though...

[danperkins]

The slow build up was evident throughout the game, we just look lethargic all the way through the team, still trying to wrap my head around it. Even playing ****, we should have had that game wrapped up easily but we blew it. 6 points behind the strongest squad in the world in a period when squad strength is more important than ever. I just can't see anything else other than City and I do think they will strengthen in Jan window... us not so much.

[Irishnev]

The slow build up was evident throughout the game, we just look lethargic all the way through the team, still trying to wrap my head around it. Even playing ****, we should have had that game wrapped up easily but we blew it. 6 points behind the strongest squad in the world in a period when squad strength is more important than ever. I just can't see anything else other than City and I do think they will strengthen in Jan window... us not so much.

“Breaks” don’t suit us - the first team had essentially a 9 day gap since Spurs. How many times have we come back from winter camps and look ****e.....Klopp always speaks of rhythm..... we lacked it last night. Our players like to play every 3 or 4 days - it keeps them sharp.