Man City home Sunday 8th February at 430pm

[peterbread]

If we can't manage a lead for 15 mins, we definitely can't do it for a full half or more. The strategy was fine for me, in fact it was successful up to the point that it wasn't anymore. If you're set up to counter you need legs up front and as our attackers faded, so does our threat and the opposition know they can commit more forward. The best defensive sub for a counter attacking side is fresh legs up top. Didn't happen.

Yeah I don’t mind the plan today and we had them in the second half. The squad is thin and you need to manage that but he also needs to take responsibility for not using the other players he has on the bench.

Chiesa and Endo could have done a job today. They may not be the best to start games but for 20 minutes with fresh legs they can offer something. And why not chuck someone like Rio on and let him stay right up the pitch for the counter attack.

[Exiled_red]

If we can't manage a lead for 15 mins, we definitely can't do it for a full half or more. The strategy was fine for me, in fact it was successful up to the point that it wasn't anymore. If you're set up to counter you need legs up front and as our attackers faded, so does our threat and the opposition know they can commit more forward. The best defensive sub for a counter attacking side is fresh legs up top. Didn't happen.

Problem is we don't have fresh legs up top that the manager trusts, Jones and Robbo are the only senior players of first team quality. Chiesa doesn't have the legs for that type of running he is most effective when we are parked in their final third needing a goal. Ngumoha is probably the best in terms of pace and giving opposition something to think about but he's not big and not great at holding the ball up, and manager doesn't want to use him

We currently have a squad with 12 outfield players the manager would be happy to start plus 3 players he doesn't want to play for more than 15mins in very particular circumstances

[danperkins]

Yeah I don’t mind the plan today and we had them in the second half. The squad is thin and you need to manage that but he also needs to take responsibility for not using the other players he has on the bench.

Chiesa and Endo could have done a job today. They may not be the best to start games but for 20 minutes with fresh legs they can offer something. And why not chuck someone like Rio on and let him stay right up the pitch for the counter attack.

it's been like that all season, Slot simply doesn't trust the squad and unfortunately certain players have been burned out starting almost every game even when they've been playing poorly.

[Kenneth]

Problem is we don't have fresh legs up top that the manager trusts, Jones and Robbo are the only senior players of first team quality. Chiesa doesn't have the legs for that type of running he is most effective when we are parked in their final third needing a goal. Ngumoha is probably the best in terms of pace and giving opposition something to think about but he's not big and not great at holding the ball up, and manager doesn't want to use him

We currently have a squad with 12 outfield players the manager would be happy to start plus 3 players he doesn't want to play for more than 15mins in very particular circumstances

Indeed, and that's a failing of the manager more than the squad players.

[Fierce]

Not read the match thread but I thought we were good in the second half. Not so?

[Buzzo]

it's been like that all season, Slot simply doesn't trust the squad and unfortunately certain players have been burned out starting almost every game even when they've been playing poorly.

It was the same last season. He relied heavily upon Salah’s goals and assists and milking every last drop of energy out of a core of about 15 players. It’s a squad game now you need a squad you can trust. Just not playing guys isn’t an option. He’s now not got that out put from Salah, and seems to have a squad he trusts even less.

I reckon we won’t win at Sunderland without Dom and Slot will have to go after that.

[peterbread]

Who plays at RB now? Don’t want to rush either Frimpong or Gomez back. Jones?

[Buzzo]

Not read the match thread but I thought we were good in the second half. Not so?

We were right up until we weren’t. We had no plan for the last ten mins. No real use of bench to see us across the line. And some lads now know Slot doesn’t trust them so they are gettinv subbed into games in a weird headspace imo.

[RichC]

Not read the match thread but I thought we were good in the second half. Not so?

We looked really good until we scored. We then dropped off and let them play which is always going to end well.

There’s some imbalance in the side but when we’re at it we look decent, playing like a prime Hodgson side once we take the lead looking to hang on has left us deservedly losing the game.

[Buzzo]

Who plays at RB now? Don’t want to rush either Frimpong or Gomez back. Jones?

How **** must Calvin Ramsay be?

I wish he’d just risk a young player and se rid they can raise their game for 90 mins. That’s how Trent first got in the team.

[danperkins]

It was the same last season. He relied heavily upon Salah’s goals and assists and milking every last drop of energy out of a core of about 15 players. It’s a squad game now you need a squad you can trust. Just not playing guys isn’t an option. He’s now not got that out put from Salah, and seems to have a squad he trusts even less.

I reckon we won’t win at Sunderland without Dom and Slot will have to go after that.

[Buzzo]

We looked really good until we scored. We then dropped off and let them play which is always going to end well.

There’s some imbalance in the side but when we’re at it we look decent, playing like a prime Hodgson side once we take the lead looking to hang on has left us deservedly losing the game.

[Exiled_red]

I know alot don't rate him but I think we should have took a couple of million hit or whatever it would be to cancel Elliott's loan and bring him back for 2nd half of the season to have another body (relatively cheap without panic buying someone and being stuck with them). He would have been a player who has been proven to come on and have an impact for us late in games, could have provided energy fresh legs and creativity even if he lacks pace. For ne that was a no brainer

[peterbread]

How **** must Calvin Ramsay be?

I wish he’d just risk a young player and se rid they can raise their game for 90 mins. That’s how Trent first got in the team.

I get he’s not the best but he’s done ok in the few games he has played. You need a manager who will not just trust him but make him believe he’s good enough even if he isn’t. Someone who can get players performing above their usual standard.

And it’s weird because he did that last season with quite a few players.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Go 1-0 up just as I was leaving the airport, get home a short while ago and log on here to find you some of you berks must have cost us two goals