Manchester City - Page 157

Pablo · 28-09-20, 11:48 AM

It also nicely sets the blueprint for other teams on how to topple City. They are so prone to that type of tactic it's unreal.

Buzzo · 28-09-20, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Man City 2-5 Leicester: Pep Guardiola's side have bigger problems than defence

By Darren Fletcher

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has got a lot to sort out. His side had an awful afternoon against Leicester City on Sunday and that was as poor as I've seen them play in a long time.

It was more than just the fact they conceded some bad goals - what was really worrying was how lost they looked, from front to back.

When things have gone wrong for City under Pep in the past, it has been easy to criticise their defence for being unable to deal with counter-attacks or for making individual mistakes.

We saw both of those things happen again against Leicester, but I think the whole team has to take responsibility for this defeat - not just their defenders.

The players in front of them did not put enough pressure on the ball and got played around too easily. They weren't staying with runners or getting up to the ball.

That, as well as the fact they seemed unable to create any chances when they came forward, was the worst thing about the performance, and most unlike what we are used to seeing from them.

City were without injured forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, who could both be out for several weeks.

Being without a recognised striker on Sunday was obviously going to be a problem, but it was the knock-on effect of dealing with that which had a bigger impact on their performance.

Pep usually goes with a single pivot as part of a 4-3-3 but, with the players he had available, he went with two holding midfielders in Fernandinho and Rodri and moved Kevin de Bruyne to more of a number 10 position, behind Raheem Sterling who was playing as a central striker.

Sterling is far more dangerous when he cuts in from the left and De Bruyne is usually at his best when he can go down the right - a central right rather than wide right - and put in his trademark crosses.

We did see the Belgian do that a little bit in the second half, but before the break it was all central and he couldn't really influence the game like he usually does.

Also, Phil Foden stayed out wide on the left rather than in the middle, where he sees more of the ball and is more effective.

So, arguably, City had three, four or even five players out of position - or at least not playing in their best position - and, on top of that, their full-backs never offered anything attacking-wise down the flanks.

No wonder they were so short of ideas.

City's struggles in attack were made worse by their mistakes at the back. The three penalties they conceded were all very similar too.

Each time, they let the Leicester player get on the wrong side of them inside the area, then made a clumsy challenge.

It is just basic defending, but the gaps between each member of the back four were too big and there was a lack of communication.

It looked like a back four that had never played together before - which it was - but it also looked like a back four that was lacking experience - which it definitely wasn't.

That was only half the problem, though, because protection wasn't there in front of them either. For all the great football we are used to seeing City play under Pep, they have always been one of the best pressing teams.

Usually, they don't give you a second on the ball, even when you are deep in your own half. On Sunday, though, they let Leicester get through them far too easily.

That was especially noticeable when Fernandinho went off early in the second half. I can understand why Pep decided to bring on a recognised striker in teenager Liam Delap, but it left his team far too open.

City had dominated possession in the first half but there were times in the second period when they were all over the place, even when they weren't outnumbered on Leicester counter-attacks.

Manchester City 2-5 Leicester City: Rodgers delighted with 'sensational' second half
As bad as Manchester City were, Leicester deserve lots of credit because their gameplan worked perfectly.

Jamie Vardy did not just get his hat-trick, he dropped back and stopped Rodri getting on the ball to build attacks and left City's two centre-halves to have the ball.

Leicester's two central midfielders, Youri Tielemans and Nampalys Mendy, were fantastic - aggressive and tenacious in the tackle, but also showing great quality on the ball when they looked to start a counter-attack.

Graphic showing Leicester's starting XI v Man City: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Evans, Soyuncu, Jones; Tielemans, Mendy; Praet, Vardy, Barnes
At the back, Jonny Evans and Calgary Soyuncu are a top-class centre-back pairing - as good as anyone else in the Premier League.

If you compare them to what Pep has got, they would start for his team, no doubt about it.

They played in a three with Daniel Amartey at Etihad Stadium, but Evans coming back after his suspension played a massive part in the Foxes' success. He was everything Manchester City were missing - a leader, a talker and good on the ball too.

It looks like Pep sees Benfica centre-half Ruben Dias as the answer to his side's problems there, with him and Aymeric Laporte becoming City's first-choice centre-back pairing.

Whoever it is they bring in, though, City will need to improve in front of them too.

It doesn't matter who your defenders are - if you keep letting attacking players like Vardy and Harvey Barnes get at your defence, they are going to cause you problems.

Norbs · 28-09-20, 12:18 PM

He's gone overboard with his Evans/Soyuncu comment a bit there

Irishnev · 29-09-20, 10:23 PM

Someone fucked up

Shaggy · 29-09-20, 10:25 PM

I hope that's not Rob's fault. He's a mate of mine.

Irishnev · 30-09-20, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I hope that's not Rob's fault. He's a mate of mine.

Harv · 30-09-20, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I hope that's not Rob's fault. He's a mate of mine.

Does he give you backstage passes for Guided by Voices gigs?

Shaggy · 01-10-20, 11:06 AM

"You spend half your fuckin life on the floor son"

__________________
Fucking chances, goals

Pablo · 01-10-20, 12:18 PM

The language from the Burnley bench was, erm, choice on numerous occasions last night. Without the pumped in crowd noice you could hear it all

Saveloy · 03-10-20, 09:00 PM

Why do some City fans reckon Pep lost the players' buy-in for his methods after the Lyon game?

Did he do anything odd tactically or did they all collectively get tired of his manic unrelenting intensity?

Irishnev · 07-10-20, 07:00 PM

Their Twitter was shut down today and they came with millions less followers? Had a load of bots before

Last edited by Irishnev; 07-10-20 at 07:07 PM.

ChesterDave · 07-10-20, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishnev

Their Twitter was shut down today and they came with millions less followers? Had a load of bots before

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/statu...06963394973698

Has anyone checked Bluemoon to see how angry they are

Cormack74 · 07-10-20, 07:27 PM

Hopefully any (actually that should probably say 'the many') gems will be shared in the oppo fans thread.

Buzzo · 16-10-20, 04:02 PM

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Vlog

Norbs · 16-10-20, 04:46 PM

Doesn't look like him

ChesterDave · 17-10-20, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishnev

Their Twitter was shut down today and they came with millions less followers? Had a load of bots before

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/statu...06963394973698

The one bit I missed when this was originally posted was that the account is following nearly 52 thousand accounts. What's the point

Roboklopp · 17-10-20, 06:00 PM

Little rat cunt scores too to really polish off a shit day’s footy.

McDermotX · 17-10-20, 06:18 PM

Kyle Walker there.

Certain peno. Surely VAR should review that now and award a pen to Arsenal before the 2nd half is allowed to kick off.

No idea what the panel will do of course after today.

frank the tank · 17-10-20, 11:17 PM

The fa is a fuckin joke

BobTheCharmer · 17-10-20, 11:23 PM

I think the size of city's squad is going to help them no end this season.

Fredo · 17-10-20, 11:57 PM

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Exiled_red · 18-10-20, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

https://twitter.com/RealKevinPalmer/...33930384445441

Saw that on MOTD, out of order but I doubt much will come of it.

Mr Pink · 18-10-20, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled_red

Saw that on MOTD, out of order but I doubt much will come of it.

Yaaa it was really inappropriate.. nothing will happen and I don’t think that anything should happen at this stage- but the ref should/could have booked him at the time..

ChesterDave · 18-10-20, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

https://twitter.com/RealKevinPalmer/...33930384445441

No punishment according to the Guardian. Which is odd given the apparent conspiracy against them

Norbs · 18-10-20, 01:17 PM

Would it have been a problem if it was a male linesmen?

Exiled_red · 18-10-20, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norbs

Would it have been a problem if it was a male linesmen?

It might be an old school view but I don't think you should be putting your hands on the officials whether they are male or female.

Fivex · 18-10-20, 01:41 PM

Certainly not in the middle of a pandemic :/

Fredo · 18-10-20, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norbs

Would it have been a problem if it was a male linesmen?

I can’t believe you’re saying this. Of course it’s a different situation if it’s a woman.

Roboklopp · 18-10-20, 02:30 PM

What if he’s one of the gays?

RedReet · 18-10-20, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norbs

Would it have been a problem if it was a male linesmen?

I tend to agree. If he was screaming at her, pushing her, intimidating her or basically treating her like a United player would an official, I could maybe understand, but he put is hand on her shoulder and the issue seems to be that it's a woman's shoulder, rather than the action itself.

I'm sure Sian would rather nothing was made of it.

Norbs · 18-10-20, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled_red

It might be an old school view but I don't think you should be putting your hands on the officials whether they are male or female.

Norbs · 18-10-20, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

I can’t believe you’re saying this. Of course it’s a different situation if it’s a woman.

It shouldn't be. She's a competent official. She wouldn't have been intimidated by it and had she felt he was out of line she would've raised issue. Her job is hard enough as it is without feeling that her gender makes her more vulnerable

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roboklopp

What if he’s one of the gays?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedReet

I tend to agree. If he was screaming at her, pushing her, intimidating her or basically treating her like a United player would an official, I could maybe understand, but he put is hand on her shoulder and the issue seems to be that it's a woman's shoulder, rather than the action itself.

I'm sure Sian would rather nothing was made of it.

Fivex · 18-10-20, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roboklopp

What if he’s one of the gays?

frank the tank · 19-10-20, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roboklopp

What if he’s one of the gays?

ChesterDave · 19-10-20, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

https://twitter.com/RealKevinPalmer/...33930384445441

Now copyright claimed

Unbelievable. well actually its not. Which is all the more depressing

danperkins · 19-10-20, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roboklopp

What if he’s one of the gays?

Harv · 20-10-20, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

I can’t believe you’re saying this. Of course it’s a different situation if it’s a woman.

Whats being a woman got to do with anything? He's grabbed her round the back of the neck, there's nothing violent or sexual about it at all.

The issue is about touching a referee and if he should be reprimanded, not that it's a woman.

Fredo · 20-10-20, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harv

Whats being a woman got to do with anything? He's grabbed her round the back of the neck, there's nothing violent or sexual about it at all.

The issue is about touching a referee and if he should be reprimanded, not that it's a woman.

No one should be touching a referee but you should be able to recognise that there is a different connotation to it if the ref is a woman right? Sian Massey did not make a fuss but that does not mean that it’s ok. I’m pretty sure if the ref was a man he would not have done this.

RedReet · 20-10-20, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredo

No one should be touching a referee but you should be able to recognise that there is a different connotation to it if the ref is a woman right? Sian Massey did not make a fuss but that does not mean that it’s ok. I’m pretty sure if the ref was a man he would not have done this.

Why?

If anything I think if it was a male lino he'd have been more aggressive, but because it was a woman he adopted a softer approach, most likely subconsciously.