We Were Spineless Today

[King Kev]

When the spine of our team is missing we really seem to struggle.

Kompany, De Jong and Silva would have made a huge difference to the outcome of the match today.

[Blue Blood]

When the spine of our team is missing we really seem to struggle.

Kompany, De Jong and Silva would have made a huge difference to the outcome of the match today.

No doubt, as soon as i saw that they were all out today i felt we'd struggle. We just don't know how to play without them.

[Twobob]

We had a midfield that consisted of pkayers that are only naturaly square passers with very little pace - i think Zabs was one of the best on the pitch though, at least he made efforts to go forwards. Yaya was on a sunday stroll and in the 2nd half we had nothing in the middle of the park to break them down, as soon as zabs whent to LB our right wing was wide open too!

I thought Vieira did well though but again the lack of movement, pace and agility in midfield when Silva doesnt play is blindingly obvious!

Gutted too! Had Balo down as 1st goal and 2-1 to us - the barstuards!

[Goaters 103]

We looked leg weary and flat today. The atmosphere in the ground was awful - I've seen more life in a trampsvest - and it transferred onto the pitch. We sleep-walked through the first half but got in front from a great strike.

However we needed to start the 2nd half at a pace to reinforce our advantage. Instead we came out flat, conceded almost immediately and only upped our tempo a bit when we had forced ourselves to chase the game.

Until we find a way to grind out a win in games just like that, we won't be anywhere near the Prem title. There were 43k in attendance and yet the noise level and atmosphere was appalling - it needs to get better on wednesday and going forwards.

[john68]

With Johnno out long term, recently we have been pretty toothless on the wings. Attacking full backs don't fully compensate for the loss of an impact winger and even playing Kolarov wide in midfield hasn't been fully effective in shoring up that weak spot.
Without the essential spine of the team, we are always going to find it a struggle.

Whatever is said about the quantity of our squad, there are still huge gaps in the strength of our cover for a number of positions.

[Slim]

Richards, Johnson, de Jong, Kompany, Silva.

I wonder why that bitter cunt on the commentary failed to mention we were missing 5 starters due to injury.

[Ted Hughes]

Richards, Johnson, de Jong, Kompany, Silva.

I wonder why that bitter cunt on the commentary failed to mention we were missing 5 starters due to injury.

They have the same sympathy for our predicament, as we would have had for Mourinho or Ferguson's teams in the days after they had spent countless millions & we were still skint. Ie; fucking none.

[CityFanFromRome]

Spineless as we may have been, we created enough chances to win the game, not only the Tevez's one but also Balotelli missing the ball from close range on Zabaleta's low ball from the right, and Kolarov trying to shoot from a very tight angle with Balotelli and Dzeko right in front of the goal waiting for him to deliver the ball.

We missed the injured players a lot but we still could have won that game with a bit more composure in front of goal.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

The player we really missed was Silva. We could have lived without Nige and Vince had Dave played.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Yaya battles to perform from one Saturday to the next let alone playing every 3 days...the guy must be the unfittest in the squad... either that or hes a lazy bastard........there is no excuse really but I lost count of the times he just gave up.

Fucking annoying..it really is.

[Fesan]

We are going to have to win both games vs competitors now (Tottenham and Chelsea)... hope you are up for it guys!