EDS (or reserves) v Burnley

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Only a friendly but interesting to see some of the players have a run out.The game ended 2.2 with our goals from Harry Bunn and Chris Chantler. I felt we were overall the better side but went a goal down when Roman lost the ball badly facing the wrong way just outside their penalty area. Their guy just sprinted away, knocked the ball past Meppen Walters as if he wasnt there and ran on to smack it past Johansen easily.

Shocking from City's point of view.We had most of the first half but almost everything good that happened was via Assulin or Bunn.They were the live wires with pace and ideas. But to be fair Mancini did one or two nice things even though he was mostly his usual self.Like a nice one two with Chantler which put him through to miss a one on one. Roman ,playing wide right was mostly marked out of it and Scapuzzi,who was tried in the middle just didn't get involved very much.Razak also was quieter than usual but his role was much more of a sitting one.

Bunn equalised when he cut across the box from the left and hit a clean strike from 20 or so yards.The keeper was probably unsighted to start with but it was a good shot into the corner anyway.Scapuzzi went off at half time brining Omar Elabdellaoui on and that helped Roman and the team look more creative as we hald the ball a bit better and had better movement.The 2nd goal came after a longish spell with the ball on the right but going nowhere. A switch to the left created space and Mancini ( yes that man again) slipped the ball inside the full back for Chantler to run onto it and smash it home.Top class strike and pass.

More changes were made including Suarez on Roman off,Bunn off and Robinson on. Unfortunately Robinson made a mistake which set Burnley free to score the equaliser. A bit lucky though as I think they had two miss hit shots which went to their players and the 3rd one went in. Also unfortunately when Bunn went off Mancini was put up front on his own.I don't think we attacked with any purpose after that as the movement stopped.

Shame Assulin went off as he does look pretty good but so too did Suarez. He has a good touch and moves well with the ball and like another Spaniard we know doesnt seem to know when to shoot ( yes I know Silva is getting better)

[Kladze]

Does Assulin actually look like he might be able to make the step up Doug?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Does Assulin actually look like he might be able to make the step up Doug?

Yes I think he does.A little lightweight maybe but his touch is deeeeecent and he runs with the ball well at pace.I would think with the quality we have he would look ok.

[Kladze]

Cool.

Cheers mate :-)

[blue wine]

thx doug

if you were manager doug, assulin or weiss?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

thx doug

if you were manager doug, assulin or weiss?

Quite similar in many ways.I have seen plenty of Weiss and somehow he just hasnt got better as I hoped/expected he would. Assulin has the same promise Vlad had and maybe will train on. So Assulin.

[freshie]

But to be fair Mancini did one or two nice things even though he was mostly his usual self

Is his 'usual self' pretty shit?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

But to be fair Mancini did one or two nice things even though he was mostly his usual self

Is his 'usual self' pretty shit?

I think that was the best game I have seen him play. But yes,a couple of moments apart, he was awful.