****official - champions v southampton match thread****

[Swales4ever]

absolutely and totally agreeing with comments by Kinky, and with what Ted noted about plan B (if I still am allowed to do it).

[PALUS]

Platt was interviewed before the game, broadcast in City square, and kind of said that he was 'surprised' we hadn't done much work on this system but that 'Bobby thought we didn't need to'.

Boby was wrong.

Entertaining attacking football though & whatever the tactical flaws, if players had finished properly, the game would have been well over before Southampton scored. What I liked in particular, which may have gone missing amongst all the defensive mess, is that we had a proper genuine plan B.

I've been moaning on here about getting balls into the box (like the rags do) & chucking in the kitchen sink when it's a must win situation. Well first half we tippy tappyd & dominated but created few chances, just relied on Tevez. 2nd half we continued, opened them up then missed. Then, when the shit hit the fan & we needed goals, we stormed it. Crosses, diagonals, early balls, quick stuff. All the stuff the rags do when at their best. One very encouraging moment was a diagonal from Yaya to Dzeko at the near post, which Dzeko almost scored with a quality header. We NEVER do shit like that, but we did yesterday & Dzeko will get goals (& miss a few too) if we play like that, as will Mario. Very very encouraging.

Rodwell is going to be a great signing btw & Nasri was world class in his alround contribution.

If we only have of 10 5 good cross do they practice that at all its al on second far far away , cross in or araund 6 to 10 mters of goal. And Nasri was Silva from, last year and Silva wasweek but ok its just first game..