Kolarov as a Left Midfielder

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Ha ha Fair comment. It isn't a selection I would have made but it went ok. And Kolorov isn't a big shithouse like Rupert was.

[sweenyuk]

For some reason, most of his attempts to cross the ball seemed to come early in the game. A couple were belters. Then it was back to the usual, stop & play it sideways/backwards routine that seems to pervade most City players, rather than swinging in a 1st time ball. I don't think it was anything Bob said, just something all our players seem to slip into. No doubt if we signed Beckham & Bale they'd just spend most games hitting ten yard passes sideways & backwards rather than crossing.

short passes keep the ball under our control, fireing in long crosses normaly mean we hand over possesion, so why waste the ball when you are winning? I know it is negative but it got us 3 points

[Ted Hughes]

For some reason, most of his attempts to cross the ball seemed to come early in the game. A couple were belters. Then it was back to the usual, stop & play it sideways/backwards routine that seems to pervade most City players, rather than swinging in a 1st time ball. I don't think it was anything Bob said, just something all our players seem to slip into. No doubt if we signed Beckham & Bale they'd just spend most games hitting ten yard passes sideways & backwards rather than crossing.

short passes keep the ball under our control, fireing in long crosses normaly mean we hand over possesion, so why waste the ball when you are winning? I know it is negative but it got us 3 points

Tbh, if we can't risk putting a few crosses in when we're 3 up at home to West Brom, I recon it's time we bought a new team. No way is it an intentional plan not to cross the ball, it's a fault that needs fixing.

[john68]

Quite right ted. During a season, there aren't that many occasions when the pressure is off and we have a chance to take a few gambles and try some new stuff under Prem conditions.
3-0 up against a poor team with time running out for them, is just such a gifted opportunity.

[Alioune DVToure]

Quite right ted. During a season, there aren't that many occasions when the pressure is off and we have a chance to take a few gambles and try some new stuff under Prem conditions.
3-0 up against a poor team with time running out for them, is just such a gifted opportunity.

I actually disagree with both of you on this one. After the general dodginess of the defence over the last month, there were only two things that needed to be taken care of yesterday:
1) Get the win
2) Keep a clean sheet

I'm actually quite glad we shut up shop in the second half. Massive boost for Joe and the defence going into the derby. 3-0 or 10-0 is neither here nor there. The 0 was the most important figure.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Quite right ted. During a season, there aren't that many occasions when the pressure is off and we have a chance to take a few gambles and try some new stuff under Prem conditions.
3-0 up against a poor team with time running out for them, is just such a gifted opportunity.

I actually disagree with both of you on this one. After the general dodginess of the defence over the last month, there were only two things that needed to be taken care of yesterday:
1) Get the win
2) Keep a clean sheet

I'm actually quite glad we shut up shop in the second half. Massive boost for Joe and the defence going into the derby. 3-0 or 10-0 is neither here nor there. The 0 was the most important figure.

I agree with your priorities but if that was" shutting up shop" I hope to god we don't do that against a decent team or, if we do, we get a lot better at it.

[lets all have a disco]

Too slow to be a winger.

Will do for now though.

[CityFanFromRome]

Too slow to be a winger.

Will do for now though.

Maybe it's me but I don't get this "too slow" thing about Kolarov; he seems fast enough to me, not every player has to be as fast as Lennon or Walcott, not if they have other qualities which don't make them one trick ponies.

[Alioune DVToure]

Quite right ted. During a season, there aren't that many occasions when the pressure is off and we have a chance to take a few gambles and try some new stuff under Prem conditions.
3-0 up against a poor team with time running out for them, is just such a gifted opportunity.

I actually disagree with both of you on this one. After the general dodginess of the defence over the last month, there were only two things that needed to be taken care of yesterday:
1) Get the win
2) Keep a clean sheet

I'm actually quite glad we shut up shop in the second half. Massive boost for Joe and the defence going into the derby. 3-0 or 10-0 is neither here nor there. The 0 was the most important figure.

I agree with your priorities but if that was" shutting up shop" I hope to god we don't do that against a decent team or, if we do, we get a lot better at it.

Yeah we were a little bit sloppy but I think we still took the pace out of the game. We were in control bar one occasion when Fortune (I think) got in behind. Our worst spell defensively was actually the first 15 minutes. Milner and Barry dropped off ten yards in the second half and West Brom just didn't have the invention (or the presence up top) to create many chances. We'll have to be tighter next week, but I was encouraged by yesterday.

[Ted Hughes]

I thought we were all over the place defensively for the whole game. Several times 1st half, only desperate sliding interceptions by Milner & Co stopped several straight balls being passed right between our centre backs; criminally bad organisation/positioning. Second half we were poor & only luck & W Brom's incompetence stopped them from scoring.