0-0 away at Arsenal would be a good result or a disgrace?

[lets all have a disco]

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

Earns us points though no?

[mr_nool]

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

agree with this, but I do think Arsenal are our nightmare opponents, so caution might be the way forward. Against Scum and Chelsea we should go all out though.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

Earns us points though no?

You know what else earns points?

Scoring goals.
You know how you score? well at some point you attack.

[Manx Blue]

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

Earns us points though no?

And points mean prizes!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

It would be a great shame if we set out for a goalless draw against Arsenal like we did last year. BUT if we go for the win and end up with that draw then that's fine.

Exactly.

These days the focus seems to be on winning the game as opposed to trying not to lose it.

I'd take a draw over a loss, but we knew that already.

Well I suppose we did set out for the draw but in the circumstances I am really pleased.Not just that we were missing Silva and maybe Mario but mainly because Arsenal are in really good form and were flying from the start. We were seriously under the cosh and to be honest for quite a while I thought we were shocking and lucky.

But bit by bit we got tighter as a defensive unit and although never really threatening to score or even commit to try and score I am chuffed with that point.

Jo was the most consistent player in our side so I can see why Mancini picked him.

[CityFanFromRome]

I actually really enjoyed that second half, and the inevitable shit we will take from everyone afterwards. I think with Silva and Balotelli fit then it would have been a different performance.

I'm sorry but we were so negative. Never even attempted to win that. DIdn't even have a shot on target. Good result shocking performance.

I don't care as long as the result is good.

[mr_nool]

It would be a great shame if we set out for a goalless draw against Arsenal like we did last year. BUT if we go for the win and end up with that draw then that's fine.

Exactly.

These days the focus seems to be on winning the game as opposed to trying not to lose it.

I'd take a draw over a loss, but we knew that already.

Well I suppose we did set out for the draw but in the circumstances I am really pleased.Not just that we were missing Silva and maybe Mario but mainly because Arsenal are in really good form and were flying from the start. We were seriously under the cosh and to be honest for quite a while I thought we were shocking and lucky.

But bit by bit we got tighter as a defensive unit and although never really threatening to score or even commit to try and score I am chuffed with that point.

[highlight]Jo was the most consistent player in our side so I can see why Mancini picked him[/highlight].

I agree that Jo was consistently shit, apart from a great through ball to Tevez.
I couldn't help defending him in the match thread, though. Firstly because I think that playing him was the right tactical decision by Mancini, even though it didn't work out tonight. Secondly because our struggling wasn't down to Jo having a bad game, but to Arse having a stormer, and us lacking both pace in midfield and someone to control the ball, retain possession and calm things down (read Silva). And thirdly, because posters who choose to single one player out and pick on him for the whole 90 minutes, without any attempt to analyse what's really going on piss me off.

[brite blu sky]

It turned out to be a good result!

disgraceful!

.. next!

[Biamp]

No doubt, it's a point gained.

[john@staustell]

Find myself pretty chuffed now.

The look on Wenger's face........................................priceless!

[IanWright]

Oh, Gawd, please don't make me remember that dreadful match again!

Seriously speaking, though, we've both just handed the title on a plate to the C'nts. Not only yesterday's game- our non-performance at Old Trafford and your mysteriously negative display against them at Eastlands earlier in the season.

I wasn't too taken aback with a point, to be fair. I honestly would've taken that had someone asked me about the fixture back in November. The way things are panning out with those lucky b*st*rds in Salford, though, we both needed a win.

Which is why I'm surprised City didn't play even slightly more adventurously. Mancini's evidently known we've lost to Newcastle, West Brom and Sp*rs at home, so we are potentially there for the taking. Ah, well.

Strangely, I still think Chelsea have a better chance than Arsenal of winning the league.

[Fish111]

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

Same here, our away form this season has been forgotten and is being counted for nothing by the pundits and experts this morning because of the way we play when we come up against the big boys.

[Swales4ever]

Pleased with a point but disappointment we have no balls at all to even attempt to attack.

Mancini to earn his money with this teamtalk. He better sort out that team's mentality. They look defeated out there except for Yaya.

We need to develop a backbone against our title rivals and quickly. It's bloody Spurs opening game of the season all over again.

Personally I hate the way we play against the top 4 teams. It makes us look like we have no bottle or confidence.

I do not have anything against a good forum banter, positional mind game. and so on....
I also have no shadow of doubt You are a long suffering proud breed & born Blue, whose support for Club I wont ever able to match in 3 lifes time....
BUT...
Do You really, I mean Actually, I mean Truly, I mean fairly BELEIVE WHAT YOU DO WRITE, down this forum?

Do You really believe It's a disgraceful shame to come to the field of one of the 5/6 World's best Sides, whilist they are enjoing a magnificent spell of form and get a point with a rock solid, shrewd, confident performance, while missing all the players who could have given Our Side the required depth to come and play a different game?

How, my beloved Blue Fellow, Your well renowned qualifications as gaffer of top profesional football sides would have managed to come at Emirates and pose a serious attacking display - a performing one, I mean - without the only senior playmaker [DS] and the only phisically fitted striker [MB] for the task, facing down the FACT that our beloved Skipper is also living a temporary spell of scoring form where he do see the goal as narrow as the pussy of my 5 year old nephew.

Please my utterly respected friend, stop drinking all the piss the Anti-City, Rag & Sky Paid Press throws at your mouth and do look at the real facts and figures the Club You do bravely support since Your Childhood is producing, in what is - irrefutably - the best season City is enjoying since quite the last 4 decades, while performing with a team still in the making....

Instead, please do join me at praying for the sake City might have - all together available DS,MB,CT& Edin Dzeko to go all out at the Swamp on next february. Then, and if those availability shall come true, You will understand, if You actually want to understand, what is the meaning of come away on an enemy field anfd trash them. mark my word. and don't even bother to reply, because I AM JUST AN ARROGANT, GLORY_HUNTING WUM.


If You are not able to reflect on the above and act accordigly, I would humbly suggest to change Your nickname to OldTraffordMems...


EDIT: I've just been whipped by a Dub-liner mate of mine who privately judged me to much harsh at even suggesting that change of nickname, even on a provocative / challenging mood ...
I thoght it was pretty clear that I was not deemed by any means to disrespect Our entertainment / amusement fanatic ...

[Original Dub]

I actually really enjoyed that second half, and the inevitable shit we will take from everyone afterwards. I think with Silva and Balotelli fit then it would have been a different performance.

I'm sorry but we were so negative. Never even attempted to win that. DIdn't even have a shot on target. Good result shocking performance.

I don't care as long as the result is good.

I hear this again and again.

Maybe you should just check the result then instead of watching any game. Not getting at you in particular mate - nor am I annoyed with this particular point - but its so easy to say that results are ALL that matters and its not true.

[Duckman]

We did what we had to do. Im very pleased.
Been looking upcoming fixtures, ours and the rags', I think we should be in front of the scum by mid february.

[CityFanFromRome]

I actually really enjoyed that second half, and the inevitable shit we will take from everyone afterwards. I think with Silva and Balotelli fit then it would have been a different performance.

I'm sorry but we were so negative. Never even attempted to win that. DIdn't even have a shot on target. Good result shocking performance.

I don't care as long as the result is good.

I hear this again and again.

Maybe you should just check the result then instead of watching any game. Not getting at you in particular mate - nor am I annoyed with this particular point - but its so easy to say that results are ALL that matters and its not true.

I know what you mean, and I do agree that results are not all that matters; but in the big games, imho, it's results first, then if possible an entertaining performance, especially away; of course I wouldn't want us to play like this at Blackpool or Wigan and nick a 1-0 win, though, nor I'd like this display at home against anyone.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I actually really enjoyed that second half, and the inevitable shit we will take from everyone afterwards. I think with Silva and Balotelli fit then it would have been a different performance.

I'm sorry but we were so negative. Never even attempted to win that. DIdn't even have a shot on target. Good result shocking performance.

I don't care as long as the result is good.

I hear this again and again.

Maybe you should just check the result then instead of watching any game. Not getting at you in particular mate - nor am I annoyed with this particular point - but its so easy to say that results are ALL that matters and its not true.

You should try to appreciate that some of us are looking results first and foremost. 'Total football', imo, is luxury we can start asking for when we've actually established ourselves as a top force and won something. Also, when you are doomed to midtable mediocrity, you want to see good football to cheer you up. But when you are fighting against relegation or for title/place in top 4, it's results you look first and foremost. Also take into consideration Mancini's position. He can NOT afford any risks at this stage. It's Champion's League or job centre for him.

But I myself do appreciate people who look entertainment first and foremost as well.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I actually really enjoyed that second half, and the inevitable shit we will take from everyone afterwards. I think with Silva and Balotelli fit then it would have been a different performance.

I'm sorry but we were so negative. Never even attempted to win that. DIdn't even have a shot on target. Good result shocking performance.

I don't care as long as the result is good.

I hear this again and again.

Maybe you should just check the result then instead of watching any game. Not getting at you in particular mate - nor am I annoyed with this particular point - but its so easy to say that results are ALL that matters and its not true.

You should try to appreciate that some of us are looking results first and foremost. 'Total football', imo, is luxury we can start asking for when we've actually established ourselves as a top force and won something. Also, when you are doomed to midtable mediocrity, you want to see good football to cheer you up. But when you are fighting against relegation or for title/place in top 4, it's results you look first and foremost. Also take into consideration Mancini's position. He can NOT afford any risks at this stage. It's Champion's League or job centre for him.

But I myself do appreciate people who look entertainment first and foremost as well.

I might be wrong and maybe I shouldn't speak for others, but I'm pretty sure that it isn't just about wanting entertaining football. I wanted us to win, but I knew we weren't going to score with that line up and those tactics. A point at Arsenal IS a decent result in a way, but we have lost further ground on top spot. We really could have done with a win, I'm not saying that was ever going to be easy, but at least try and attack.

[brite blu sky]

You should try to appreciate that some of us are looking results first and foremost. 'Total football', imo, is luxury we can start asking for when we've actually established ourselves as a top force and won something. Also, when you are doomed to midtable mediocrity, you want to see good football to cheer you up. But when you are fighting against relegation or for title/place in top 4, it's results you look first and foremost. Also take into consideration Mancini's position. He can NOT afford any risks at this stage. It's Champion's League or job centre for him.

But I myself do appreciate people who look entertainment first and foremost as well.

Interestingly Chelsea's situation may well back your point up there nqdp. weren't Chelsea making noises at the start of the season about how Ancelotti had brought more attractive football? Now look at them.

In truth though Managers have to keep the fans onside.. so that would be results and performances then, ho hum!

[ronk]

You play what's in front of you. Despite having no shots on target we did have some decent attacking moments. We had 5 shots off target and almost got in a few times. We've lost games this season where we had many more shots than Arsenal had against us. Under pressure we tightened up, but why shouldn't we? They did a lot of damage early on and we adapted, they'd have done exactly the same if the position was reversed.

Sure we could have shown more ambition, but so could they. They settled for a certain level of attacking intent and went no further, it was sensible from them, why should we play any different.

Yaya was great at times, but worn out. I'd want him to sit in midfield rather than bomb forward and get stuck there uselessly if it wasn't in the tank. That's not boring, it's just not stupid. If the price is that you let a chance or two peter out rather than fall completely apart, then you just have to do it. You don't charge forward if you can't make it back. You only take risks in attack if they're proportional to the gains and losses.