In order to learn how to win .....

[lythamblue]

...... you have to learn how to lose first!!

Chill out, we will have learn't a lot from tonight. Winning trophies is not all about just having good players, it's all about how to turn round big games when you need to, and although it bugs me to say it ..... that's what manyoo know how to do in abundance.

It comes from experience and it comes from being in that situation many times before. I've said on here previously, that we will lose a few semis and even finals before we finally work out what it takes, and how to win one.

Then ..... winning a League Championship is another kettle of fish altogether. Again, we will have to fail in a few run ins, just like Arse, Chelski and even B'Burn did before they eventually won one.

It's all about the 'winning' experience. There will now be many big games for us to compete in. Tonight was just one of the first steps we have taken along that process and will serve us in good stead.

As Mancini would say ...... IT'S NORMAL!!!

[Kladze]

It eesa futbal.

[john68]

Sorry Lytham but I disagree.
Tonight was a different kettle of fish mate. A semi final against the rags defies the usual rules.

I think if you look at our squad, we have enough winners who have been through the process already and some of those who haven't, are experienced enough to know how to win.
I think there was a lot more than football going on on the pitch tonight and it was some of the extra stuff and not the football that defeated us.
I don't suggest that we become successful by punching our opponents, nor crippling them...and if we ever need to bottle opposing players at eastlands to gain victories...I'll give up.

[lythamblue]

Sorry Lytham but I disagree.
Tonight was a different kettle of fish mate. A semi final against the rags defies the usual rules.

I think if you look at our squad, we have enough winners who have been through the process already and some of those who haven't, are experienced enough to know how to win.
I think there was a lot more than football going on on the pitch tonight and it was some of the extra stuff and not the football that defeated us.
I don't suggest that we become successful by punching our opponents, nor crippling them...and if we ever need to bottle opposing players at eastlands to gain victories...I'll give up.

No ..... but we do need to learn how to seize the moment and play the last five mins of a big game like your life depended on it!

Unfortunately, you can only learn things like that once you have failed to do so previously ..... and lost.

Next time you are in that situation ..... you remember what beat you and make sure you do it to them.

In other words .... you lean how to become winners and champions. Too many in our side have never been in that position.

[ronk]

Sorry Lytham but I disagree.
Tonight was a different kettle of fish mate. A semi final against the rags defies the usual rules.

I think if you look at our squad, we have enough winners who have been through the process already and some of those who haven't, are experienced enough to know how to win.
I think there was a lot more than football going on on the pitch tonight and it was some of the extra stuff and not the football that defeated us.
I don't suggest that we become successful by punching our opponents, nor crippling them...and if we ever need to bottle opposing players at eastlands to gain victories...I'll give up.

Yes, but those are the actions of a team in decline that are living on reputation.

[john68]

Lytham, I accept what you are saying mate and do agree to some extent. I do think that a full City side with its experienced players understand that and are experienced enough to achieve this year.
Ronk, I agree that they are the actions of a team in decline. In fact I think that the way they behaved proved that fact. They couldn't trust their ability to win the day...They will know that.

[BobbyJ1956]

Lytham,
You normally talk a lot of sense (and you've got a good username, nice place though I prefer Bispham) but when you say that "it comes from experience and from being in the situation before", bloody hell they WERE in that situation before, in September, losing 4-3 in the last minute same as tonight. You know that. Maybe City lost this cup-tie when Van Der Sar saved SWP's shot to put City 3-1 up in the first leg and then Mancini went defensive and failed to go for the kill, but with a minute to go in the 2nd leg you expect them to be able to hold on, get extra time, and wait for the breakaway when Stevie Ireland would play a little chip to put Bellamy or Tevez in on goal and win it.

[Ted Hughes]

Lytham, I accept what you are saying mate and do agree to some extent. I do think that a full City side with its experienced players understand that and are experienced enough to achieve this year.
Ronk, I agree that they are the actions of a team in decline. In fact I think that the way they behaved proved that fact. They couldn't trust their ability to win the day...They will know that.

They don't care though. They've done it many times before to teams like Arsenal. They get the job done one way or another. The best Arsenal & Chelsea teams have stood up to it & attacked & defended with composure but their lesser teams have folded like we did. We could have taken the sting out of the game by keeping the ball, then hit them on the break but we failed to do it with enough quality. It's one thing diving into tackles but it's another to keep concentration under pressure & to pass the ball properly; it requires a different kind of bottle which we don't yet have as a team.

[Fidel Castro]

we brought it on ourselves by playing like gay Italians in the first leg. FACTLEMENT!

[King Kev]

To be fair I think City fans are experts at knowing how to lose!

We have had 34 years of practice!! We've served our time with regards to losing, it's time we started winning.

[viking the Odd]

To be fair I think City fans are experts at knowing how to lose!

We have had 34 years of practice!! We've served our time with regards to losing, it's time we started winning.

Could not of put it better, it almost made me laugh,well it did actualy, one day.one day.

[john@staustell]

Personally I dont think we should despair too much. Not the team we'll have when we break the top for sure. Especially in defence where Richards has a chance, but not Kompany, not Boyata (yet maybe) and certainly not Garrido (my God).

I know that's the way football goes, but even without new buys we would've been a different prospect with Toure Lescott and Bridge all fit, and therefore I'm not too upset by our 'reserves'.

Just the way it goes, SCUM are lucky, always have been. There's the cheating Wio business, and also if Van Der Saar had still been out, those other goons in goal would've spilt 2 or 3 of our chances.

FA cup it is then.

[dick dastardley]

our defence last night was shite our midfielders didnt support our front line and with one or two lucky breaks the fuckin scumbags won,

[david yearsley]

It comes from experience and it comes from being in that situation many times before. I've said on here previously, that we will lose a few semis and even finals before we finally work out what it takes, and how to win one.

If thats the case then we´ve got a fuclin long wait and I for one don´t think the owners will hang around that long mate

[Crossie]

Sorry Ted but you cant keep the ball then hit them on the break,

Hitting them on the break means a quick all fwd, often it ends up not being accurate.

Keeping the ball means they have time to organise defence, then we play it about abit until we feel the need to do something rash, and lose possession again