brite blu sky wrote:obviously massively looking forward to the first competitive game. This is all about coming out as we mean to go on during the season, with 94+ mins of total commitment.
(i took the shield defeat as an overall good thing for City..a kick up the arse at the right time that didn't mean anything in real terms. If this squad want to achieve things this season there can be no coasting or lack of concentration or complacency).
Swansea i'm sure will give it their best shot to get into the game, but with all due respect City should dominate this game. I'm looking for a clean sheet and to see the players taking the oppo seriously right up to the final whistle.
In a general sense I still think that this team is not the finished article by some stretch, yes they can now play as a team but there is a lot of improvement in the interplay, particularly in relation to the final 3rd, needed yet. They have gone from just missing some great moves mid-season last year, to just about catching those key passes.. but it is still all too close to the bone.. fingertip stuff, lacking a relaxed confidence still.
That will still take time as it is the players really knowing each other and more Spanish style discipline in availability. Imo it is great though that we can look forward to this squad improving beyond what it is.. by mid-season they should be getting there and that would be good timing to start hitting peak performances.
Although I recon they were playing above themselves v us & in the 1st half yesterday, the rags knocked the ball around amongst their front players with a fluency & purpose often missing from ours, particularly when Balo & Dzeko play. Imo, out of all those lot in their attack & midfield, only Rooney would be a definite starter in our strongest team. Nani a possible but in place of who ? Wellbeck, no chance, Cleverley/Anderson, no chance, Young/bench.
If our management team is good enough, Balo, Dzeko, Tevez, Aguero, Silva, Nasri, Yaya, AJ should be knocking the ball around like that this season but producing better because they are better players. Any of the top PL managers would get them doing that (even Harry). That's the test imo; not neccessarily to win anything this year but to go up a level & play the kind of football that makes us look like we are becoming the kind of team our owner aspires for us to be.
If Bob's up to the task, we will start to become that team this season & BE that team next season. If we don't, he's not up to the task & needs to go. The 'gelling' time is over; the players largely know what he wants now. This season is when it should all start to come together. I think it will & am quite excited about it.
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 7:47 am