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pretty shit tonight...

Silva's worst game for us. Still, at least he's got it out of his system.

Silva went missing in the second half and was poor at passing in the first. Nasri was the player annoying me the most though. Countless times he was leaving Kolarov 2 against 1 and just stood there watching him trying to defend and not helping out. He didn't look arsed at all.

They were both poor. Nasri did have some decent touches in the first half, but in terms of making things happen they were not there. That said most of the rest of the team were not there either, Yaya was also poor to begin with and no-one was closing down or putting in tackles. Hats off at least to Yaya though as he at least got his shit together and started storming at them to make things happen.

Too many players having a mare.

Sounds stupid i know, but to me it was as if somebody had got to Silva and told him his legs would be broken if he played well. He was that insignificant in midfield tonight

I know Graeme Souness doesn't agree with me but that was a shocking 'half-pass' Silva left for Nige which led to their goal; the mantra seems to be, - and Uwe seemed cowed by Souness, - that Nige should have been more forceful in the challenge but I think it was partly down to not expecting it, and also not to concede a free in such a dangerous position.
Those kind of passes should never be attempted in our final third of the field, and especially to a player who wouldn't be interacting with Silva so much in or around opposition penalty areas.

Having said that Villareal had clearly identified him as our main threat and always had at least two players encircling him in their defensive third, frustrating him and limiting his effectiveness.
But I was worried at all the praise that was being heaped on him in advance of the game: last time that happened it went to his head and he had probably his poorest game in a City shirt.

Nasri, on the other hand,........

Im not convinced they play that well together yet

Patrick wrote:Im not convinced they play that well together yet

They didn't do too badly at white hart lane

Key word is yet....just takes time to develop an understanding. Which is only natural :)

They'll adapt - they're both very good players. But they're both only human. I've got no worries.

freshie wrote:

Patrick wrote:Im not convinced they play that well together yet

They didn't do too badly at white hart lane

one swallow doesnt make a spring

Patrick wrote:

freshie wrote:

Patrick wrote:Im not convinced they play that well together yet

They didn't do too badly at white hart lane

one swallow doesnt make a spring

But it shows that they have the potential to play well together

I was so happy when we signed Nasri, but i have to say I'm a bit disapointed so far, but in certain game he's been fabulous and I've said it before he plays better when Cliche plays and links up with him down the wing with great 1-2's. I'm sure there's more to come. As for Silva, yes a bad game, so hopefully that's his bad game out of the window and plays a blinder this Sunday

At this point in time I dont think they have been able to work together effectively. They are both kind of the same player and therefore occupy the same space as each other at times. At Arsenal Nasri was forced to play wide to accommodate the central midfielders there but here he has been given a bit of freedom to roam (which he enjoys, especially when he's in the middle) and that often causes congestion with Silva.

Im not quite sure why Tottenham worked....it was Nasri's debut was it not? Maybe that was pure adrenaline and excitement for him...dunno. I'd love to see them work together well but Im not convinced nor impressed yet.

Midfield vs. Rags should be Milner, Toure, Silva, NDJ and Barry.
(Balo has been in good form but unfortunately I think his temper and the opposition beg for a 5 man midfield boasting our "big 3" plus Silva and Milner, who will track back and bust his ass on defense which is needed vs. Young and/or Nani.)