by Douglas Higginbottom » Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:10 pm
Good watching these lads develop. Today was a tough derby encounter against Utd who in recent years at this level have been fodder but today I thought were a bit better even if their results haven't been up to much.
Generally City were the better team and deserved the lead at half time when Bolton was given an easy chance by Sancho.The ball broke to Sancho and he just went past the first defender and then just raced into the box down the inside left position. He looked certain to score but chose instead to roll it across for Bolton to tap in.
Davenport played his first game for the 18's this season ( player of the year last year but moved up with all the others). I guess he needed some game time. He didn't start too well but after about 20 he was quality again snuffing out attacks, timing his tackles well and passing nicely. Sancho ,wide left, is an awesome talent and must have impressed chairman Khaldoon who was watching with Txixi and Soriano.The way he sucks people in and then leaves them for dead with fabulous feet and great speed from a standing start.
The 2nd half had a couple of bust ups ( classic derby stuff) and the potential for red cards in the first one but only one came from the 2nd one. To be fair it could have been more than one red after their keeper did a Schumacher on Joe Hardy. Flying way out of goal he just flew into Joe and flattened him and all hell broke loose.
Out keeper, Muric ( I do like the look of him) raced 70 yards to "help out" and in the end it was only him who got the other card for his involvement. I was worried Sancho got away with noyhing as he certainly squared up to the keeper and maybe raised his hands but there was plenty going on and I doubt the ref and linos could be certain about much.
Good news that hardy was ok and even better that we quickly after this scored a 2nd thru Foden. Talented playmaker is Foden. Maybe a deflected right footed shot that flew in but I think we deserved it. Just before that Foden had a brilliant run but just when he should have hit it with his right he tried one twist too many to get it onto his favoured left and got tackled. ( Silvaesque in not taking the shot on).
All in all a good win although as I said Utd were not rubbish. They had a Fellaini hair do player ( I think he had rwice the hair actually) and he was a much better player than Fellaini too (Tatith Chong!) and there number 10 was good too (Angel Gomes )
Our keeper looks the business, a younger Angus Gunn. We had Francis and Rosler who were ok at full back but that not their best positions. Latibeaudiere at centre back and captain I though was excellent. Next to him was Ash Kigbu who did some very good things but a few not so good.
Gonzalez played center forward and didn't have a good day but I am assured he is quality. I just felt for Joe Hardy who he replaced. Sancho was at times mesmeric and threatened all the time. Bolto didn't have one of his best games but was there for the goal. Tom Dele-Bashiru was good in central midfield, working hard from box to box but just cpouldnt find the perfect answrs in the final third. But a good way to start the day with a good win v Bournemouth to follow.