***City v Hilal CWC Official Match Thread***

[carl_feedthegoat]

Wake up everyone !!!!! The match is on soon pmsl

Fell asleep before kick off, I hear it's another masterclass performance from last season.

Seeing as you watched it live, tell us what happened Carl, pmsl?

Another big night, another Pep disaster class.

Stuck with Savinho who was useless, started Gündogan who was invisible, and served up the usual overthought, sterile tactics.No urgency, no intensity, no clue. Outplayed by Al-Hilal — embarrassing.

Pep got it all wrong. Again.

[carl_feedthegoat]

The tournament is over for us and probably no preseason games to bed in to see who is an option for next season and we Haven’t given Kushmanov a proper run in any of the games, what are we going to learn playing Akanji beyond he is a £15m player for cover and not good enough to be a starter for us at centre half and always has a mistake in him at full back

Bobb not sure if it’s fitness or not that hasn’t been given minutes to try him from the right when we have Savinho doing same as last season producing very little, prefer him from left but looks missed chance to see an alternative. That ignoring seeing what Cherki could do with more minutes from there.

And the most puzzling one for me, where does Nico Gonzalez fit in to the squad at all. He wasn’t some bargain signing we picked up in January, was a big outlay and we haven’t tried him as holding role, haven’t tried him further up. How do we know if he can play holding role to give Rodri a break or is it going to be a season of throwing Gundo in there to do a holding role he wasn’t suited to at 28 let alone at 34.

Lot of business to be done between now and start of season. Don’t think we can win the league on what either of our keepers served up in last 12 months. Still think we are crying out for a right back that can defend. Nunes tries but he is a square peg thrown in there and will get exposed against top opposition. Then we have Grealish , Walker, Philips and more to be shifted.

Have to take the positives of the decent play produced in group stages. Didn’t see game back yet but from clips of goals, conceding from our own corner looks like defence not improved on last season issues which is a big worry

We’ve 100% just fucking sleepwalked through this tournament. Kushmanov not getting a proper run is criminal — how are we supposed to judge him when he’s barely had 20 minutes strung together? Pep’s treatment of him has been nothing short of a disgrace ( add him to the list of players that have been treated disgracefully by PeP)

Akanji? we’re still pretending he’s a starter when he clearly isn’t. Playing him at full back is just asking for trouble. It’s another PeP decision-making fuck up.

Bobb is another one. We keep hearing about his potential, but how can we evaluate it when Savinho gets endless minutes to do absolutely fuckall ? Flash cunt without any real end product. And he somehow stayed on the pitch while offering next to nothing. Fucking PeP madness.

Then there’s Nico Gonzalez — probably the biggest head-scratcher of the lot. We spent shit loads of money on him by our resident Cheque book manager, and he’s been treated like a training dummy. No minutes at DM, no chance further up. If he’s not trusted now, what happens when Rodri inevitably needs rest in the middle of the season?
Totally agree on the full-back issue — it's been obvious for over a year. Nunes is being forced into a role that doesn’t suit him, and he gets found out, more often than not , against serious opposition.
Pep’s still managing the same way as last season IMO , nothing has changed — throwing money around, as usual, but sticking to the same fucking rigid patterns. If he carries on like this into the Prem season, we’re in for a reality check.
And I’ve got to mention Ederson — again. He’s gone from world-class to a complete fucking liability. It's not even shocking anymore — it's expected.

[PeterParker]

The tournament is over for us and probably no preseason games to bed in to see who is an option for next season and we Haven’t given Kushmanov a proper run in any of the games, what are we going to learn playing Akanji beyond he is a £15m player for cover and not good enough to be a starter for us at centre half and always has a mistake in him at full back

Bobb not sure if it’s fitness or not that hasn’t been given minutes to try him from the right when we have Savinho doing same as last season producing very little, prefer him from left but looks missed chance to see an alternative. That ignoring seeing what Cherki could do with more minutes from there.

And the most puzzling one for me, where does Nico Gonzalez fit in to the squad at all. He wasn’t some bargain signing we picked up in January, was a big outlay and we haven’t tried him as holding role, haven’t tried him further up. How do we know if he can play holding role to give Rodri a break or is it going to be a season of throwing Gundo in there to do a holding role he wasn’t suited to at 28 let alone at 34.

Lot of business to be done between now and start of season. Don’t think we can win the league on what either of our keepers served up in last 12 months. Still think we are crying out for a right back that can defend. Nunes tries but he is a square peg thrown in there and will get exposed against top opposition. Then we have Grealish , Walker, Philips and more to be shifted.

Have to take the positives of the decent play produced in group stages. Didn’t see game back yet but from clips of goals, conceding from our own corner looks like defence not improved on last season issues which is a big worry

He’s gone from world-class to a complete fucking liability. It's not even shocking anymore — it's expected.

I agree with all the rest, but I would like to add that he was never world-class at his job, being a goalkeeper. Strictly as a goalkeeper, he isn't in the same league as Courtois, Donnarumma or Oblak who are, indeed, world-class.

[Mase]

It's quite clear Khus wasn't a Pep signing. Throwing him in against Chelsea after he's just stepped off a plane was Pep's usual "I told you so" snide as fuck shit that he does.

Player of the Month for February and we never see him again after that.

[Mase]

Pep saying Rodri is injured now

[salford city]

Pep saying Rodri is injured now

Ah so that's why we've been using Nico G to get upto speed - oh, wait

[carl_feedthegoat]

Pep saying Rodri is injured now

It’s about time the club stopped bending over fucking backwards for Pep and started laying down some serious markers.

He’s got the first five games—if we see the same old patterns and excuses, I’ll be calling for him to be sacked before the end of September. Enough is enough.

[Sparklehorse]

It seems pretty clear to me, despite my optimism a few weeks ago is that new players have been bought, and good ones it seems, just to freshen up his only tactic which is plan A. Now we won a lot of trophies and all credit to him for that and obviously we all enjoyed it very much and he’s received the plaudits from the world of football and its fans. Unfortunately with life and with football the past becomes history, there’s nothing we can do about it but reminisce. I reminisce plenty up until the beginning of last season when plan A was not working, it clearly became time for plan b and it showed him up starkly that there wasn’t one, nothing, the cupboard was bare. I was and am myself one of his biggest critics, the only thing keeping us going was the history, the looking back, the “oh he’s the best coach in the world and we should be grateful to have him for all the trophies he’s won”. Fast forward to last night and I saw nothing to give me any indication that there may be a plan b forthcoming, it’s just different players being told to do the same thing. The only bright spark last night was Foden getting into Cherki’s chip to score a great goal. There were little bit and pieces of nifty passing around their box in the first half but the moment they equalised it was plan a and nothing else, a triple substitution which was defensive when we were 2-1 down shortly afterwards two players on yellows replaced so ok, reasonable and it was basically last season all over again thereafter. I predict Pep will be gone by Christmas I just see a bewildered man living off history with no plan b to create a new present to become our great history. Just tired old tactics which have been long worked out by anyone who plays us and a hope that the new players can revive them. I’m sorry Pep I think your time here is drawing to a close, and I bet you anything the hierarchy are are planning in readiness. So my “reasons to be cheerful” thread is already wearing thin.

[zabbadabbado]

It's quite clear Khus wasn't a Pep signing. Throwing him in against Chelsea after he's just stepped off a plane was Pep's usual "I told you so" snide as fuck shit that he does.

Player of the Month for February and we never see him again after that.

This 100%.

It was obviously meant to destroy the Lad completely. Instead he won player of the Month pissing Baldy off big time. We have not seen him since.

Over £400,000 000 spent since January and the Bald twat still manages to make us look the laughing stock of World Football.

This weird shit he has going on with Akanji/Ake/Dias/Rico Lewis.It is like he obsesses about getting them on the Pitch even when they are not playing. Waiting for an excuse to introduce slow rigid soul destroying game killers.

In Peps Head he thinks Akanji is like Prime Maldini.

Slowing everything down to a Snails Pace, everything going through him or Rico Lewis when he is playing.

He isn't going to change Pep is now a fucking dinosaur in a game that has evolved. We could throw another £500 000 000 at Pep and you can guarantee his "Uncs "will still be first names on the team sheet next season.

He has to go, and he will before the end of next season for sure. He can play only one way, too stubborn to change we are going to have to watch it unfold on the Pitch.

He made our owner a laughing stock last night in front of the Saudi delegation. Fucking humiliated by a team of mercenaries.

What must khaldoon be thinking finishing Full time with Marmoush/Foden/Cherki all on the Bench it was Lyonn all over again.

One of a few things going on, he really is an arrogant cunt so far up his own arse that he wanted to challenge his own inner genius by playing a second rate side against Hillal thinking that would be enough

Or he was making some sort of point out there.

Or maybe he just wanted to fuck off Golfing early, has made his feelings know about the competition. Even though that game cost the Club £37,000 000.

Not sure i can take another season of him manages us like a fucking idiot we need a club intervention. He needs to be asked questions about Khusanov/Gonzalez/Cherki etc.As well as explain his continued use of the High line against sides that can kill his "Uncs" for pace.

He doesn't like it, he can fuck off now rather than at Christmas.

[Sparklehorse]

It's quite clear Khus wasn't a Pep signing. Throwing him in against Chelsea after he's just stepped off a plane was Pep's usual "I told you so" snide as fuck shit that he does.

Player of the Month for February and we never see him again after that.

This 100%.

It was obviously meant to destroy the Lad completely. Instead he won player of the Month pissing Baldy off big time. We have not seen him since.

Over £400,000 000 spent since January and the Bald twat still manages to make us look the laughing stock of World Football.

This weird shit he has going on with Akanji/Ake/Dias/Rico Lewis.It is like he obsesses about getting them on the Pitch even when they are not playing. Waiting for an excuse to introduce slow rigid soul destroying game killers.

In Peps Head he thinks Akanji is like Prime Maldini.

Slowing everything down to a Snails Pace, everything going through him or Rico Lewis when he is playing.

He isn't going to change Pep is now a fucking dinosaur in a game that has evolved. We could throw another £500 000 000 at Pep and you can guarantee his "Uncs "will still be first names on the team sheet next season.

He has to go, and he will before the end of next season for sure. He can play only one way, too stubborn to change we are going to have to watch it unfold on the Pitch.

He made our owner a laughing stock last night in front of the Saudi delegation. Fucking humiliated by a team of mercenaries.

What must khaldoon be thinking finishing Full time with Marmoush/Foden/Cherki all on the Bench it was Lyonn all over again.

One of a few things going on, he really is an arrogant cunt so far up his own arse that he wanted to challenge his own inner genius by playing a second rate side against Hillal thinking that would be enough

Or he was making some sort of point out there.

Or maybe he just wanted to fuck off Golfing early, has made his feelings know about the competition. Even though that game cost the Club £37,000 000.

Not sure i can take another season of him manages us like a fucking idiot we need a club intervention. He needs to be asked questions about Khusanov/Gonzalez/Cherki etc.As well as explain his continued use of the High line against sides that can kill his "Uncs" for pace.

He doesn't like it, he can fuck off now rather than at Christmas.

I’ve just written largely the same and I totally agree with you.

[PeterParker]

Pep saying Rodri is injured now

It’s about time the club stopped bending over fucking backwards for Pep and started laying down some serious markers.

He’s got the first five games—if we see the same old patterns and excuses, I’ll be calling for him to be sacked before the end of September. Enough is enough.

For the first time I feel the board will not offer him an extension.
They will stay by him until in runs out, even if we are shit, but at the end we will part ways.

[zabbadabbado]

We have all been wondering why Khusanov is not getting minutes.

Seems there could be a reason.

Apparently he could be going to Pep love Child Barcelona on Loan.

If any of this is true i would sack the Bald cunt now.

Pep seen he is a special talent so deliberately deprives us of his services to save for his beloved Barcelona JUST FUCK OFF. :roll

"": Reports suggest that Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is being considered for a loan move to Barcelona. Barcelona is reportedly interested in the young Uzbek international as a potential future defensive piece, and is looking at a loan with an option to buy. Khusanov, who joined Manchester City in January, has not been a regular in the first team, leading to speculation about his future. "

[Outcast]

If we want to have a chance of winning the prem and champions league, Akanji should not be near starting line up, Gundo needs foking off, we need a proper right back and Nunes back up at best. Get Costa and fok off Ortega to challenge Ederson for to spot. Settled back 4 is a must.
If anyone thinks it's the players then they need to give their head a wobble, our manager desperately trying to be genius when he simply should go back to basics.
Hundreds of millions spent, Pep needs to deliver, no more excuses and living on past success. We're not running a pub team or a memory lane FC

When Pep retires or leave, I'll give him all the praise and respect he deserves. However he deserves to be criticised on current form, I really hope he turns it around.

[carl_feedthegoat]

We have all been wondering why Khusanov is not getting minutes.

Seems there could be a reason.

Apparently he could be going to Pep love Child Barcelona on Loan.

If any of this is true i would sack the Bald cunt now.

Pep seen he is a special talent so deliberately deprives us of his services to save for his beloved Barcelona JUST FUCK OFF. :roll

"": Reports suggest that Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is being considered for a loan move to Barcelona. Barcelona is reportedly interested in the young Uzbek international as a potential future defensive piece, and is looking at a loan with an option to buy. Khusanov, who joined Manchester City in January, has not been a regular in the first team, leading to speculation about his future. "

One fucking tactic, one lineup, one stubborn fucking ego !!That’s Pep’s entire game plan. If you don’t fit, you’re out. No development. No patience. Just cold indifference.

[sheblue]

It's just a shit exhibition type tournament. I wouldn't get too worried about it.
Now if we play like that in September i'll be having a meltdown.

[Indianablue]

Oh dear.
Didnt watch the game, seems we've reverted to typ and been beaten by an average side with better drive and application.
A few have mentioned team selelection and players left out?
Seems we either play our strongest side and win or treat the totnament as the exhibition friendly matches it is and try out our new signings.

Happy to be out and resting the players. Not happy with the injuries we picked up pissing about in a meanlngless comp

[Nick]

Re the above post - what was the aim of playing the slow old players? Wasn't bedding in new signings, wasn't giving minutes to those who needed it, wasnt playing our best players..

Please get rid of gundog