Sunderland vs City. Your thoughts.

[shawzy]

By far the worsed 1st half iv ever seen this season.No shape,very negative going forward.
2nd half prob the best ive seen this season.City totally ripped the throat out of Sunderland and if it wasnt for poor finishing and some world class goalkeeping we would have 3 points today.
RSC.Very poor.Ade would of had a brace today. Edit - Think iv been abit harsh on RSC..He did make a difference when he came on and worked hard..Just his shooting chances were very poor.
SWP vs Jinky...Is shawn sulking over his 60k aweek wages? Dire performance and Jinky deffo earns a 1st 11 birth.He was amazing when he came on.

Mancini really needs to stop this careful approach at the start of games.Over the season it will cost us points.

Overall. Pleased with a point after watchin that dire 1st half but over the 90mins we could easily have had 3.

[simon12]

By far the worsed 1st half iv ever seen this season.No shape,very negative going forward.
2nd half prob the best ive seen this season.City totally ripped the throat out of Sunderland and if it wasnt for poor finishing and some world class goalkeeping we would have 3 points today.
RSC.Very poor.Ade would of had a brace today.
SWP vs Jinky...Is shawn sulking over his 60k aweek wages? Dire performance and Jinky deffo earns a 1st 11 birth.He was amazing when he came on.

Mancini really needs to stop this careful approach at the start of games.Over the season it will cost us points.

Overall. Pleased with a point after watchin that dire 1st half but over the 90mins we could easily have had 3.

I echo that however we`ve only got it for 10 more games. It shouldn`t be a case of sweep over AJ. One on each side which corressponds with their best foot should do it.

[Mrs Given]

We would have won if Ade wasn't suspended, I do not want to see RSC in a city shirt again.

[Lev Bronstein]

1) How many goals have we conceded like that this season?

2) Why does it seem to take us ages to start to play? (Although a 15 day break may have something to do with today's performance)

3) We still seeem to be a player or two light. (Actually, defender, dynamic midfielder and a Droghba like forward - er that's three)

4) What is it with Craig Gordon's legs? Are they six feet wide, or could our strikers have been more accurate?

5) Great goal by AJ. Kept his head in a pressure situation and produced that extra quality that we were supposed to have all over the pitch.

6) We still give the ball away too cheaply too often.

7) In many ways a disappointing result, yet, go back three weeks. We face Chelsea and Sunderland away - you would have taken four points from the two games. But, looking back from today, we should have had all six.

That'll do for now.

[Blue2]

Thoughts - great 2nd half show

RSC - one of the worst forwards we have ever had . Samaras or RSC - Samaras every time - thats how bad he is.


Can someone give me one good reason why we signed Vierra?

[mcfc1632]

By far the worsed 1st half iv ever seen this season.No shape,very negative going forward.
2nd half prob the best ive seen this season.City totally ripped the throat out of Sunderland and if it wasnt for poor finishing and some world class goalkeeping we would have 3 points today.
RSC.Very poor.Ade would of had a brace today.
SWP vs Jinky...Is shawn sulking over his 60k aweek wages? Dire performance and Jinky deffo earns a 1st 11 birth.He was amazing when he came on.

Mancini really needs to stop this careful approach at the start of games.Over the season it will cost us points.

Overall. Pleased with a point after watchin that dire 1st half but over the 90mins we could easily have had 3.

Agree in general Shawzy - but for worst 1st half - you needed to have made the frozen trip the WHL - now that was dire

[BlueMoonAwoken]

It is agonising watching city when they play like they did in the 1st half , no 1 touch football its like they get the ball and they have flashbacks for a second about the blonde they might at the weekend. Then they wake up take another touch and play it sideways or backwards.

Do they believe if you pass it sideways and backwards enough times space will appear on its own?

Adam johnson first touch he beat 2 and drove into the heart of the defence , santa cruz pulls wide and has acres of space. You need to either play one touch in the right areas or a bit of skill and drive into the heart of the defence to make space.

The way city start games is as if they are worried about conceeding a goal. You cant play football like that to win a game you need to score a goal first, hoping for space to open on its own or a mistake to happen is stupid tactics.

[bobadji]

I know they're fan favs so no-one ever likes to critise them, but I thought Bellamy and Tevez were shocking today, along with SWP. Also the gap was too big between attack and midfield which didn't help.
Johnson's goal was fantastic, mind.

[shawzy]

Adam Johnson goal

http://footballblips.dailyradar.com/vid ... ster-city/

[city72]

Cold, wet, stewards fuking anoying get city fans kicked out for not sitting down & the meat and potato pies fuking shite.

[aaron bond]

Thoughts - great 2nd half show

RSC - one of the worst forwards we have ever had . Samaras or RSC - Samaras every time - thats how bad he is.


Can someone give me one good reason why we signed Vierra?

I actually thought Vieira played well when he came on.

I haven't been impressed with him since he's been with us and didn't really want him to come on today. But when he did come on, I thought he was good. He played the ball around nicely and was involved in some good attacking play.

I still don't think he warrants a starting place but cameo appearances like that for the remainder of the season I fine by me.

[Beefymcfc]

1) How many goals have we conceded like that this season?

Actually, not too many since mancio took over.

2) Why does it seem to take us ages to start to play? (Although a 15 day break may have something to do with today's performance)

I've been asking all season, we seem to need at least 20 minutes to wake up. Is it a 'Big Star' syndrome?

3) We still seeem to be a player or two light. (Actually, defender, dynamic midfielder and a Droghba like forward - er that's three)

We'll always be players light, it's part of the growth.

4) What is it with Craig Gordon's legs? Are they six feet wide, or could our strikers have been more accurate?

More accuracy yes, but he was tremendous second half. If Shay had've done that we would be singing his praises.

5) Great goal by AJ. Kept his head in a pressure situation and produced that extra quality that we were supposed to have all over the pitch.

Very true, but are you saying that Tevez ain't quality? It's one or the other bro!

6) We still give the ball away too cheaply too often.

It was all about the panic-play first half, as if we had to force the play rather than errrr, play the play!

7) In many ways a disappointing result, yet, go back three weeks. We face Chelsea and Sunderland away - you would have taken four points from the two games. But, looking back from today, we should have had all six.

You said it yourself, we should've had 6. However, considering the the first half, they must've made an impression!

That'll do for now.

[Colin the King]

Similar in a lot of ways to the Chelsea game. Sat back and allowed them to apply the pressure on us in the first half, created little or nothing but kept things relatively tight (barring one lapse) and then terrorised them in the second, playing much better, more attacking football. The difference is that, this time, it wasn't as effective. I have my reservations about that tactic- it's intelligent and can be effective at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or the Emirates- but playing an (on paper) inferior side, we should be creating chances and playing without fear from the first whistle.

Sunderland are a pretty average side- their first choice midfield was out today, without Bent and Jones they'd be relegated already. What they lack in ability, though, they more than compensate for in a work ethic that we didn't show until late on. Second balls, lost causes, they were a collective dog with a bone today and we struggled to overcome that. In midfield, we needed some influential, someone calming, to put a foot on the ball and slow things down- so that we could impose our style on them. De Jong and Zabaleta were positioned too deep for that and Barry seemed to drift in and out. We effectively had nothing in the centre of the park because at times, it was like we had a back six and two left wingers. That gave them leeway to have a go at us.

They struggled to deal with us once we stepped it up a gear in the second half- Bellamy was winning all his running battles, Tevez was creating space and opportunities, Barry was getting more involved and when Johnson came on he gave us a brilliant new outlet. I just get the feeling that if we'd taken that approach from the start we could have been home and dry by half time rather than chasing the game.

It's a strange feeling because the performance itself, over 90 minutes, wasn't terrible and 4 points from our last two away games is no tragedy- still feeling a bit disappointed though because I think we gave Sunderland too much respect. Maybe overestimated them on the back of beating Bolton 4-0 in midweek. The reality is they've won once in about four months, we should and could have been good enough to take advantage and secure all three points. But one is OK. We're still in the race.

[shawzy]

Thoughts - great 2nd half show

RSC - one of the worst forwards we have ever had . Samaras or RSC - Samaras every time - thats how bad he is.


Can someone give me one good reason why we signed Vierra?

I actually thought Vieira played well when he came on.

I haven't been impressed with him since he's been with us and didn't really want him to come on today. But when he did come on, I thought he was good. He played the ball around nicely and was involved in some good attacking play.

I still don't think he warrants a starting place but cameo appearances like that for the remainder of the season I fine by me.

I agree m8...Thought Vieira was very good.Our shape was much better and that tackle he made in our pen area near the end was class.

Off topic....Did anyone notice Bellers looks like hes lost loads of weight.

[shawzy]

Similar in a lot of ways to the Chelsea game. Sat back and allowed them to apply the pressure on us in the first half, created little or nothing but kept things relatively tight (barring one lapse) and then terrorised them in the second, playing much better, more attacking football. The difference is that, this time, it wasn't as effective. I have my reservations about that tactic- it's intelligent and can be effective at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or the Emirates- but playing an (on paper) inferior side, we should be creating chances and playing without fear from the first whistle.

Sunderland are a pretty average side- their first choice midfield was out today, without Bent and Jones they'd be relegated already. What they lack in ability, though, they more than compensate for in a work ethic that we didn't show until late on. Second balls, lost causes, they were a collective dog with a bone today and we struggled to overcome that. In midfield, we needed some influential, someone calming, to put a foot on the ball and slow things down- so that we could impose our style on them. De Jong and Zabaleta were positioned too deep for that and Barry seemed to drift in and out. We effectively had nothing in the centre of the park because at times, it was like we had a back six and two left wingers. That gave them leeway to have a go at us.

They struggled to deal with us once we stepped it up a gear in the second half- Bellamy was winning all his running battles, Tevez was creating space and opportunities, Barry was getting more involved and when Johnson came on he gave us a brilliant new outlet. I just get the feeling that if we'd taken that approach from the start we could have been home and dry by half time rather than chasing the game.

It's a strange feeling because the performance itself, over 90 minutes, wasn't terrible and 4 points from our last two away games is no tragedy- still feeling a bit disappointed though because I think we gave Sunderland too much respect. Maybe overestimated them on the back of beating Bolton 4-0 in midweek. The reality is they've won once in about four months, we should and could have been good enough to take advantage and secure all three points. But one is OK. We're still in the race.

Your spot on there Col...Too much respect today.I know we are a work in progress.but we need to change this tacic to be a top 4 team.
Im also friggin pissed off with Ade.Lost him for 6 games due to bans.He would have shone today.

[BobKowalski]

I to wonder why we seem to be slow out of the gate. I don't mind if its some tactical masterplan or at least intended to take the sting out of the opposition but it has been a factor all season. Even going a goal down didn't make us kick on yet 2nd half performance was the polar opposite. Maybe its just a case of shit happens.

I thought RSC was rusty but his introduction was necessary and he did ok in proving the outlet for the long ball given the short ball was getting us nowhere. I do like the fact that Mancini changes things and I like his style in taking off two fullbacks for more offensive players. Sort of shit Mourinho does when it ain't working :)

Vieira did ok and that should be his role. Coming off the bench and giving it some impact. He played some good balls. AJ is a bloody gem and we should have won it in the 2nd half irrespective of how poor we were 1st half.

As well as our slow starts this season one feature I do like is how yet again we have battled back to rescue something from the game and equalising in the 92nd min with a peach of a goal is v top 4. Getting two goals in injury time to win the match is what PL champions are made of so I guess we are half way there!

Relieved is my main emotion especially as I was not confident going into the match.

[the_georgian_genius]

If you listen to his after match comments and interview, he is as annoyed and frustrated as all of us of our approach in the first half. Which is why he changed it so early.

[btajim]

2nd half prob the best ive seen this season.City totally ripped the throat out of Sunderland and if it wasnt for poor finishing and some world class goalkeeping we would have 3 points today.

I don't think it was the best second half all season. Chelsea Away deserves that one. However, if we'd have equalled out first half performance with a mirror of the second half then we'd have won comfortably.

My thoughts are that we HAVE to win our game in hand to shit Tottenham up!

[shawzy]

2nd half prob the best ive seen this season.City totally ripped the throat out of Sunderland and if it wasnt for poor finishing and some world class goalkeeping we would have 3 points today.

I don't think it was the best second half all season. Chelsea Away deserves that one. However, if we'd have equalled out first half performance with a mirror of the second half then we'd have won comfortably.

My thoughts are that we HAVE to win our game in hand to shit Tottenham up!

Agreed Jim.The Chelsea game was classic counter attack footie and we got the 3 points.However,this game we totally dominated 2nd half and iv not seen City do this for such a prolonged period this season.There is a top 4 side hidden away but it needs to come out for the full 90mins.Can we do it this season? If we play like we did 2nd half and have Ade for the remainder of games i think we can.

[TonyM]

We looked much more effective with Santa Cruz on the field. He linked the play better than anyone I think all season. I think he suffered badly from a rush of blood when facing the goal but that's excusable I think given that he hasn't had much football all season. I'm not sure whether he's better or not than Ade.

SWP was awful for most of the game. At first I felt sorry for him because nothing was dropping for him but his lack of confidence eventually wore my patience down. I'd have Johnson, Ireland, Zabba or one of the kids ahead of him tbh.

And DeJong? Woeful. Lovely guy it seems and a marvelous worker but IMO he hasn't got what it takes to be in a top 4 team. Not as a DM anyhow. Maybe if he could learn to cross the ball he could become a Danny Mills type full back but otherwise I think he should be moved on to a club where he can have a happy career on the fringes of Europe. A DM in a top class team needs to be able to use the ball and sadly DeJong consistently shows he can't. IMO Dixson Etuhu is better. I'm dead serious. How he gets rave reviews is beyond me. He's a phenomenal tackler and battler but surely people have to judge a player in the center of a top team on more than just that.

Sadly we don't look anywhere near capable of the top 4. It's such a pity. I just hope we have the stomach to keep trying and that the young quality we do have in the squad like Ireland, Johnson and Weiss aren't lost in the process. We need to try to get a core unit to play consistently well before we worry too much about where we finish. Even if we finished 4th all we gain is a carrot to wave in front of "big name players" (who may not play as well as we'd hope and so continues th merry go round). I'm starting to wonder if we should just take the Adam Johnson route to get to where we want to go. It might take a while longer but if the manager and the board and the fans were all behind it maybe it'd be achievable. Right now everything seems a farce.