***City v Sunderland Official Match Thread***

[sheblue]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

The problem lies in midfield, dont think cherki and Enzo offer enough defensively wise. Don't think they can play together.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead, and Anderson cant do it all on his own.
We're papering over the cracks, and getting away with it. Hopefully he changes it.

[Nick]

Agree with both statements above

Concede for fun with dias

[bigblue]

Overall, very pleased.
The positives for me outweigh the negatives
We won and are three points clear going into the break. Without a doubt ours is the happier camp over our rivals

Doku back and looking lively. Semenyo with a brace to get off the mark this season. Fernandez with his first goal. Anderson settling into a rhythm. All positive

Conceding three and Dias seemingly being undroppable and captain as well is worrying. And the fact Sunderland equalised three times within minutes of us scoring is really poor.

But despite that, we didn’t let it affect us and we outsourced our opponents. Which when all is said and done, is the whole point

Well all we need to do now is outsource Dias

[CBEM]

If you look at the defensive record of those around us then we really aren't doing too badly at all, I remember not last season but the season before the media were telling everyone who would care to listen that our defence was too fragile when we had let in way less goals than any other team.

On a further note I would rather win 8-7 than have a boring 1-0 win just based on not giving the opponent the ball.

[PeterParker]

If Dias manages to get his shit together, he will be a big asset.
He was, without a doubt, up there as one of the best central backs. Hope he comes back because the ability is still there (I hope).

[salford city]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

The problem lies in midfield, dont think cherki and Enzo offer enough defensively wise. Don't think they can play together.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead, and Anderson cant do it all on his own.
We're papering over the cracks, and getting away with it. Hopefully he changes it.

This is the issue. I would not be surprised to see Bouaddi instead of Cherki at anfield. We were all over the place yesterday and Anderson was getting fuck all help. Doku back means we have options on both flanks so Enzo goes to play as a no.10 with Anderson and Bouaddi sitting. Great to see us going again after conceding, we have plenty of spirit and goals in us. Sunderland will give most teams a game and we put 5 past them. A bit more control will be needed in murderville but got to be happy with 6 wins from 6.

[TrueBlue4610]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

The problem lies in midfield, dont think cherki and Enzo offer enough defensively wise. Don't think they can play together.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead, and Anderson cant do it all on his own.
We're papering over the cracks, and getting away with it. Hopefully he changes it.

This is the issue. I would not be surprised to see Bouaddi instead of Cherki at anfield. We were all over the place yesterday and Anderson was getting fuck all help. Doku back means we have options on both flanks so Enzo goes to play as a no.10 with Anderson and Bouaddi sitting. Great to see us going again after conceding, we have plenty of spirit and goals in us. Sunderland will give most teams a game and we put 5 past them. A bit more control will be needed in murderville but got to be happy with 6 wins from 6.

Even happier with 7 from 7, then, SC! (5 in the league, plus Carabau cup and 1st CL group game). Hopefully 8 from 8 after the break...

[sheblue]

Don't think Bouaddi starts in Anfield. He might not be ready for that yet.
I would go with Kovacic and Anderson with Cherki or Enzo at 10. Probably Enzo.

[Nick]

Devils advocate among blues - does enzo currently get into our best Central midfield?

As mentioned above Anderson cant do it all. And im not sure we have such a creative flow with enzo and cherki currently...

Anfield I would play bo diddly for one of them. Cherki gives more going forward than enzo IMO

[nottsblue]

Devils advocate among blues - does enzo currently get into our best Central midfield?

As mentioned above Anderson cant do it all. And im not sure we have such a creative flow with enzo and cherki currently...

Anfield I would play bo diddly for one of them. Cherki gives more going forward than enzo IMO

I think Enzo starts ahead of Cherki. I don’t think there’s room for both, especially in away games and tough games. Neither Cherki or Enzo currently have enough work rate to complement Anderson

[Nick]

Devils advocate among blues - does enzo currently get into our best Central midfield?

As mentioned above Anderson cant do it all. And im not sure we have such a creative flow with enzo and cherki currently...

Anfield I would play bo diddly for one of them. Cherki gives more going forward than enzo IMO

I think Enzo starts ahead of Cherki. I don’t think there’s room for both, especially in away games and tough games. Neither Cherki or Enzo currently have enough work rate to complement Anderson

Cherki can be hot and cold but surely he is more creative?

I was at the game but didnt pay attention to dias. Is he to blame again? Guehi is a clean sheet CB. Not sold on josko at LB either.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead,.

I honestly think that was one of the toughest games we will play all season - Sunderland were relentless.

Our problem is Días , hopelessly out of position more than a couple of of times ( the new guy was actually telling him off last week to get back a few metres , and he’s 18 yrs old !)

Dias is 100% the weak link and the manager has to do something about it as ,more often than not ,we won’t get away with that defending again

[nottsblue]

Devils advocate among blues - does enzo currently get into our best Central midfield?

As mentioned above Anderson cant do it all. And im not sure we have such a creative flow with enzo and cherki currently...

Anfield I would play bo diddly for one of them. Cherki gives more going forward than enzo IMO

I think Enzo starts ahead of Cherki. I don’t think there’s room for both, especially in away games and tough games. Neither Cherki or Enzo currently have enough work rate to complement Anderson

Cherki can be hot and cold but surely he is more creative?

I was at the game but didnt pay attention to dias. Is he to blame again? Guehi is a clean sheet CB. Not sold on josko at LB either.

Cherki is more creative than Enzo, certainly. However I don’t think we paid £125M for Enzo to be on the bench. Of course we will have a lot of games and rotation will play its part. But I sense our strongest starting XI in a month or so will include Enzo Anderson and Bouaddi as the three in midfield

[Nickyboy]

If Dias manages to get his shit together, he will be a big asset.
He was, without a doubt, up there as one of the best central backs. Hope he comes back because the ability is still there (I hope).

He highlighted his worth in the derby. But against some opposition he's either not needed (if we're going to completely dominate) or not suited (teams with pacey forwards).

We have a good mix of defenders with different strengths and weaknesses and we need to utilise them effectively depending on the opposition.

[Swales4ever]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead,.

I honestly think that was one of the toughest games we will play all season - Sunderland were relentless.

Our problem is Días , hopelessly out of position more than a couple of of times ( the new guy was actually telling him off last week to get back a few metres , and he’s 18 yrs old !)

Dias is 100% the weak link and the manager has to do something about it as ,more often than not ,we won’t get away with that defending again

There can be only one thing he could do. Drop Diaz to bench, give the armband to Haaland and start Khus.
I fully commend the manager for trying to salvage a couple of seniores (aka Diaz & Foden) but there must be a border from good will and stubbornness.

Meanwhile, again and again, if we don't go to murderersville with Bouaddi/Anderson/Enzo I will go in meltdown. Fucking berserk.

[Nickyboy]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead,.

I honestly think that was one of the toughest games we will play all season - Sunderland were relentless.

Our problem is Días , hopelessly out of position more than a couple of of times ( the new guy was actually telling him off last week to get back a few metres , and he’s 18 yrs old !)

Dias is 100% the weak link and the manager has to do something about it as ,more often than not ,we won’t get away with that defending again

There can be only one thing he could do. Drop Diaz to bench, give the armband to Haaland and start Khus.
I fully commend the manager for trying to salvage a couple of seniores (aka Diaz & Foden) but there must be a border from good will and stubbornness.

Meanwhile, again and again, if we don't go to murderersville with Bouaddi/Anderson/Enzo I will go in meltdown. Fucking berserk.

I'd be more inclined to get O'Reilly in and play Gvardiol in his right position. Although for me either Gvardiol and Khusanov are both more than capable so happy for either to partner Guehi

[Swales4ever]

Devils advocate among blues - does enzo currently get into our best Central midfield?

As mentioned above Anderson cant do it all. And im not sure we have such a creative flow with enzo and cherki currently...

Anfield I would play bo diddly for one of them. Cherki gives more going forward than enzo IMO

I think Enzo starts ahead of Cherki. I don’t think there’s room for both, especially in away games and tough games. Neither Cherki or Enzo currently have enough work rate to complement Anderson

Cherki can be hot and cold but surely he is more creative?

I was at the game but didnt pay attention to dias. Is he to blame again? Guehi is a clean sheet CB. Not sold on josko at LB either.

Cherki is more creative than Enzo, certainly. However I don’t think we paid £125M for Enzo to be on the bench. Of course we will have a lot of games and rotation will play its part. But I sense our strongest starting XI in a month or so will include Enzo Anderson and Bouaddi as the three in midfield

Been advocating for that since matchday 1.
Also I don't think there is a compelling duality among Enzo and Cherky, for with such an enforced midfield we can afford to play Cherky on the wing and Enzo as 10. Almost in every game barring a few thougher away games, imo

[Swales4ever]

I don't think that Sunderland , although they have some very strong ,big fellas in their squad would have got three goals if Dias was on the bench. His time is up.

.
Its all great now, but tougher games lie ahead,.

I honestly think that was one of the toughest games we will play all season - Sunderland were relentless.

Our problem is Días , hopelessly out of position more than a couple of of times ( the new guy was actually telling him off last week to get back a few metres , and he’s 18 yrs old !)

Dias is 100% the weak link and the manager has to do something about it as ,more often than not ,we won’t get away with that defending again

There can be only one thing he could do. Drop Diaz to bench, give the armband to Haaland and start Khus.
I fully commend the manager for trying to salvage a couple of seniores (aka Diaz & Foden) but there must be a border from good will and stubbornness.

Meanwhile, again and again, if we don't go to murderersville with Bouaddi/Anderson/Enzo I will go in meltdown. Fucking berserk.

I'd be more inclined to get O'Reilly in and play Gvardiol in his right position. Although for me either Gvardiol and Khusanov are both more than capable so happy for either to partner Guehi

That's another reasonable option, indeed. City have so much strength in depth that makes even more weird to insist with a toasted long servant.

[Nick]

My question isnt will enzo play enzo.

Question is does enzo get into our best 11 currently. Im not sure.

[Swales4ever]

My question isnt will enzo play enzo.

Question is does enzo get into our best 11 currently. Im not sure.

Me neither.