EDS v Rochdale

[Douglas Higginbottom]

The game itself was awful and we squeezed home 4.2 on penalties but it was my first viewing of Demechelis.He only played 45 minutes and was the holding midfield player but he looked very confident and comfortable on the ball.He didn't get everything right and one of his passes fell short setting up a dangerous attack for Rochdale but on the whole he looked quite good.

Won a few tackles and was always looking for the creative pass rather than the easy sideways one and it was his lovely ball that set Rusnak away for our first goal.Definitely not quick though but it was a good 45 minutes for him.Rodwell played the full 90 which will do him good but not too much in the game was very good for him. Missed a great chance too when a ball was squared to him about 7 yards out and dead centre.He took a touch and there wasn't time and it wasn't a great touch anyway.

Crap game which I don't think we really deserved to win.Hiwula took his 2 goals really well.The first was quite easy but the 2nd was a header from a cross that was a bit behind him.Apart from him I don't think I could say anyone stood out for City.Two guys who did play well though were Vidal and Tutte for Rochdale.

[Alioune DVToure]

The game itself was awful and we squeezed home 4.2 on penalties but it was my first viewing of Demechelis.He only played 45 minutes and was the holding midfield player but he looked very confident and comfortable on the ball.He didn't get everything right and one of his passes fell short setting up a dangerous attack for Rochdale but on the whole he looked quite good.

Won a few tackles and was always looking for the creative pass rather than the easy sideways one and it was his lovely ball that set Rusnak away for our first goal.Definitely not quick though but it was a good 45 minutes for him.Rodwell played the full 90 which will do him good but not too much in the game was very good for him. Missed a great chance too when a ball was squared to him about 7 yards out and dead centre.He took a touch and there wasn't time and it wasn't a great touch anyway.

Crap game which I don't think we really deserved to win.Hiwula took his 2 goals really well.The first was quite easy but the 2nd was a header from a cross that was a bit behind him.Apart from him I don't think I could say anyone stood out for City.Two guys who did play well though were Vidal and Tutte for Rochdale.

My Dale-supporting mates don't care for Tutte. I'm surprised at how far down the ladder Vidal has ended up. I thought he looked good for us that one preseason.

[Two's Kompany]

The game itself was awful and we squeezed home 4.2 on penalties but it was my first viewing of Demechelis.He only played 45 minutes and was the holding midfield player but he looked very confident and comfortable on the ball.He didn't get everything right and one of his passes fell short setting up a dangerous attack for Rochdale but on the whole he looked quite good.

Won a few tackles and was always looking for the creative pass rather than the easy sideways one and it was his lovely ball that set Rusnak away for our first goal.Definitely not quick though but it was a good 45 minutes for him.Rodwell played the full 90 which will do him good but not too much in the game was very good for him. Missed a great chance too when a ball was squared to him about 7 yards out and dead centre.He took a touch and there wasn't time and it wasn't a great touch anyway.

Crap game which I don't think we really deserved to win.Hiwula took his 2 goals really well.The first was quite easy but the 2nd was a header from a cross that was a bit behind him.Apart from him I don't think I could say anyone stood out for City.Two guys who did play well though were Vidal and Tutte for Rochdale.

Agree with every word Doug. More worrying for me was the fact we were completely out passed.
'Dale boss Keith Hill was screeming at them to pass it and keep it simple. Was really impressed by them and their attitude.

[Ted Hughes]

Expected Tutte to have a very good career in football & surprised he hasn't done anything. One of the better prospects to emerge from the old system imo & stood out compared to most of his City peers. Just shows how bobbins it all was.

The EDS now seems to just be whichever 11 is handy at the time rather than anything resembling an actual team; hardly surprising their results/performances are inconsistent. And the best players seem to be at the younger age group.

I hope that, as the younger players are taught to play the kind of football we saw v Bayern, things will also change at EDS level & form the bridge between academy & 1st team football.

[twosips]

The one positive from what sounds like an awful game is that it appears that Pozo is fit again. That's great news. He's an incredible prospect.

[Goaters 103]

Doug - you have seen Rodwell complete 90 mins of football. There aren't that many City fans about who can make such a claim!

Demechelis and Rodwell's returns are badly needed, given the run of games ahead.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

The one positive from what sounds like an awful game is that it appears that Pozo is fit again. That's great news. He's an incredible prospect.

Definitely a positive although I felt he was clearly feeling his way back in last night.It wasn't helped by a bad tackle on him just before half time but I think he was ok and only played 45 as was the plan.

[Sideshow Bob]

encouraging signs for demicelis. once vinny is back, i am hoping pelle will try demicelis in a flamini role.