'Lucky' City will get found out in Europe, Mourinho claims

[South Stand Balti]

Have we been found out in England too? No goals in 2 games with only a handful of shots on target. Or have we just been a bit unlucky and sometimes the chips fall the way they fall? I reckon unlucky

I reckon unlucky too. The injuries are crucial and we are a bit flat. It does happen - look how flat the dippers were at WBA last week compared to today. The only criticism I have is the lack of quality central midfield cover, given our spending.

[zuricity]

I reckon unlucky too. The injuries are crucial and we are a bit flat. It does happen - look how flat the dippers were at WBA last week compared to today. The only criticism I have is the lack of quality central midfield cover, given our spending.

We could quite easily be top of the league by wednesday night.

[Ted Hughes]

Have we been found out in England too? No goals in 2 games with only a handful of shots on target. Or have we just been a bit unlucky and sometimes the chips fall the way they fall? I reckon unlucky

I reccon a bit of both, drop in form, losing Ferdi and fatigue as Ted mentioned but also our style of play has been figured out.

I don't think it's possible to figure out our style of play, as we have too many angles when we play to our ability.

Today we played like we used to under Bob, rather than with the variety we normally have under the Count. Part of that was because we didn't get players into the box as normal, because they have run out of energy & because players made wrong decisions on the ball when in good positions, often using the same cross rather than varying it.

And Silva has run out of ideas, as he did last season & the season before round about this time.

[Twobob]

I don't think it's possible to figure out our style of play, as we have too many angles when we play to our ability. Today we played like we used to under Bob, rather than with the variety we normally have under the Count. Part of that was because we didn't get players into the box as normal, because they have run out of energy & because players made wrong decisions on the ball when in good positions, often using the same cross rather than varying it. And Silva has run out of ideas, as he did last season & the season before round about this time.

One of our more affective attack strategies is the combination of Zabba and Navas - Chelsea stopped that avenue of play and, to a degree so did Palace - would seem like we need to rethink that angle.

Agree with the energy view too, as i say its a combination of a few factors and our many angles we used to have are depleted to two or three which is easier to defend against.

[Ted Hughes]

I don't think it's possible to figure out our style of play, as we have too many angles when we play to our ability. Today we played like we used to under Bob, rather than with the variety we normally have under the Count. Part of that was because we didn't get players into the box as normal, because they have run out of energy & because players made wrong decisions on the ball when in good positions, often using the same cross rather than varying it. And Silva has run out of ideas, as he did last season & the season before round about this time.

One of our more affective attack strategies is the combination of Zabba and Navas - Chelsea stopped that avenue of play and, to a degree so did Palace - would seem like we need to rethink that angle.

Agree with the energy view too, as i say its a combination of a few factors and our many angles we used to have are depleted to two or three which is easier to defend against.

I don't think Chelsea or Norwich stopped it, we just either dithered or produced shit crosses from that position, like we used to do before the Count arrived & the strikers, who have been making near post runs in recent times, stopped making them, also like last season.

But Kolarov still got the ball in those areas v Chelsea & we fucked up at least 3 times where we would usually score.

[Beefymcfc]

I don't think it's possible to figure out our style of play, as we have too many angles when we play to our ability. Today we played like we used to under Bob, rather than with the variety we normally have under the Count. Part of that was because we didn't get players into the box as normal, because they have run out of energy & because players made wrong decisions on the ball when in good positions, often using the same cross rather than varying it. And Silva has run out of ideas, as he did last season & the season before round about this time.

One of our more affective attack strategies is the combination of Zabba and Navas - Chelsea stopped that avenue of play and, to a degree so did Palace - would seem like we need to rethink that angle.

Agree with the energy view too, as i say its a combination of a few factors and our many angles we used to have are depleted to two or three which is easier to defend against.

I don't think Chelsea or Norwich stopped it, we just either dithered or produced shit crosses from that position, like we used to do before the Count arrived & the strikers, who have been making near post runs in recent times, stopped making them, also like last season.

But Kolarov still got the ball in those areas v Chelsea & we fucked up at least 3 times where we would usually score.

I find it quite interesting that you refer to 'Bobs' dithering, or other ways, in a manner that infers that we were always that team under him. Did we not win the league with that 'other' football or was it my imagination?

Pellers has now been found wanting in a couple of games and must NOW put things right going forward, just the same as Bob had to. We've looked very poor infront of goal in the last couple of games and whether that be under Bob or Pellers, if we are going to go on and win something, he's got to find a way and not rely on having the best 1st team in the league.

I have faith he will but during these last 2 games he's looked like he did when we lost those few games early on. I'm not sure he has faith in the team without the likes of Aguero and Fernando, and it seems to show.

[Hazy2]

This week has come down to missed chances, amazing when we have had no problem prev. Wobble I hope so. Chelsea will have an eye on making a run for it on Tues. slightly worried TBH.

[Beefymcfc]

This week has come down to missed chances, amazing when we have had no problem prev. Wobble I hope so. Chelsea will have an eye on making a run for it on Tues. slightly worried TBH.

Missed chances (!), I can't really remember anything decent on goal today and looking at the stats we've only had 5 shots on target in the last TWO games.

[zabbadabbado]

Maybe Mourinho has a point tbh.

We do play in a very specific way,one dimensional, that can be countered. It is no coincidence we have struggled against sides near the bottom off the League who set out to frustrate us.

I was very disappointed against Chelsea because I had high hopes, but thought Mourinho easily out smarted Pellegrini with his tactics. All though to be fair every City fan I spoke to thought we were in for a long night when they saw the team sheet and set up, and that's exactly how it transpired. Yesterday was very strange in the sense that against Chelsea he failed to make the necessary changes. Against Norwich I felt he made unecessary changes that were to the detriment off our side so the result was never really in any doubt, it made no sense substituting both our strikers, even half fit they were both better options on the pitch than the ineffectual Dzeko.Playing Ya Ya in the deep role whilst needing to win.I don't buy in to this he was saving them,when you look at the work load he has consistently put on Fernandinho,or unnecessarily playing Aguero returning from injury.

I hope Pellegrini proves to be a good tactician.But I am starting to think he might come up short against the better football brains in the opposition dug out.I was warned by a Malaga supporter that the football would be great to watch,but that might be all we have to remember from Pellegrini Tenure

In August he went on record as saying we had the best squad in the Premier League, if it really is, then he should be utilizing his resources much better because he should not be resorting to playing a free transfer 32 year old Demichelis in key positions in defense and midfield in our side. 3 injuries should not have us putting in consecutive shambolic displays as we have done.

I hope he takes us on to greatness in the Champions League, I really do. I am not going to lie though I am fearing a monumental good hiding in front off the UK/ World wide TV cameras.That would be my worse nightmare.

[Saul Goodman]

Pellegrini's in/ability to alter his tactics will shape the rest of this season

[Hazy2]

This week has come down to missed chances, amazing when we have had no problem prev. Wobble I hope so. Chelsea will have an eye on making a run for it on Tues. slightly worried TBH.

Missed chances (!), I can't really remember anything decent on goal today and looking at the stats we've only had 5 shots on target in the last TWO games.

Silva had to score v Chelsea , chances at Norwich were half fair enough, for me our wobble has to be over or we will watch a repeat of the scum sneaking away, canter to the title with no pressure.

[Original Dub]

Missed chances (!), I can't really remember anything decent on goal today and looking at the stats we've only had 5 shots on target in the last TWO games.

Negredo hit the crossbar

[Ted Hughes]

I don't think it's possible to figure out our style of play, as we have too many angles when we play to our ability. Today we played like we used to under Bob, rather than with the variety we normally have under the Count. Part of that was because we didn't get players into the box as normal, because they have run out of energy & because players made wrong decisions on the ball when in good positions, often using the same cross rather than varying it. And Silva has run out of ideas, as he did last season & the season before round about this time.

One of our more affective attack strategies is the combination of Zabba and Navas - Chelsea stopped that avenue of play and, to a degree so did Palace - would seem like we need to rethink that angle.

Agree with the energy view too, as i say its a combination of a few factors and our many angles we used to have are depleted to two or three which is easier to defend against.

I don't think Chelsea or Norwich stopped it, we just either dithered or produced shit crosses from that position, like we used to do before the Count arrived & the strikers, who have been making near post runs in recent times, stopped making them, also like last season.

But Kolarov still got the ball in those areas v Chelsea & we fucked up at least 3 times where we would usually score.

I find it quite interesting that you refer to 'Bobs' dithering, or other ways, in a manner that infers that we were always that team under him. Did we not win the league with that 'other' football or was it my imagination?

Pellers has now been found wanting in a couple of games and must NOW put things right going forward, just the same as Bob had to. We've looked very poor infront of goal in the last couple of games and whether that be under Bob or Pellers, if we are going to go on and win something, he's got to find a way and not rely on having the best 1st team in the league.

I have faith he will but during these last 2 games he's looked like he did when we lost those few games early on. I'm not sure he has faith in the team without the likes of Aguero and Fernando, and it seems to show.

If we had Tevez coming back, then I recon it would also help this situation.

I think we were shit at crossing under Mancini & have been brilliant at it under Pellegrini. I also think we were shit at set pieces under Mancini & have been much better under Pelegrini & I also said that our strikers tended to play as individuals under Mancini except Tevez/Aguero & have played as largely as pairs under Pellegrini even Dzeko/Negredo creating goals for each other. I also used to pull my hair out at the lack of near post movement under Mancini, but we keep scoring there under Pellegrini. In short, the Count has fixed almost everything I have been moaning about for 4 years. I said when we won the league that we were shit at crossing etc & could have been much better & won it by a bigger margin & I said when we didn't win it, that we may have done much better if our crosses etc had been better.

I am now saying that the last two games under Pellegrini, our crossing etc has been almost (but not quite) as bad as under Mancini, who was fucking hopeless in all those areas. We need to get back to playing like a Pellegrini rather than a Mancini team, & quickly, because the one thing Mancini did better was defend, which we are poor at.

That's my opinion & it's well thought out & widely discussed over several years, so it won't be changing anytime soon.

[IanWright]

If we don't win the league, I hope your lot do.

Mourinho represents and is aligned with the philosophy of the most detestable club in the league. A hateful character who would want à fellow English club to not succeed in Europe. Even BaconFace at his rancid worst didn't say that.

To be honest, I'm rather surprised Mourinho hasn't been hounded out of the country a la Alpay at Villa. Wenger and Pellegrini have acted with great character in response to his mind-numbingly boring games.

[South Stand Balti]

If we don't win the league, I hope your lot do. Mourinho represents and is aligned with the philosophy of the most detestable club in the league. A hateful character who would want à fellow English club to not succeed in Europe. Even BaconFace at his rancid worst didn't say that. To be honest, I'm rather surprised Mourinho hasn't been hounded out of the country a la Alpay at Villa. Wenger and Pellegrini have acted with great character in response to his mind-numbingly boring games.

Well said. It's no surprise that Maureen was widely detested in Italy and Spain but our media seem to enjoy his brand of noise. But for me that's all it is... noise. I simply ignore it.
The press have always talked up the mind games in football but in reality it does not exist. Fergie was often credited with being a genius at mind games but he won trophies because he had the best squad. Simple as that.

[Hazy2]

[scroll][/scroll]tHe team that can grind it out when needed can win the league history shows that, we need a bit of a mixture at times, we lack that, last Monday was tough to lose Ferny late, sitting back and bringing him on might have worked, Klopp is finding his feet again after injuries at BVB , teams around them have ruined the season, the games against BM have not counted as they are out of anyway.

[AG7]

Moureen has gotten under Pelligrini's skin a little here ... and gaffer just needs to calm down and get back to him cool owl demeanor and stop engaging with him ... we'll see if Yaya doesn't get a retrospective ban here, Maureen will be the one milking it with all new bullshit sprouting from his mouth every opportunity he gets ... he clearly sees Manchester City (and Pellegrini) as his biggest threat in the country.

[Beefymcfc]

The press on SS openly admitted that they loved Maureen due to his comments and what he brings to the media.

[Im_Spartacus]

The press on SS openly admitted that they loved Maureen due to his comments and what he brings to the media.

I've got to agree with them. He can be a cunt, but he's entertaining most of the time. His current act about not being in the hunt for the title is a bit tedious, but on the whole I can see why every reporter wants to stick a mic under his nose, they always get good value from him

[Hazy2]

I watched Barca last night in a monsoon, attacking they are some sight at times, Messi is some player. Defending well they look like a siv TBH..