***Hull v City - Official Match Thread***

[AG7]

After watching Garcia and Demi at the back today I think they make a better pairing together than Lescott in with either of them ... maybe use them two in next game vs Fulham when Komps is suspended?

[Slim]

I know they played well, but I can't overstate how much a defensive screen Fred provided them with. Closing up space, shutting down passing lines and forcing them over the top every time. No surprise that a team well versed in the offside trap spent all day catching strikers.

[dazby]

I thought Hull were so fucking stupid. Surely they could see that the defensive line was the top of the box? Fulham will know.

[aaron bond]

It did surprise me how often Hull were caught offside. We had the slowest centre back pairing pretty much anyone in the league could have put out yet we were repeatedly able to catch them offside.

Both Garcia and Demichelis played well at the back today but that doesn't mean I would still be comfortable playing them there again. Smarter forwards would exploit their lack of pace and ability (as we've seen with Demichelis throughout his time with us).

At least Kompany should only be out for 1 game, then he'll be back to spend the Arsenal and United games to cover up as many of Demichelis' mistakes as possible.

That might sound negative but it's going to take a hell of a lot to ever convince me that Demichelis is even remotely good enough for us.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

It did surprise me how often Hull were caught offside. We had the slowest centre back pairing pretty much anyone in the league could have put out yet we were repeatedly able to catch them offside.

Both Garcia and Demichelis played well at the back today but that doesn't mean I would still be comfortable playing them there again. Smarter forwards would exploit their lack of pace and ability (as we've seen with Demichelis throughout his time with us).

At least Kompany should only be out for 1 game, then he'll be back to spend the Arsenal and United games to cover up as many of Demichelis' mistakes as possible.

That might sound negative but it's going to take a hell of a lot to ever convince me that Demichelis is even remotely good enough for us.

A bit like the old Arsenal side with Adams and Keown etc.

[Slim]

The entire time Demi was the signal, I wonder if that's reversed when Kompany is playing and that's why it's not working.

[Cit.revenge]

The entire time Demi was the signal, I wonder if that's reversed when Kompany is playing and that's why it's not working.

I think u have answer , they are both similar in pace , speed (Garcia and Demi ) but also Hull was a bit stupid and they use it great.And i hate to say this but we need some kind a slap like red card to get serious .

[Ted Hughes]

Keown was quick. He would be quicker than any of our current cbs imo.

I thought that Demic & Garcia produced the best cb pairing we have seen this season. BUT, as others have said, it was suited to playing v this team, in this game. I doubt we would get the same success with those two at Anfield or the Emirates.

What it did show though, was how well the Count has been working on the team. Mancini rightly got loads of praise for this kind of thing, but we went through a decent period of being very negative in order to perfect his methods.

We have not seen a City team catch the oppo offside like that, in the modern era, if ever. I tend to worry about offside traps personally, but right or wrong, this shows that in his first season, with all the cavallier attacking etc we have seen, the Count is also building a new style of defending & the team are gradually getting it.

This is a work in progress, but it is obviously 'in progress' we can see it.

The Count clearly has a definite plan, & we are only just at the first stages of it.

[MilnersJaw]

Demi has one good game against a promoted championship side and all is forgiven? The guy is terrible and gets found out ever time against decent opposition.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Demi has one good game against a promoted championship side and all is forgiven? The guy is terrible and gets found out ever time against decent opposition.

No one is forgiving him. However he was very good yesterday and was real leader on the pitch.
Still probably not good enough but credit where credit is due.

[zuricity]

No one is forgiving him. However he was very good yesterday and was real leader on the pitch.
Still probably not good enough but credit where credit is due.

Nah, Hull's attack really was bad. Getting caught offside so many times, amateur .

[Bridge'srightfoot]

No one is forgiving him. However he was very good yesterday and was real leader on the pitch.
Still probably not good enough but credit where credit is due.

Nah, Hull's attack really was bad. Getting caught offside so many times, amateur .

He still organized the defence really well. Was vocal and made a lot of good interceptions and blocks. I don't rate him normally but yesterday he was great.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

He still organized the defence really well. Was vocal and made a lot of good interceptions and blocks. I don't rate him normally but yesterday he was great.

Garcia said it is easy to play with MDM because he was giving him instructions all the time. Perhaps it helps they both speak Spanish

[Vantage]

Seriously it might come down to a language barrier?