*** Official City vs Dortmund match thread ***

[PrezIke]

Fernandinho played the entire game and did not relinquish the captain's armband when Yaya came on, no? Unless Yaya had to give it back when he came off.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

[PrezIke]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

It was Garcia's pass to Silva wasn't it? Maffeo wouldn't have been that far out of position.

[Wonderwall]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

That mirrors what two sips, Doug and I have been saying for two years. I will be very disappointed if they don't get a shot.

[PrezIke]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

It was Garcia's pass to Silva wasn't it? Maffeo wouldn't have been that far out of position.

You are correct.

[PrezIke]

Just saw Pep answer a question about Sterling's confidence, and missed (on target) pen in the post-match, and he said, "He will play good I have the confidence in him. I want to help him a lot, and he will help us a lot. I'm satisfied Raheem is with us."

Not too much in those words, but posting anyway.

[Nick]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

[PrezIke]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

That mirrors what two sips, Doug and I have been saying for two years. I will be very disappointed if they don't get a shot.

I hope they make it as well.

[mr_nool]

Good to watch and I think Pep will have got plenty from that. Shame that the pitch was so awful.

Tosin getting good game time and looking the part as well. Pep will like what he has seen of him even though he did make the odd error playing the way he does naturally. I liked Maffeo again although I thought he was as guilty as anyone switching off or their goal.

Zin can play can't he? Didn't deliver that much in the end but we saw plenty of quality.

Good observations, Doug, as usual.

I liked Zinchenko as well but he was a bit selfish at times, which I am guessing is what Pep was upset with him about, or the fouls. His work rate was quite high, and you can see he has a lot of potential, and took his corners pretty well.

Maffeo's pass to Silva for the goal was very good, and I can see him possibly making the team.

I'd say he, Tosin and Angelino have the best shot to make the squad out of the young players.

That mirrors what two sips, Doug and I have been saying for two years. I will be very disappointed if they don't get a shot.

I hope they make it as well.

I thought NYC euined Angelino, but he seems to have found his form again, and to me he looks like the most promising of the youths, mainly because he (and Maffeo) plays in a position where the competition is not quite as fierce.

I really like both the Garcia's as well, but getting into the team as a central, offensive playmaker, won't be easy.

Hate to say that Iheanacho's been looking very limited so far this pre-season. Hope he turns it around.

[PrezIke]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

Noticed him as well against Chelsea in that FA Cup tie, but we are in for Stones (Pep just confirmed this, btw) because he is more experienced at this point, and proven in the Prem, even if he didn't have the best season last year, which I partially blame Martinez for. He is English as well, and only 22 so he costs more. Vinnie is a constant injury risk and we surely cannot trust Mangala, and maybe not Denayer either just yet.

[Nige]

Thanks for the updates, somehow I missed the game despite being sat in front of the tv all afternoon, doh!

Why is Kolarov being played? My head is telling me it's a shop window thing but I'm just a bit worried the clown is somehow rated by Pep.

Also, how was Fernando's control and recycling of the ball at pace? It seemed Pep wants to see an improvement in both ASAP.

[blues2win]

Where was Joe? Apparently no issue about injuries or fitness according to MEN? If he doesn't improve his ball playing I fear he could be on his way. Looking up our two Spanish full back gems I see from Wikipedia that Angelino is 5 91/2. Must have shot up in the last couple of years. Maffeo is 5 8. They could both do with a couple of inches but that may be it. We could end up with a lot of little uns which might not be ideal in the Premiership.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

What unproven kids from South America?

[Tony P]

Was the ref happy with his performance? Heard he was Fu Ming.

[PrezIke]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

What unproven kids from South America?

Gabriel Jesus (Brazil), Geronimo Rulli (Argentina) & Marlos Moreno (Colombia)?

Jesus is 19, but a top prospect wanted by all big clubs. Rulli is 24 and set to play for Argentina in the Olympics, but will go back on loan to La Liga (Real Sociedad) this season. Moreno is 19, but he's a forward/winger anyway.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... est-target

None of them are defenders so not really a reason to not sign Stones.

Defenders with his attributes are not that widely available and he helps with the homegrown issue, and has a tremendous chance to grow under Pep. It's a no duh move to me. He and Tosin could be our CB pairing for a decade.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

What unproven kids from South America?

Gabriel Jesus (Brazil), Geronimo Rulli (Argentina) & Marlos Moreno (Colombia)?

Jesus is 19, but a top prospect wanted by all big clubs. Rulli is 24 and set to play for Argentina in the Olympics, but will go back on loan to La Liga (Real Sociedad) this season. Moreno is 19, but he's a forward/winger anyway.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... est-target

None of them are defenders so not really a reason to not sign Stones.

Defenders with his attributes are not that widely available and he helps with the homegrown issue, and has a tremendous chance to grow under Pep. It's a no duh move to me. He and Tosin could be our CB pairing for a decade.

Oh that's who he's talking about, I thought there were some SA full backs we'd been linked with.

[PeterParker]

At work - but ive raved about tosin since Chelsea.

Big unit, calm, intelligent footballer and MANC! why are we spunking another 50 mill on someone?

Positive news the full backs (again why are we buying unproven kids from south america?) - but haven't we all known about these two for the last few years?

Is it Angelino thats started using a different name on his shirt, if so why?

What unproven kids from South America?

Gabriel Jesus (Brazil), Geronimo Rulli (Argentina) & Marlos Moreno (Colombia)?

Jesus is 19, but a top prospect wanted by all big clubs. Rulli is 24 and set to play for Argentina in the Olympics, but will go back on loan to La Liga (Real Sociedad) this season. Moreno is 19, but he's a forward/winger anyway.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... est-target

None of them are defenders so not really a reason to not sign Stones.

Defenders with his attributes are not that widely available and he helps with the homegrown issue, and has a tremendous chance to grow under Pep. It's a no duh move to me. He and Tosin could be our CB pairing for a decade.

Oh that's who he's talking about, I thought there were some SA full backs we'd been linked with.

I did not see those too, but I saw Rulli in many games this year.

Imo, he is as good as Oblak, Navas and Bravo. His reflexes are insane. For that money, we got a big rival for Joe,

[Justified logic]

I was disappointed not to see Cameron Humphreys get some game time (was he on the tour?) after I thought he did well last summer. Also Horsefield and Manu Garcia but I suppose United ducking out of the game in Beijing did for their chances in the few pre-season games available. Maybe they'll get some time in the game against St Johnstone.

I've seen Adarabioyo make a bad pass or two in EDS games. Have those who have watched him more than I have noticed this as a feature of his game? Other than that I thought he coped very well with the Dortmund attack and, for the most part, passed the ball out well. That's two full games he's had now so Pep has had a good look at him and must surely like what he sees.

I think Pep has already decided about the two Spanish full/wing-backs.

[ayrshireblue]

Hopefully he saw today that all Caballero does is take up a foreigner slot. I'd have no problem with getting shot of him and having Gunn as back up.