On new years day, City were tied with Chelsea on points. Now, the Blues are a distant second, and Arsenal are tied with City on points, with a game at hand. We lost to United, to Burnley for gods sake. We've been eliminated from all the Cup competitions, by the likes of Middlesbrough and Barcelona. Hell, we even drew with Hull.
We're crap! Everyone says so, everyone knows it. Pelligrini is on his way out the door, as are a number of top players such as Yaya and Nasri. And of course Milner is leaving too.
In particular, Yaya is crap. He doesn't run, he doesn't defend. He wants too many birthday cakes. And his agent is moaning that he's getting too much heat for City's poor performance in the second half of the season.
We're crap. Crap, crap, crap.
Or are we? Pablo Zabaletta is quoted in the papers today, saying that Pelligrini deserves more respect. He points out that City had a number of players in the World Cup, and that there was not a lot of rest over the summer. Further, you can't always fire a manager just because he didn't win a trophy this season. Several players have not had great seasons, and it's not clear that you should be blaming the manager for the poor performance of key players.
Further, we're in the top couple of places in what many consider to be the most competitive league in the world. If we are crap, and we're second, what does that say about the rest of the league? Is the entire league crap? If so, why are we wasting our time watching it?
There are a number of players having seasons that they probably want to forget. No, Yaya has not played great. He's also on a World Cup and Africa's Cup hangover, never mind the birthday cake incident or the fact that his brother passed away. Silva's assists are down, although he has scored more this year. Navas is down in the goals department, and given the time he spends with the ball, you could easily expect more. We went over 300 corners without scoring! The flowing, attacking, push it forward football that served us so well last season is gone and the large gobs of possession the statistics show City have are spent knocking the ball back and forth between the half way line and the 18 yard box, looking for an opening that never seems to come.
Will we see changes over the summer? I expect so. There are changes every summer. But if we can play this poorly, and still finish in a champions league spot, perhaps we're not the crap we think we are.
We are City!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
What a difference a half makes....
Well, what a tale of two halfs?!
The first half was more of the Hull match: slow, pathetic, without a trace of effort or loveliness. The defense was in complete disarray, and we were lucky to not be down 3 nil. Our goal was a one man effort from Kun, who really made a go of it, being brought down at the half way line but got up and kept going. I don't often criticize David Silva, but the worst defensive spot we were in was caused by him being stripped of the ball, and then STOPPING INSTEAD OF GOING AFTER THE ATTACKER. Play the whistle, men.
I suspect that there was a bit of a 'team meeting' at the half, because the team that came out looked full of fire. Not every effort was spot on, but they were working on it, and the rewards were there. That was the most goals in a City match since Sunderland on December 3.
Someone posted a skills video featuring the match at Old Trafford that City won 6-1. It was a thing of beauty. Where are those guys? Where is the fire? If we are going to catch Chelsea, or look respectable against Barcelona, that team is going to have to show up.
The first half was more of the Hull match: slow, pathetic, without a trace of effort or loveliness. The defense was in complete disarray, and we were lucky to not be down 3 nil. Our goal was a one man effort from Kun, who really made a go of it, being brought down at the half way line but got up and kept going. I don't often criticize David Silva, but the worst defensive spot we were in was caused by him being stripped of the ball, and then STOPPING INSTEAD OF GOING AFTER THE ATTACKER. Play the whistle, men.
I suspect that there was a bit of a 'team meeting' at the half, because the team that came out looked full of fire. Not every effort was spot on, but they were working on it, and the rewards were there. That was the most goals in a City match since Sunderland on December 3.
Someone posted a skills video featuring the match at Old Trafford that City won 6-1. It was a thing of beauty. Where are those guys? Where is the fire? If we are going to catch Chelsea, or look respectable against Barcelona, that team is going to have to show up.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Adjustments
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
I want to start with three good things about the last performance:
1) Wasn't that a cracker of a goal by Milner? No keeper in the world was going to get that!
2) Nasri was back.
3) Joe Hart had a great save on the play before Hull scored.
Ok. That's out of the way.
Another PATHETIC performance.
I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm going to tell the ENTIRE WORLD how to beat City. Here it is: Play at least six in the box. Intercept our passes when we try to make pretty passes within the box, and beat us on the counter.
There. It's out. No longer a secret. But it appears our squad is the only one who don't know the formula. I like the 'flowing football' we are trying to play. But like any other team, we should be making ADJUSTMENTS. And we're not.
Our possession against Hull was 75%! But to show for it we have one goal on a free kick? Our tactics are exactly the same every match: Wait for the defenders to set up. Make sure they have all 10 behind the ball. Try to pass it between them.
I have a couple of suggestions: MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. Maybe we don't have to wait for ALL 10 to get behind the ball. Maybe we attack, even if we are outnumbered and catch the defense in motion, instead of built up like a brick wall.
Here is another: Let's have a cross (or, heaven forbid: a CORNER) that makes it more than half way past the goal. And have someone waiting for it at the far post.
This one is a doozy: How about if our TALL striker plays in the box instead of 25 yards out trying to set up a play like a midfielder.
Since Aguero always draws 3 defenders, but him on one side and attack on the other, where we might outnumber the defenders.
I'm a TACTICAL GENIUS!!! This is rocket science, I know. No one on the planet could think of it beside the writer of this blog, right?
Please, please, please. Let's have an adjustment. :-)
Epictetus
I want to start with three good things about the last performance:
1) Wasn't that a cracker of a goal by Milner? No keeper in the world was going to get that!
2) Nasri was back.
3) Joe Hart had a great save on the play before Hull scored.
Ok. That's out of the way.
Another PATHETIC performance.
I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm going to tell the ENTIRE WORLD how to beat City. Here it is: Play at least six in the box. Intercept our passes when we try to make pretty passes within the box, and beat us on the counter.
There. It's out. No longer a secret. But it appears our squad is the only one who don't know the formula. I like the 'flowing football' we are trying to play. But like any other team, we should be making ADJUSTMENTS. And we're not.
Our possession against Hull was 75%! But to show for it we have one goal on a free kick? Our tactics are exactly the same every match: Wait for the defenders to set up. Make sure they have all 10 behind the ball. Try to pass it between them.
I have a couple of suggestions: MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. Maybe we don't have to wait for ALL 10 to get behind the ball. Maybe we attack, even if we are outnumbered and catch the defense in motion, instead of built up like a brick wall.
Here is another: Let's have a cross (or, heaven forbid: a CORNER) that makes it more than half way past the goal. And have someone waiting for it at the far post.
This one is a doozy: How about if our TALL striker plays in the box instead of 25 yards out trying to set up a play like a midfielder.
Since Aguero always draws 3 defenders, but him on one side and attack on the other, where we might outnumber the defenders.
I'm a TACTICAL GENIUS!!! This is rocket science, I know. No one on the planet could think of it beside the writer of this blog, right?
Please, please, please. Let's have an adjustment. :-)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
out of the FA Cup
Wow. Two home losses in a row.
Not a goal scored in either.
Even with Kun on the pitch.
Next game away at Stamford Bridge
Do you feel the pressure mounting? Today's competition played us well. We were very unlucky on the first goal, even though a defensive mistake led to the play. But we had luck other times in the day. I can't say we were officiated fairly, because we were not. Two clear penalties were waved away.
But against competition like that, we should not have to worry about the officiating. We should have put the ball in the back of the net 6 times early, but didn't. If we had, I would not even have to mention Mr. Doud's performance. But so it goes. We were worried before the match about the trip to the middle east. Change of weather, change of time zones. Flying back the day before was not a good idea.
It's a long season, and its a long season for a reason. As fans, we like it that way. The ups and downs of particular weeks are what keep us interested in the game. It's not just being a glory hunter.
I hope that management still has faith in Manuel. I hope the players do, too. Official pronouncements about his predecessor leaving had to do with lack of progress in the Champions League. If we don't look respectable against Barcelona, we'll be in that same spot.
It's a long season. Lets see what time brings us.
Not a goal scored in either.
Even with Kun on the pitch.
Next game away at Stamford Bridge
Do you feel the pressure mounting? Today's competition played us well. We were very unlucky on the first goal, even though a defensive mistake led to the play. But we had luck other times in the day. I can't say we were officiated fairly, because we were not. Two clear penalties were waved away.
But against competition like that, we should not have to worry about the officiating. We should have put the ball in the back of the net 6 times early, but didn't. If we had, I would not even have to mention Mr. Doud's performance. But so it goes. We were worried before the match about the trip to the middle east. Change of weather, change of time zones. Flying back the day before was not a good idea.
It's a long season, and its a long season for a reason. As fans, we like it that way. The ups and downs of particular weeks are what keep us interested in the game. It's not just being a glory hunter.
I hope that management still has faith in Manuel. I hope the players do, too. Official pronouncements about his predecessor leaving had to do with lack of progress in the Champions League. If we don't look respectable against Barcelona, we'll be in that same spot.
It's a long season. Lets see what time brings us.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
goal difference
Last year at this time, we had were closing in on 100 BPL goals, this year, we are at 45.
Some might say that this is due to our strikers being injured. While it's true we went a few games without a recognized striker on the pitch, we managed to win those games and score quite a few goals in the process.
What I find different between this year and last year was the ability to break up the pitch, even when outnumbered and get a good chance. This season, we are more likely than not to stop and wait for reinforcements, which gives the defense a chance to set up.
Breaking down a well drilled defense can be done, and we're generally pretty good at it. But it's a lot harder, takes a lot more time and will lead to lower goal totals.
While we've complained a lot about the defense, we've let in 3 fewer goals than this point last season. But the defensive issues become more obvious when you are not scoring 4 and 5 goals a match.
Taking advantage of our speed on the break would bring us a lot of good. Hopefully, we start doing it.
Some might say that this is due to our strikers being injured. While it's true we went a few games without a recognized striker on the pitch, we managed to win those games and score quite a few goals in the process.
What I find different between this year and last year was the ability to break up the pitch, even when outnumbered and get a good chance. This season, we are more likely than not to stop and wait for reinforcements, which gives the defense a chance to set up.
Breaking down a well drilled defense can be done, and we're generally pretty good at it. But it's a lot harder, takes a lot more time and will lead to lower goal totals.
While we've complained a lot about the defense, we've let in 3 fewer goals than this point last season. But the defensive issues become more obvious when you are not scoring 4 and 5 goals a match.
Taking advantage of our speed on the break would bring us a lot of good. Hopefully, we start doing it.
Monday, January 5, 2015
The 'festive' holiday period
Indeed!
On Saturday, November 29th, City was 9 points behind Chelsea. Today, we are even. You can't ask for too much more than that. The manager had laid down the law and told the team they needed to win the next 10 games. And City would have except for 45 sub par minutes and a poor offside call against Burnley, they would have, too.
It's minor, but I'm not sure why Chelsea are listed as first place and City second. Same points, same goal differential, same goals scored and conceded. It does not get closer than that! I think both teams should be listed as first place and no team listed as second place. But they don't seem to do that.
Eighteen matches to go including away games at Arsenal (the next Maggie McGarry's derby!) and Chelsea. City and Chelsea will both drop points between now and the end of the season. The question is: who will drop fewer? We will know in May, just the way Pellegrini has been telling us since September.
Stay tuned!
On Saturday, November 29th, City was 9 points behind Chelsea. Today, we are even. You can't ask for too much more than that. The manager had laid down the law and told the team they needed to win the next 10 games. And City would have except for 45 sub par minutes and a poor offside call against Burnley, they would have, too.
It's minor, but I'm not sure why Chelsea are listed as first place and City second. Same points, same goal differential, same goals scored and conceded. It does not get closer than that! I think both teams should be listed as first place and no team listed as second place. But they don't seem to do that.
Eighteen matches to go including away games at Arsenal (the next Maggie McGarry's derby!) and Chelsea. City and Chelsea will both drop points between now and the end of the season. The question is: who will drop fewer? We will know in May, just the way Pellegrini has been telling us since September.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
How did we make that happen?
Yes, it's true. After playing some shockingly poor football for 5 games, getting lucky in the last 10 minutes of the 5th game to pull out a win, City put on a fine performance in Rome to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.
I really can't believe it and am sure that many of the readers of this blog feel the same way. This match against Rome was the first one where we looked like we even belonged on the pitch in this competition. Not that we didn't have a rough start.
AS Roma had two chances within the first five minutes, one requiring a fine save from Hart, the other a last second clear by the defense. Surely, falling behind early AGAIN would have been fatal. Again in the 71st and 73rd minute, it looked like Roma could have equalized, getting as close as the woodwork, but it was not to be.
And we did it without Aguero. Nasri's goal was a stunner, finding the one place where it could have gone in. And the play between Jovetic, Nasri and Zabaletta for the second goal was beautiful.
It's true that this was a great team effort. And that's what it's going to take until we can get someone who can regularly put the ball in the net in the absence of Kun.
For me, the best part is watching Hart really step up his game, and getting our first CL clean sheet. Hopefully, its the face of things to come.
Now, about the draw. It's been very, very unlucky to us. Let's see if we can get some luck swinging back the other way.
I really can't believe it and am sure that many of the readers of this blog feel the same way. This match against Rome was the first one where we looked like we even belonged on the pitch in this competition. Not that we didn't have a rough start.
AS Roma had two chances within the first five minutes, one requiring a fine save from Hart, the other a last second clear by the defense. Surely, falling behind early AGAIN would have been fatal. Again in the 71st and 73rd minute, it looked like Roma could have equalized, getting as close as the woodwork, but it was not to be.
And we did it without Aguero. Nasri's goal was a stunner, finding the one place where it could have gone in. And the play between Jovetic, Nasri and Zabaletta for the second goal was beautiful.
It's true that this was a great team effort. And that's what it's going to take until we can get someone who can regularly put the ball in the net in the absence of Kun.
For me, the best part is watching Hart really step up his game, and getting our first CL clean sheet. Hopefully, its the face of things to come.
Now, about the draw. It's been very, very unlucky to us. Let's see if we can get some luck swinging back the other way.
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