Ok, I'll be honest. I'm not going to get analytical on this on. Just impressions. Impressions that could be wrong. But...
1) Where is the defense? Captain Vinny continues to bail out the back left and right. No problem there. But the fullbacks seem to have gone missing, at least as far as defensive duty goes. We seem to be alright if everyone is back, but on the defensive break, we are terrible. Yes, only two teams have let in fewer goals. They happen to be ahead of us in the table.
2) Joe Hart has played really well. He's made a lot of great stops. I can't think of one goal that's gone in where he's made a mistake.
3) Last season, we scored a lot on the break, taking advantage of players out of position on the defense and the creativity of our midfield and attackers. This season, we seam to purposely be slowing down, as if this is the desired tactic. The terrible pace is leaving us to try to ram the ball down the throat of 10 defenders, something we are not quite built to do.
4) Last season, Pelligrini was always focused on the next game, meaning the game at hand. We don't appear to be doing that this year. I'm not sure if its an overall lack of focus or if we are just starting to peek ahead at the calendar. Either way, it's a disaster.
5) The midfield last year was making great passes and taking the ball from attackers. This year, we seems to be making the bad pass and giving the ball away. Stats might prove me wrong, but that's what it 'feels' like.
Technically, you could say we are a better team this year with upgrades in midfield and the back line. Just not seeing it. Yet.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Man of the Match
Sergio Aguero was voted man of the match for his incredible four goal performance against Spurs. And who can blame him? Despite missing a penalty kick, Sergio showed why he is the danger in the Manchester City attack. His ability to create space for himself with the ball left Spurs defenders gasping for air and swinging at shadows the entire match.
But to be honest, I don't think he was man of the match. For me, it was Joe Hart. Why? Well, you would not know it from the outcome, but Spurs only had one less shot than City (19 vs. 20). While they only had seven on target, each one of them required a fine save. Even the goal was one that Joe got a piece of and almost kept the clean sheet.
But what really got my attention was the save on the penalty. If that ball goes in, the score is 2-2 and it is an entirely different match. I don't know if it was pure luck or a great read, but Hart was all over the ball and made a great save to a ball going into a bottom corner. Pure class.
I'm sure that Spurs goal keeper Hugo Lloris will not be looking forward to the next City match. Over the last three matches, City has completely lit up Spurs. Despite the City tally, Lloris has accounted well for himself and has made a number of fine saves. But the City goals have been well earned.
One person not in the running for the man of the match was Fernando. His performance so far this year has been ok, but he's definitely the most disappointing signing City have made this season. Particularly early in this match, Spurs were getting in front of Hart much too easily and most of it was his fault. It was his turnover that allowed the goal. Let's hope that he gets stronger as the season moves on.
But to be honest, I don't think he was man of the match. For me, it was Joe Hart. Why? Well, you would not know it from the outcome, but Spurs only had one less shot than City (19 vs. 20). While they only had seven on target, each one of them required a fine save. Even the goal was one that Joe got a piece of and almost kept the clean sheet.
But what really got my attention was the save on the penalty. If that ball goes in, the score is 2-2 and it is an entirely different match. I don't know if it was pure luck or a great read, but Hart was all over the ball and made a great save to a ball going into a bottom corner. Pure class.
I'm sure that Spurs goal keeper Hugo Lloris will not be looking forward to the next City match. Over the last three matches, City has completely lit up Spurs. Despite the City tally, Lloris has accounted well for himself and has made a number of fine saves. But the City goals have been well earned.
One person not in the running for the man of the match was Fernando. His performance so far this year has been ok, but he's definitely the most disappointing signing City have made this season. Particularly early in this match, Spurs were getting in front of Hart much too easily and most of it was his fault. It was his turnover that allowed the goal. Let's hope that he gets stronger as the season moves on.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
City in Europe
As I write this, City have one point from six in their Champions League campaign.
After almost wining the group last year, one could rightfully hope that City would be treated more kindly in the group draw this time. But lady luck seems to abandon the squad that day, as once again, City were matched in a group of death.
Due to some brilliant Joe Hart goal keeping we almost stole a point in Munich and despite a fast start by the Blues, many think that the draw against Roma was a fair result.
The mystifying piece seems to me that a squad that had won the premier league two of the past three years (and finished second the other year), should feel like it can do better. Certainly, England has the most challenging league.
So, why are we not doing better? Certainly, part of the problem is bad luck. We end up in very difficult groups, and play teams that are recent winners of the tournament. But I don't think that is an excuse. Certainly, every team competing will have to find a way to beat a recent winner if they are to go far in the competition.
Instead, the problem looks like one of confidence. Week in and week out, the team play quite well in the Premier League and show a fine attacking spirit. This spirit is evidenced even when a man down. However, in Europe, the play is much more tentative and it shows up in lower passing percentages. This seems to deny the 'go forward' mentality of Pellegrini.
But all hope is not lost. Six points from CSKA Moscow and draws between Roma and Bayern will put us right in the thick of things. Perhaps one lucky goal is all we need to turn it around.
After almost wining the group last year, one could rightfully hope that City would be treated more kindly in the group draw this time. But lady luck seems to abandon the squad that day, as once again, City were matched in a group of death.
Due to some brilliant Joe Hart goal keeping we almost stole a point in Munich and despite a fast start by the Blues, many think that the draw against Roma was a fair result.
The mystifying piece seems to me that a squad that had won the premier league two of the past three years (and finished second the other year), should feel like it can do better. Certainly, England has the most challenging league.
So, why are we not doing better? Certainly, part of the problem is bad luck. We end up in very difficult groups, and play teams that are recent winners of the tournament. But I don't think that is an excuse. Certainly, every team competing will have to find a way to beat a recent winner if they are to go far in the competition.
Instead, the problem looks like one of confidence. Week in and week out, the team play quite well in the Premier League and show a fine attacking spirit. This spirit is evidenced even when a man down. However, in Europe, the play is much more tentative and it shows up in lower passing percentages. This seems to deny the 'go forward' mentality of Pellegrini.
But all hope is not lost. Six points from CSKA Moscow and draws between Roma and Bayern will put us right in the thick of things. Perhaps one lucky goal is all we need to turn it around.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
THANK YOU, uh...., Frank Lampard?
So.......
It feels really, really weird to say that.
Really, really weird.
But that's the way it is, and all things considered, I'll take the result. It's been a difficult week. Two draws and a heart breaking loss.
The Arsenal match seemed like a draw was a fair result. The loss at Bayern was tough the way it happened, but we were not the better team that night.
But the Chelsea match.....
58% possession. Shots 16 to 6. Corners 14 to 2. And that's after having Zabs sent off after 66 minutes. Chelsea did not have a shot on net until the 71st minute. But it went in. Other than that counter attack, we completely dominated the match.
The referee gave nine yellow cards. Nine. Two went to Zabs of the five that went to City.
Five weeks in, and we've played three of the top teams. It seems really, really different this year vs. last. Certainly, our away form is better. But our plan of attack seems different. Chelsea scored on a break. Last year, we scored a lot of goals. And a lot of those goals were scored on the break. In our matches so far this year, we are playing a much more measured pace, waiting for the defense to set up and then trying to break them down. Last year, we pushed the ball up the pitch much harder and took advantage of creativity to dominate defenders that were not yet in the right place. Is this part of the plan or is the opposition holding more back? I'm not sure, but certainly our goal scoring is way, way down.
Chelsea will be a tough team this year. There is a lot of talent. We didn't want to let them start with five wins. Frank Lampard scored an important goal for us. Only time will tell how important.
Two comments on the officiating today. Dzeko is driving me a little crazy with his flopping. The refs have seen it and he's not getting away with it. It is causing the refs not to give him fouls when he earns them. Like when he was manhandled by Diego Costa in the box in the 34th minute today. Mike Dean really missed that one. A goal at that point could have made a significant difference in the match. The other comment has to do with Zabs. His cards were not completely out of like, but certainly at least a little harsh. But really, you can grab someone by the throat in this league and not get punished for it? http://t.co/WwjyG9CXzx
C'mon CITY!
It feels really, really weird to say that.
Really, really weird.
But that's the way it is, and all things considered, I'll take the result. It's been a difficult week. Two draws and a heart breaking loss.
The Arsenal match seemed like a draw was a fair result. The loss at Bayern was tough the way it happened, but we were not the better team that night.
But the Chelsea match.....
58% possession. Shots 16 to 6. Corners 14 to 2. And that's after having Zabs sent off after 66 minutes. Chelsea did not have a shot on net until the 71st minute. But it went in. Other than that counter attack, we completely dominated the match.
The referee gave nine yellow cards. Nine. Two went to Zabs of the five that went to City.
Five weeks in, and we've played three of the top teams. It seems really, really different this year vs. last. Certainly, our away form is better. But our plan of attack seems different. Chelsea scored on a break. Last year, we scored a lot of goals. And a lot of those goals were scored on the break. In our matches so far this year, we are playing a much more measured pace, waiting for the defense to set up and then trying to break them down. Last year, we pushed the ball up the pitch much harder and took advantage of creativity to dominate defenders that were not yet in the right place. Is this part of the plan or is the opposition holding more back? I'm not sure, but certainly our goal scoring is way, way down.
Chelsea will be a tough team this year. There is a lot of talent. We didn't want to let them start with five wins. Frank Lampard scored an important goal for us. Only time will tell how important.
Two comments on the officiating today. Dzeko is driving me a little crazy with his flopping. The refs have seen it and he's not getting away with it. It is causing the refs not to give him fouls when he earns them. Like when he was manhandled by Diego Costa in the box in the 34th minute today. Mike Dean really missed that one. A goal at that point could have made a significant difference in the match. The other comment has to do with Zabs. His cards were not completely out of like, but certainly at least a little harsh. But really, you can grab someone by the throat in this league and not get punished for it? http://t.co/WwjyG9CXzx
C'mon CITY!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Another Derby!
Well folks, it's time to shake off the miserable home result against Stoke and look forward to another Maggie McGarry's derby.
The Arsenal fans have the trophy due to their win at the Community Shield. But now that the matches really count, we'll be looking forward to winning it back.
Speaking of Stoke, they had not beaten us since Feb, 2010. But it seems that every match against that team is a tough one. They are a defensive marvel. In the calendar year 2014 (I write this in early September), they have only two matches where they have given up more than one goal. And one of those ended in a draw!
The Arsenal fans have the trophy due to their win at the Community Shield. But now that the matches really count, we'll be looking forward to winning it back.
Speaking of Stoke, they had not beaten us since Feb, 2010. But it seems that every match against that team is a tough one. They are a defensive marvel. In the calendar year 2014 (I write this in early September), they have only two matches where they have given up more than one goal. And one of those ended in a draw!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Group of death, meh!
We have several treats this week:
1) Sergio scoring within seconds of coming on to put a nail in the Scousers coffin
2) A completely OUTSTANDING performance by the Milton Keynes Don's battering United
3) The group of death draw in the Champions League.
4) United breaking the all time English transfer fee record for a player that can't break into the starting lineup in Spain.
Regarding 3), I don't think there is another group that is close to as tough as ours. Chelsea and perhaps Liverpool are definitely beneficiaries of the draw. The good news is that we KNOW we can beat Bayern! One wag posited that we would win the group! Wouldn't that be special!
There is also a great post about United having the first GBP 400M team. It makes you think of the New York Yankees baseball team, who keep needing pitching and buying batting. We certainly hope that DiMaria has the same effect on the team that Mata did. Zilch!
Personally, I continue to like Pellegrini 's approach. This week and THIS week only. We won't have to worry about future weeks if we loose this week!
In Pellegrini we trust!
1) Sergio scoring within seconds of coming on to put a nail in the Scousers coffin
2) A completely OUTSTANDING performance by the Milton Keynes Don's battering United
3) The group of death draw in the Champions League.
4) United breaking the all time English transfer fee record for a player that can't break into the starting lineup in Spain.
Regarding 3), I don't think there is another group that is close to as tough as ours. Chelsea and perhaps Liverpool are definitely beneficiaries of the draw. The good news is that we KNOW we can beat Bayern! One wag posited that we would win the group! Wouldn't that be special!
There is also a great post about United having the first GBP 400M team. It makes you think of the New York Yankees baseball team, who keep needing pitching and buying batting. We certainly hope that DiMaria has the same effect on the team that Mata did. Zilch!
Personally, I continue to like Pellegrini 's approach. This week and THIS week only. We won't have to worry about future weeks if we loose this week!
In Pellegrini we trust!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Nice way to start the season!
There were a LOT of positives to take away for the performance at St James Park today. A few of the important ones (in no particular order):
- Great defensive performances by Komany and Fernando
- Silva scoring the first goal of the season (just like he did last year, against the same team!)
- Aguero getting back to his scoring ways.
- I liked that Aguero got 10 minutes. After the injuries he had last year, he needs some rest and some playing time to get fit. Let's not rush him back.
- A monster performance by Edin Dzeko, who was channeling his inner Silva. If you want to clone a player, it's Silva! and I hope Dzeko keeps it up.
- Beautiful passing by Yaya and Dzeko on the first goal
- Great patience with the ball
- Great resilience against a Newcastle side that showed great poise in attack in the last 15 minutes.
- We (so far) are the only team to go up by two goals, putting us at the top of the table!
While Newcastle didn't have a shot on net, it was because they didn't take advantage of some good opportunities and put the ball over and wide. Some slick finishing could have had the match turn out differently.
It's going to be a tough season with several teams fighting for the top four spots. Let the games begin!
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