Match Day Thread 2016/17 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

I would say your keeper, defence and midfield is stronger which forms the platform.

That's not to excuse Pep as I think he should be doing better but the point i was making is that he needs time along with other new managers.

 

I'd agree cahill has been totally ignored when teams play cheslea so far which is astounding. he could be destroyed.

Aspi is actually one of the very best defenders in prem. Matic was very good season before last and is again now (just stinking attitdue it seems) kante is a top destructive player. Whats a world beater like... look at atletico... world beaters are only players who do their jobs well not players who win games on their own IMO.

as for city

sorry but the first 4 on that list of your are all past it. and it shows. Otamendi can't defend and is positionally woeful, and ferandino can't stay on the pitch. he's not i nthe lcass of matic or kante... nowehre near.

City have consistently ignored the pile of poo at the back and pep made it worse with bravo. I would expect all of these players to be replaced if the barca DoF stops thinking he is at barca for 5 mins.

 

What's most disappointing is that Pep is meant to be a great coach. After what has been a good start, his players are seeming to be playing worse and worse.

Sterling is still as inconsistent as always and makes the wrong decisions. Stones is even more error prone than before as is kolarov. Aguero is blowing hot and cold although he's still bagging the goals. Apparantly this is all the players fault though until Pep can spend 500m to buy the best players ever

 

He's been in charge for only a few months. It takes time.

 

he has seen the writing on the wall for the season. but what we are all talking about is actually a snotty press hack being really rude back and guardiola reacting poorly to it.

the fact is when gundogan went down pep brought in yaya and as we all know all he wants to do is swan about and play the big balls so actually th team is worse.

what pep has done which is nuts is change the back 4 every 5 mins instead of actually doing a job with them.

I would agree. I think he's telegraphed that he knows the side his **** and many players have dropped right off.

 

Keeper yes, Defence yes (not before the start of the season), midfield - debateable and if we do have any dominance its more because we outnumber the weaker opposition and we hit on the break against the bigger teams. Kante and Matic are solid but they are both not great creatively, something we have deliberately sacrificed. City have chosen to be attacking all the time and dominate the possession in most games (except against you guys). Different horses for courses.

 

Agreed, but he's been in charge of this city squad longer than most, knew he was taking over in like feb time and got his players in early unlike herr klopp who took over mid season.

MITO has it bang on, peps been changing his backline every game and changing formations every 5 minutes, no wonder no one is learning anything.

 

I think what you've described is the conte way.

And it will be interesting to see where in the cl it gets you.

I'd agree the defense prior to the season was oh oh.

 

Fernandinho is a good player (ignoring the stupid red cards he seems to have got into habit of picking up). Does a lot of donkey work that de Bruyne and silva don't do and allows them to push forward. Id take him here in a heartbeat.

 

One point on guardiola. He was announce when... Feb? Prob knew the job months before despite the claims.

The fact is city and him had acres of time to know what most I think know about city's back line and they really took no action. They reap what they sow imo.

 

I'd take him in a heart beat too. He's a good box to box midfielder, he's pretty technical and i think this red card stuff is slightly overblown. this is his first red card in the league for foul play. The other red card he picked up was cause Fabregas riled him up at the end of the match

 

He was sent off in CL for tackle as well before that but agree.

Still cant understand how Fabregas didn't get 3 match ban for his part in that btw

 

I've still not actually seen a decent angle or his recent red card. Was it a definite? One long range normal speed angle I saw couldn't really tell, just looked a normal tackle?

 

Just had a quick youtube.... he goes in a scissor motion but he never really leaves the ground and he gets the ball. Pretty harsh red in my opinion but i can see why Pep is annoyed.

 

Imo from the front on angle its a deffo red. two footed scissor.

 

Are luckychester utd still 6th?

 

Have you started Shadows of the Mind yet, Donga?

 

Absolutely no way that was red, MITO. No way.

 

He sounded just like a utd manager

 

First 60 pages. Fascinating.