I'm not too unhappy TBH. Disappointed of course as I wanted to go to Wembley again but you don't go into a match against City expecting to win unless you're Liverpool or just thick. To beat City you need A) to be rock solid at the back, B) Take your chances and C) get a fair chunk of luck. We got a bit of C with the goal and I thought at HT it might just be our day. But then Salisu, completely unnecessarily, barged Jesus over. Stonewall pen and gifted City the lead back. Just as Ralph was going to bring on Adams and Broja as well. FFS! And then Foden killed the game with a wonderful goal - you could sense the deflation throughout the whole stadium apart from the City fans of course. We didn't play badly at all but the first 2 City goals were 100% of our own doing. Cannot do that against City and expect to win - they create enough goals without any help. 4-1 didn't really reflect the game but we can have no complaints at the result either. Oh well, can sit back and watch the title race/top 4 fight/relegation battle now. Our season is done.
Perhaps whilst Shearer is in the stadium, they can have him chat with Adarma about striking the ball cleanly. I remember 3, could be 4, shots and the contact with the ball just wasn’t good enough. Clearly lacking in confidence.
No we don't and at the same time not that far away. I like Ralph 95 % of the time and think he will make us better. We certainly are weak at CB. Not sure how many we need, one, maybe two. probably need an upgrade in CM and a more clinical striker. Think Stuey and Ely doing okay
Doubt they'll go that strong for that if still fighting for league / CL. Plus we could have summoned QPR Ted to inspire some magic.
Yes St Badger and how many times have we seen that at the other end and not given. I think football has become stupidly soft. No way did that inhibit the attacking player. Some will say it was clever by Jesus, in book boom it is is just cheating ( and Stupid by Salisu). Would that have been a foul in the middle of the pitch, I really doubt it. Us as as fans, influenced by the media, seem to think that any contact is now a foul. We are in danger of making the game too sanitized
Just to add to this I have no problem with players using us as a stepping stone. It will make us a more attractive destination for the young talent who may give their all to get a big move.
On the bus going home and have been reading the posts. As Tom wrote above, you need to be tight at the back and take you chances. We ****ed up on both counts this afternoon. I wish Ralph had started with a more effective front two. You don't want to be chasing a game against a team like City. You can sub them off if it's going well or even if its not, but to limit your attacking options at the outset was, IMO, poor judgement by Ralph. KWP was again, for me, our best player. Ely was good, Stu was busy and effective. There were alot of plus points, but the underlying issue is not ****ing up at the back and take those opportunities.
I am sure I will be in the minority. And Salisu has sit for brains. He places his hands on the back of Jesus and of course he goes down faster than a lady of the night. Anywhere else on the pitch that is not given as a foul. Unfortunately, that is the direction the game has gone. Would be interested in your view after you see it in TV replay
Just to add that you don't need to give a c**t like Mike Dean an opportunity to give a penalty against us. That should have been drilled into the players before they took to the pitch.
The logístics of City and some Liverpool fans going to Wembley for a semi is daft. Think Guardiola, Klopp and the fans would be happier playing this at Old Trafford. Hoping it is City v Palace in the final, but feel Liverpool will be Palace's opponents.
