Defending we played 5-4-1. Dallas--Ayling--Koch--Struijk--Firpo Raphinha--Klich--Phillips--Harrison --------------------Rodrigo Attacking we played 3-4-3 ---------Ayling--Koch--Struijk Dallas---Klich---Phillips-----Firpo ---Raphinha---Rodrigo---- Harrison It was highly effective to be fair. We gave them a game for large chunks. The issue against the best side in the world is that you get punished for mistakes. Koch made an error for the first goal that you might normally get away with. They identified a mismatch in the air at the back post for the second goal (identifying is one thing, executing the play that realises that potential is another). The third was the only time the 3 centre halves left any space between them and they took advantage. The fourth was a shot from 25 yards. At the other end, Rodrigo made an amateur decision not to roll the ball to Raphinha early on. Dan James had one cleared off the line. Gelhardt forced Ederson to save with his legs on the line. I said prior to the game that we had to play well, hope they were slightly off their game and ultimately make the most of our chances when they come along whilst they waste theirs. We'll, we played well, they were off it but we failed to convert but they were great in front of goal. 4-0 was harsh but they have the individual quality and we don't. That's the state of football. Its not a level playing field. We look to 29 million Rodrigo to inspire us whilst their second string winger cost 100 million and he just tore us apart at will.
I was pleased with the effort we put in yesterday. No one has given us credit and just heap praise on city. That entitled tit pep encroached on the pitch just like klopp does. The gap between us and the top six is huge and the top three are way beyond us. 49ers investment arm are supposed to be worth a billion or so. Yet we had a very poor pre season and we did nothing. Persisted with too small a squad of poor quality. Bielsa himself said the players would not be able to repeat the previous season. So we bought a winger who can't cross or score and a left back who can't defend. Kalvin was the only fit midfielder and we signed nobody. Just a total feck up from everyone at the club and repeated in January.
I agree the effort was there, the quality certainly wasn’t. In regards to Pep…. Marsch openly admitted to his “101 approach” on the ref bragging that it resulted in the next foul City made getting them a yellow card. That comment will backfire on him, he just can’t help engaging his mouth
W We have gone from one coach who never said a word to another who does. Seems to be the way these prem coaches operate. Klopp and pep are at it every week.
I used to wish Bielsa would say a bit more, now I’m regretting those thoughts and I appreciate his manner far more
Yep, ridiculous comments about too much training and tired players and how he can keep a bunch of young guys fit and firing with the right balance. Forshaw & Summerville injured in training. Cooper (pre match) & Dallas injured on match day. Bamford brought back too soon and suffered a rupture. Llorente on the bench yesterday but not used when Coops dropped out so suspect he was carrying something.
Agree totally and I had the same thought about Llorente, it seemed the logical straight swap after the Cooper news broke
Don’t forget they went into the season with 1 first team striker (Bamford) as Gelhardt and Greenwood were youth and Rodrigo isn’t really an out and out striker and they’ve known about the Bamford injury for 12 months, makes it even worse.
Good news but bad news. Initial scans are that Stuart Dallas has suffered a fracture to the femur. Out for the season but now hopeful that his knee is structurally sound.
lots of experts on overtraining here. Just give everyone a day off and they’re good to go yeh?! if and I repeat if the whole squad were overtrained it can take months to get back on track. We’re in the middle of a relegation battle, they can’t stop training. What we are witnessing may be a direct result of previous overtraining… as subsequent ongoing injury issues are a known side effect. It may be just complete bad luck. It may be entirely down to marsch’ terrible training regime. It seems our resident fitness experts have all decided which of the three scenarios
Actually i and a few more don't see Bamford as a striker. If we bought one i see him as a 10 and that rodrigo fecked off anywhere we can get a fee
agree on this one… too busy trying to show everyone how clever he is. Unnecessary comment and one that makes the ‘trick’ less likely to work next time - so counter- productive.
In regards to stop training Jesse had only been here a week and he gave them a day off. He’s been lucky to also have had an International break and a break due to the FA cup. Most players like Cooper, Shackleton, Phillips, Firpo, Forshaw and others have spent more time resting up injured than they have training
irrelevant risty. As I said in my post IF they have been overtrained… The point is a recognised side effect from over-training is subsequent ongoing injuries. You don’t just flick a switch and it’s alright. You can’t undo what’s been done - especially so when you can’t reset because you have a season to complete. without a thorough medical assessment of each player (and even with it, the fairly random nature of injuries and the small sample size of players makes it difficult to assess) - all 3 of the scenarios I paint are possibilities.
