Rival watch

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Has anyone else seen Leighton Baines interview on SSN? On the wall behind him is a list of Everton players with some numbers next to them, times maybe? don't know, anyway in the middle of this list is...Theo Walcott!?!?...when did he sign??

I saw this notso. I was trying to make out who the others were, to see if there were any other non Everton players. I guessed it must have been some sort of speed test? There appeared to be lap times next to the name.
 
Couple of things from last night... Firstly for the pure comedy factor, did anyone see jenkinson sprint? One of the best "runs" I've seen in ages. -no, I don't mean him taking on the opposition, I mean his actual running technique. He lost the ball and had to quickly sprint 60 yards. He literally looked like that one lad in your PE class at school who was just not of the sporting type. <laugh> o and in general, how poor are some of those players? Young Meade showed up some of the more experienced players last night. Chamakh, arshavin and gervinho are all just...woeful.

And man city. Are they really the best in our league? I mean they've got some outstanding players such as hart, company, silva, aguero, tevez and toure... But after those 6, who is really THAT good? They've just ended a CL campaign as the premier league's number 1 seeded club, without a single win. That's embarrassing for our league IMO. How can the club from the league ranked the best in the world, not win a game? Group of death or not, they've spent millions on "the worlds best players". It's shocking.
 
City must be playing below their standard but it suggests once again that it's the 'team' that counts and not just a collection of good individuals.
 
City must be playing below their standard but it suggests once again that it's the 'team' that counts and not just a collection of good individuals.

but that's what I'm getting at Spurf. I don't think City have ever played that well as a team. I think Individuals carry them through, more often that not. Other than some of the intricate play from their 3 superb attacking players (Tevez,Silva,Aguero), how often do you see city play good football in other areas of the pitch?
 
but that's what I'm getting at Spurf. I don't think City have ever played that well as a team. I think Individuals carry them through, more often that not. Other than some of the intricate play from their 3 superb attacking players (Tevez,Silva,Aguero), how often do you see city play good football in other areas of the pitch?

I have not seen a lot of them tbh. I am looking for others to tell me why they have performed so poorly. Yet they remain unbeaten in the PL?
 
I have not seen a lot of them tbh. I am looking for others to tell me why they have performed so poorly. Yet they remain unbeaten in the PL?

I've not seen every game, but I've seen a fair amount. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm just bemused to be honest. Oh, I should also add Dzeko to that list, he's a very good striker I forgot about.

I don't know what it is, but there's something about City where I watch them and think they look very beatable (despite the fact they've not actually been beaten in the league, unbelievably). I think it's the negative Italian football from all but 3 players or so. Perhaps this is why they haven't lost? Their so defensive and rely on the strikers to just punish other teams, whilst the defence and midfield just put a brick wall in the way. - Goal evidence would suggest that too. Tevez - 7, Dzeko - 6, Aguero - 5. everyone else who's scored for them has 1 goal in the league, apart from a couple of players with 2. They've also only conceded 11. To be honest, I think they were found out in Europe which is why the results were so poor. Each team had the quality to stop their 3 strikers and obviously had decent players going forwards themselves. - Game over for City.
 
They were on about this last night, and were saying perhaps the signings they've made aren't that good. The CB Nastasic, how often have we seen last years pairing Kompany and Lescott that were so solid. Garcia only so so, and Maicon remains dodgy defensively. Toure and Barry are under par protecting their defence too. The front line seems just enough to squeak past PL opposition but the top European sides find them out. Mancini hasn't helped either messing about with back 3's and 4's either. If they don't get their act together now they're out of Europe completely, I think Pep Guardiola has more chance of ending up at City than Chelsea.
 
They were on about this last night, and were saying perhaps the signings they've made aren't that good. The CB Nastasic, how often have we seen last years pairing Kompany and Lescott that were so solid. Garcia only so so, and Maicon remains dodgy defensively. Toure and Barry are under par protecting their defence too. The front line seems just enough to squeak past PL opposition but the top European sides find them out. Mancini hasn't helped either messing about with back 3's and 4's either. If they don't get their act together now they're out of Europe completely, I think Pep Guardiola has more chance of ending up at City than Chelsea.

Notso, you've summed up what I've been trying to say! thanks <ok>

I didn't see any of the game last night, as I watched the Arsenal one instead. But that's my observation based on previous CL games and Prem games.

Agree with you completely on all of the players you've mentioned here. Bang on the money. <ok>

Gareth Barry. LOL. so overrated, it's unbelievable.

They just have a few individuals carrying them through at the moment, and that's probably why Mancini is just about holding onto his job.

It'd be a much better decision for Guardiola too. At least The City owners give managers time, and of course, money.
 
City are unbeaten but will a defeat spark a run of defeats as happens? I'm also concerned a bit that Newcastle's win over Wigan might kick start them. I don't know how being beaten and ending up bottom will affect City. Will the players stay or move on to find CL as they want? Will they be determined or depressed? Interesting times ahead for both City and Chelsea who I think are both overrated.