I actually don't think they do accomplish the same job, Wanyama is a destroyer pure and simple, whereas if there was one fault about Cork today it was that he was too weak in the challenge. Cork is all about recycling possession and keeping the ball moving. It's almost a shame that Schneiderlin is so important to us because Wanyama and Cork would be a very complimentary partnership. A player like that would be worth an absolute fortune!
Excellent, fantastic team performance that bustled and were relentless. JWP sumed it iup by sprinting 50 metres in the 89th minute to close down a break on the right. Chambers better going forward but Clyne the much better defender. Cork and Davis both workrd thier socks off forcing Toure to be replaced. Lallana utterly brilliant. The team need to take heart from this as nest weeks game is probably more difficult against Newcastle
3 points from Newcastle and a result from the Spurs game and we'll be in very good shape again, hopefully the confidence will start flowing again after that very positive performance. Need a clean sheet too from the Toon to get those defensive juices flowing once more.
Now that, hopefully, has put us back on course. 4 defeats on the bounce would have been a real hammer-blow after the great start to the season. Fantastic all-round play by the mighty Southampton. I honestly think the only area we can't outplay any side in the league is in our finishing. And we are still above Man Utd, and West Ham are only outside the drop zone on GD. I think I can show my face down the pub this evening!
Proud of all the players today. Very few errors and that meant ManC couldn't take advantage. A special word for Pochettino and his confidence in the youngsters, who were, to a lad, excellent. JWP plays with greater maturity with each game. Shaw was back to his young self, and Chambers played as if he hasn't missed a game all season. I was really impressed by him, out of the three. And hopefully we see more of Harrison Reed. I understand he could turn out to be the best youngster so far.
Of course not but think it should be the target nonetheless, they are in good nick but not to the point where I'd go there aiming for a draw (Although I perhaps would have if we were coming off of a lovely unbeaten streak rather than a sticky patch...).
That was one of the games that was important not to lose, but to do so by playing well and everyone stepping up was fantastic. That little niggling doubt that had been creeping in has been firmly dispelled. We are an entertaining and talented side who can beat anyone on our day, but will just not be consistent enough to be a real contender (yet!). Our youngsters mean that we will be good for years to come, especially with addition of some quality players. So proud of the team for not losing heart and not taking the excuse of injuries, but getting stuck in and believing in themselves.
After many games, including the first half of today, of the **** behind me slagging off Osvaldo, turning around to celebrate in his face was the highlight of the season so far. Couldn't have happened in better fashion.
Great result. The whole team played very well, chased and hurried and never gave up. Amazing goal by Osvaldo! Stopped the dick head next to me saying he was ****. For me the man of the match was Cork, he broke up play and his passing was great. Shame the ref and linesman were pretty ****.
Manuel Pellegrini: "I'm pleased with the point. It was a very close match. It was the normal, logical result." "We lost control. Southampton are a good team and if you give them the ball they have dangerous players."
BBC Website back to making their headline: Southampton Hold Man City To Draw. Misleading. To hold a team is to be a on the back foot most of the time, yet come away with a point. In fact, for most of the match, Man City were holding Saints, and in danger of losing their hold. It's only been a few weeks since Man City were below Saints. Oh, how they forget. Fortunately, unbiased Steve Claridge on Final Score once again saw the same game as me. He felt that we were the better team overall, and certainly for the final hour, and if anyone were going to win the game it was us. Of course, City could just nick it at any time, but you felt that they wouldn't. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/
I think this result and performance is more pleasing than the win at Anfield and the draw at Old Trafford. We came into this match with 3 straight losses, the last one being very sickening and a whole host of injuries. On top of that we went 1-0 down early. Brilliant from Saints today.
It was an odd game. Saints looked more industrious and won the possession battle and all that. You would have thought if it ended in a draw it would be because one of the crazy-talented Man City players pulled a goal from out of their ass. Instead, it was Osvaldo that scored the magical individual effort goal. We were loose at the back in the first half, and I really thought that was going to result in another Man City goal (or more) at some point in the second half. But they tightened up considerably. This was really the first game where I felt able to appreciate just how good Lovren really is. I mean, I knew he was pretty good and all but he was immense today when we needed him to be.
I'm absolutely buzzing after that game...the lads were superb today and played as a team as opposed to the individuals for City. The crowd really played their part and backed the team throughout the game....Here are the highlights...Dani's goal was even better than I remembered, what a cracker! enjoy.... http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/1...1-manchester-city-premier-league-highlights/?
We fought hard. Poch got the side up for it and don't underestimate the effect of the crowd too. Good stuff.
