Great win. Very professional performance. When was the last time (if any) did City beat a German team away from home ?
The Fail says.... http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/VFB-...Match-report/story-22291977-detail/story.html
Thanks to look_back_in_amber for the streaming link so I caught the second half and replay of goals. For anyone in Canada, next Saturday's game v QPR is live on Sportsnet World.
I did not like the 352 last season at all, as I felt we lacked the players to play it effectively and ended up too defensive, not creating enough chances and almost certain to concede a goal at some point to lose 1-0 given the quality of opposition from set pieces or just creating something out of nowhere. With Rosenior as our only option at left wing back while Figueroa was out of form and Brady injured we just didn't have much threat from the left and Meyler put a good shift in but often lacked a creative edge in the middle. Our play ended up congested in the middle. We'll have to see how it goes this season but with Brady getting fit again and Robertson signed we have more attacking options from the left. Ince looks very dynamic and Snodgrass was brought in to add more creativity behind the forwards. Bruce has certainly gone out and signed a few attacking players to work on our weaknesses from last season, now he gets a decent set of opening league fixtures to see if that makes the difference. A plus for me was the Trencin home game, showing he wasn't afraid to switch to 442 (as he did against Liverpool, though that was after an injury). Last season it felt he stuck with the 352 a bit much when it was obvious quite early in matches that it wasn't working. I feel if he'd kept the formation on thursday we probably would've ended 1-1 and gone out but as that didn't happen who knows, we could have scored 2-3 for a comfortable win for all we know. Bruce has made the signings that on paper should see the 352 perform better, and gets the chance to see that choice vindicated in our opening run. I just hope that if it isn't working he makes changes before it's too late, as we need a good start to the season before our fixtures turn.
Started incredibly well. Intense, fast, pacey and great passing. Robertson and MaGuire had impressive debuts. Rosenior was my man of the match. Entirely pointless brining on 4 subs in the 87th min. Our finishing is slightly concerning and not just in this match. We keep getting open goals and glaring opportunities and not putting them away which is obviously slightly concerning. Ince looks good but he seems to overthink things and this slight delay leads to a missed opportunity. He needs to sharpen up a little bit. He also seems to go to ground easily. Took the foot of the gas too early and sat back but this could be down to fitness levels. Great performance and very professional.
from pre season it looks like Sagbo is ahead of both Jelly and Aluko and throw Ince in , theres four players who could be a regular 1st team player thats fighting for one position to link with Long.
That was a criticism often aimed at Walcott before, who similarly used his pace to get behind defences but then play a bad pass or scuff a shot. It took a couple of years in the top flight for him to settle down and get that cutting edge. Ince seems similar in that respect - he's going to get chances with his pace and movement but perhaps need time to become calm in those situations.
Yes I agree, and for the Fulham game 442 worked better in the second half. I just feel Elmo is more confident going forward with Rossy behind him.
There are a lot of people complaining about missed chances, at least we're making chances to miss. Hopefully if we continue creating chances, a few more will go in when we become a little sharper.
hope none of my fantasy footballing mates check up on this game, i've got Robertson in all teams across all formats, reckon he'll end up having a blinding season for us!
Robertson looks great but I'm not convinced he'll be starting every week. Likely to cover/rotate with Brady at wing back early on I reckon, maybe start more as the season goes on or if/when Brady gets injured.
