Nothing wrong with Livermore last night. One really poor pass but did a lot of running and was quick to close people down. We should play Hayden & Livermore, whilst Meyler's out at least.
After the decades of having to watch Utd Lord it over us,obviously it was great to see an FA cup win,League cup win & 2 titles in such a short space of time but it definitely comes at a cost,we are certainly not the local club I grew up supporting and you really have to weigh up whether it's worth losing your identity to be a big corporate successful club. For us old farts I think we have a more jaundiced view than the younger ones who've not seen the relegations and misery.
We are out, but at least we didn't get thrashed at home like Southhampton. They're losing 1 - 6 to Liverpool
I take the point about expense and how that could have contributed to small gate, although they were probably the cheapest tickets you'll get at the Etihad this season. However there's absolutely no excuse for leaving when your side go 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go, I just don't see the point in going to watch football if you don't get excited when you're winning.
I didn't know people were that bothered about watching the football. I thought it was more about the cameraderie, a few beers, and shouting abuse at the opposition fans and the stewards.
Yes, would never happen at the KC, would it? People were streaming out when webeat Liverpool for the first time in our history instead of staying to applaud the team. Usual pathetic excuses anout not wanting to get held up as they had to travel a whole two or three miles and might have been late for their tea.
Hayden and Livermore, then one of either Huddlestone or Maloney. From what I've seen of Maloney so far and his terrible attempts at tracking back and defending last week Huddlestone would have more impact in his position, but when will the penny drop with Bruce, expect Huddz back in the role that doesn't suit him.
Huddlestone is no great defender, and against Man City after a three day break it doesn't bare thinking about even. It would have been worse with him playing.
I see why Bruce uses him there, his range of accurate passing is incredible, he can pick the ball straight up from the defence getting it back and turn it into an attack at the other end of the pitch in an instant. The problem is there's rarely anyone up the pitch as Bruce seems to insist all 10 outfield players retreat into our own 18 yard box whenever we don't have the ball.
I find it hard to slag off Man City fans. There's obviously a lot of a newer types who are attracted by their recent successes, but they're older fans know how to support a side through thick and thin. Man City used to get great crowds when they were dross. And how any Hull City fans try to say we're all loyal is complete bullshit. Our crowds are going down every week, and we're 4th in the championship, and we were on an undefeated run until last Friday. We will never get 30K (correct if i'm wrong) in the lower leagues, like Man City did. As for the match,4-1 was a bit unfair on City, i reckon. 2-1 fair enough? The mistakes were quite hard to take at the time, as i didn't think they were that reflective of our performance on the night. I agree that Bruce might have had one eye on the championship, and that isn't what i like to see. You should always try to succeed & have a go. Even if you are the underdogs.
You could probably say the same of Maloney then, though he might take better set pieces and be more active.
Easier to support a side through thick and thin when they've largely been in the top tier, have had wealthier owners and have won plenty of things. With the rivalry they have with United probably helping sustain support as well. The lack of ambition that we have had hardly bears comparison.
There are only 13 clubs who have ever averaged 40,000 or over. Man City were one of them but I was surprised to see that they only ever averaged over 40,000 three times at Maine Road, two of those as late as as 1977 and 1978. They only averaged 37,000 when they won the league in 1968. Strange when Man City had the second largest ground in thr country for a long time and it is where Man Utd had their highest crowd. When I worked in Leeds saw both Leeds game agsinst Man City in Man City's Championship season. Those were quite an experience. Made you wish for a similar atmosphere at BP.
Up until the 1960s they had won the league once and then not again until recently, and the FA Cup 3 times, less than Bolton, Blackburn, Sheff Utd, West Brom and Wolves. Hardly plenty of things until recent times. Our fans deserted us for rugby teams winning things so heaven knows what they would have done if they had the most successful club in the same city. Don't think it would have helped sustain support.
1949/50 Div 3N - Average 36,763. Man City have actually only been outside the top two tiers for one season, in 1999/00 and averaged 28,261. Their record average attendance in the second tier is actually lower than ours.
Fine i was wrong. I admit it. And no i haven't changed my tune Hatty. I always want this club to take the cups seriously.
The problem is that accurate 40 yard passes aren't enough. We think of it as an important skill but it isn't. It looks good and achieves nothing. Think about it, as this level it's going to take a hell of a striker to do anything with even the most accurate long ball forward. More important is the ability to find space and get behind opposition players. Maloney can do the former but we don't have anyone who can do the latter.
