Seems to be a bit of an over reaction on here tonight, maybe due to the final scoreline.... For the first half hour, I thought we played ok with Albert and Yanick combining a couple of times to look like they could be a potent threat together, Leeds certainly offered little in this time and I thought their back line looked a bit ropey. I said to my mate after 20 minutes that we need a 2nd striker up front as yet again, a couple of excellent balls were played across the box in front of goal that were just BEGGING to be put in the back of the net but in the time honoured City fashion, we had no forwards attacking the near post or indeed, the ball. This is the one thing that needs sorting NOW... But this is the $64m dilema, whether to stick or twist. DM has repeatedly stated that his preferred method is to play 2 up front BUT, we are playing pure survival football this season, WHATEVER IT TAKES.... Then, one single missed tackle (NOT Wilson) changed the shape of the game completely when the left winger got the ball to be converged on by 3 City players, who failed to make the tackle. From that point onwards, it was easy. Leeds had an overlap and they just passed the ball along the line until it reached the free man, Snodgrass at the far post who finished well. Then Wilson, who was excellent up to that point clipped McCormack (and IMO also got the ball) who DIDN'T go down but stopped and appealed to the ref for the red card at which point there was only one outcome.... There is no discipline problem at AG, Yanick was "enthusiastic" to play after not featuring for so long and he will learn from this and up to that point, I thought he was a force and put in several shuddering (and fair) tackles. Very strong on the ball this lad, got a touch of the Essen's about him... As for the ref, he was not even handed as he did nothing about the Leeds player who quite blatantly jumped into McGivern with no intention whatsoever of playing the ball - a red card for me as well. This was undoubtedly not our day but I thought the players worked their socks off 2nd half rather than caving in like we would have done before and in the first 30 minutes, there were just a few little signs of a change in the playing style, for the better. We need 7 more wins (or 5/6 with draws) and we will get them and next year, with 10 plus departures in the summer, DM will build his own team and on we go...
yep agree another striker is needed, i think the only man to solve our trouble is Simon cox, young, knows where the net is and i think would play well off someone like wood and with the wide men Albert and Yannick then we will need a big strong CAM to play in the middle who can score goals as well as put a tackle in, also someone who can take set pieces then a really big strong CB to play with fontaine, and a registered RB similar to foster and finally and new goalkeeper, scott loach is the one for me big summer ahead of us !
I was genuinely proud of the 9 players left on the pitch at the end, Skuse, Cisse, Pearson and Fontaine in particular all refused to give in and played out of their skins. Yes, losing 3-0 hurts but given the cicumstances I am surprisingly happy with it all!
Prem I definitely agree with you about Bolasies enthusiasm? I wasn't at the game yesterday so will need to reserve judgement a little but, When he was criticised by Dean Saunders at the last home game I seemed to be the only one who thought that challenge looked a bit careless! after such a good first home start debut I was gonna to do a post about him needing to be careful about his "enthusiasm" as it could cost us points if not checked. I had also noticed it when he had come come on as a sub in other home games. It seemed churlish at the time so I didn't bother!
Was really surprised with McInnes reaction to their first goal. He went nuts at Wilson. That reaction was NOT what Wilson needed - his head was immediately somewhere else (if it wasn't already there) and minutes later, after Woods wrongfooted our back 4, Wilson made the error for his sending off. As for Bolassie, he needs to wise up - disaster waiting to happen. I posted pre Christmas on another site, is he 'our' Balotelli ? - not ability-wise but something aint right in his make up. Thank God there are 3 more useless teams in the Championship.
Banksey now you are back from your jet setting lifestyle!! What was the answer to your question? Bolasie will learn from this as well as Wilson. But Reprint as you have said before you used to manage teams? If your player was in the wrong for a goal conceded would you say there there, or bollock him? Del felt he was at fault so told him so, better than just standing there making up numbers like Millen was!
It's odd that DM said he plays 442 as he finds that works best yet he has come to city and not played that formation. Maybe he needs to go back to what he knows. If we play 2 up then yes we need,another striker as stead will never score u enough goals and pitman is unreliable. However think the whole midfield needs clearing out as it doesn't work. And can we please have a new captain as I think fonts is a great player and a nice bloke but he showed no leadership again Leeds. Even Wilson was shouting organising the defensive duties more. I don't think he gave the encouragement that other captains give in my opinion. Think with the players we have James would have been DM better choice until the summer to change things
'you used to manage teams? If your player was in the wrong for a goal conceded would you say there there, or bollock him?' Time and a place especially for Wilson, the kid needs building up - he has potential to play Championship. And anyway I don't blame Wilson for the first goal and nor should McInnes. Their No 14 Smith ran from almost the half way line and nobody went with him, received the through ball,slipped it to McCormack who played in Snodgrass for the goal. McInnes should apologise to the kid. Tell you what though I'd have throttled Bolassie in the dressing room.
