Just got back home to London and here is my ten penneth... City were the better team in the first half, they passed the ball well and looked more dangerous, though they seemed to be surprised to be in shooting positions and seemed to hesitate rather than take the shot. Southampton showed City respect and backed off numerous times. After the interval we conceded quickly and the confidence seeped away again. Our keeper does not inspire confidence, but then many of the players seemed out of sorts, even the normally reliable Rosenior and McLean. Brady was foolish for his tackle as the game was far from over, sure he is young, but really.... Ultimately we are a young side and we missed the experience of McKenna, who was excellent against Burnley. NB is still learning and should be given time. After all, the same flaws that were there under NP remain, we need someone to control the midfield, Cairney or Koren are not the answer, but maybe McKenna can do this. Tough game v Leicester coming up, but we we could still do it .... UTT!
We did miss Mckenna and his ilk - he's got experience that the likes of Cairney hasn't when we need to roll our sleeves up. Need a hard bast*rd in midfield -end of.
We did lack some bite in the middle tonight but for the first half we were definitely the better side. Stewart and Dudgeon the worries today. Stewart did not seem to want the ball and Dudgeon was totally out of his depth in the second half - needed a bit of guidance or subbing. Soton were not great but very composed and confident - which we were so not in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Had their goalie been sent of when he should have been - a different story. We have a good team, wanting a bit of grit. But we're not promotion stuff, I fear, without that.
I agree, Stewart was poor last night. He didn’t seem to want the ball or to run at players. I know he has been injured, but it looked like he was pulling out of any tackles. I hope the anticipation of his come back has not created too great an expectation. Anyway, he is young and will get better with time.
dudgeon was poor, does get little protection from stewart in fairness but still looked shaky unbelieveable 2nd goal tho, there striker heads in from 6 yards unmarked, while chester and hobbs are stood 3 yards either side of him marking thin air.. agree that in patches we looked good again tho, had some nice passages of play , just lacking a final product too often
Hope in the t/window we go for another defensive midfielder, with experience of this league who can stand up and be counted, tackle, and organise. Wish Ash had a footballing brother.
