What did you really think would happen? I went into the game thinking we could scrape a draw, but deep down I think most of us knew we were going to get a thumping, and I think that's what we needed. Now it's real, we have to work on the back 4, and weather that's signing a new defender or just having Neil Taylor back in the squad I don't know, but I do know that it needs to be worked on. Michel Vorm had an outstanding game and was definitely our best player, he looked comfortable on the ball when he got it, apart from the few dodgy kicks in the first half, he made some quality saves, the pick being the one from the indirect free-kick they got in my opinion, 10/10 from me for him. I think Agustien had a good game also, for him to walk into the Swans squad after not playing much last season I think he had a good game, he made some good movement and some great tackles and passes. Sinclair and Dyer did well with what they could do, Both of them getting back and defending which was nice to see and they both looked good on the ball. Tate didn't do a great job at left-back, but thankfully when Taylor is back Tate won't be playing there, possibly at fault for a goal or two. The last goal was simply unstoppable, nobody would have saved that. The 3rd goal was out of touch so should have been a goal kick, either way Aguero shouldn't of been allowed to get in that position. All round I think we played well, unfortunately we switched off during certain moments and that's when we were punished, but if we had played against a team that wasn't as good as Man City, I think we could have won, And I think this Saturday we have a much better chance against Wigan, and I think we can take all 3 points. I think the main thing we need to do is not dwell on this, we need to take the positives from it and carry it into the next game. Hopefully a big thrashing like this will help the squad and motivate them for Saturday. Overall, we played well, the result may not say that but I think we played well.
Yea think your right mostly. Vorm looked good. His distirbution needs a little work which will come with time. Rangel looked really out of touch and was at fault with Agueros first. Showed some glimpses of his class but for the most looked a bit edgey. I think as a general point we lacked a bit of self belief. The players weren't playing their usual game, and again that will come with time. I was a bit surprised with how physicaly better City were than us. Williams being beaten, Leon being beaten, Dyer being beaten. These 3 are usualy incredible when it comes to winning ball, but the City players did seem stronger and faster. However, all that said, I am quite positive about what we can do this season. Time and a huge learning curve will see to that.
You're not going to come up against the likes of Silva, Yaya, and Aguero every week. You've got pace on the wings and pass the ball well. I think fitness levels played a part towards the end but you can work on that. I think you'll trouble more than a few teams this season, just work on those through balls a bit.
Just posted this on the Man City board......... Swansea reminded me of WBA of a few years ago good football but could not up the tempo in the final 3rd. Playing possession football from the back is a good tactic but in the final 3rd you need to then quicken the passes. Hopefully Swansea will learn this. I think Sinclair will be a great asset to you this season and the keeper had a great debut. Hopefully you can get something against Wigan.
The Positives Outweigh The Negatives absolutely correct....its going to be a fantastic season and well done to all the travelling jacks......you sure made a lot of noise right up to the end...
yes vorm exellent...just think after only a few days with us he fitted in nicley,taylor to come back,another posative.now for the real game on sat,where were on more of an even playing field
we lacked self-belief which is understandable as the season progresses we will gain confidence starting sat against Wigan Lets be honest,Man city were immense and we could have been 4 down ht A little more confidence and no doubt we can win Sat and get the ball rolling Leon was immense-premiership quality without doubt Vorm=looks like we have a gem Caulker and Williams-will gel and both looked relatively comfartable alongside each other Sinclair and Dyer looked a little subdued but gained confidence as things wore on Graham ran his heart out we need serious cover at full back-especially left let's not forget we were playing the richest club in the world
We need a couple of people at back IMO , I don't think having Tate there helped today, he made quite a few errors but so did rangel & williams , honestly I am glad monk was not playing, it would have been worse I think. Still it's good that we jumped in the deep end, we didn't sink and played amazingly well for 60 odd minutes
Agree Jager=Tate backpedlled and tried to pass responsibilty to sinclair to cover which may hav been team orders-i don't want to dis him but his limitations were evident tonight-so determined not to allow any one to get passed him he was reversing in high gear. we need some serious additions to the defence Tate is limited but we can't rely on passion-this league is relentless and we need defensive cover-also a cruncher/stopper in midfield
I'm quite happy with this baptism of fire approach. There are plenty of things we can take out of the game and a lot of lessons to be learned. My thoughts, for what they're worth (watched the game on sky): Vorm - looks a great buy and will save us in many a game. Needs to work on his distribution and maybe communication but a great debut overall. Passing - in this division if we're not pinpoint with our passing then we'll gift too much ball to the oppo and be punished. A bit more forward passing when the opportunity is there should be taken Marking - we need to get tighter and can't double up. As soon as we doubled up we left space for the oppo Ferocity - maybe we were overawed a little by the occasion but we need to be more ferocious in our tackling. Others have commented on us being lightweight and I have to agree. Even little Silva put his weight about. It's not everyday we'll play giants like Yaya and De Jong though. Tracking - was a little disappointed in the tracking back by some of the front guys. They seemed to run back into space oblivious of the man taking the space behind them. Intelligence - in our prep work we need to know that you don't give Adam Johnson a chance on his left peg you keep him on his right Defence - it'll take a while for them to gel and set pieces still need work on This may sound pessimistic but I'm quite upbeat. It's not every day we'll play a champions elect team and it will take us a while to get used to where we are. Playing Man City should give us something to aspire to. Hopefully all the guys will be up for the fight (and it will be a fight) and now the initial game is out the way the nerves will dissipate and we'll play our game. Buck knows what he's doing and I'm sure there are good times ahead. Top work to the fans who went. They were in good voice. Bring on the wigwams!!
I don't know what the Article part means, if anyone tells me that would be great. I think we'll teach Wigan a lesson on Saturday, how to play real football.
Cardiff fan, I thought you showed a lot of promise, what a great signing your goalie was. As for the game well how many teams in the bottom half are going to go there and win. It is only one game and three points. It does not matter where your points or wins come from. Blackpool and Hull took big scalps but its the teams below the top six you need to target. Also second half of the season those two sides could hardly win a game so providing you can keep that standard all season I think you will do it. Appreciate as a Cardiff fan I am not saying this to be nice but neither am I having a go at you, this is my honest opinion based on the football you played. Unlike the championship you do not need to win week in week out, 12 wins and a few draws will see you avoid the drop. Good luck.
Where have all these level headed, honest and un bitter cardiff fans come from today!! Its such a nice refreshing change to all the wumming! Cheers for your honest look jck200, as painfull as it much be to say a couple of nice things it is much appreciated. Good luck cardiff for the rest of your season, you have got off to a cracking start!
As I posted on another thread , I think MM's cardiff look like a real "TEAM" this year compared to last season. They may not have the quality as last year "on paper" , but that does not mean anything. The swans were one of the favorites for relegation from the championship last year , but it was team work that got us promoted.
I think the reality of last night was for 60 mins we were well in the game. i just feel we need to get a little more cute. we are a good side and it will come true. lets remember man city will be playing champions league football this year and pusshing for the the title. we showed an awful lot of promise. I always believed that the season would start not monday night, but saturday when we play wigan. this will really show us whether we can compete this year. i am fed up with people saying we are going to get relegated this year based on one result against a top side. last season west brom lost 6 - 0 first game. did they get relegated no. lets hope the palyers will still believe they are good enough because they are. And YES there was an awful lot of positives to come out of last nights game.
Didn't Blackpool win 4-0 first game of the season last year? (I don't think Man city should worry too much though...lol)
Good point nottage. first game doesnt count for much. judge us after 5 or 6 games. (saying that we still have chelsea and arsenal in that 6). We lost our first game last season and moved on from there. I am sure we will this year. Mind you I think 3rd may be a little beyond us.
We lost the first game of the season last year, we got promoted. We lost the first game of this season, we win the league. Logic.
