Gutting beyond belief when your keeper gives the best Premier league performance of the season, your central defenders are as good as anything in the league, the team sweats buckets to be frank notwithstanding being outplayed in the footballing sense by some superbly skilful footballers. The referee has had a nightmare and both the linesmen likewise. Spurs down to 10 men for 85 minutes, or 1-0 down at half time........what would have happened? The 2 incorrect decisions cost City big time. If City go down 1 point then Clattenburg and his joke cohorts won't want to officiate City. Let's hope that one game City will have decisions like those 2 go in their favour. Somehow I doubt it. However the main point to review is the inability to put away reasonable chances. Gunnarsson in particular missed a very good chance at Hull and again yesterday. if our defence continues to be excellent, although Taylor was outclassed yesterday, then City need to start scoring. 3 blanks now. 4 goals in 5 games. The chances will be relatively few and far between so let's hope City sharpen up in front of goal.
You will have to get used to "quirky decisions" in this league as they certainly have an impact on a game. We had some right mares last season that cost us points e.g. the disallowed goal at WBA. Looking at the highlights then yes Lloris should probably have got a red but your goal, in my opinion, was correctly disallowed as Lloris was clearly held. Would Spurs having 10 men for the majority of the game made a difference I am not sure and we will never know. I think Spurs would still have had the majority of possession but maybe not created so many chances but Marshall would still have been kept busy. The point above is really important though in tight games you must put away your chances!
The phrase that springs to mind for me is "Feeding from scraps". Malky has set us up not to lose in every game so far and apart from the poor performance at West Ham it worked in every game until added time yesterday. However, if that is how we are going to play with Bellers and Whitts playing as auxilliary full backs and the 2 holding mid fielders rarely going forward then all we have up top is Campbell and Kimbo with everyone else trying to catch up when we break out - not ideal. If that is how we play then it is important that we put away the few chances we make. I think Campbell should have beaten Lloris whether it was handball or not, Turner's "goal" would have been given more often than not and Gunnar should have hit the target at least. There have been calls for Mutch to come in for Gunnar. Certainly more creative with the ball at his feet but does he have Gunnar's defensive qualities? Gunnar headed clear from corners and other crosses at least 7 or 8 times yesterday. He certainly doesn't have Gunnar's usual goal scoring ability. Mutch has a very poor scoring record and, as we know, Gunnar can usually be relied upon to score reasonably regularly - last 2 games excepted. However, Gunnar may be tiring from the work he is being asked to do so Mutch could be worth a go. I certainly think he will start at West Ham tomorrow - although that is likely to be a back up side selected to start with people like Connolly, Hudson, McNuggs, Mutch, Mason, Noone, Lewis, Gestede and Tommy Smith starting. I think Lappin can play as well as the named 25 apply to league games although it would be another chance to give young Declan a run out.
When will we see City play 4-4-2 at home and play more openly? Newcastle like the previous 3 teams have quality players who will pass and move at pace like the other 3 teams. As do swansea, Man u and Arsenal - our 3 opponents after that! I foresee more of the same tight play with either Campbell, or Maynard up top alone, but when we have chances they have got to go in.
I know Bellers has put in sterling defensive work but he has been little threat going forward. I could see Odemwingie getting the nod ahead of him, certainly in home games. Assuming O-W can also put in a defensive shift.
Yes seeing Bellamy spending more time in our half is a worry. He has lost his offensive edge. An example being at the start of the 2nd half, with his timid pass across Lloris when a shot arrowed into the top corner would have been more apposite, like he did at man City and Liverpool. He is fast becoming a bity of a luxury as a start, maybe a 2nd half sub role would suit him more?
Spurs were excellent yesterday, they have a high number of players who'll beat a man and open the game up. Walker, Townsend, Dembele, all looked capable of beating a man with ease and this causes real problems with pressing as with the help of the rest of the midfield, stand off and they'll pass around you. Get too tight and they'll beat you and run into the space behind. It meant we had to be even tighter and more organised than against Man City. I agree with Ninian's point that the opponents continue to be quality passing sides BUT there is a huge gap between the quality in that Spurs side and the Geordies. Now that doesn't mean we'll win or that we can play Newcastle off the park, just that a solid pressing game will produce a lot more of the ball than it did against the superstars from Spurs. I agree that Bellers should not be an automatic choice either. He's produced very little in any attacking sense, if he'd there to defend pick Cowie, he'll do that better. If he's there as an attacking option then Odem should take the place or put Mutch in the middle and push Kim bo out wide.
We mustn't forget Newcatsle's little bit of top quality in Ben Arfa. He can rip teams apart as well. Hope he has an off day at ours. But Fulham up first. They are not doing well and, according to the Spurs site, Jol is a hot tip for the next Prem managerial casualty alongside Pardew, Hughton and even Moyes and the Special One. Nothing against Jol but lets hope we can move him on his way next weekend.
Or Odemwinghe on the right, bellamy on the left and tuck Whitts inside. Lots of permutations. Said it before, Bellamy doesn't seem comfortable on the right. Also said before is the need for subs earlier in the game. Nothing wrong with a change with 20-30 minutes to go.
Glam ''Quirky'' ? some were bordering on criminal and beyond belief . You unfortunately guys, will see some that will make you think your playing the Refs family it was so bad on times last season. Your Keeper was outstanding yesterday but as BFB says you gotta take the chances but I don't see many bottom half teams breaking you down at home .
Sorry Murky f****d up there if you had any subs left yesterday he should be using them to run the clock down at the end of the 90 minutes !
Agreed. MM should have brought on someone just to break the flow. It was backs to the wall stuff. The only thing I would say is that everyone has their job in a very very organised system. Not saying he was right but perhaps he was afraid of upsetting that? I think witts could play right but I wouldn't move him inside. He's not a PL centre mid imo
First chance to post today. I'll just repeat what I said after the Everton game - this isn't going to be particularly enjoyable time - intriguing yes, but not enjoyable football. Malky has obviously planned every game in advance this season. A defensive performance like that is what we'll see at the CCS against all but the perceived weaker teams in this division. The plan is to stay up at all costs and the way to do it is to pinch points where you're not expected to. It nearly worked yesterday, but in all honesty and despite the low scoreline, we were up against a side filled with supremely skillfull players. Won't dwell on our individual performances, but Gunnar and Taylor suffered. On the other hand, Marshy was amazing and Theo is beginning to look an absolute bargain. Clattenburg is an arse and a bottler for not showing Lloris the door. Also Gunnar did impede Lloris when Turner got the ball in the net, but tugging and arm wrestling is endemic in the box for set pieces and I've seen far worse allowed. I'm convinced if it had happened at the other end, the goal would have stood. Take nothing away from Spurs, they were class. Attempting to match a team like that with head to head football skills would be suicide. I'm positive what Malky is doing is the correct way to go about it against such quality opposition - it's important to recognise your limitations and plan accordingly. Back to the wall stuff it may be, and we'll se a lot more of it yet. Enjoyment? Not really, and that's a shame. For entertainment, it's far better to be battling on reasonably equal terms in the Championship. Unfortunately, cash is king in this game, and the Prem is where most want to be, owners, managers, players and fans. Becoming established as a Prem club is a long road - hopefully ours begins here and we can stand the pain for the moment because it's not particularly pretty to watch.
Let's play a few sides we feel like we can go toe to toe with before getting too down hearted. As I said in another post 2nd, 5th and 6th played so far. Add to that Spurs are probably one of the 3 best teams in the PL right now. So 2 of what is likely to be the top 3 played already IMO. Getting smashed 4 or 5 by one or both of those would have felt a lot worse and been much harder to watch. The quality of Spurs pushed us to be more negative than we intended I'm sure of that. Young players on 4 year contracts, if we can stay up this year, we can add more of Kimbo, Catherine, Caulker, Medel type players. MM never managed to get the Ince/Montero player that would have helped Kimbo when we transition from our defensive shape to attack. Yesterday was hard to watch, yet enthralling and ultimately massively disappointing but the PL has already given me my best ever day at the CCS and we're only 3 home games in.
Not down hearted at all Stevo - just a personal observation on the enjoyment level of the current football from the stands. It'll take a while before we can attempt to play some of these top sides at their own game. I said in my post that I'm convinced Malky is doing the right thing by not attempting to take on these sides head to head - that would be absolute suicide. We all like to see our team winning or at least attempting to without real fear of the consequences. That is what's lacking at the moment at this exalted level at which we now find ourselves. The plan is in place to stay up by whatever means we can. I'll take that this year at the expense of enjoyment. The "entertainment" can come later once we have found our level. I honestly think that Malky and the boys don't actually know that right now and are taking the prudent (and wise) route. Having to face Man City, Everton and Tottenham first three home games was always going to be daunting, I can't wait to see the game plan and approach at the CCS against clubs we regard as something like equals.
I agree with you Sparkey, and i said the same last year and got lambasted about my view on our style of football. I must say i am thoroughly enjoying the EWPL, however the way i see it is, the next two games are the real acid test for us in this league, anything less than 4 points out of 6 will be a major dissappointment. It will be interesting to see how he starts against an ailing Fulham outfit on Saturday, and against the Toons the following week. We need to get the ball in the box, whichever way it takes, Campbell cant score without service and at the moment he is feeding off very poor scraps. Teams have also very quickly worked out NOT to give away corners against us, which they obviously see as our major strength. Which it is.
Some of the Championship games in the previous 2 seasons have been a chore. After City got lamped at Charlton, the open and attacking football we saw versus Wolves and Burnley was jettisoned for a tight, 1-0 mentality. Totally justified as it was a means to an end- promotion was the aim. Now we are here, nobody really expected anything else other than backs against the walls and living off scraps up front did they? It's hard work watching seriously good footballing sides pass and move around a dizzy City. However City's season will be shaped by how they do versus Norwich, Fulham, Sunderland, Hull, WBA etc and not the top teams. Those games should be more on equal terms of possession and chances - like Hull away last week was. I do think thought that Mackay will have learnt already that midfield is the area where City will need strengthening in January. City just do not have the players with the requisite skill and pace to press high up the pitch. Plus, and this for me is big point, City desperately need a winger. Bellamy has no pace. Noone is seemingly not trusted. Odemwingie's best position is floating off a striker. City need someone to be able to burst away when a break is on. ps. On the plus side, two big bonus' have been Turner and Marshall. Very impressed by Turner v Spurs.
Totally agreed on that Ninian, I thought Turner was superb as was Medel and Kimbo didn't allow them to settle whenver he got a chance on the ball. I just wish he could be more positive about taking pot shots off his "wrong" foot. He got in position several times on the edge of the box but ended up being shepherded across as he wouldn't shoot with his right foot. If we want a winger with pace then perhaps Malky should look within? Harris has done really well for the DS, He has been protected to a certain degree in his 2 years with us so perhaps he should be given his chance. Tonight would be a good place to start.
Not sure we should expect 4 points from the next 2. Fulham have been shakey but they haven't been PL everpresents for the last however many seasons by getting beat at home by bottom half sides. I agree they're 2 big games for us and 4 pts is certainly a realistic target, just that if Fulham do beat us it wont be the end of the world. Agree on the corner point too, but we don't have a winger or anyone who gets anywhere near the byline, which is the most likely source for a corner. I really hope Harris gets 90minutes tonight. Turner was absolutely immense v Spurs, he'd have been my MOM but for the heroics from Marshall.
Recorded the game Sunday night and watched it last night. Spurs dominated the game but in flashes we looked to trouble them, more so when Odemwingie came on. He got to the bye line a few times and pulled the ball back. Unfortunately, with all the ball spurs had, defensively we just had to get rid of it too often meaning it came straight back at us. Bellamy ran himself ragged in defense, so no wonder he had little to offer going forward. Theo looks to be a good buy and has the attacking side to his game we've been sadly lacking for some time. The two CMs seem to be working well together and Medel had settled well into his role, not just defensively, but he doesn't seem to waste the ball either. It's going to be a long hard slog this season, but there are snippets of encouragement that need to be built upon. Shooting practice is probably the order of the day.
