I think the best way to sum that up is that we were absolute ****e of the highest order and Newcastle were worse !
Id go as far to say that we could do with focusing on the left wing this transfer window rather than up top. Pilks chips in with a few goals but his crossing is woeful! Snodgrass was also poor with his crossing today but can be forgiven as it is rare for him and we have benefitted from his deliveries all season.
You're not wrong, I did consider going to bed at half time, kind of wish I had now! Easily our worst performance since Sunderland away last season
Well poor game from both teams. Crossing was the worst I've seen it. On the plus side we have got a point, stopped the losing streak, dominated possession (albeit in a terrible game) and we know that they are all capable of much better and will almost certainly show that in the coming weeks. Onwards and upwards.
We often worked our way into some decent positions today from which we could slip in the final ball or cross but unfortunately that final ball, for whatever reason, was lacking. Conversely, although Newcastle were also poor, I think from a defensive point of view we looked relatively solid a part from a few early moments of madness (e.g. Bassong inexplicably allowing the ball to bounce over his head to which a more alert Cisse could have taken advantage). So, although the overall performance was disappointing, the most important thing today was to avoid another defeat and a clean sheet gives us a good basis from which to build upon next weekend. If you aren't able score you need to ensure that the opposition is unable to also meaning that when you aren't firing on all cylinders you at least pick up a point. So, in sum, there is no need to panic (although I'm sure some will).
Hoolahan was dreadful. Pilkington couldn't cross and is starting to look like an extravagance we can't afford. Russell Martin was very poor by his standards. Almost every dead ball was dire. Elliot Bennett looked better than the rest when he came on. At least he made their defence work. Awful game, almost fluked it in the last seconds.
After that dross, surely we need changes for next game! I'd expect nothing against Liverpool anyway, so we may as well give some different players a chance. Ideally I'd like Whittaker back (or is he still injured?, Fox in for Tettey, Benno for Pilks, and Holt up top.
I think Id have Fox in for Johnson rather than Tettey. Tettey did ok today and he wins the ball well, Johnson is almost being used as our anchor-man but he isnt a good enough ball player for me. Id say Tettey's ball winning with Fox's passing ability would be good. Benno for pilks is a good idea but move Snoddy to the left perhaps?
I don't know, from what I saw, both were winning the ball fairly well, but Tettey's distribution was shocking; so many simple passes going astray. Johnson seems to know he can't make killer passes, so doesn't try and keeps it simple. It just wasn't working for Tettey today. With the wingers, I'm sure I've been told that Snodgrass, whilst he can play on the left, is much less effective. I'd be tempted to keep him where he is because he's more used to working with Martin/Whittaker. Also, the fact that for Bennett to come on, Snodgrass had to come off, when I felt he was playing much better than pilks, demonstrates we have no left sided cover. If we can try Benno on the left, then we can at least see if it works, or if we need to look to bring in a left winger. Alternatively, and I'm even more reluctant to do it, try Wessi on the left for a game and see what Butterfield or Howson can do in the middle.
I think what we need back in the middle is that guy we had for the end of last season. Need to work out how to get Howsons form back and I personally don't think it's starting from a higher position on the pitch I think he's better bursting from deeper.
Pretty how I'd like to see the team set up for Anfield, but I'd have Howson in for Tettey as well!!! Definitely need some changes after today's showing - worst I've seen at CR in years!!!
Yes, it was a disappointing performance, but this is the PL after all. Agree about the crossing and Tettey's heavy passing, but City will need both Johnson and Tettey against Liverpool next week. I'd have liked to see Snodgrass stay on and Bennett given the free role he had in the Cup, to replace Wes who had an off day today. On the plus side, City had 63% of the possession and the defence played very well throughout and Bunn got a clean sheet. I'd have also liked to see Fox given a chance to make some telling passes.
