It is sad this thread has become goons vs us. Back to this match thread. Cahill was directly contributed to those 2 goals. He is knackered and in the last few matches, he looks Nando-esque. I begged Jose all of last season to pair Ivan with JT for some matches. Still think Ivan is better than Cahill in CD. Dave will definitely match Ivan's expansive runs on the right. Luis can play on the left. Dave - Ivan - JT - Luis is our best back 4. Also - I would like to highlight Mikel here. Yet again we lose a match were he is our main DM. Quite a few losses last season when Lamps started with Mikel!! When I use a hyperbole, everybody is on my back and start eulogizing Mikel!! All I mean is - we need a good backup for our Central & Defensive Mid positions. I wish Jose had used Oscar & Fab in the middle and played Schurrle instead of Mikel! Fab never has the defensive discipline to cover for liability Mikel. Look at toons 2nd goal counter. Personally - would rather blood Ake instead of Mikel.
Losing a game isn't the end of the world. The title race was always going to be close. City are too good a side for it not to be.
City are a good side granted, but we've thrown away 5 points in the last week and a further 4 against the Manchester sides. That's a thirteen point gap we should have. Barring the Sunderland game, Mikel's name pops up every time we've underperformed or blown a lead. Mikel was dire, continually chasing up field to mark instead of dropping off and it allowed Newcastle's midfield to break in behind into the space he left. It's not that Mikel can't defend, it's just that he is not as dynamic as Matic or Ake. Why have Ake available as Matic's like for like replacement when you don't use him. Hoping Ake and Matic are paired together against Sporting and then Hull, although I expect Ramires-Matic could be used instead. Hopefully if Jose doesn't think Ake is ready he goes out and gets us a Khedira or even a Schneiderlin.
