don't get me wrong, I'm not dismissing Johnson. He had a great season for us. I haven't made my mind up about who starts for Everton the team I suggested is one i'd just like to see. Johnsons not had the greatest of pre-seasons either down to injury, he did say he's good to go now on twitter thpough and should get some time in the next match. The new signings bring up so many new questions, this is a good thing!
Have you been reading articles about Pellegrini ICHB? Alternatively a case of great minds or fools! Whatever, that's much what I am expecting/hoping to see as well, with variations on the theme in terms of personnel, e.g. Fer/Johnson and Fer/Howson at DM, Redmond/Pilkington.
It's most unfair to put the blame on Bunn. It happens when the defence as a whole lose their nerve under sustained pressure (last night someone was also complaining about Martin booting it long in the second half.) You and I could pass the ball short out of defence, or roll it out to the full backs, if the opposition have conveniently retreated to the half-way line. If we had, say, Pirlo, sitting deep in front of the defence, the back five would be more likely to have the confidence to give him the ball short knowing that he wasn't going to lose it (always supposing, of course, that they are confident enough about their own short passing to play the ball to him). At the moment that is an unsolved problem. I haven't seen enough of Fer to say whether he has the ball control to do the job; he certainly has the strength and pace to take him clear of anyone trying to steal the ball off him, and he appears to have the accuracy of passing to get the ball further out of defence and still in our possession.
I think Fer will be the a key player for City next year. He bossed the match in the first half with assured possession, good technique and strength as well. He looks to have the potential to be the midfielder City have only had in parts: ball winning skills, good in possession, accurate in his passing and the ability to surge forward to support the attack. He and Tettey looked good in the first half, but Tettey (and most of the other players) faltered after Fer went off in the second half. Considering that he is effectively replacing Fox (who hardly featured last year), the City mid-field contribution should be far stronger next year.
Fer is what we were absolutely desperate for last year imo. He can retain and regain possession, plays intelligent balls and isn't afraid to get forward and have a shot. Can't wait to see him in proper prem action!
As I said, I didn't see any of the match, but there seems to be a concensus that Braga gave us plenty of space and time in the first half, before getting at us more in the second. Fer played 15 mins or so in the second half, during which Braga scored their first goal. So I'm guessing that he wasn't still bossing the game at that stage and it remains to be seen to what extent he can help us cope better with sustained pressure of the kind we struggled to deal with last season. Hopefully the answer is going to be "a great deal better".
