1. Again, tactically, Mike Phelan put on a masterclass at Swansea. With only 13 fit senior players, the emphasis had to be on team work rather than individual skills. Phelan set City up for a near catenaccio approach of ‘deny them space with bodies behind the ball and hit them sharply on the break’, and it worked perfectly. 2. Perhaps you’d expect an elderly Italian manager to admire the job we did on his side, but Francesco Guidolin bemoaned us having “11 players behind the ball with an attitude of not to move.” That’s a tacit admission that his own side didn’t do enough. Swansea provided a sterner test than Leicester did last week, they played with more energy, more attacking intent and moved the ball about well, but they never stepped up the pace as the game wore on to break us down. It was like watching a game of Space Invaders that doesn’t get faster and faster, allowing City to keep laser-cannoning away Swansea attacks, and twice hitting the mystery ship on the counter. 3. Key to denying Swansea goalscoring opportunities was City looking after the ball well when in possession, and the Tigers showed a Zen-like focus on accurate passing and continuous movement that cannot be praised enough. Perhaps Mike Phelan has his charges playing a lot of five-a-side in training, because such understanding doesn’t happen by accident. It wasn’t just evident in our own half either, witness the quick passing movement to create Adama Diomande’s missed shot in the first half, or the six passes that cut the Swans open for the Hernandez goal that sealed the win. Hardly indicative of a plan “not to move” Mister Guidolin. 4. Cast-iron. Nailed-on. Stonewall*. Whatever adjective you use to describe it, Jordi Amat’s challenge that took down Robert Snodgrass was a foul, and it was in the box, we should have had a penalty. *Just how did the name of a gay bar in Manhattan that was the site of riots and the formation of the LGBT rights movement come to be used to describe the absoluteness of a penalty appeal? 5. Mike Phelan has given the prospective new owners some food for thought regarding the managerial position. If they already have a new man in mind, they may need to reconsider as a groundswell of opinion forms for the retention and permanent appointment of Phelan, who has done an extraordinary job in extraordinary circumstances. 6. Thoughts turn to player recruitment – still an imperative, yet it’s clear that it must be handled with care and subtlety. Whether by design or by accident, a fearsome spirit is pulsing through the side at present, and that needs nurturing, not hampering. Too many new additions, or not the right ones, and we risk losing what’s currently our greatest strength. Nonetheless, it has to be done. The last two weeks have been thrilling, but eventually someone’s going to turn an ankle, or rack up five cautions, or suddenly lose form. The kids on the bench would undoubtedly do their best, but the Premier League is an unforgiving environment to pitch players with virtually no first-team experience at any level. Buy, City. Buy well, buy carefully, but don’t let the current XI do it all alone. 7. We’re very pleased indeed with the new contract for Sam Clucas, as indeed is he. We have a question, however, which is, very simply – who sanctioned the deal? If it was Phelan, then it bodes well for the trust being placed in him as a manager-in-waiting, rather than just a stopgap boss or first team coach. But if it was anyone else at all, we can assume our likeable caretaker manager is not going to be any kind of manager for much longer. 8. The kids who have warmed the bench lately, plus others, are certain to get a run out at Exeter on Tuesday for City’s second massive trip inside half a week. Usually, 91st versus 3rd would be a hopelessly one-sided affair, but the Grecians are sure to field their strongest side, whereas we simply cannot afford to. Those young lads will need to show a lot of character if they’re to overcome a side full of men. Good luck, boys. But if you could avoid extra-time, that’d be nice for those of us at work the next morning. 9. Could this be the week City have new owners? The champagne is on ice and we have an increasingly good feeling about it all. 10. That’d make their first fixture Manchester United at home – 3rd v 2nd. Imagine the run-up to this game with the present wretched incumbents finally gone. The biggest club in England coming to the side creating the best story in this nascent season. The ground would be full, voices lubricated by an extra couple of hours in the pub and positive sporting vibes engulfing the city once again. It could just be beautiful. http://www.ambernectar.org/blog/2016/08/things-we-think-we-think-234/?
Abel and Snoddy should be offered new contracts ASAP; I believe both run out next Summer but not sure about whether options to extend exist by City? Hats off to Phelan, with both hands tied behind his back he has organised a team to respond to the challenges, both in terms of results and performance. For once I am enjoying watching us play again! I am concerned that Phelan hasn't been confirmed as new Head Coach; it suggests the new owners may have an alternative lined up in the form of Chris Coleman? Exeter tomorrow night will really put our current predicament into perspective. Other than Dusan and Harry I'm sure Phelan will be reticent to include any other 'first teamers' but has no choice which really throws a spanner in the planning and resting of players for the big one next Saturday!
He has to have the choice though of bringing others in for the cup game, I don't know the rules though. Teamwork is surely always the right emphasis whether with a small squad or not. I didn't think Swansea were better than Leicester really, they looked as clueless in the second half. And I thought our passing was even better in the Leicester game.
I was thinking about No 6 myself this morn. We all, including fans, caretaker manager and players, have stated that we need new players but upsetting this wonderfully spirited applecart could ruin the season. Whoever we sign - assuming it's someone - has to 'fit in' and we don't want fancy-Dan superstars who arent prepared to break a perfectly manicured nail for the cause, rocking up and undoing all the magnificent work done on creating a real team unity.
It's a perfect storm at the moment. Reinforce and it could be ****ed up, don't reinforce and the players will tire. Might just need to make the most of it while it lasts.
Come on, I think we all know what he means. It's all guesswork but as much as I respected and admired Bruce, I have to confess I really dont think for one minute we'd have 2 victories on the board if he'd been in charge in these circumstances.
Me too. Was it the 2014-15 summer window when we seemed to have more midfielders than we knew what to do with, Ben Arfa, Ramirez, etc? The regular lads were praying for the window to shut. Seem to remember it caused all sorts of upset and nothing good came out of it.
What incredible progress we have made since 2008... Promotion to the PL, trips to Wembley...boring to watch , painful etc Who'd have thought it?
Think Meyler or someone actually said something along those lines. Ince, Ramirez, Snodgrass, Livermore, Ben Arfa, Diame all came in. In fairness Ramirez, Ben Arfa and Diame all after Snoddy's injury.
