That was uninspiring, City were comfortable but we had chances to win that.

Many predicted we would get battered, we didn’t. Even if Coty weren’t at full strength, we knew that going in. People still thought they’d do us 4/5-0.

Our season isn’t going to be defined by today, but Thursday needs to show a big improvement to get things moving. There were groans and moans from the stadium already today.

3 minutes ago, POCH OUT said:

Has the coach been told he must pick Enzo?

I'd imagine so. Poch was basically shown the door because he disagreed with the owners. Maresca will have been hired as a yes man

12 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Had a good game until Lavia went off and he's left with Enzo again like last season. 

Yes, Enzo is the biggest problem we have. I’ll admit to not liking him personally so maybe I’m biased, but I foresee another season of trying out every single solution we can think of to make him work and not click until he’s finally benched. Doesn’t help that we made him vice-caprain for some bizarre reason

I don’t think it was awful, 2 0 flattered them.  1 0 although I am gutted would probably be fair in balance 

Caicedo is not a £100m player he needs to get his act together quick, shocking the way they walzed past him time and time again  

 

I don’t think it was awful, 2 0 flattered them.  1 0 although I am gutted would probably be fair in balance 

Caicedo is not a £100m player he needs to get his act together quick, shocking the way they walzed past him time and time again  

 

The score was better than I hoped, level of play about like I expected.

2 minutes ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

Yes, Enzo is the biggest problem we have. I’ll admit to not liking him personally so maybe I’m biased, but I foresee another season of trying out every single solution we can think of to make him work and not click until he’s finally benched. Doesn’t help that we made him vice-caprain for some bizarre reason

I agree. Given everyone can plainly see he's at best third choice to play as a number 10, there's no other way to look at it. The fact Enzo is also a clown and the poster boy for the new owners make it even more frustrating. 

There is no different to last season. Maresca need to get his two winger to defend and find a good balance in midfield. 

First home league defeat since 3rd February !

11 minutes ago, abramovich said:

Maresca looked concerned at the final whistle.

 

At least twice during the match I thought to myself, this is Sarri level side/back pass possession  bullsh*t. Your point is well made @abramovich

It wasn't that bad.

Another new manager, with new tactics, playing against the Champions , we were always going to be outclassed.

And we've got millions of players to choose from to eventually get it right during Enzo's five years .

Edited August 18, 20241 yr by The Rising Sun
Info

8 minutes ago, andy said:

I don’t think it was awful, 2 0 flattered them.  1 0 although I am gutted would probably be fair in balance 

Caicedo is not a £100m player he needs to get his act together quick, shocking the way they walzed past him time and time again  

 

Not sure it flattered them. They were comfortably better than us without being remotely near being in top gear. They largely controlled the match.  2 0 felt right to me

Sanchez - 3 - Made two decent saves. Bad clearances got us into trouble and he conceded from a poor attempt at a save. Rubbish goalkeeper, Jorgenssen won't have long before he gets his chance, I would start in the very next game.

Cucurella - 4 - Didn't see what others were seeing. He may had a few good moments, but he guesses in every single defensive situation. Nothing has changed just because he makes himself an option in midfield, he's still a terrible defender, and it will cost us.

Colwill - 6 - Nothing bad, but nothing great either.

Fofana - 6 - Looked okay at times.

Gusto - 4 - Any time he got forward he messed it up, wasn't great defensively either.

Lavia - 7 - Had a solid game. Nothing game changing, but looked promising.

Caicedo - 4 - Nothing like himself, look out of sorts.

Enzo - 3 - Rubbish. Another manager trying to shoehorn him and sticking him in the number 10 position. He was crap there, has no attacking instincts, had a first touch similar to Lukaku and was just bypassed so easily by City because of his lack of mobility.

Nkunku - 5 - Some bright moments here and there, but largely ineffective. Had a chance to get a shot off in the first half, but cut inside for some bizarre reason and the chance went away.

Palmer - 5 - Well below his best. Had a few nice passes and a decent shot, but it was just moments rather than something consistent.

Jackson - 2 - Nothing's changed with this guy. Brainless decision making, poor finishing, getting in teammates way, always offside. Just a rubbish performance.

 

Neto - 4 - Was expecting something more from his debut. Just a bit of huff and puff and nothing more.

Guiu - 4 - Ineffective.

Dewsbury-Hall - 3 - Also ineffective. Just looks like a Championship player to me.

Veiga - 5 - Didn't even notice him.

 

Maresca - 2 - Very uninspiring tactics throughout, never looked to get us playing with more pace or pressure. Subs were uninspiring. Rubbish start to his time as yes man.......I mean, Head Coach.

Edited August 18, 20241 yr by Scott Harris

Petrovic saves Kovacic's shot. 

Not going to dwell or worry about losing to city, we're unlikely to finish above them. 

just looked really rusty/ disjointed and subs took the wind out of the sails a bit. Onwards and upwards. 

Our season doesn't start until next weekend. Or so I've been telling myself this week. Not even surprised by the result or performance, BTEC Guardiola is in charge. (Yes, I stole it, but I found it funny)

stats show that the game was fairly even. we had 10 shots on goal and they had 11. we had 3 on target and they had 5.
Citeh did have the edge, Citeh deserved to win, but 2-0 flatters them a bit.

When we got our chances though, our inexperience is the deciding factor. For example, Jackson unable to keep onside, even though he is literally looking down the line. Youngest team in the premier League is Chelsea - the commentators seldom mention that. To busy performing Anilingus on the city team/players.

Some good signs in the way that we played. 

Dewsbury-Hall. why? KDH. Well we signed him, I guess Man City or Real Madrid couldn't agree terms with him.

The bottom line is that under strength City team where there for the taking and we played them like a friendly This club has not moved 1 inch forward since these clowns took over They have sent us years backwards, destroyed the atmosphere at the bridge and totally disillusioned the fan base

QUOTE:

"Actually thought we did ok and 2-0 flattered city, the way the commentators were going on creaming themselves over city was way over the top, had we taken our chances and had a competent goalkeeper it could have been very different.

Don’t like palmer stuck out on the right, barely gets a touch and chance to influence the game out there.

Caicedo seems fine when Enzo isn't around.

The problem for me is Fernandez. We've paid nearly £110m for a £45m player who simply isn't working out ..."

 

ME:

Agree with the above +

Why aren't Palmer and Nkunku in the middle and Jackson, if he's playing at all on the wing ?

We actually made it easy for them - we positioned our best attackers away from the goal... we did ok till Sanchez - who we all know loses concentration messed it up at the back and Kovachic ending up getting a 2nd.

Enzo - good player but we're better off without him - just doesn't fit.

Expected little, am very disappointed we didn’t at least score. It was there to make it a bit nervous for them.

Obviously Kovacic who couldn’t score in a brothel was gonna get one against us, and we caused it.

Positives we didn’t get battered, but overall disappointment we didn’t get something which must be seen as a positive ?

3 minutes ago, bluetrooper said:

Petrovic saves Kovacic's shot. 

Not going to dwell or worry about losing to city, we're unlikely to finish above them. 

just looked really rusty/ disjointed and subs took the wind out of the sails a bit. Onwards and upwards. 

Yup I agree - and he doesn't mess it up at the back and create the nervy situation that led up to it...

14 minutes ago, Niall1905 said:

That was uninspiring, City were comfortable but we had chances to win that.

Many predicted we would get battered, we didn’t. Even if Coty weren’t at full strength, we knew that going in. People still thought they’d do us 4/5-0.

Our season isn’t going to be defined by today, but Thursday needs to show a big improvement to get things moving. There were groans and moans from the stadium already today.

Because the fans are sick of paying absurd amounts of money to watch such low energy football. Relegated teams play with more fight and passion than we do. The good feeling that was building towards the end of last season has complete evaporated and it's because of these owners and their decision to try and make us City 2.0 with yet another coach who wants us playing the most uninspiring snoozeball. 

Haven't we got a specialist set piece coach now ?

Corners didn't seem to be any better ?

We did okay but were ultimately second best and for most of the game, City looked way too comfortable.

Thought defence was okay although Gusto was well off the pace today. Thought Lavia was very good and the pick of the midfielders yet comes off whilst Enzo & Caicedo stay on and both like last season - neither very good. I do hope Enzo isn't going to be the managers favourite and play all the time when he doesn't warrant it.

Nkuku too looked lively and should have stayed on instead of Jackson. Needless to say, Sanchez was far from convincing and will cost us goals.

Mixed bag and it's early days. I was hoping for better and yet it could have been a lot worse.

 

Just now, Bebe1980 said:

Yup I agree - and he doesn't mess it up at the back and create the nervy situation that led up to it...

Petrovic kicks it and it goes into row z, 70% of the time, however - in it going out, everyone gets a chance to reset defensively. For every good save Sanchez is prone to a howler. TBh, didnt think we would find a way back into the game so dont think Sanchez saving it makes any difference. 

9 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Dewsbury-Hall - 3 - Also ineffective. Just looks like a Championship player to me.

 

Literally. Appearance wise.