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Roberto! This is the Premier League, not Serie A!
Master tactician Mancini got it all wrong yet again yesterday, just as he did against Spurs at the end of last season. The man doesn't seem to learn. He still thinks he is managing in Serie A.
His obsession with defensive midfielders is going to be our undoing if he doesn't wake up fast. Playing three of them and leaving little Tevez alone up front was just plain stupid. We posed no attacking threat whatsoever and therefore invited Spurs to come at us from the off. And they did. They battered us. If it wasn't for Hart it would have been embarrassing.
I would have been happy with a draw at Spurs two or three years ago, but, after spending the money we have, we should now be looking to win games like this.
Roberto, you aren't managing Stoke or Wolves. You've had the resources available, we should now be competing with the best and taking games to them. Trust me, Chelsea and United will not go to White hart Lane this season looking to contain and get a draw.
The reality is that we will never get into the top four or challenge for the title until we start to pose a threat to the opposition in games like this.
I thought we were utterly dreadful in the first half and not much better in the second. Hart was magnificent in the first half and without him we would have been dead and buried. Our central defence tightened up and played well in the second half, but what was totally unacceptable throughout the game was that their goalkeeper could have cleaned his boots and done a crossword.
I know it's early doors, but I see the same old problems and I fear that a lot of people are going to be let down.
We are a million miles off the title and won't even get top four unless we make some radical changes in our philosophy.
SPIKE
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46 comments
Comment from: Siggs [Visitor]
I am a Spurs fan and feel your comments are spot on. When I saw your line up with three DM I couldn't believe it! Hart was world class yesterday as you alluded to and he needed to be. We do have a magnificent record against you lot though and maybe that was playing on Manchini's mind. In our defence, if you had played more expansive football, we still may have beaten you as we play even better against sides who want to attack as victories against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and you lot (twice) will testify. Good post though.
15/08/10 @ 11:58
Comment from: Dave H [Visitor]
My god some City fans. Just because we have spent money doesnt mean we have bought the right to beat everybody.
This is the first game of the season some of our players have only had 35mins pre season.
This si the first time they have played as a team and there were 7 changes in the team to the one that played Spurs in May.
Give them a chance we were playing a team who are in the CL, who had only 1 change from the same fixture, were at home and who had most of their players rested for the midweek internationals.....some people!!!!
This is the first game of the season some of our players have only had 35mins pre season.
This si the first time they have played as a team and there were 7 changes in the team to the one that played Spurs in May.
Give them a chance we were playing a team who are in the CL, who had only 1 change from the same fixture, were at home and who had most of their players rested for the midweek internationals.....some people!!!!
15/08/10 @ 11:59
Comment from: Michael Phillips [Visitor]
Please please please; this was the first game together for these players and the new imports will be nowhere near up to speed with the premiership. The boss made simple common sense when he said it would be three weeks before the team gels. Get a grip on reality; when world class Boateng is fit and playing, Silva, Yaya and Kolarov are up to speed, then you can write the sort of nonsense you just have if necessary. Having watched city since 1952 I can see potential when it is there; and it is there in trumps now.
15/08/10 @ 12:05
Comment from: David Warburton [Visitor] 
Could not have put it better. I share your sentiments and concerns exactly.I fear
this City team will not play the sort of football I want to see under the current manager. It will be boring and unsuccessful.
Also by persisting with Richards surely this must bring the manager's judgement into question!
this City team will not play the sort of football I want to see under the current manager. It will be boring and unsuccessful.
Also by persisting with Richards surely this must bring the manager's judgement into question!
15/08/10 @ 12:08
Comment from: ALAN MEADOWS [Visitor]
Absolutely, 100% spot on. Ive been saying it from day one, so I am sooo thankful to read my thoughts in print. At last someone else agrees with me. Mancini is far too defensively minded, defenders should be able to defend, not stroll around behind a defensive midfield. We offered no threat, no creativity and no penetration. Dreaadful.
15/08/10 @ 12:08
Comment from: steve k visitor [Visitor]
hello spurs fan in peace here, just would like to say how impressed i was with the city fans clapping at 61 double winners at half time, it has restored my faith in football fans, hope city do well but keep your feet on the ground boys
15/08/10 @ 12:16
Comment from: Liam The yid [Visitor]
I think your being a bit optimistic sayin you expect to come and beat us at the lane, 'you wont see Man U or chelsea coming to spurs and being content with a point'. We ll we took chelsea apart last season at home and was unlucky agiant United. WHL is one the hardest places to come and get a result, so to say you expect to beat us is a bit of a joke, yes youve got the money and the players but we are a much, much better team then you and I guarantee we finsih higher than you, youve got a long way to go!
15/08/10 @ 12:17
Comment from: Spurman [Visitor]
Seriously man city is a talented team of individuals, but players without soul and with much greed.
Spurs should win at least 2-0. N they will curse themselves for the woeful finishin
Spurs should win at least 2-0. N they will curse themselves for the woeful finishin
15/08/10 @ 12:18
Comment from: spurs fan [Visitor]
you lot are worse than us! And we usually think we'll win the league with every win, and get relegated with every loss! Whats the problem with an away point at a top four team with most of your team playing together for the first time? However, i'm disappointed as spurs never won at home and we'll finish in the bottom three. Harry out! :-)
15/08/10 @ 12:20
Comment from: bluemoon [Visitor]
i give up.
To many halfwits are watching football these days
To many halfwits are watching football these days
15/08/10 @ 12:45
Comment from: ben [Visitor]
I'm a bit worried by Mancini, i have been for a while his negative bottling tactics lost us a top 4 (2 poor performances against a beatable Utd and Arsenal and not the spurs game it should've been over by then) finish last season and will ultimately lose him his job this season.
Yesterday in the second half spurs started to look vulnerable and instead of taking the awful SWP off for Johnson and bringing Ade on he waited and waited and in the end it was too late.
Plus the first half performance apart from Hart was dreadful. He was lucky yesterday hopefully Kidd will make him see sense and finally wake him up to the premier league!
Yesterday in the second half spurs started to look vulnerable and instead of taking the awful SWP off for Johnson and bringing Ade on he waited and waited and in the end it was too late.
Plus the first half performance apart from Hart was dreadful. He was lucky yesterday hopefully Kidd will make him see sense and finally wake him up to the premier league!
15/08/10 @ 12:45
Comment from: SpurredoninDublin [Visitor]
A very realistic summary of yesterday's game. I think compared to Spurs, they have gone backwards in the the close season, though i do expect them to improve as the season goes on.
15/08/10 @ 12:46
Comment from: Coeus [Visitor]
And thats why Spike writes articles on a football forum. We went to Spurs and drew 0-0 in our first match of the season, a game neither team would want to lose. With an unsettled team that has not played together in pre season and with new signings who have never played in the premier league. Only a fickle nutcase would start moaning now.
15/08/10 @ 12:46
Comment from: Rob [Visitor]
Quiz: what happened to the following teams at White Hart Lane last season?
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
As for "without [Hart] we would have been dead and buried"... he's the goalkeeper. It's what he's in the team for. Just as ridiculous as saying "without Bale, Spurs wouldn't have been as much of a threat".
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
As for "without [Hart] we would have been dead and buried"... he's the goalkeeper. It's what he's in the team for. Just as ridiculous as saying "without Bale, Spurs wouldn't have been as much of a threat".
15/08/10 @ 12:52
Comment from: Claudio [Visitor]
The post went too far IMO. Although I hold little faith in Macini's capability , however, it seems that we're living in Italian context and talking about the "Premiere" of City. Remember the first match of the epic season Inter created recently? Its outcome is a draw as well. And the subsequential critism? Almost the same. So you got what I mean?---Don't be mean too much.
15/08/10 @ 12:55
Comment from: SpurredoninDublin [Visitor]
After re-reading my earlier post, it occurs to me that if City had such a defensive line up, and Hart was forced to make so many great saves behind this defence, they could be in serious trouble this year.
Quite clearly, if the objective is to stop the other side fron scoring, it was more to do with luck than judgement yesterday.
Quite clearly, if the objective is to stop the other side fron scoring, it was more to do with luck than judgement yesterday.
15/08/10 @ 12:57
Comment from: BrizzleSpur [Visitor]
I dont think Mancini had it wrong. . .
You blues are gonna hate hearing this (especially from a spurs fan) but, who do you think you are?
You're not Chelsea. You're practically a whole new club that has to learn to play as a team. Its not time for man city to be winning evey game. Its time for man city to start a fresh with new ambitions. If you have a healthy out look on your club you'll see you did well to come to the lane and take a point.
The spurs team has been through HELL trying to become a realistic top4 club on a tight budget.
A lot of ManCity fans already know this, but some of you are expecting miracles!
You blues are gonna hate hearing this (especially from a spurs fan) but, who do you think you are?
You're not Chelsea. You're practically a whole new club that has to learn to play as a team. Its not time for man city to be winning evey game. Its time for man city to start a fresh with new ambitions. If you have a healthy out look on your club you'll see you did well to come to the lane and take a point.
The spurs team has been through HELL trying to become a realistic top4 club on a tight budget.
A lot of ManCity fans already know this, but some of you are expecting miracles!
15/08/10 @ 13:02
Comment from: SpurredoninDublin [Visitor]
In reply to Rob, Bale was our best player, but he wasn't the only person who tested (or conntributed to testing) Hart.
Hart did a great job, but was badly let down by his defence. That is the reality of yesterday's game. |You were under attack from all areas of the field, and not just from Bale on the left.
Hart did a great job, but was badly let down by his defence. That is the reality of yesterday's game. |You were under attack from all areas of the field, and not just from Bale on the left.
15/08/10 @ 13:04
Comment from: PJ [Visitor]
I love your blog generally but on this occasion, you are as wrong as wrong can be. Yesterday was in my view a triumph. To come away from White Hart Lane with a point is a fantastic result for Mancini. Spurs are THE in-form Premiership team. In their previous two home games they hammered Chelsea and Arsenal in crucial games, and beat City to gain fourth spot.
Yesterday City had three debutantes to the Premier league, no pre-season training for the full squad, and had lost eleven of the last twelve against Spurs, including I think the last six at WHL.
Yes Joe Hart had a blinder, but isn't that what he is there for, to stop the ball going into the net. Spurs threw everything at us and were in my view very impressive, but we kept them out, and in the second half had most of the play and the best chances.
I'll taking boring anyday over 'exciting second division yoyo outfit' - yesteryears' West Brom - like we were under any number of managers. Chelsea under Mourinho, Arsenal under Graham and the early Wenger, even Leeds under Revie - all great teams start by sorting their defence out, then moving on to possess the flair that Chelsea managed towards the end of last season. That will take years.
Luckily, the club will ignore whinging bloggers, crap ex-City players who could not excite even in the Second Division, and jealous newspaper journos and get on with the task of building the team.
Yesterday City had three debutantes to the Premier league, no pre-season training for the full squad, and had lost eleven of the last twelve against Spurs, including I think the last six at WHL.
Yes Joe Hart had a blinder, but isn't that what he is there for, to stop the ball going into the net. Spurs threw everything at us and were in my view very impressive, but we kept them out, and in the second half had most of the play and the best chances.
I'll taking boring anyday over 'exciting second division yoyo outfit' - yesteryears' West Brom - like we were under any number of managers. Chelsea under Mourinho, Arsenal under Graham and the early Wenger, even Leeds under Revie - all great teams start by sorting their defence out, then moving on to possess the flair that Chelsea managed towards the end of last season. That will take years.
Luckily, the club will ignore whinging bloggers, crap ex-City players who could not excite even in the Second Division, and jealous newspaper journos and get on with the task of building the team.
15/08/10 @ 13:09
Comment from: Spike [Visitor]
Some fair responses. But can I point out that although it was the first match of this season this guy has been at City since last December and his obsession with packing the midfield with defensive players has been there for all to see for some time now. The negative tactics are grinding some of us down and we know the guy isn't learning and isn't going to change.
Also, can I point out that we only had three new players on show yesterday so the 'gelling' argument doesn't really stick.
I'll crawl back into my hole now. :)
Also, can I point out that we only had three new players on show yesterday so the 'gelling' argument doesn't really stick.
I'll crawl back into my hole now. :)
15/08/10 @ 13:18
Comment from: Iver Biggen [Visitor]
To improve a team you need to sign better players than firstly what you already have and secondly better than your rivals, Man City only may have managed the first requirement partially and not in a correct way but certainly not the second one..They improved in terms of paying more for players but did not buy no one in order to play better game..Yaya Toure is not better than Gerrard, Mascherano, Mikkel, Fabregas, Palacios or Carrick..Silva is not better than Bale, Lennon, Malouda, Valencia..Kolarov definitely not even a patch on Ashley Cole, Assou Ekotto,Clichy, Evra .. Man City despite playing with 3 defensive midfielders , their centre halves had more last ditch defending than any others that i saw in any premiership game last season..obviously 3 DMs didnt even work because MOM was their keeper, City should have gone for Gerrard, Fabregas or Joe Cole on a free instead of Toure, Silva and saved themselves a few millions along the way..Their second half game plan was so boring, i thought i was watching Serie A team v Spurs..get used to Boring Boring City chants guys.
15/08/10 @ 13:21
Comment from: PJ [Visitor]
Spike; 'only three debutantes' - name me another team out of the front-runners that will field three debutantes, not only to City but to English football and the Premier League. Even by the second-half Yaya Toure and Silva had gained a yard on their first-half performances.
And to be called boring, boring City, what a compliment that would be if it went along with the same achievements as boring, boring Arsenal. Exciting Arsenal haven't won a trophy for five years despite wallowing in £300m Champions League money.
Re Mancini being there since December: Yes, with snakes in the grass like Bellamy trying to undermine him at every opportunity, every pundit predicting his demise in the summer and City fans mooning backwards for the glory days under can't-win-a-game Hughes.
This guy will win us everything given the time, unless we are so stupid and get rid of him in City's usual way. And you know what, loads of Blues will still be crying for the exciting days under er, Joe Royle, Brian Horton, Pearcey, Sven...and of course Keegan's heroes who took the Second Division by storm and then got shown up as mediocre in the Premiership before he walked out on us.
Day one of the Premiership and this sort of whining...no wonder they all laugh at us when we say we are a big club. Lots of fans have got the mentality of forty-year losers - luckily the club itself hasn't.
And to be called boring, boring City, what a compliment that would be if it went along with the same achievements as boring, boring Arsenal. Exciting Arsenal haven't won a trophy for five years despite wallowing in £300m Champions League money.
Re Mancini being there since December: Yes, with snakes in the grass like Bellamy trying to undermine him at every opportunity, every pundit predicting his demise in the summer and City fans mooning backwards for the glory days under can't-win-a-game Hughes.
This guy will win us everything given the time, unless we are so stupid and get rid of him in City's usual way. And you know what, loads of Blues will still be crying for the exciting days under er, Joe Royle, Brian Horton, Pearcey, Sven...and of course Keegan's heroes who took the Second Division by storm and then got shown up as mediocre in the Premiership before he walked out on us.
Day one of the Premiership and this sort of whining...no wonder they all laugh at us when we say we are a big club. Lots of fans have got the mentality of forty-year losers - luckily the club itself hasn't.
15/08/10 @ 13:42
Comment from: Big Mal [Visitor]
All very strange. Man City basically played 4-6-0. They have spent £250m and were nowhere near as good as Tottenham. They will obviously win everything at some stage because they can buy players worth £10m who wouldn't dream of joining them for £25m and pay them £200m per week. It is utterly pointless and is dreadful for football. Role on the new rules.
In the meantime, Richards is a poor footballer but good athlete, Wright-Phillips is not up to it. They don't have a reaaly top centre half. Playing 3 holding central midfielders against a team who play none is absurd. The only forward on view drops into midfield.
I imagine he Mancini thinks he got it right and will say 'we weathered the storm and could have sneaked it at the end'. A fair reflection of the game however would be a 2 or 3 goal win for Tottenham.
H did not include Johnson (Wright-Phillips!) or Adebayor who for Arsenal could not stop scoring against Tottenham. When he came on Ledley actually had to get into second gear. Ireland and Bellamy would have given them a lift. Where were they?
There is real hope for the rest of the league, that Mancini is not up to it. His recruitment policy is odd at best; he is leaving out proper premiership players for untried ones. His tactics are poor. There seems to be some unrest amongst the players. Long may this continue. At a time when no team can afford to buy players apart from City it is wonderful to hope that, against all the odds, they might just blow it again.
In the meantime, Richards is a poor footballer but good athlete, Wright-Phillips is not up to it. They don't have a reaaly top centre half. Playing 3 holding central midfielders against a team who play none is absurd. The only forward on view drops into midfield.
I imagine he Mancini thinks he got it right and will say 'we weathered the storm and could have sneaked it at the end'. A fair reflection of the game however would be a 2 or 3 goal win for Tottenham.
H did not include Johnson (Wright-Phillips!) or Adebayor who for Arsenal could not stop scoring against Tottenham. When he came on Ledley actually had to get into second gear. Ireland and Bellamy would have given them a lift. Where were they?
There is real hope for the rest of the league, that Mancini is not up to it. His recruitment policy is odd at best; he is leaving out proper premiership players for untried ones. His tactics are poor. There seems to be some unrest amongst the players. Long may this continue. At a time when no team can afford to buy players apart from City it is wonderful to hope that, against all the odds, they might just blow it again.
15/08/10 @ 13:47
Comment from: PJ [Visitor]
Cheers Brizzle
And I'll tell you what, your comments about both City and Spurs are spot on.
People aren't recognising yet just how far forward you've have come under 'Arry.
I for one wish you the best of luck this season in the Champions League.
And I'll tell you what, your comments about both City and Spurs are spot on.
People aren't recognising yet just how far forward you've have come under 'Arry.
I for one wish you the best of luck this season in the Champions League.
15/08/10 @ 13:50
Comment from: Akkaton [Visitor]
Some people are lucky! One of them is Mancini. How can sombody give him to coach a team when he never showed a glipse of a coaching-talent. Watching Inter under his leadership was a torture. And the only reason Inter won the serie A is because of calciopoli. There was no competition and he had by far the best players. I cant understand someone is beeing payed for hiring Mancini. Every coach in serie A is better than him. He is in Capellos league!
15/08/10 @ 13:54
Comment from: kev [Visitor]
Ok, to say "we should now be looking to win games like this" is rather stupid. Look at spurs's results at home over the last 3 seasons and tell me you should win there. Spurs've got one of the best home records in the league. Your right about Mancini though, apart from the master bit as he showed yesterday that he is in no way a master tactician, he is using a formula from a totally dif' league and he's being found out for it. If he doesn't use the attacking options available to him he could be out of a job by christmas.
15/08/10 @ 13:56
Comment from: SPURS FAN SCOTT [Visitor]
Fair comments about Hart saving City,
however, Utd and Chelsea winning at Spurs, hang on...
Chelsea have lost their last 2 at WHL, Utd have drawn and won their last 2.
Arsenal and Liverpool also lost at WHL last season.
Be happy with your point! Yes you were battered 1st half and need to improve but its a good result for you overall.
Cant see you winning title this time, probably will get top 4 tho.
I was surprised you kept Mancini
however, Utd and Chelsea winning at Spurs, hang on...
Chelsea have lost their last 2 at WHL, Utd have drawn and won their last 2.
Arsenal and Liverpool also lost at WHL last season.
Be happy with your point! Yes you were battered 1st half and need to improve but its a good result for you overall.
Cant see you winning title this time, probably will get top 4 tho.
I was surprised you kept Mancini
15/08/10 @ 14:07
Comment from: Huseyin D [Visitor]
Your opinion is spot-on ,I'm a spurs fan and Mancini reminds me of the great One-Day Ramos who just did not understand the premiership ,oh well never mind ,he'll be gone before christmas and you'll have a new man who will bring in his own players and maybe have an impact ,it's a good thing you have so much money
15/08/10 @ 14:14
Comment from: patspur [Visitor]
I've just read all of the comments and it is like reading a spurs forum. Jesus you lot are just like us!!!, all doom and gloom or high as a kite with nothing in between. To say you should win at WHL shows you up as knowing naff all if you ask me mate as we have, over the last few seasons, one of the best records in the league. Mancini knew it, thank god for you, he knew we'd come flying out of the blocks and tried to stop that. If he's playing you that way at home after ten games then worry but until then let the man do his job and relax. Players take time to gel even when they're from the same league so new players from abroad take a bit longer. City will get there, maybe not this season but it's in the post for sure. Spurs btw are where you want to be in a year or two so you should be glad you came away with a 0-0. Good luck city fans, i'm sure you'll be in the mix come may.
15/08/10 @ 14:15
Comment from: Ron [Visitor]
I couldn't agree more. What city need is deffinately another manager and at least another 10 players!!!
The bottom line is this, what you need is stability not changing managers, not getting in another load of players.
Your not at the level of Spurs and probably won't be for at least another year and that will only happen if you stop chopping and changing personnel.
The bottom line is this, what you need is stability not changing managers, not getting in another load of players.
Your not at the level of Spurs and probably won't be for at least another year and that will only happen if you stop chopping and changing personnel.
15/08/10 @ 14:45
Comment from: Yidfield General [Visitor]
Having new players who haven't played together or have only played half an hour of pre season is no excuse for that dismal display yesterday. The season starts from the first game and Mankini saying it will take three weeks is a cop out. If he is so concerned that his players haven't played enough pre season or had much time together then he should play the ones that have and blood the others in gradually. I give Mankini three weeks tops as City manager if they continue to play like that!
15/08/10 @ 18:01
Comment from: SALADO [Visitor]
The most concerning matter from yesterdays performance was that although we had three(!)defensive midfielders on the pitch we still got massively outplayed and over run so if we can't defend with a set uplike this then surely we should be more offensive with the potential to win the game and not totally hand the initiative to tghe opposition from the first whistle. Mancinis tactics do worry and I fear we may yet more disturbingly see more of the same at home (Liverpool last year !?) but I am hoping it was more of a case of just no fluidity in our play yet. Adebayor with tevez and silva off him would have made more sense because spurs still got at us thru Bale down the left and with tevez dropping deeper no central outlet upfront meant spurs kept having posession handed to them. Will be interesting how we line up against the scouse whingers just fingers crossed it's a positive approach from the off . Lets keep the faith for now lol!
15/08/10 @ 21:54
Comment from: Dextersmart Harry [Visitor]
It would have been a blunder to play an attacking game with a team that is yet to gel in White Hart Lane. Roberto Mancini has improved drastically on the score cards compared to last season. Looking at the Home and Away result Man City came out tops for the day. What the hell is this EPL talk? There is a lot of work to be done in the EPL following the awful display in the last Champions League and World Cup. An Italian came into the EPL with Italian tactics and dominated the EPL. A man that has a history with Mancini. Allow Mancini do what he knows how to do best i.e. build a superteam. Do not worry CITIZENS we have the best.
MANCINI'S MANCITY A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
MANCINI'S MANCITY A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
16/08/10 @ 05:06
Comment from: Andrew Keighley [Visitor]
I cannot believe this! We are a shaping man city side with a lot of new players in a developing team. I don't care how much we have spent but you cannot expect players to play as a team from day 1, especially when silva hasn't even been here much more than 10 days!
One thing i will say is that i felt that we were really lacking a target man up front to get the ball up to. I can see ade or jo playing in that role.
We must not forget that the team we played had only 1 change from last seasons home fixture at the end of last season (Corluka for Kaboul) so therefore they are an established team who can play very well together. We did very well to contain them as we did and i for one was pleased with a point. If spurs play like that all season they'll be right up there, but so will city!
One thing i will say is that i felt that we were really lacking a target man up front to get the ball up to. I can see ade or jo playing in that role.
We must not forget that the team we played had only 1 change from last seasons home fixture at the end of last season (Corluka for Kaboul) so therefore they are an established team who can play very well together. We did very well to contain them as we did and i for one was pleased with a point. If spurs play like that all season they'll be right up there, but so will city!
16/08/10 @ 06:46
Comment from: tom [Visitor]
article written by someone who understands very little about football.
Spurs didn't win the game because of some top class defending from kompany and toure and of course Joe hart! City actually defended well, held off the barrage of spurs play in the 1st half and came in evens at half time.
City had three mid fielders who kept possession very well in the second half, we had 60% of play in the second half with an 85% pass success rate. As for defensive mids, wasn't barry making runs into the box, didn't Yaya create several openings for the front three including swp great chance!
The fact is, Tevez and Silva are far from sharp, we have other to come into the frame as well, ade, mario, Aj even perhaps robinho. If city can maintain the strength at the back retain possession in the middle, it will help the front 3 create more. Thats how Barcelona play, thats how spain won the world cup...
Getting a draw at WHL is a top result at the start of the season, we held of spurs and then managed to control the game, if we were sharper up top, we could of stolen a result! Spurs are a good side, well organised and established as a side. I am chuffed with the result!
Spurs didn't win the game because of some top class defending from kompany and toure and of course Joe hart! City actually defended well, held off the barrage of spurs play in the 1st half and came in evens at half time.
City had three mid fielders who kept possession very well in the second half, we had 60% of play in the second half with an 85% pass success rate. As for defensive mids, wasn't barry making runs into the box, didn't Yaya create several openings for the front three including swp great chance!
The fact is, Tevez and Silva are far from sharp, we have other to come into the frame as well, ade, mario, Aj even perhaps robinho. If city can maintain the strength at the back retain possession in the middle, it will help the front 3 create more. Thats how Barcelona play, thats how spain won the world cup...
Getting a draw at WHL is a top result at the start of the season, we held of spurs and then managed to control the game, if we were sharper up top, we could of stolen a result! Spurs are a good side, well organised and established as a side. I am chuffed with the result!
16/08/10 @ 10:23
Comment from: Katy Lewis [Visitor]
At the end of the day, like Mancini said, some of these players have only had a days training together-thats not enough. This is no-ones fault, it was the National games again. I think Mancini is the man for Man City as he has won many titles, yes in Serie A, but he is not stupid and will change his winning tactics to suit PL football. He has only really had 6 months managing the team while in season. Give him a few more weeks and we should be right on top. We need to trust him-swapping managers every 5 minutes isn't going to win us anything!
16/08/10 @ 10:54
Comment from: Alphie Izzet [Visitor]
Rubbish!
It took you one match to get on Mancini's back you muppet!
He has a number of new players to gel into a considerably changed squad, Appy Arry had more or less the same side he ended last season with and they beat us soundly to finish ahead of us.
Mancini set out to move fwd from that and through solid, sometime frenetic defence did just that. In the second half we progressed and next game we will get better. You might have preferred us losing 4:2 with all guns blazing but this is the PL not Brazilian Beach Soccer. The point gained at WHL may well be very important come next May.
It took you one match to get on Mancini's back you muppet!
He has a number of new players to gel into a considerably changed squad, Appy Arry had more or less the same side he ended last season with and they beat us soundly to finish ahead of us.
Mancini set out to move fwd from that and through solid, sometime frenetic defence did just that. In the second half we progressed and next game we will get better. You might have preferred us losing 4:2 with all guns blazing but this is the PL not Brazilian Beach Soccer. The point gained at WHL may well be very important come next May.
16/08/10 @ 11:07
Comment from: Simon Brown [Visitor]
I think the problem against Spurs was at the back. We needed Hart to put in the shift he did because the defence were woeful. To blame the manager because the 3 midfield players were defensive is irrelevant. De Jong - sure he's pretty defensive - but Toure's career average is a goal in every 10 games which is reasonably offensive, Barry CAN play DM but he also knows where the goal is and we had 3 strong players (SWP, Silva and Tevez) up front. The problem was that the defence was so awful that the midfield dropped back to cover them so we lost shape up front. With a more capable defence we could play higher up the park and dominate the midfield - yesterday we didn't dominate anything.
WHL is a tough place to get any points - it certainly was for league winners Chelsea. To keep a clean sheet, away at Spurs, is a mean feat largely down to a fabulous display from Hart. The rest of the defence need to sort themselves out quick.
WHL is a tough place to get any points - it certainly was for league winners Chelsea. To keep a clean sheet, away at Spurs, is a mean feat largely down to a fabulous display from Hart. The rest of the defence need to sort themselves out quick.
16/08/10 @ 12:12
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25/02/11 @ 15:40
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25/02/11 @ 17:12
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