City vs Southampton - LIVE!

First topic message reminder :

I'd stick with the same team. Kompany has to play snd probably again at the weekend. He can have a break by not playing in the CL next week.

Must win game.

Ederson
Walker, Kompany, Otamenbdi, Delph
Fernandinho
KdB, Silva
Sterling, Aguero, Sane

Anyone got links to interviews with players, Pep? BB?

Not out yet SB...and probably won't be til tomorrow. I'm off to bed, it's midnight here and i'm up in 6 hours.

If I see it when I rise...I'll post it on this thread if not posted by someone else. Normally take a few hours for any interviews to be posted. Tomorrow morning will have the full interviews and post match conference.

What country are you in right now BB?

They showed Mendy on MOTD, faster than TLMF injured 

Bluey is in Malaga. Haven't you been following his travels?

Topdawg wrote:Bluey is in Malaga. Haven't you been following his travels?

I'm old Skool, not on FB or big on social media etc.

The game was on at 03.45 am on thurs morning here in perth so I got to watch it after work last night. I had read a lot of the comments on here prior  so was expecting a really awful performance from the team & especially Gundogan & Kompany.

I have to admit I was surprised that in my eyes they were nowhere near as bad as they were portrayed on here. I actually thought both had reasonable games considering the amount of game time they have had. Jesus wasn't in the game as much being stuck out on the left but did ok . I thought the worst 2 players on the park for city were KDB & Sergio.

I guess our expectations are that much higher given our recent performances & when the players drop below that level then criticism will follow. The fact we have not lost a competitive match since the cup semi final only adds fuel to the fire. It is a great record but in my opinion players are being judged as though they should all be at the same level. By that I mean gundogan has come back from a serious injury so too vinny, I noticed Blue that you said the injuries have appeared to have taken their toll on them.

I personally think that due to injuries they have not had as much game time & need matches to get into the groove again, Gundogan did ok & certainly did not live up tp your comparison of him reminding you of toure. He tracked back enough he was playing a lot of forward probing passes as well as the sideways ones. The one where someone had a go at him for not taking on a shot & passing to Sterling was unjust as when he received the ball the path to goal was cluttered with bodies, a shot would only have cannoned of the first defender, so the pass was a better option.

Sometimes I would rather give the benefit of doubt to the player until they prove they cannot do what is required of them in the position they play ala Tore Jesus navas & the guys we got rid of last season.

The game was on at 03.45 am on thurs morning here in perth so I got to watch it after work last night. I had read a lot of the comments on here prior  so was expecting a really awful performance from the team & especially Gundogan & Kompany.

I have to admit I was surprised that in my eyes they were nowhere near as bad as they were portrayed on here. I actually thought both had reasonable games considering the amount of game time they have had. Jesus wasn't in the game as much being stuck out on the left but did ok . I thought the worst 2 players on the park for city were KDB & Sergio.

I guess our expectations are that much higher given our recent performances & when the players drop below that level then criticism will follow. The fact we have not lost a competitive match since the cup semi final only adds fuel to the fire. It is a great record but in my opinion players are being judged as though they should all be at the same level. By that I mean gundogan has come back from a serious injury so too vinny, I noticed Blue that you said the injuries have appeared to have taken their toll on them.

I personally think that due to injuries they have not had as much game time & need matches to get into the groove again, Gundogan did ok & certainly did not live up tp your comparison of him reminding you of toure. He tracked back enough he was playing a lot of forward probing passes as well as the sideways ones. The one where someone had a go at him for not taking on a shot & passing to Sterling was unjust as when he received the ball the path to goal was cluttered with bodies, a shot would only have cannoned of the first defender, so the pass was a better option.

Sometimes I would rather give the benefit of doubt to the player until they prove they cannot do what is required of them in the position they play ala Tore Jesus navas & the guys we got rid of last season.

All about opinions Oz, but maybe go back and watch the game again...and specifically watch the game pass Gudogan by in MF. By that, I mean, watch how many times their MF's pass around him and he ends up ahead of the play, not in front of it...that's what I meant by TLMLF comparison...as he does that.

I just didn't see him have much of an impact on the game.  Possibly if he plays deeper midfield might help him get into it more..  I think Bernard, Foden, Diaz would all be better options in the attacking mid (we play with sort of 2 number 10's but loosely)..

Kompany didn't do nothing wrong barring get caught upfield and picked up a booking for the block which was needed.

Gundogan didn’t pull up any trees but he at least put some effort in. Kompany makes the odd mistake and sometimes he gets away with it. Maybe he needs more tome since he’s been injured

I've just noticed my opinion was so strong I posted it twice You were reading my mind blue I will watch the game again. Whilst Gundogan did not have a major impact on the game it is all about Margins. Two really good eye of the needle passes ala merlin almost came of but for a lucky leg getting in the way & a gorgeous flick that would have put Sergio through had it not caught the defender running back who knew sweet fa as to where the ball was. Couple that with  a shot that went into the side netting. Had that gone in & had those defenders not got the luck it would have been an influence on the game. That is the thin line they tread.

As I say gametime brings players up to speed & either plays them into form or proves they are not up to it. Gundogan should make the team v west Ham & shakhtar in midweek it can only do him good & make him stronger. Why risk a booking or injury for ferna against west ham so he misses the derby. West ham are hardly a team we should have trouble beating . Ferna for the derby is a must in my opinion.

Oh, I agree Oz....I think I said that in my original comment that he needs to get up to speed. If he's playing the Silva role, then fine, but sitting deep with Ferdy, he looked a little lost (when he didn't have the ball) and wasn't continually tracking his runners or making tackles like Ferdy was.

I'n sure more game time will help...as I actually quite like him and want to see him do well.