Stoke vs City - Live Thread

[blueboy]

First topic message reminder :

Ok....so a massive game tonight after such a poor January and last Saturday.

The manager seems to think he isn't under any pressure and still believes we can bridge the gap to Chelsea. He also believes we have been playing well...but fuck knows how!!

He was asked in his press conference about the system and players he chose on Saturday and he seemed to dismiss this with the excuse that we hadn't scored in 2 games prior to that...however, I wish somebody would have gone a little further and asked if he really thought 2 DMF's and 2 strikers with no width was going to bring about a great performance!

So, on to tonight. Stoke have some injuries but it won't matter, they've been playing well lately and scoring goals. Hughes always has them up for us, so I'm not expecting an easy game, but what I am expecting is a different bloody set up and different personnel!!

So, for me, I'd go with this:

...............................................Hart......................................................

Zaba......................Vinny............................Mangala.....................Clichy...

..........................................Fernandinho.................................................

Navas.....................................................................................Milner......

..........................Silva......................................Nasri..............................

................................................Aguero...................................................

[blueboy]

He did....he did.....he did.....

[Guest]

He really didn't, he looked like a complete novice defender against Crouch 1st half. Yes we were better 2nd half but Stoke gave us space that wasn't there 1st half. The only proper defending Mangala had 2nd half he totally got skinned but attacker messed it up.

[blueboy]

Don't give Dawg any more ammo BB. He'll become unbearable.

[Topdawg]

When you comment in-game, I think you tend to remember more of the little things that happen. Afterwards, you probably look more at the bigger picture. I remember some poor control and passing. He doesn't look like the kid of guy that can bring the ball out. He looks, and is, clumsy. He sometimes gets in poor positions and can be turned far too easily. He was lucky at the end that he didn't get sent off. What he can do well is some no nonsense defending and using his strength. But that isn't worth even 1/4 of what we paid for him.

[blueboy]

  "Manga, Manga, Manga"

[Topdawg]

One good game does not a defender make...

[Topdawg]

But he wasn't our worst defender by a long way. Toss up between the full backs?

[Topdawg]

Stu Brennan...

Still looks way too slow and clumsy, and on another night would have conceded a penalty and red card for a desperate lunge at Moses 5

[meltonblue]

Brennan would never say zabaleta or kompany were worse than mangala.

I thought they both were though.

In general, I thought that was a real good performance. Yes Stoke came on to us, but we were visibly deeper than we have been at home recently. That's exactly how we have set up away before to create the space for the counter. Defensive fuck ups could have cost us again, but it's amazing the difference a goal can make and finally we found the back of the net.

Good performance that, particularly second half, and the team was well set up. Nasri back, Toure and Bony to add in and second is looking far more likely than it did 24 hours ago.

[Wensdi]

Much better performance second half than first.  That Arautovic bloke looks like a right head case.  Just wish Chelsea hadn't got that last gasper.  They didn't play so well at home.

Well done Bluey for getting the score spot on

[Topdawg]

I agree on the defence Melton. I think I've even gone as far as saying Mango was the best defender for us, though I'll maintain he didn't have such a good game. In such an open game, we would always create chances going forwards.

[blueboy]

So, are you saying King Mango was our best defender last night?

[Topdawg]

I'm sure I've said that already which is a major indictment on the other clowns.

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