Respectful Pep's Arteta Squashers vs Eddie "Fanny Magnet" Howe's Rapid Challengers

[PaddockLad 19013]

You’d think we’d lost the cup final v Solihull fuckin Moors judging by the way some are carrying on. I’ve had to block one NUFC “criticiser” (there’s no way you could describe this individual as a supporter  )  already this morning. People can’t seem to enjoy things unless they’re pulling them apart. Because of Elon’s algorithm changes am being constantly bombarded with all this bullshit negativity. So they’re all being culled before the team get annihilated for a creditable draw in Madrid in a couple of months time

[Ayatollah Hermione 14683]

Best thing you can do after a loss is win the next one. Liverpool at our patch, after the two games against them last season, is a very, very different story 

[Alex 36725]

Whilst it was a bit of chastening experience I thought we actually did well to stay in the game for so long. Man City are probably the best team in the world, on top of which they played close to their best. Foden was absolutely sensational. Despite all that Man City didn’t didn’t create loads of chances. 

[Renton 23683]

7 hours ago, The Fish said:

d much rather face Man City away early in the season. Imagine having to go there in April or May needing to get something.

 

So we've got through the hardest fixture of the season, with no suspensions, hopefully no injuries, and only conceding 1 goal. But CT is pissing his sheets again? 

 

Aye. The more I think about it, the more I'm happy with this result. Gets the fixture out the way, and cos of the Villa match our GD is okay. As I'm typing this, Villa are thrashing Everton 4-0 which underlines what a good result that was.

 

When are people going to learn CT makes these posts solely for attention and, although he is sometimes canny,  he has to be the least knowledgeable poster about football (or just about anything else)?

 

 

[Renton 23683]

This is Contrary Tree earlier in the thread btw.

 

[Christmas Tree 5105]

18 minutes ago, Renton said:

This is Contrary Tree earlier in the thread btw.

 

 

 

You do know or maybe not, that is lucky charm statement from last seasons match threads  

[Renton 23683]

6 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

 

 

You do know or maybe not, that is lucky charm statement from last seasons match threads  

 

I forgot. Still, your being disappointed with a 1-0 loss to the extent you have are displays a lack of footballing Knowledge. And ithe charm didn't work.  

 

[MrBass 3045]

I think the worst thing from yesterdays result were the bookings. 2 games in and Gordon, Tonali and Guimarães are already on 2 yellows.

[Christmas Tree 5105]

24 minutes ago, Renton said:

 

I forgot. Still, your being disappointed with a 1-0 loss to the extent you have are displays a lack of footballing Knowledge. And ithe charm didn't work.  

 

Im not disappointed with the loss, just the manor of it.  

[Monkeys Fist 45151]

11 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

just the manor of it.

[Renton 23683]

26 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

Im not disappointed with the loss, just the manor of it.  

 

Yeah, would have been much better to have been hammered, as per your first post. Sheesh 

[Rayvin 5924]

Our team is made up of good to great players in a very effective and efficient system that they are all committed to and trained in.

 

City's team is made up of great to incredible players in a very effective and efficient system that they are all committed to and trained in.

 

The difference is what it is, and losing 1-0 is not shameful even if it didn't look like we got going. We held things together well enough and our defensive work was clearly quite solid overall. We should be satisfied with a low scoring away loss and a home draw from City this season really. We'll have made some real progress if it turns out we can win at home because it will mean the gap between their players and ours has drifted into a state of being negligible in terms of outcomes - but that may still be beyond us.

[Anorthernsoul 1222]

I think a bit of perspective is needed here.

 

We played the English and European champions away from home, probably the best club team in world football and lost to an absolute superb strike. We were still in the game at the final whistle, actually gave a decent account of ourselves for long spells of the second half and had glimpses of getting an equaliser.  We probably give them a bit too much respect in the first half, with space and possession and didn't retain the ball enough but they still only had one shot on target and it was a blinder that won the game.

 

Let's be honest aswell Phil Foden had a brilliant game and he's very hard to mark in the system they play, I thought Botman had a great game and looked very solid indeed. We had openings in the second half when the game was getting more stretched and it was clear from half time Eddie sent them out with a more positive game plan. I thought Wilson should have done better with the 2 on 1 situation as Miggy would have been in on goal. Bruno should have done better with his chance also.

 

Obviously it's disappointing to come away with nothing but we certainly didn't disgrace ourselves and they'll learn from games like and grow in confidence no doubt.

 

 

 

 

 

[GrahamTaylor5 1172]

I am not so sure how it was a case of our players not playing well enough in midfield and forward to how much if a gulf in ability there is between the sides. 

 

I think this is just a mirror image of what happened last weekend with less of an outcome to it. We are a cut about Villa and at St James they had no chance. They played well this weekend. Man City are a cut above and it is sometimes hard to play anywhere near your best when 1 you cannot get the ball and 2 when you have it there is little space to be able to do much with it. 

 

We had a few times when I wanted us to switch play to the other wing and there was space and as soon as we did, the space went. 

 

We are buying players like Barnes, Gordon, Hall, Tonali. This is great and we are better than Villa, Tottenham arguably Liverpool etc. Man City buy Grealish, Haaland etc. 

 

I felt frustrated,  especially in the first half as we didn't seem to try but on reflection I think we were playing the best team on the planet even if they were tired. It just shows the level of class they have.

 

Apart from Arsenal and Man City, I have not seen anything that worries me about any other team this year. 

 

I'm slightly disappointed as I am still on the high of how well this is all going but I actually don't feel too disappointed with the result in hindsight. I'm not just talking about the difference between Bruce and Howe, we used to go there with 8 players camped inside our box under Rafa.

 

Although it was not what we have been used to, I think this is because Pep knows what we are about and unlike last year when we did some damage, I think he was ready for us. He is potentially the best manager around with the best squad. 1-0 hurts but keeps us in good moral to potentially amd hopefully give Liverpool a spanking next.

[GrahamTaylor5 1172]

Why did Tonali get the yellow?

[Chaser 1367]

32 minutes ago, GrahamTaylor5 said:

Why did Tonali get the yellow?

Professional foul. Bit of shirt tugging to slow play. 

[Blastronaut 1368]

5 hours ago, Renton said:

 

Aye. The more I think about it, the more I'm happy with this result. Gets the fixture out the way, and cos of the Villa match our GD is okay. As I'm typing this, Villa are thrashing Everton 4-0 which underlines what a good result that was.

 

When are people going to learn CT makes these posts solely for attention and, although he is sometimes canny,  he has to be the least knowledgeable poster about football (or just about anything else)?

 

 

 

Everton do look a shambles as usual though. That John McGinn goal was class but how none of those defenders have picked up his short run to the front post is beyond me.