The College Dropout

We seem to do it a lot. I reckon we've conceded more of these than any other team, or atleast a higher percentage of goals conceded the most. Why is it? Team too short? Or something more deep lying? Discuss lads.

We're not shooting enough from the edge of the area, Cabaye was peppering the goal from distance early on, can't even remember his last effort now other than his goal against Wigan, although he has been playing deeper while Tiote's been out. Other than Ba off the post the closest we came to scoring on Saturday was Jonas who has notched several from outside the area for us, which goes to show you don't have to be Laurent Robert to have a dig. That was another reason actually which made Pardew's reasoning for not bringing HBA on on Saturday look even more ridiculous. An effort from range might have been the only way past Swansea's defence and we know how well he can hit them. While I'm not a huge fan of Jermain Defoe as a first XI striker, I love watching how easy it is for him when he picks the ball up 20 yards out, he makes it look like he could stick it in the corner 99 times out of 100 without the keeper getting near it. He doesn't have fantastic technique or a rocket shot but he hits it low, hard and into the corners and that generally gets the job done. In terms of technique, the way he hits a ball is completely wrong, he's like a pinball machine launcher with the plunger pulled all the way out constantly, out of no-where - PING - .. wtf did that come from? He does it damn well though, love it when he scores those goals that make the defence/goalkeeper scratch their heads. WTF am I reading here? Defoe has excellent shooting technique from those positions. The way he gets so much power and accuracy with such little backlift is due to excellent technique.

Enjoyed reading these posts but i'd disagree with this post. In football the elite players aren't always the most elite athletes. Mental and technical abilities don't peak until later in a footballers career. I'd take a 29 year old Zidane & Xavi over the 24 year old counter part. Same with most footballers.

Aye Fletcher's very good. Been on fire when playing this season.

His finishing isn't that great. his misses a lot of chances but his build up play is superb. Adds that bit of flair to that side.

He's not even particularly fast anymore but his movement and overall play is top notch. Still class. Doesn't count as non-toon to me though. Toure's a good shout. Would it be wrong to say he's a better Vieira? He's a top class technical player but his physicality is highly entertaining. Those powerful runs from midfield with or without the ball. I've enjoyed watching Spurs front 5 this season. Lennox - Modric - Bale VDV Adebayor

It's not '97 bro.

We've played with no left footers the majority of the season.

Previously Drogba, Torres, Essien and Fabregas. Now... RVP, Mata, Villa, Hoillett, Modric, Vidic and Sturridge.

Iniesta is the closest thing to the ultimate clutch player since Zidane. But he never dictates matches the way Zidane did in his pomp. Tbh there's nothing more beautiful than a true #10 like Zidane dictating a football match,

It was a penno and a red card.

Ray did call it tbh.

Kiss of death that like.

Amazing how City have played 14 or so PL games and have rarely just not been at the races. Look very comfortable hear.

Been good today. Won freekicks and has held up the ball well.

He's right as well. To all young lads, don't be afraid to tackle with your weaker foot.

My word thats called a dive

He touched him but it looks like he jumps in the air and just falls down.

What kinda stupid question is this? He's less hassle than the likes of Suarez, Barton & Carroll.

Being backed up well by others? If Ba gets a serious injury our season is basically over. We are in the same boat as Arsenal.

He's an excellent, excellent football player. Could easily get in the first team of a few of the sides above us. Being a big strong, African lad makes people underestimate his ability imo. Honestly, when we're down 3-0 or 4-2 like that I would like to see him subbed. Don't want to risk him at all. Even without Tayls, if you can keep the rest of the spine of our side relatively injury free (Colo, Tiote, Cabaye, Ba) I reckon 7th will be ours.

Blackburn are the most exciting team to watch in the EPL. Can't defend for shit but can score a goal or two. They have Dunn & Pederson at CM ffs

There was a big debate on RM's side about doing just that, dumping Özil (who's had a rather bad season so far) and starting a Khedira-Xabi-Lass midfield. In my opinion, when Madrid have gone more toe-to-toe against us was in the Supercopa without that overly defensive midfield, so I think it was the good call. They also have a couple of very good offensive subs in Kaká and Higuaín when some of the guys upfront tire. But they deflated quite quickly, which may have been due to tiredness or mentality, I'm still not sure. I understand the logic but Ozil was ineffective, so clearly him playing wasn't a good call. Think it was a bit of both. Physically AND mentally they needed something to hold onto at that point.

Never turning up against the arch-nemesis and having a 'mare is a fairly decent excuse to boo him imo. Considering he walks around like the dogs bollocks. I'm more suprised that Jose has let him be like that than anything else. He used to berate J. Cole for showboating and not being enough of a team player. Ronaldo runs and shoots. That's all I ever see him do.

Madrid needed to have something to defend by an hour or so and they didn't. That excellent pressing was going to catch up with them at some point. had Ronaldo been more clinical in that first period they would've had something to defend by the time their legs started to wane. Whilst I agree they looked deflated and defeated, a large part of that was just tiredness. Hence Khedira coming on for Diarra making sense, gave the team more legs. Ozil rarely completes games and was ineffective anyway. Perhaps Ronnie should've parted instead of Di Maria. Cronaldo had a shocker. IMO for RM to be beat Barca they need to be the greater physical force for the whole game. And for me they can't do that with both Alonso and Ozil playing against them. Ozil was also the worst at pressing and didn't create anything anyway. I think Khedira would've been better as a starting option.