Gallowgate Toon

He's become quite underrated the last couple of years imo. Very capable despite some obvious limitations. He had some fantastic spells under Rafa where he looked a proper PL defender. I'll be sad to see him go because of what he represents, but he's getting closer to the end of his career and deserves a shot at real playing time. He's only going to get dribs and drabs here unless injuries occur.

Gordon has played more on the right than the left in his career, iirc. I'm absolutely positive they don't see him exclusively as a LW.

They're unpredictable and do have some real frets going forward but I'd be really disappointed if we don't dominate the midfield battle here. They have enough talent that they will have at least one really good spell in the game which we need to see out but the lack of defensive nous in their mids and attackers is there to be got at and taken advantage of for the majority. A pretty average Chelsea side managed to keep them pretty boxed in for long periods - there's no reason we can't do the same. Can't give TAA the freedom he had at SJP last season to pick his marks.

Schar's replacement sorted. 10/10.

Aye, really want to see this soon. Gordon has shown he's got a decent enough left peg that he wouldn't be one dimensional on the right too.

Lascelles was great for the PL games he came in last season, no? Very dependable squad defender.

It's already been pointed out but Diaby wasn't a fit for us because he has very little appetite for the defensive side of the game. We just got rid of a player who is very similar in that regard. Early days with Diaby too. I thought he looked OK against us (good goal & some nice breaks but he was easily muscled off a number of times) but excellent against Everton. Howe obviously doesn't see RW as a massive deal right now. It's easy to hone in on Miggy but we also have Gordon and Murphy who can play there. I expect Gordon to claim that spot over the next 6 games or so as Barnes acclimatises and starts banging 'em in from the left.

I don't think a DM is going to help much while we press so aggressively. Sometimes Bruno is the highest pressing player in our entire midfield despite being the deepest mid. He keeps up pretty impressive defensive numbers despite this but it's fair to say he's not a defensive player? I think Howe will focus more on how to manage space between defence/mid better instead.

If anything, City's performance should reassure us a bit that we have loads of class players and none are infallible. Rodri is unbelievable and he turned the ball over twice in dangerous areas against us - it happens to the very best.

Eze aside, very little guile in this Palace attack.

Didn't do a very good job of tracking Foden either. It was a very lacklustre showing from him but City popped it around him so well and he was just chasing shadows.

Dias played Watched it back. Intriguing game if a bit dull; however, City managed it expertly. Watching them form a back 5 on multiple occasions against us says it all about our progress. Terrific gameplan - Pep really is a master regardless of the talent at his disposal. We had some really decent half opportunities in both halves where a bit more composure could've seen us properly in. We picked up some great spots in those 'half spaces' but just struggled with touches/passes. Isak not being on it as an outlet was a problem as well but he was very well marshalled. City have a great mix of defenders who are physical but also technical. I still like Almiron but he does stick out in games like these. I'd be very surprised if, come the end of the season, Barnes isn't our starting LW with Gordon on the right.

Tbf, Foden overloaded that zone because Alvarez was often there as well.

If he won't learn to use his right foot then he could at least become half decent at trivelas.

Got a lovely turn on him #torsodeception

Elite strikers have had total airshots before, never mind fluffed finishes.

Isak was barely involved. That's the kind of game where you're expecting him to drop into some kind of false 9 role a lot if the ball over the top isn't on to help us get a better foothold in the match.

Felt like we played better going forward in this fixture last season.

Might want to re-check that. And even if that were true, he's not playing the same position as he was against Leicester at home 21/22.

Only Rodri beat Bruno for passes under pressure last season, and his progressive passes stats for the last year are 90th percentile. He's an extremely effective starter of moves.

It feels a bit like people are used to him now, tbh. He's old news. He still plays very similarly to when he first arrived but we're used to it - his stats are actually better. He had some class games to close out last season which seem to never get mentioned. Brighton, Man U, Spurs etc.

Should've been off about 10 mins earlier for TINOOO imo.

Only caught the second. Infuriating decision making in the final third in key moments.

All the growing confidence just makes me feel like we're going to get battered.

It is and players don't do a very good job of covering their tracks. Know a couple of lower league lads who just do it from their partner's account and think they're golden