Hanshithispantz

OpenC would pay a good price for that.

He warmed on me a lot since about the back end of the Championship season, it's his turbo fanbase that makes him hard to like at this point He wasn't too great this season, many wanted him dropped and Darlow in instead given he's the only other real choice (Woodman?), Rafa obviously thought the same. Darlow was even worse so he was brought back in and Elliot Ultras have been lauding it up ever since to the point where I want him replaced on the 1st of January and never heard from again. EDIT: FUCK YIS ALLLLLL

And it was all about keeping shape at all times, it was pretty evident when the crowd groaned as we had the opportunity to press them in their half but everyone instead backed off and got into position. It was disgustingly negative and frustrating but so fuck, everyone's on board.

Has anyone even said it was a contest? We were still in the game right until the end due in part to a bit of luck (they hit the woodwork with 2 long range efforts) and the fact we sat back and played vile football until they let off - not giving them much room in and around the box. That was quite obviously the plan from the get go, it was obvious during the game and then confirmed by Benitez in the post match interview People are looking at this as if we threw away the chance of getting something which is statistically almost certainly false. And statistically we actually done far better than we should have, especially considering City actually played really well.

I would want us to 'have a go' if we were in better nick like, but coming off the back of 1 win in 10 I was happy with a gritty performance leading us into the Brighton game with a near fresh XI. We spent the last 25 minutes trying to grab an equaliser too, it's not like we just lay down, we're just shite. Hopefully on the return leg we actually have a Premiership quality offensive line and will try to hit them harder on the break.

If only we'd given ourselves a chance and not been the shittest team in the league on the ball.

I genuinely don't think Manquillo is that bad tbh, when compared to Dummett who everyone seems to think is miles better. I think Manquillo has been really steady the past few weeks or so and even has the odd highlight going forward. I would have had Dummett in ahead of him straight away a couple of months ago but I'm not so sure now.

Obviously, the problem is with people like Gary Neville sulking at the negativity of the tactics as if us opening up a bit more would definitely have been of benefit to us. He just wanted a more open game so he could wax lyrical about his Manc brothers. The way we were on the ball I don't think it would have made any difference anyway, we cannot cut a team open on the counter in that mood, as we've seen plenty times this season.

I cannot wait until he's replaced at the first opportunity so this odd internet cock measuring contest can finally end.

it's a definite chance, not an easy one but he's good enough to score from there and trying the easy route to con a penalty is just disappointing.

None of them have managed Spain so it's canny confusing like.

I've always thought he just needed time to build his confidence but Yorkie isn't wrong about how bad he originally looked like

I don't think we played any differently from the the 30 minute mark tbh. We had that chance straight after but it wasn't until a decent chunk into the 2nd half when we actually started to come out properly with City happy sitting back. They probably never piled forwards as much when they had their goal too.

He has it in him to find a corner from there.

Aye, City clearly took their foot off and sat back which is why we were allowed to create chances. That was obviously the plan from the beginning too, or to catch them with a set piece or something if we were still level. Basically just stop them from getting out of sight at any point. We never 'played for a small loss', it was probably the best chance we had of getting anything.

The first 30 would have been nowhere near as bad looking if we weren't so shite on the ball like. I get that he's keeping us fit for Brighton but I'd still be starting Merino.

Controversial one, but I'd rather have Pep's side than Rafa's

Yedlin. ? Atsu had the ball in the box but dawdled on it instead of pinging it across.

Fucking hell man Atsu, good build up too. We cannot waste chances like this.

Gayle can score from there too. What goes through your mind to do that in that situation man? It's completely ridiculous.

It's not working well because our squad is utter shite. It wouldn't work any better if we were playing this apparent perfect blend of attacking and defensive football that Gary Neville is advocating for though Man City could have scored more, but they haven't. We're still in it and haven't looked like collapsing yet. As I said already there are differences between trying to do something productive when you get the ball and going gung-ho. Its the players I am blaming btw not Rafa Ah right, aye we've been really, really bad on the ball like.

Fucking pathetic from Gayle like. Fucking hell man. I'd have sent the cunt off.

It's not working well because our squad is utter shite. It wouldn't work any better if we were playing this apparent perfect blend of attacking and defensive football that Gary Neville is advocating for though Man City could have scored more, but they haven't. We're still in it and haven't looked like collapsing yet.

Lucky. Diame needs to come off like, pointless playing like this with someone who gives the ball away as cheaply as he does as consistently as he does.

De Bruyne just knowing exactly what to do and knowing it was going to work for that 1-2 was disturbing to watch like