Lush Vlad

Fell short again, as expected. But this has been far from the usual Etihad capitulation. We’ve been pretty good between the boxes. But never really looked like scoring. Just a shame we were so soft for their goals and we somehow let O’Reily turn into prime Rivaldo against us. Other than that. No complaints. We were far better than most of our aways this season. That was an even game.

My God we can’t defend

He literally has one of the worst save percentages in the league and he is glued to his line. Just because Pope is finished. Does not mean the even worse Ramsdale is the answer.

Pope as shit as ever. Defending even worse. Not sure why we bother even turning up at the Etihad. May as well forfeit the game 3-0 and save everyone the hassle.

We’ll shit em.

They had players missing. But it was more than relatively comfortable. It was a piece of piss. Especially as most were expecting a hard game. They barely had a chance in 90 minutes. Even Benfica and Bilbao had their moments.

“I love cottage pie.” All pies, really. The fat boated mess.

Perfect game for him to start.

I think it is a bit harsh to single out the two easier one on ones that he missed. When he scored two harder chances. Especially when I would still say Barnes is the best finisher at the club. But even he missed two quality chances. Along with another where if it were at his favourite end, the Gallowgate. He would have buried it. Their keeper played well and we were actually a bit wasteful with our finishing. Almost like the players were shocked and surprised with all the time and space and yet ANOTHER chance being presented on a plate

I think there are plenty of things you can criticise Gordon for over the last 18 months or so. Scoring 4 goals and taking a penalty, when he is the designated penalty taker. Are not some of them. Find the whole debate around it a bit odd. Yes he could have offered Woltemade the ball. But I don’t think Trippier should have made such a song and dance about it and been the one insisting he hands the ball over. It was all a bit needless. By all means have a quiet word. But making it so public and obvious and hounding Gordon not long before he takes the pen?! That’s piss poor from our captain IMO. Although we might have stumbled on something playing him up top. I’m far from a big fan of his and he has infuriated me no end for a long while. But it looks like some people will use any reason they can to have a dig at him.

Said this after Villa in the match thread and it looked even more apparent last night. Off the ball when defending, he definitely slots in as the left centre mid. I think we drop into a 4-5-1 and he plays left of the 5. Or if we are pressing at the time, it is usually from more of a 4-4-2 and I noticed Willcok further forward a few times. TBH, I think he spent plenty of time as that left 8 and it was the same against Villa. The same comments about our attacking players and midfield in general since PSG. They all look a lot more fluid and not seemingly playing in imaginary lanes like we often saw in the more traditional Howe 4-3-3. No idea if it has been a clear instruction from Howe. But they seem to be playing with more freedom, even against better sides like PSG and Liverpool (first half).

Didn't he make a top save with his left, landing heavily on his left shoulder again, saving a penalty *checks notes* less than a month ago against PSG?

I admire how passionate they both are TBH. Fletch gets excited by EVERYTHING and always shouts for goals. McCoist just loves the game and everything is tremendous, it really is. But they do waffle on at times. Fletch must be paid by the word.

He still has a bit of work to do defensively. But I don't think it is hyperbole to suggest he is world class in possession. The ball is glued to his foot when he's dribbling past players.

I think we will give them more of a game than usual at the Etihad. They've been much improved of late, but still seem to have their second half slump and they are always wide open at the back whenever I watch them. Probably still lose 3-1. But with the way the last 3 games have gone and the positivity that has been generated. I don't think it would be the end of the world. As long as the performance is still decent enough. If we don't concede early, avoidable, shit goals like the cup game. Then who knows.

100%. Not very glamorous or European, though. City in the semis? May as well play them 7 times this season

Yes and no. Barca are not the Barca of old and I think we match up well against their style. They’ve just lost to Girona and were hammered 4-0 by Atletico in the cup the other week. They can be got at, for sure. Would need to go away with a lead to have any chance. But I’d feel the same with Chelsea. Especially playing them away twice in 4 days or whatever it would be.

Tah. Chelsea would be awful. 3 games in a row over a week against those cunts

Is it still Chelsea or Barca or does the PSG result have any bearing on who we play? Is it just a draw where we play one or the other? Did a bit of scrolling this morning and can’t see anything where it states it clearly. Stupid fucking format

Burn and Joelinton needed to do similar. Although we’d have no available CB’s next week if Burn had got booked too.

Decided he wanted to save his legs and get his ban out the way

So is his iron man streak of games will come to an end next week with the ban. Assuming he starts on Saturday. Is that 38 starts in a row over 5 months?!