Lush Vlad

Harry Kane's development and loans have no relation to Anderson's. The same way Mini Longstaff's is also irrelevant. Not really comparable for either. Longstaff actually played pretty well in quite a few games. Then supposedly had a fall out with Bruce and was frozen out of the squad. Bar some unwinnable fixtures, then out in the cold again. We've not seen him at this level, or even in cup games or anything to make that judgement call yet. When you consider how dismal and much of a muchness our attacking options are outside of ASM. Is it really so terrible to imagine Anderson getting a chance to shine? I think I'll take Howe's judgement on him and his development and readiness. Doesn't sound like he thinks it's "Far better to pack him off to a Championship side."

I would take a draw, as they always seem like such a well drilled team and see a lot of the ball. However, I'm pretty sure last season, their home form was actually pretty poor. Can't say I watch them enough to know why that might be. Maybe teams can sit in and frustrate them and the home support, play in the counter, I don't know. We are certainly a lot better matched with them now Howe is here. This would be a 2-0/3-0 job under Bruce.

Certainly contributing a lot more than just running up and down. Seems to be heavily involved with our build up play, has more licence to roam inside and he is making decent runs in behind regularly. His work rate seems infectious and seems to now suit how we are trying to play. Still absolutely infuriating any time he gets near the box or goal. Rarely wants to go by his man and often cuts back and lays it off. He also had two chances to just swing a right at it from close range. One time he throws a stepover, so he can cut back from the six yard box the other he cut inside into about 2-3 Forest players and I think ended up losing it. I know a lot of pro's are guilty of this when it is on their weaker foot. But with him, it seems even worse than usual.

It's like the game is a lot slower in his head than it is for everyone else. It was genuinely like he was having a kick about with his mates, just casually taking the piss and flicking the ball over players heads. Like the video where Messi keeps flicking the ball over his dog Absolutely savage. I'm all for it.

He deserves a 7 for the flicks alone! Not that often in a game at the highest level. You see someone casually playing the game, like he's fucking about in the back garden with his kids and his dog.

Anyway, on the game. I thought Forest were utter shite, like embarrassingly bad. But then bar some sloppy play in the final third, we were brilliant from start to finish. So how much of their awfulness was due to our high energy and press? And how much of it was due to them having Jack Colback, Sam Surridge and plenty of other Championship level players starting in the Premier League? As usual, it's probably somewhere in the middle. But Hope has gone for the edgy take and gave out a load of L'Equipe style player ratings.

I don't mind Craig Hope and at least he had the bollocks to call out Bruce on his general shitness. But I have often found his takes to be very glass half empty and negative. Just needlessly pessimistic or a bit contrarian, seemingly for the sake of it. It's like he goes against the grain for clicks and publicity. I know it's the sports pages, so it's different. But it does kind of make sense when you look at the paper he writes for.

He was commenting on the hosepipe ban and the ground being hard

Yep. Enjoyed the opening games I’ve seen so far and been buzzing for the prem being back. Then you see the champions, playing the team that finished 7th last year off the park. It’s like an FA Cup game against a League Two side. Hoping I’m wrong and I know it is only one game. But feels like the gulf between City and the rest of the league is going to E be even greater this season.

I always thought he played centrally. But played most of his games off the left for Bristol, didn’t he? Be good if he could cover a few positions and he’d be a potential wildcard. We know what we have with a lot of our other back up options for CM and out wide. Most aren’t really good enough.

Was always the worry for Arsenal fans. Well, the ones being realistic. Often looked suspect defensively for City. And that was playing for the most dominant, possession based team in the country/world. Andersen just casually pinging it about like a prime Xabi Alonso.

Problem with Owen was, he never wanted to join us or be here. Depending which tale of his you want to listen to, of course. Certainly didn’t pass the eye test.

Worse than Tyler? I’m not having that like. His OTT analogies and descriptions are a bit tiresome, mind. But at least he sounds like he wants to be there. Tyler has been phoning it in for years.

Yep. Went with some mates from football when I was 17 to watch them. Loved them for years after that. Saw Ronaldinho live FFS. They became like a second team. But they’ve become more and more like Real Madrid the last 4-5 years or so and I’m not particularly keen on them these days.

Looks and acts like an absolute helmet and all. Would defo be on Love Island and promoting club nights in Essex, if he wasn’t a pro-footballer.

Agreed. They have lost Richarlison, DCL sounds like he's crocked for a month or so again. He'll miss plenty of games again, I'd have thought. They've signed McNeill and Tarkowski. Hardly seem like players who are going to transform them from last season's shit show. I think they'll be in a relegation crap again and will be close to the bottom 3. Possibly even in it.

Just to contradict myself massively. I’ve been saying for a while it might be that we go after a player that can play wide forward or in the 9. So from that point of view, I’m on board.

Aye. If we are generally interested. Then maybe a change in scenery and being more like the main man again would help him. Does look like a rabbit in the headlights playing for them.

Could play wide, I suppose. Just thought he’s looked dreadful whenever I have seen him for Chelsea. Some awful misses and his touch is often horrendous. If Howe wants him and has a plan for him. Then that’s fine by me. Even though I don’t rate him.

He’s played up front on his own for Chelsea when I’ve seen him a few times. Always looked terrible. Read a piece about how he massively outperformed his xG for a season or two and went through how he is often a bad finisher. He’d be another body and a better option than Wood. But don’t think he is the type of striker we need.

Werner can’t play up top on his own, can he? Seems like a bit of a pointless signing if we are going to continue with the 4-3-3. Rather we went after a lesser known and lower profile player. If they could play as a lone front man.

Very promising first half, maybe even hour or so. Some of the moves we put together were the best football I’ve seen us play since probably the 5th placed season. Where we had a few games where we looked unplayable using the 4-3-3. I thought Athletic were a decent outfit and once they started making subs. We understandably looked a bit leggy and they really should have scored again. Botman looks really assured. Wilson looked fantastic at times. But then just totally disappeared out of the game. Willock was the same. I know it was a mixed lineup yesterday. But we really do need another attacking option or two.

Warm bottles of Coors are what everyone wants, obviously. Went from drinking in the Town Wall to that yesterday. Was like when we went from Benitez to Bruce. Depressing stuff.

Ahh. Wish I had waited for them to open up now. I'm right up in L7, but on the halfway line, which isn't the best view in my experience. Much prefer the corner. Pleased it is a decent crowd, though.

Just to add, I was impressed with Bondwell. He looked decent on the ball, pretty quick and fairly assured at both ends of the pitch. Willock and Murphy both looked rapid, but the quality was perhaps a bit lacking at times.