Tiresias

Picking on Everton feels a bit mean really, like the ugly nerdy kid in the classroom who'd probably be doing better if his parents could afford the textbooks

1000!

Suspect he's one of those, was great in two tv games, some idiot buys him and he's rubbish player who does well once or twice a season. So yes kinda expect us to try and buy him

I think he probably needs a run in a first team if anything is going to get him straightened out. We're not likely to give him that I would have thought.

Isn't that Sam from Lord of the Rings?

It has to hurt the young players at Man U to see Scholes back playing in FA cup etc where they'd usually get a chance. Wouldn't be too shocked to see a house clearing if they're not good enough. p.s. ok yes trying to tick the thread over to 1000 pages I admit it

I dunno, there seems very little talk of anyone buying him, and if he was wanting to go I'd imagine his agent would be running around and clubs would have been linked by now...

Maybe Cabaye can take him under his wing...Or he'll fall in with Ranger... I'd say no, unless he really is very very good. Too many players like this never work hard enough to actually apply their talent though, and we seem to have such a good ethic that wouldn't want it disrupted.

I dunno could be a gamble worth taking though, could get a wunderkid on the cheap...

I dunno, is it worth the hassle if he isn't reforming? Don't think he can be as good as they once claimed if they're selling him.

Not as though they were aware of such exotic flavours as 'strawberry' anyway

Without Ba we could be held to a draw, but shouldn't concede unless we're careless. Should win.

Thing is I would agree with you, if City were playing like the best side in the league, then absolutely they should have taken 1-0. But they weren't, and what if they are playing like they did in that 3-0 victory over Liverpool by the time the second leg comes around? City were awful, and Liverpool were overawed.

Football isn't a binary thing, I understand they would be more vulnerable to a counter attack, but their linking play between defence and attack was poor all game. It is possible to find a lot of degrees between shutting up shop and recklessly attacking, they are not the only options, otherwise football would be a very very boring sport. Liverpool have won the battle but have left themselves open to losing the war, when they had possibly the best opportunity they're ever likely to get to put the tie to bed.

They were nullified, but have to hope Silva won't be back for the second leg and doesn't score 2 goals. I wouldn't bet too much against it. They had their chance against an out of sorts city to twist the knife and didn't, I think it's a risky plan.

No, if I was in hindsight would be me saying oh they were right to sit back so deep when i was thinking it would backfire on them during the game. Changing my mind afterwards because it didn't would be 'in hindsight'. Ultimately City didn't carry much threat, and I will conceed as such that Dagliesh got it right, but I think he was reasonably lucky to do so, as usually city will have a goal in them. I think they could have piled on the pressure but didn't seem to have the will or ability to do so. I think they won boring, without a great margin for a second leg which could have a strengthened city.

There is a MASSIVE GAP between having no attacking intent whatsoever and being Gung-Ho. A gap all of football tactics wide.

Like when we went 1-0 against Man U and then stopped attacking? Oh wait... See your point but generally not a fan of trying to defend for over 45mins deep. Sure be defensive, but just packing the backline? I think there needs to always be an outlet.

City looked rubbish, Liverpool looked worse but got a penalty and just defended from then on, pathetic attitude though.

Does Dagliesh realise this is 2 legs and that a 1-0 lead on city isn't actually that much? Jesus christ can't stand teams happy with 1-0, 6-3-1 formation...rubbish.

This game is absolutely rubbish, City seem not to care that much and out of sorts, liverpool...are just liverpool and are only ever convincing for 10 minutes of a game.

He wasn't doing anything but looking for a red card at some point, wise from Mancini.

Balotelli is having a shocker so far

City with no Yaya Toure lack rhythm, still can't see City not scoring.

Mancini plays a bit dumb for the media, minimum possible.