We were hard done by with the Mane non-decision, but just want to say that had the forwards done their job, Mo in particular who was wasteful, we would have been a couple ahead.
When we don’t do our job and leave it up to officials, it’s a guessing game as to whether or not we get anything, and usually we don’t, as there is a bias, intentional or unintentional, that favours the underdog. It’s not right, but we should focus on what we can improve.
I’m gutted by the dropped points with draws against lower teams, but as Jurgen said, some draws are better than others. We created chances against Newcastle and it was much better than West Brom, even though we still only came away with a solitary point.
Onwards and upwards. It’s a season of attrition. We are still top.
Just our usual problems of not being able to accelerate the game and playing too many long balls ignoring our men between the line (Jones and Firmino). We played at the same boring pace all match and I found it difficult to stay awake.
Changing the pace I would agree with. I’d also add we for me, we don’t attack the right spaces but I’m not our manager so it’s difficult to know what he saw was wrong unless it wasnlidingly obvious. To me it wasn’t other than some poor finishing.
I agree our major problem was finishing followed by not getting onto the end of crosses (which again is a recurring problem).
Pace of the game isn’t a major problem if you create and finish chances we certainly created enough.
When Thiago came on he made about 3 really great axial passes (played vertical balls) that got me excited/woke me up a bit. The diagonal ball he played that everyone is going on about was meh! for me nothing Fabs, TAA, Robbo or Henderson (and when playing VVD, Matip or Rhys) don’t do better as their diagonals are a lot easier to controll (TAA took 3 touches to control Thiado’s which I am sure all and sundry will blame on TAA but it was the pass that was difficult to control (we see TAA taking down balls every game).
Hendo had a poor game for his standards that hurt a bit, lots of bits add up and that didn’t help (other bits included Jones, TAA and Salah).
As I keep saying I’m in patient mode and refuse to blame anyone individually (not even Gini).
Absolutely. The season is so screwed up and lord knows what mental toll these guys are going through with the constant testing, moving from one place to another and playing in empty stadiums etc. Stress levels are probably quite high.
If someone had offered us this position at the start of the season I’d probably have taken it. Even more so had they said we’d lose 3 centre halves for most of the season, along with a host of other players.
I am a healthcare worker, doing Covid swabs as an essential part of my work.
Its constantly in my mind that I could get infected and bring it home to my family. And a fair degree of mental toll is a reality for me and thousands like me. Whilst on fuck all money compared with professional footballers. So its not fine for me to be honest. I have had numerous uncomfortable and stress inducing virus tests as part of my job.
I would swap with a footballer any time.
Most in your position probably would. I wouldn’t and wont argue that but don’t for one minute think that these guys aren’t feeling any concern related to this. Man City players aside that is.
By the way earnings have never been an instant cure for stress. I’d personally leave my job tomorrow and pack tea bags if it paid the mortgage.
