Have to say I was quietly confident going into today’s game, which is a pretty uncomfortable feeling as a City fan, and one I would never have voiced for fear of “cursing" us.
The writing was on the wall in the first half of the same fixture this time last year though, before Bravo inexplicably offered them a lifeline - and having watched United several times this season (much more than I usually do) it’s pretty clear we have raised the bar to a level above where they are, the difference in our movement on and off the ball is blatently obvious if you watch each side individually a few times.
So for that reason I was quietly confident going into today’s game, obviously in a one off derby anything can happen, but I don’t think Mourinho had any real choice other than to set up as they did today, and in the end 1-2 more than flattered them.
3 points is 3 points, but you can’t put a price on what effect that game has had psychologically. For the coach and players, all the right noises were made post match about maintaining focus and taking each game as it comes, the body language of Pep and KDB was not quite as coy as the script they read however. For us? Still too early to be getting carried away just yet, but feck me for the time being I’m going to enjoy the ride! 14 wins in a row, incredible, but 14 crimbo dinners in a row without a derby loss? Now that’s the dream!
Quietly confident
posted on 10/12/17
City are a cut above us and everyone else in the league this year pains me to say. Best team won today. Second half was more even but first half was an absolute replica of last year. 1-1 flattered us massively at HT.
Theres definitely weak links to expose in your team but getting and keeping the ball is the hard bit. Your backline isn't convincing at all and I think a big side in Europe will have more joy. Our hopes of getting a win today vanished last weekend with Pogba's red card. He's been immense for us this season yet has missed 4 and a bit of all the top 6 clashes for us.
Well played blues. Worked harder than us too.
posted on 11/12/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 11/12/17
Stones has been a big big loss in terms of both our offensive and defensive play. Fortunately there aren’t many games between now and his return, with the next round of European fixtures even further down the line
posted on 11/12/17
Stones and Mendy make a huge difference to the way City play, sadly Vinny seems but a shadow of his former self. City defend from the front though so it isn't as exposed as it might be. The way the game played out though was as though both sets of players knew the last big chance for a tight race was over.
Some good news for England fans in that Belgium's best defender is past his best and neither striker can hit a cow's aaarse with a banjo at the moment.
posted on 11/12/17
City are ridiculous on the ball but I think teams give them way too much respect, Would be interesting to see Spurs go full throttle at them next week and press them right up the pitch and see how they get on.. Could be a blue print for getting points off them.
posted on 11/12/17
Can't talk about Pogba when your key man is Fellaini.
City didn't have Aguero, Mendy or Stones..
Jeez they had Delph in the backline who was tested more by a bounce of a ball than any Man U attacker.
posted on 11/12/17
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 1 hour ago
City are ridiculous on the ball but I think teams give them way too much respect, Would be interesting to see Spurs go full throttle at them next week and press them right up the pitch and see how they get on.. Could be a blue print for getting points off them.
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That’s where we miss Stones - up until his injury we were just knocking it about between the back five when teams pressed higher up, for long periods at times, before moving the ball up the pitch quickly to create an opportunity.
posted on 11/12/17
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860
Jeez they had Delph in the backline who was tested more by a bounce of a ball than any Man U attacker.
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posted on 11/12/17
comment by The Chavy One (U12176)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
City are ridiculous on the ball but I think teams give them way too much respect, Would be interesting to see Spurs go full throttle at them next week and press them right up the pitch and see how they get on.. Could be a blue print for getting points off them.
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Think we will play deeper against City, bit like we did against Liverpool and catch them on the break.
posted on 11/12/17
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860)
posted 44 minutes ago
Can't talk about Pogba when your key man is Fellaini.
City didn't have Aguero, Mendy or Stones..
Jeez they had Delph in the backline who was tested more by a bounce of a ball than any Man U attacker.
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Sorry, but you don't get to talk about our game when the dippers were mauled 5-0 by city.
Scouse baastard.