City v Southampton live

In fact, Soyunchu coming in would be a consequence of Fofana going out rather than any direct comparison.

A more apt comparison, for me, would be between Justin and Fofana and their development since being throw in at a deep end, mainly due to injuries

I didn’t think Fofana was quite as bad as people are saying last night and Rodgers has said before he’s asked him to defend forwards. On a yellow with Southampton targeting him. He’s only 19 and will be learning a lot, but also opposition teams are going to target him over Evans so there is more going on for him to contend with. His forward pressing created a good chance last night.

It’ll come, he’s looked good when he has had to play the disciplined central position in a back 3 and less so when he’s been on the left side as well. It’s telling how much improved he looked the last time we played back 5 they switched him into the central position and moved Evans into the wider position or when Evans was out and he was out only centre back. So it’s there but down to the coaches to get the right balancing act.

I think as he learns it will be great we have 2 centre backs who naturally play left and right sides in Fofana and Soyuncu. I wouldn’t sell if we can build them into a pairing as that in a year or 2 could be one of the best pairings in the game. Pace, passing, aggression, aerial presence. Great credit to Evans who seamlessly moves between left hand side when Fofana is playing and right with Soyuncu - what a baller.

Anyone else think Castagne looks leggy though? Think he’s going to take some time to get back to match fitness.

Cupcake - I think several players struggled with the pitch yesterday, including the two full backs. Fofana wasn’t all bad by any means, but I don’t believe we would have finished with both a clean sheet and 11 men on the pitch if Rodgers hadn’t made that sub. He was an accident waiting to happen.

On the significant bright side, we found a way to win against a tough opponent (albeit depleted), and Maddison and Barnes both found the scoresheet again - the two players we need more threat from.

I personally don’t think Fofana played ‘bad’ at all, last night.

Think Castagne was a bit rusty at times but I think his stamina is excellent and, looking at him - and I don’t know why, it always surprises me how quick he is

Ps - Thought Maddison was pretty poor but don’t care if he scores in those matches. Think it’s 7 goals and 3 assists in 15 starts for him - think he’s definitely trying to work hard on improving his defining contributions in matches

I thought Southampton mad a point of leaping on Maddison whenever the ball went to him. He struggled because he always had two men on him.

Agree Dungeon was right to sub just think the accident wouldn’t necessarily have been his fault. His yellow was the right thing to do at the time.

Perhaps I’m reading to much into Castagne, could be positional as well that he’s playing deeper to allow Fofana to press or Albrighton playing wider than Perez is in the space he’d normally run in to.

Rodgers said Maddison is carrying a niggle like Vardy, I think it’s telling in his performance, he doesn’t seem to close as quickly as he has done previously. But agree when his output is like it is I don’t care.

Happy days!

Ironic really, we spend nearly half a Season with injuries, especially in defence, players stepped up and now we want to sell one of the best prospects anywhere.

Can't make it up really.

Not anywhere. I wouldn’t sell him to Spurs.

Well, Man City looking like our biggest challenge for the title.

Hopefully they stutter again soon.

Seriously though, lose a couple of games and we could be 9th!!! The league is so tight.