Man City 3-1 Saints - Reaction

[Morse]

very much so. Look at from the managers point of view your players have just taken the worst drubbing in PL history, their confidence is shot, and your next opponents are Man ****ing City, away....twice. You find out they've made 10 changes for the game, your relief is short lived when you see their entire second 11 is superior to any player you have at your disposal are you really going to send your players out to try an go toe to toe with them or are you going to try an avoid another huge battering?

 

It wasn't a great performance but we scored a goal, kept the score respectable and maybe gained a little confidence in a game that, lets face it, most of would have down as a loss when the draw was made.

 

Aguero for o e will be surprised hes in the second XI

[MarkSFC]

Having been at the match I ha e two main thoughts. Phew. And Ok.

Phew because it wasnt a pounding and Ok then because in he last 20/25 minutes there was some good play and it looked like the confidence was returning.

Obviously we can do much better but confidence is a fickle b****** so to see some good possession and some chances, and of course a goal, will hopefully give the group a lift for training his week and even a better result Saturday.

They were clearly nervous first half and thsta little bit understandable but hot away with it. 2nd half they came out with what seemed a different attitude.

[Reinhard]

We drew the second half one all!!

 

Not much of a consolation I know and man city had their foot off the gas and had their reserves playing ...

 

I do not think MC had their foot off the gas in second half. Their players were not so familiar with each other. So, in 2nd half, when our confidence rose, one could see that MC was not so good. I didn't have the impression that MC with their playing team could give much more in second half.

[Micky]

Just got back, quite surprised by some of the comments on here. They are the current champions and streets ahead of us, and our confidence had been shot to shyte. There was only ever going to be one outcome, but for us it was all about restoring a bit of confidence. They were all over us first half, but we did work hard and try to keep our shape. That said, you still have to ask how Aguero is allowed to stand totally unmarked in the middle of the 6 yard box for their second.

First half, we didn't get a kick, but we did have a better period in the second and it looked like a little confidence was restored. Don't tend to agree with those saying that City let up, thought they played high intensity throughout. In fact, they play everything fast, especially corners where we were slow to pick up on numerous occasions. PEH did well at left back, as did Romeo and Armstrong in the middle, Danso looked ok, decent long throw as well. Given what happened on Friday, thought Valery coped particularly well given that his confidence will have taken a real battering. Oh, keep Alex in goal, makes saves, looks confident.

As I said, I don't know what some people on here were expecting, but I went tonight fully expecting us to lose. Given the resources we have, compared to their riches it's always a tough ask to get anything there. Yes, they made changes, but please, do me a favour, look at that team, most of them would get into most prem teams without too much bother, they have quality all over the field.

Fans were good too, lots of good natured chants (it's only one nil, how **** are you.., we've got the ball.., ole's), gave the players a good hand at the end. As I said, never expected to get anything, but the players should at least take a little confidence out of it.

 

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[Noodles34]

Just got back, quite surprised by some of the comments on here. They are the current champions and streets ahead of us, and our confidence had been shot to shyte. There was only ever going to be one outcome, but for us it was all about restoring a bit of confidence. They were all over us first half, but we did work hard and try to keep our shape. That said, you still have to ask how Aguero is allowed to stand totally unmarked in the middle of the 6 yard box for their second.

First half, we didn't get a kick, but we did have a better period in the second and it looked like a little confidence was restored. Don't tend to agree with those saying that City let up, thought they played high intensity throughout. In fact, they play everything fast, especially corners where we were slow to pick up on numerous occasions. PEH did well at left back, as did Romeo and Armstrong in the middle, Danso looked ok, decent long throw as well. Given what happened on Friday, thought Valery coped particularly well given that his confidence will have taken a real battering. Oh, keep Alex in goal, makes saves, looks confident.

As I said, I don't know what some people on here were expecting, but I went tonight fully expecting us to lose. Given the resources we have, compared to their riches it's always a tough ask to get anything there. Yes, they made changes, but please, do me a favour, look at that team, most of them would get into most prem teams without too much bother, they have quality all over the field.

Fans were good too, lots of good natured chants (it's only one nil, how **** are you.., we've got the ball.., ole's), gave the players a good hand at the end. As I said, never expected to get anything, but the players should at least take a little confidence out of it.

 

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some embarrassing cringeworthy songs from our support tonight.

“we got the ball, we got the ball....” FFS.

[Pilchards]

some embarrassing cringeworthy songs from our support tonight.

“we got the ball, we got the ball....” FFS.

 

They could hardly sing ‘Were by far the greatest team....’

 

Our team is so ****e at the moment that you have to take the mickey out of yourselves as it’s embarrassing watching us.

[doddisalegend]

Disappointingly though not unexpectedly none of the fringe players, bar McCarthy, last night, did anything to really stake a place in the team.

 

At the back Stephens and Danso look just as hopeless as Yoshida and Vest.

 

Armstrong seemed to be anonymous which just sums up our midfield really.

 

Long and Boufal didn't pull up any trees before coming off.

 

Just highlighted that we have so little quaility in our squad. How did we end up with five rubbish CBs and with only four, horribly one dimensional, Central midfield options with next to no engine or pace.

 

 

 

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[redkeith]

It was always going to be damage limitation after Friday, so I am not to disappointed in how it went, considering Silva, Aguero, Jesus and Mahrez were all playing.

 

The marking for the first goal was awful, Silva in 10 yards of space on the edge of the box. The 2nd was a great move, although someone left PEH 2 on 1 for the cross. The 3rd was just great reaction from Aguero.

 

 

As for our team.

 

McCarthy, made some good saves.

Vallary - Good recovery from his Friday mare.

PEH - Filled in well at LB, but would prefer a more attacking option against Everton.

Bednarek- A couple of great blocks

Stephens - Scored, and didn't make any howlers.

Danso - Looked good, apart from just pointing at Aguero for the 2nd

JWP- Took a couple of corners, but otherwise nothing, no marking, tackling or passing

Romeu - Solid , but needs to sort out his matking at set pieces.

Armstrong- Better than JWP

Boufal - Good run and shot when we got the ball , needs more games

Long, won a throw in, Otherwise he was offside, or not winning headers. Should only ever play if Adams, Ings, Obafemi and N'dulu are all injured.

[benjii]

Disappointingly though not unexpectedly none of the fringe players, bar McCarthy, last night, did anything to really stake a place in the team.

 

At the back Stephens and Danso look just as hopeless as Yoshida and Vest.

 

Armstrong seemed to be anonymous which just sums up our midfield really.

 

Long and Boufal didn't pull up any trees before coming off.

 

Just highlighted that we have so little quaility in our squad. How did we end up with five rubbish CBs and with only four, horribly one dimensional, Central midfield options with next to no engine or pace.

 

 

 

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Hiding to nothing for Long and Boufal though. Come in off the back of a 9-0 into a game where we have 4% possession.

 

Boufal needs to play against Everton.

[Wes Tender]

It was an encouraging display in many ways. It was batten down the hatches in the first half, but mostly effective at keeping the score down to a reasonable level, and then in the second half we at last showed a bit more conviction in closing them down further up the pitch, enabling us to prove more of a threat going forward and getting some supply to the front. Although naturally Man City had numerous chances to have scored more with the number of shots they had, we also had three or four chances which could have narrowed the gap in the scoreline. Had Stephens scuffed shot gone in, that might have made the end of the game a lot more interesting.

 

At least we can go into the league match on Saturday encouraged that if we apply ourselves we can do something similar again.

[John Boy Saint]

As I mentioned in the match thread, our confidence looked shot to bits which is no surprise. Some have asked why more of the nippers weren’t played, I guessing there is no point giving them a run out against such a potent force like City and getting their confidence shredded.

On the stream I had at the final whistle the camera was on Ralph for a while, he looked like he hadn’t slept since Friday!

[Micky]

Missed quote.

 

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[Micky]

some embarrassing cringeworthy songs from our support tonight.

“we got the ball, we got the ball....” FFS.

Again, nothing but gallows humour. When you're in the predicament we're are in, it's difficult to do anything other than laugh. Gotta keep your sense of humor and keep going.

 

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[austsaint]

Hiding to nothing for Long and Boufal though. Come in off the back of a 9-0 into a game where we have 4% possession.

 

Boufal needs to play against Everton.

 

Boufal really should start v Everton alongside players like Ings, Redmond and if fit, Djenpo. I don't trust Ralph to see it this way though.

[Baird of the land]

Disappointingly though not unexpectedly none of the fringe players, bar McCarthy, last night, did anything to really stake a place in the team.

 

At the back Stephens and Danso look just as hopeless as Yoshida and Vest.

 

Armstrong seemed to be anonymous which just sums up our midfield really.

 

Long and Boufal didn't pull up any trees before coming off.

 

Just highlighted that we have so little quaility in our squad. How did we end up with five rubbish CBs and with only four, horribly one dimensional, Central midfield options with next to no engine or pace.

 

 

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It's hard to look good when the manager instructs his team to sit on the edge of our own box and put no pressure on any of their players.

[angelman]

Utter gash.

 

+1

 

First half was utter utter dog crap. I think as bad as LCFC and lucky to be at 3-0.

 

The score flattered us, even if we did play better in the 2nd half. It would have been impossible to play any worse. It certainly wasn't a 3-1 game. More like 7-1.

[eelpie]

I thought Danso did well in the position he was playing. Whodathought?

 

I think Danso is a player well worth being in the squad.

[nta786]

what I don't understand is why our players need to be rested when we don't have any other European commitments- should have started what we will start this Saturday in the PL game

 

Players like Mane/Salah/Firmino amongst other PL players like De Bruyne and a whole host of European stars manage playing PL then CL.

 

Yet we had some urge to not play Redmond/Ings etc

 

As for yesterday, somewhat expected really- a shame that even City's reserves can keep the ball like that- the goals we conceded were poor as well why do we seem to leave top strikers unmarked.

 

Everton at home will be defining

[doddisalegend]

It's hard to look good when the manager instructs his team to sit on the edge of our own box and put no pressure on any of their players.

Well it should have been easier for the CBs to look good or at least competent in that system..

 

And while we didn't have the ball much, in the first half, when we didwe gave it away far to easily. The front two couldn't hold it up to bring others into play and get us out of our half, and the midfield where to sloppy with their passing and just kept giving the ball back to city.

 

I've seen plenty of teams play against us with 10 men behind the ball before punishing us with a clinical counter attack.

 

.

 

 

 

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[Charlie Wayman]

There is no good strategy for playing Man City these days. No matter who you are or what you try if you're not a top six club the chances are you're going to lose and lose badly. No point in trying to match them with front foot football as they are going to outplay you such is the quality of the players at their disposal. It's a conundrum for every manager and Hasenhüttl's approach was no worse or better than any other.

 

3-1 was not so bad bearing in mind the relatively poor quality of our players and the self inflicted catastrophe of Black Friday.

 

The obsession with Ward Prowse is beyond comprehension, no more than an inept spectator at most games you have to wonder what the hell is going on. All he seems good at is waving his arms around and pointing to other people to mark players that he should have tackled or stopped in the first place. Blimey it must be a very low bar to get into the first team these days; can't run, can't tackle, can't head the ball can't take a decent corner.... perfect qualities for becoming a Saints fixture. Dead Ball specialist my Rrse. Not surprisingly we don't see Southgate in this part of the world much.

[gordonToo]

The obsession with Ward Prowse is beyond comprehension

 

Southgate sussed him out years ago. He'd be top of my list to ship out in January.

[Baird of the land]

There is no good strategy for playing Man City these days. No matter who you are or what you try if you're not a top six club the chances are you're going to lose and lose badly. No point in trying to match them with front foot football as they are going to outplay you such is the quality of the players at their disposal. It's a conundrum for every manager and Hasenhüttl's approach was no worse or better than any other.

 

 

Get on the phone to Norwich & Wolves and tell them they should have dropped their trousers and let City have their way like we did.

[sadoldgit]

There is no good strategy for playing Man City these days. No matter who you are or what you try if you're not a top six club the chances are you're going to lose and lose badly. No point in trying to match them with front foot football as they are going to outplay you such is the quality of the players at their disposal. It's a conundrum for every manager and Hasenhüttl's approach was no worse or better than any other.

 

3-1 was not so bad bearing in mind the relatively poor quality of our players and the self inflicted catastrophe of Black Friday.

 

The obsession with Ward Prowse is beyond comprehension, no more than an inept spectator at most games you have to wonder what the hell is going on. All he seems good at is waving his arms around and pointing to other people to mark players that he should have tackled or stopped in the first place. Blimey it must be a very low bar to get into the first team these days; can't run, can't tackle, can't head the ball can't take a decent corner.... perfect qualities for becoming a Saints fixture. Dead Ball specialist my Rrse. Not surprisingly we don't see Southgate in this part of the world much.

 

It was crucial not to get another spanking last night. In that respect, job done.

[DuncanRG]

Well it should have been easier for the CBs to look good or at least competent in that system..

 

And while we didn't have the ball much, in the first half, when we didwe gave it away far to easily. The front two couldn't hold it up to bring others into play and get us out of our half, and the midfield where to sloppy with their passing and just kept giving the ball back to city.

 

I've seen plenty of teams play against us with 10 men behind the ball before punishing us with a clinical counter attack.

 

Which is exactly what we did at the Etihad under Pellegrino, and almost got away with a point. It's a fair tactic, especially when confidence is low, but last night we weren't good enough on the ball to relieve pressure when we got hold of it. The second half showed a slow building of confidence which strikes me as sensible.

[DT]

Southgate sussed him out years ago. He'd be top of my list to ship out in January.

 

He'll go somewhere with good coaches and shine

[tajjuk]

Man City 'reserves' is a bit harsh, I mean yeh no De Bruyne or Sterling, but still Aguero, Mahrez, B.Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Walker and Otamendi, those are all first team players and Foden is a pretty good 'reserve'.

 

I mean they brought on two subs that cost a combined £110 million......

[doddisalegend]

Get on the phone to Norwich & Wolves and tell them they should have dropped their trousers and let City have their way like we did.

Had either of those two sides just come out of a confidence smashing 9-0 home defeat though?

 

You can always find a freak result of two but Man City are ****ing machine not many teams beat them. Have you forgotten Hughes attempt at going toe-to-toe with them in a 4-4-2 last season? They put six past us without breaking a sweat.

 

It's perfectly alright to have a plan, like the one we used last night, against a team like city imo.

 

What last night showed, yet again, is that the players lack the quaility to see through even the simple plan of sit deep with men behind the ball and counter attack a tactic lots of sides have used successfully against us these last few seasons.

 

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[disconnect]

Thought Danso looked decent and Boufal barely had any chance with our very negative play, but on the one occasion he did get the ball in a dangerous position, did a couple of players and had a good shot which forced a great save. He's a dangerous player - we should be building our team with him and Redmond (and Djenepo when fit) and actually start attacking teams and making things happen. For too long we've been playing with letting teams attack us without showing much intent ourselves - we now have 3 players who are exciting to watch and should be playing these guys. Either way it looks like we're going to concede goals so might as well try to score some ourselves...!

[Shroppie]

After last Friday the entire club was in a very dark place. There was no way we were suddenly going to come out a revitalised team full of attacking flair. As others have said, the first priority was to avoid a repeat and put in a performance.

 

So, as far that goes, the first steps of recovery have been taken. Let's hope for a decent show on Saturday.

 

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[rooney]

I think Danso is a player well worth being in the squad.

 

All foreign players say they find it hard to adjust to the pace of the Premier League when they first come in. Danso has only had a few irregular games and I am sure he will improve given time.

[the saint in winchester]

Awful reaction from the drubbing the other night. The first 45 minutes especially was dire. We are a bad side, being badly coached. Sideways, backwards passing, no pace, no passion. We never remotely looked like we believed we could get a result there and Saturday will be much of the same.

 

Starting to think only DLT and I saw the game itself, thanks to a stream. Don't let the result kid you into thinking it was in any way close. It was a training ground match for City, a chance to give some fringe players a run about. As DLT says, we looked scared to death of them, and resorted to ball retention with sideways and backwards passing, just to get a little confidence. Saturday will indeed be much of the same. Even the commentator said he expected Saints to again defend fully in the first half to stay in the game and only start to play in the second. As others have said, our focus will soon be on Everton and Watford home games, where we need two wins.

[Roo1976]

Positives: McCarthy is much better than Gunn, he actually makes saves. Thought danso had something about him too. Hojberg did a ok job as fill in left back but i’d Rather him in midfield.

 

Negative

Ralph. Against man city reserves, the conclusion I came away with is that Ralph wanted to lose. That’s the only logic for sitting inside your box, not getting close to opposition etc. embarrassing in a different sort of way from Friday. I think a league one side would have been more ambitious.

 

Its going to be the same result saturday.just depends on whether or not Man city want to score for fun,we are still bang awful no spirit at all. City put out some reserve players for sure and we still

 

couldnt get anywhere near them. Tbh not looking forward to the next home game against an inconsistant everton,who unlike us on thier day could be very difficult to beat because we lack confidence.

 

Btw do we have another left back?...thought McQueen was good enough for the spot , or is he still injured?

[Sheaf Saint]

He'll go somewhere with good coaches and shine

 

I seriously doubt that. He just doesn't have the physical attributes required to be a top level player.

[Archangel]

Sam McQueen is still out injured.

[doddisalegend]

Starting to think only DLT and I saw the game itself, thanks to a stream. Don't let the result kid you into thinking it was in any way close. It was a training ground match for City, a chance to give some fringe players a run about. As DLT says, we looked scared to death of them, and resorted to ball retention with sideways and backwards passing, just to get a little confidence. Saturday will indeed be much of the same. Even the commentator said he expected Saints to again defend fully in the first half to stay in the game and only start to play in the second. As others have said, our focus will soon be on Everton and Watford home games, where we need two wins.

 

I haven't seen one person suggest that was the case.

[doddisalegend]

Its going to be the same result saturday.just depends on whether or not Man city want to score for fun,we are still bang awful no spirit at all. City put out some reserve players for sure and we still

 

couldnt get anywhere near them. Tbh not looking forward to the next home game against an inconsistant everton,who unlike us on thier day could be very difficult to beat because we lack confidence.

 

Btw do we have another left back?...thought McQueen was good enough for the spot , or is he still injured?

 

Did you see their reserve players? Their where a couple of promising youth players (who seemed several levels above our youth players) and then a load of players that would be first name on the team sheet at a lot of PL clubs. I mean reserve front line of Agüero, Marhez and Jesus is just ****ing ridiculous.

[spyinthesky]

Sam McQueen is still out injured.

 

And with no disrespect to Sam, who is a local lad, his injury was quite serious and until then he was hardly setting the Championship alight.

[Berkhamsted Saint]

Decent recruitment requires funding. That means the owner needs to make funds available.

 

We have spent lots of money. The trouble is we have spent it poorly and have little to show for it.

[SNSUN]

We have spent lots of money. The trouble is we have spent it poorly and have little to show for it.

 

I agree to a point. I actually think we had a half decent summer window in terms of attacking recruits. Granted we couldn't get out of the Ings signing but at least we didn't sign him and think our striking options were done. If you'd told me at the start of the window, including Ings, we'd spend 50 odd million and we'd sign an exciting African young talent and a high scoring Championship striker (I like being linked with the lower leagues talent) I'd have said, attacking wise, that would be a half decent window. What we didn't address is the glaring lack of quality further back aside from a panic signing almost after the window had shut.

 

We have far too many Centre Backs on the books, and not a really good one amongst them, brought a right back in that had previously been loaned out and played him as the young player trusted to play there has been found wanting, only have one left back that often doesn't seem to want to be here, and have only 3 central midfielders, with one defensive midfielder amongst them, with no discernable game changing talent.

 

Ok, Adams hasn't scored yet, but he will given game time. But I think the money we spent on attack was OK. The woeful disregard for the defensive positions is why we're in this mess, and why our attacking talent have so far struggled to shine.