Starting Eleven:
Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Silva (C), Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero
Bench 7:
Hart, Zabaleta, Fernando, Navas, Delph, Otamendi, Iheanacho
Well that has established who is the boss and only boss.
Silva Captain!
See Negredo scored on his debut for Boro
Team selection certainly adds support to strong rumours Hart on way out and Ter Stegen 'already signed' just not announced yet.
Quote from: Gareth on August 13, 2016, 16:42:49
See Negredo scored on his debut for Boro
Did a goater and scored with his shoulder!
No Yaya for the squad either, maybe Joe's just a bit fat.
Caballero | Clichy, Kolarov, Stones, Sagna | Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne | Nolito, Agüero, Sterling
Substitutes from: Hart, Zabaleta, Fernando, Navas, Delph, Otamendi, Iheanacho
Kolarov starts in the centre
Bloody hell, wasn't expecting that!
Nolito---Aguero---Sterling
KDB---Dinho---Silva
Clichy--Kolarov-Stones--Sagna
----------Caballero-----
was in paper about hart last night
well done pep
😴
?
biggest paddy fuck up since paddy stevie put a dvd in the toaster
Got the points in the end but work needed
There were some very curious selections. Whatever you say about Hart, I have few doubts that he is better than Caballero even though he has shown powder puff hands in his last few matches. Nonetheless apart from a couple of dodgy passes Willy did the job today. Hart might have saved the goal but might not, I do think he's better in those situations than Willy.
Still not convinced that playing Kolarov at centre half is a good plan either but again it didn't do us much harm today really.
I thought Yaya would make the bench at least.
It is clear we are going to absolutely dominate most teams in possession as we did today. But similar to last season the conundrum is going to be how to break down the massed ranks in defence not just keeping possession. We didn't create a whole host of chances but we did seem to have a few more plans of what to do. I'd have given man of the match to Sterling who looked much better on his right wing, won the penalty and created a couple of other chances. But then Navas created the winner from that side too.
Not a great game but a great three points. We have to give it time.
Nice of a rag to score the winner for us.
We made very hard work of a poor team. Silva and KDB were not themselves.
Hope Toure gets the hint and does the right thing.
We know Joe may have been looked to be replaced in the past, his nationality has saved him.
It is clear Pep will do it his way. When Gundogan is fit, will Dinho be the other CB?
Its the first game and a wake up call for some players. Adapt to the system, buy into it or you wont be picked.
give it a few weeks and it will all click into motion
im not arsed about hart and if pep wants his sort of goaly then thats the way it is..
like gav said..nice to see a rag score for us :)
Quote from: Neil Mcnab on August 13, 2016, 21:22:45
We made very hard work of a poor team. Silva and KDB were not themselves.
.
they were like a ropey stars in their eyes version of xavi and iniesta
Quote from: lee on August 13, 2016, 21:34:13
im not arsed about hart and if pep wants his sort of goaly then thats the way it is..
hart should have had a go at passing after training instead of whoring himself out for shit shampoo
know nowt about ter stegen but willing to bet brendas pension he can pass the ball to a team mate
Far from perfect but I don't expect us to be playing the way Pep wants us to until xmas. I was REALLY happy with the game today though. So may positives for me though. Different tactics, Clichey and Sanga in midfield!!! Brilliant! Strange subs but they worked! Possession at 77%!! Kolorav best game for City, Sterling, best game for City. Stones looked so composed. Just wait till Silva, De Bruyne and Aguero all click. Loved it, can't wait for what's in store.
The reality is: nothing has changed. City had the majority of possession and did not make the Sunderland keeper sweat. The game was tedious and none eventful: I am disappointed.
Anybody expecting a complete change after 4 preseason games and today's game is a bit daft.
:D
gundy and sane to come in too
There was quite a bit of change actually, especially in the midfield department. There was lots of movement, pass and go, triangles, closing down and a fight about the team that hasn't been there for 3 seasons!
Ok, not everything came off and the tempo wasn't as fast as we would like... but the signs are there that it's starting to come together nicely.
I found it interesting the differences in style.
Interesting game I thought.
Moyes did well setting up the team like he did, he always made it difficult for us at Everton
My MOTM was erm Kolorov, :o what a great display, this lad has many talents, Stones and Sterling next
Like Lee Im not bothered whether we get rid of Hart, his game has too many weaknesses.
Now awaiting the Yaya moaning newspaper articles ::)
I think Pep will have our team very well oiled by about November. They need time to get used to this new way, thought Silva looked comfortable in this deeper position also.
Had a headache from trying to keep up with the formation changes.
Thank goodness the players were keeping up ;)
Made for entertaining watch, be good to see Pep eradicate the easing off after being 1 up.
Quote from: Swiss on August 14, 2016, 01:12:06
There was quite a bit of change actually, especially in the midfield department. There was lots of movement, pass and go, triangles, closing down and a fight about the team that hasn't been there for 3 seasons!
Ok, not everything came off and the tempo wasn't as fast as we would like... but the signs are there that it's starting to come together nicely.
I found it interesting the differences in style.
Agree with this, the different tactical approach was intriguing to watch, for example using the full backs to tuck into midfield and add defensive depth to that area and utilising Silva as a more orthodox central midfielder rather than as a no.10. This last one didn't work quite as well because I thought we lost some creativity as KdB who was playing as the no.10 looked sluggish, as did Aguero.
Kolarov and Sterling were both excellent and I was pleased for them as they both have had a lot of stick in recent months. There was always going to be a bit of a transitional phase getting used to the new system so I was happy enough just to get the 3pts.
That shape and style of play is going to take a bit of time to adapt to and a lot of hard work from the fullbacks to make it successful.
Plus points; Stones looked assured for the most part, Sterling looked more confident and Kolarov didn't look a complete tool.
Minus points; Nolito didn't get into the game at all, we went a bit sideways too often and Kolarov still has no right foot.