CITY XI: Ortega, Lewis, Khusanov, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Savinho, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Carson, Kovacic, Grealish, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Reis, Nunes, Foden, McAtee
Eddie not fit and a few other changes.
No o'reilly on the bench...
I still think Grealish can do a job in the centre, more energy than Gundog (legend that he is)
Think Jack will be up the road in the summer
Ortega standing at the bar having a pint ffs
Other than a great strike from Omar, it would have been another very mediocre half from City. We just do not look anything like the old City.
We should be behind
Woeful
Thursday night Channel 5 here we come
No skill, no fight, not even basic passing. We are not fit for the Europa Conference league lately. They talk about five Premier League teams being in the Champions League next season but the quality of football played by City, Forest, Brighton, Newcastle and Chelsea tells you that it's laughable.
Decent in spells today, but short spells. Too often second to the loose ball.
Could have won, but equally could have lost.
Onwards and hopefully upwards, but we need skip ups from other teams to get into the CL again next season.
What is the point of such a poor team being in it? We wouldn't escape the group stages playing like that.
Gundo has been great but it just hasn't worked bringing him back. He shouldn't be playing. He's not even a shadow of what he was.
It's the central midfield that's the issue.
Can't hold the ball, won't track runners.
Won't run in behind, or move into space to receive.
A draw was fair, we both missed massive chances.
Same comments each week. We're miles off it this season. We'll be very fortunate to make top 4. Major changes needed in the summer.
Dioga Costa is one of the GK names we're after this summer.
He's just had a perfect match
23/33 passes
2/2 saves
7 recoveries
Match rating 8.5
Porto won 2-0
I thought we were great for Keepers last summer but I hope we do buy one this summer. Both have been disappointing this season.
I think we should have lost today. I also thought we got away with one when Brighton scored and it was disallowed. I have seen those types of goals given. We were lucky today.
Brighton were the better side , no doubt
KDB and Foden don't look interested at all
Quote from: Stephen Paul on March 16, 2025, 04:04:21KDB and Foden don't look interested at all
Foden is a mystery but for KDB and others where their contract is up in the summer. Why would you give it your all? Risk anninjury and miss out on the next big contract?
I believe it's a major mistake to allow players who want to continue playing but aren't going to be offered a new contract to be relied upon in their final year. Why would they put their body on the line? They should have been sold last summer.
Really poor squad planning.
I can't believe there isn't a young CM who we can at least give 10 to 15 at the end of the game
Quote from: Swiss on March 16, 2025, 10:06:53I can't believe there isn't a young CM who we can at least give 10 to 15 at the end of the game
Well there are TBH. Mcatee and O'Reilly But seems the decision is not to give them a go. Perplexing given we're aren't doing well with the establishment.
KDB looked committed when he came on. I believe that they all are, whether they are still capable at the top level is another matter. Gundo looks to have gone, Bernard also looks like he might have gone over the hill. Maybe KDB has too but I was hoping for him to come on sooner yesterday, I reckon he will hit some killer passes for us yet.
The issue is that too many have gone or are going at the same time. The replacements need time. Marmoush was the one bright spot in an otherwise fire day yesterday though. We could do with Phil finding form too. And Jack finding fitness and form. The wingers need to find end product, both look the part when going at defenders but then all too often don't find the final ball or finish.
At the back, I despair of some of our calamitous defending this season. Obviously, the injuries have taken their toll but we seem very accident prone and incredibly easy to break down.
Part of the reason for calamity defending is the middle not tracking runners; bloody annoying