United 1 Man City 2 - report/ratings

[cahill]

seems a bit cliched to complain about the Ref but on this occasion it’s difficult not to. He seemed so besotted with City’s sheer wonderfullness he couldn’t see the wood for the trees. Hope Hecky asked about the Osula booking. I’ve yet to watch it back on TV, perhaps I’ll change my opinion. It was almost like he’d fulfilled a childhood dream when he gave the penalty.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

United 1 Fleetwood 2

United 0 Barnet 1.

 

[Slug]

Great report. I would give Hecky 8.5 though. I thought our tactics were perfect and the two things i'm marking him down for are not bringing McBurnie on earlier when the ball was not sticking at all with Osula (I would have brought him on at HT).
The second one is for not reacting when we got the equalizer - I would have brought Trusty on for Larouci and played JLT at LWB as it was always going to be an onslaught and Larouci had already show signs that he had a moment like that in him.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Gillett and Mike Dean. Open the plane doors well above the Atlantic. Out you go fellas. No parachute. Job done. Sadly Manchester City and Manchester United need the backing of incompetent schoolmasterly cunts like them to win what they win.

 

[I should coco]

I'm struggling a bit health wise at the moment so at the last minute, I realised I wasn't up to it. I gave the game a miss and went for the 'superior view' from our lounge end. As I have said many times (to my best mate Pompey), the tele gives you a good high view and the benefit of numerous replays, but you don't see the off the ball work. Without wanting to sound too much like a certain N Adkins Esq, the work done off the ball, is often just as important as the touches on it. The runs forward, tracking back, marking and denying space to the opponent are key, especially against the best teams like Citeh.

I can't really argue against any of your marks, as you were there and I wasn't, but I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about the ref. I'd come to the same conclusion about 10 minutes in. He couldn't wait to blow for the most minor of offences, but yet when Traore got two handed shoves in the back, he had to 'man up'.
We got nothing from him.

Egan's booking was for the slightest of contact and Osula's was for jumping with arms, which the PGMOL are obviously cracking down on this year.

The Sky commentary was surprisingly fair and for the pen, they made the point that Egan didn't move his arm toward the the ball, nor was it in an unnatural position. I suppose we would feel hard done by though if roles were reversed and we hadn't got that one.

Thanks again for the report.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Thought Baldock did well 1st half but the booking was ill disciplined and then 2nd half, thought Grealish caused him quite a few problems. Also the goal is really poor. He shows him the wrong way and was costly.

Norwood did ok with blocks and tackles bit was too hot potato on the ball.

The only time Grealish went on the outside all game, I don’t think Baldock showed him that way, I just think a £100m player is capable of going both ways and did it for a change. Poor defending though.

We’ve let far too many crosses come in from good positions across the first 3 games for my liking. Teams seem to know it’s a weakness.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I was shocked when Grealish went on his left foot to put that cross in. That was the first time he'd done it against Baldock in 151 minutes of football so it's hard to blame GB.

I thought Hamer was excellent. Did good things the few times we got him the ball and covered so much ground, trying to get forward whenever he could.

In practical terms, Osula was a 2/10. He couldn't do anything, lost the ball constantly. But not his fault. He's gone from L1 squad player who plays in cups to starting against a £200m trio of CBs who all start for real international countries.

Larouchi obviously made an unfortunate error and then squandered a good opportunity. Other than that I thought he was OK but seems to lack awareness which is a problem at WB when you are often faced with multiple attackers in space at once. Not a lost cause but LWB within and Lowe is currently the weakest point in the team

See a bit of Zola in Traore. Good control, decent passer, not daunted by being smaller, dribbles well. Never seems to be rushed in possession (but his decison making needs work). Lots of promise

The physical attention given to Haaland, plus the post McBurnie minutes give me a bit of hope. I don't think we will roll over and I don't think the players are scared of the opposition. Ultimately, I think we'll end up in the bottom 3 but I do believe we are about back up to a 10% chance of pulling off a 'great escape'.

 

[Carlton Blade]

The only time Grealish went on the outside all game, I don’t think Baldock showed him that way, I just think a £100m player is capable of going both ways and did it for a change. Poor defending though.

We’ve let far too many crosses come in from good positions across the first 3 games for my liking. Teams seem to know it’s a weakness.

Not just all game, the first time in 2 games

 

[Houston_Blade]

See a bit of Zola in Traore. Good control, decent passer, not daunted by being smaller, dribbles well. Never seems to be rushed in possession (but his decison making needs work). Lots of promise

I don’t know whether it’s panic or technique but he doesn’t seem to kick the ball hard enough when he’s passing. Really noticeable on the odd occasions he’s tried to play passes through and also the shot at Forest was weak.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I don’t know whether it’s panic or technique but he doesn’t seem to kick the ball hard enough when he’s passing. Really noticeable on the odd occasions he’s tried to play passes through and also the shot at Forest was weak.

Certainly nowhere near the level needed but I've been impressed with his composure, close control and heart. And we love a striker for whom actually striking the ball is an issue

 

[cahill]

I don’t know whether it’s panic or technique but he doesn’t seem to kick the ball hard enough when he’s passing. Really noticeable on the odd occasions he’s tried to play passes through and also the shot at Forest was weak.

He does look week and falls/slips a lot. Looks like being a regular starter. I’m still curious about Slimane and Trusty, yet to see them. Archer as well obviously.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I completely agree with you about making earlier subs, Deadbat. It was what I thought in the build up to City's first goal as they had really upped the pressure and nearly had as many shots in 11 minutes of the second half, as they had had in the entire first half.

Why Hecky always waits for us to go behind before making changes I will never know, when it's obvious to everyone else what is about to happen. He has too much faith in plan A and plan B only comes into play when plan A has failed. It's odd that he said he wanted to make subs, as if somehow he couldn't, which makes no sense at all. He needs to improve on his preemptive planning with subs to make changes before teams score, not after.

 

[Frank the tank]

I completely agree with you about making earlier subs, Deadbat. It was what I thought in the build up to City's first goal as they had really upped the pressure and nearly had as many shots in 11 minutes of the second half, as they had had in the entire first half.

Why Hecky always waits for us to go behind before making changes I will never know, when it's obvious to everyone else what is about to happen. He has too much faith in plan A and plan B only comes into play when plan A has failed. It's odd that he said he wanted to make subs, as if somehow he couldn't, which makes no sense at all. He needs to improve on his preemptive planning with subs to make changes before teams score, not after.

Hecky said in his press conference his biggest frustration was not being able to to make subs at 0-0
But he's getting closer to that now with people coming in and people getting fit

 

[TJ blade]

Agree with most of that bar the Grealish comment Deaders. I would fucking hate us to have a cheating bastard like that anywhere near our squad. One decent cross in 90 minutes down to bad defending, and other than that he was either predictable in cutting back inside and playing the safe ball backwards.....or falling down.

Horrible, overrated greasy haired shithouse. It's a NO from me.

Sums it up nicely for me that

 

[Bladesince59]

Fantastic Report. Thanks.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Hecky said in his press conference his biggest frustration was not being able to to make subs at 0-0
But he's getting closer to that now with people coming in and people getting fit

Why couldn't he make subs at 0-0? That's what's bothering me. What did he mean, that he felt he couldn't make subs while the score was 0-0 as that was the plan to keep it at that? If that's the case then he's an idiot. We could all see that a goal was coming. If he's suggesting that he couldn't make changes until after they've scored then he's a tactically naive muppet. Did he ask the ref to make some subs and was told no? Did the ball never go out of play? He could've made changes at 0-0 which would've kept it 0-0. His lack of subs and changes is partly at fault for the opening goal. He has too much faith in plan A and rarely makes changes until plan A fails, instead of making changes when it is obvious that plan A is going to fail and is currently failing, regardless of the score. Just because the score is 0-0 doesn't mean that a plan is working and that changes aren't needed. It's his biggest drawback as a manager and major area to improve. He needs to be more adaptive in matches to change what is happening, rather than afterwards.

City had 15 shots in the first half and 11 shots before they scored in the second. A blind man could see that they were going to score as they were upping the pressure. It's all well and good saying that plan A is working as it's still 0-0, but Hecky should have made changes to try to cut out the constant pressure coming at us, because plan A wasn't working due to City adapting a plan B, resulting in the increase of pressure and more shots on goal which inevitably led to us conceding. Hecky takes some responsibility and blame for the opening goal through his naivety and stubborness. He's a good manager but he has his own areas to improve and substitutions is a major one. Often last season they came too late and the changes were often baffling.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Is it only me who finds City's pass, pass, pass ad infinitum a little bit tedious? Albeit extremely successful.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Watched on TV. Sky have definitely perfected the art of editing the audio via pitch side mics. They allowed about 10 seconds of “You’re just a shit Billy Sharp” at Haaland before censoring everything else. As soon as anything controversial happened the background noise was turned right down until the moment has passed. I didn’t hear the Premiership is corrupt singalong but I bet it was loud.

 

[Revolution]

Is it only me who finds City's pass, pass, pass ad infinitum a little bit tedious? Albeit extremely successful.

Whilst acknowledging the technical skill and high quality of their players, yes, it leaves me very cold.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Whilst acknowledging the technical skill and high quality of their players, yes, it leaves me very cold.

Not really when for large parts of matches this season we've struggled to string two passes together.

 

[Revolution]

Why couldn't he make subs at 0-0? That's what's bothering me. What did he mean, that he felt he couldn't make subs while the score was 0-0 as that was the plan to keep it at that? If that's the case then he's an idiot. We could all see that a goal was coming. If he's suggesting that he couldn't make changes until after they've scored then he's a tactically naive muppet. Did he ask the ref to make some subs and was told no? Did the ball never go out of play? He could've made changes at 0-0 which would've kept it 0-0. His lack of subs and changes is partly at fault for the opening goal. He has too much faith in plan A and rarely makes changes until plan A fails, instead of making changes when it is obvious that plan A is going to change. It's his biggest drawback as a manager and major area to improve. He needs to be more adaptive in matches to change what is happening, rather than afterwards.

City had 15 shots in the first half and 11 shots before they scored in the second. A blind man could see that they were going to score as they were upping the pressure. It's all well and good saying that plan A is working as it's still 0-0, but Hecky should have made changes to try to cut out the constant pressure coming at us, because plan A wasn't working due to City adapting a plan B, resulting in the increase of pressure and more shots on goal which inevitably led to us conceding. Hecky takes some responsibility and blame for the opening goal through his naivety and stubborness. He's a good manager but he has his own areas to improve and substitutions is a major one. Often last season they came too late and the changes were often baffling.

It's a hindsight point more than anything else, but McBurnie appearing earlier/Osula going off earlier would have helped.

 

[Revolution]

Not really when for large parts of matches this season we've struggled to string two passes together.

I'm not sure I follow your point. I was commenting on what I thought about the way City play.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Not really when for large parts of matches this season we've struggled to string two passes together.

Former forum great Pinchy would love this, sufc fans preferring muck n nettles footy to pass pass pass.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I'm not sure I follow your point. I was commenting on what I thought about the way City play.

I meant I don't find their pass, pass, pass boring and would love to see us do the same, so long as the passes are pointless back and sideways passes.

 

[Revolution]

I meant I don't find their pass, pass, pass boring and would love to see us do the same, so long as the passes are pointless back and sideways passes.

Ah, I see what you mean.

Well, we did a bit of it last season - not as extreme of course - with Berge recycling the ball.

I am not adverse to it but it becomes tedious when your team cannot get the ball back.

 

[Frank the tank]

Why couldn't he make subs at 0-0? That's what's bothering me. What did he mean, that he felt he couldn't make subs while the score was 0-0 as that was the plan to keep it at that? If that's the case then he's an idiot. We could all see that a goal was coming. If he's suggesting that he couldn't make changes until after they've scored then he's a tactically naive muppet. Did he ask the ref to make some subs and was told no? Did the ball never go out of play? He could've made changes at 0-0 which would've kept it 0-0. His lack of subs and changes is partly at fault for the opening goal. He has too much faith in plan A and rarely makes changes until plan A fails, instead of making changes when it is obvious that plan A is going to fail and is currently failing, regardless of the score. Just because the score is 0-0 doesn't mean that a plan is working and that changes aren't needed. It's his biggest drawback as a manager and major area to improve. He needs to be more adaptive in matches to change what is happening, rather than afterwards.

City had 15 shots in the first half and 11 shots before they scored in the second. A blind man could see that they were going to score as they were upping the pressure. It's all well and good saying that plan A is working as it's still 0-0, but Hecky should have made changes to try to cut out the constant pressure coming at us, because plan A wasn't working due to City adapting a plan B, resulting in the increase of pressure and more shots on goal which inevitably led to us conceding. Hecky takes some responsibility and blame for the opening goal through his naivety and stubborness. He's a good manager but he has his own areas to improve and substitutions is a major one. Often last season they came too late and the changes were often baffling.

I think it's just to do with the fitness levels of the players on the bench

 

[Houston_Blade]

He does look week and falls/slips a lot. Looks like being a regular starter. I’m still curious about Slimane and Trusty, yet to see them. Archer as well obviously.

Surely it will be McB and Archer. He’s 3rd choice though and might be better as an impact player.

Jebbo 4th and then it’s Brewster, Osula and the others who aren’t quite up to scratch.

 

[Big Hitter]

Agree with most of that bar the Grealish comment Deaders. I would fucking hate us to have a cheating bastard like that anywhere near our squad. One decent cross in 90 minutes down to bad defending, and other than that he was either predictable in cutting back inside and playing the safe ball backwards.....or falling down.

Horrible, overrated greasy haired shithouse. It's a NO from me.

Grealish is one of the most talented footballers around, and its good to see a footballer who can dribble with the ball rather than just lay it off . I do believe he is a decent all-round bloke with a conscience for social issues so don't think he merits disparaging comments like that.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

United 0 Barnet 1.

United 1 Oxford 2 (one from the vaults, there)

 

[Deadbat]

United 1 Oxford 2 (one from the vaults, there)

Larouci = Tebily?