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*Official* English Football Season 2014-15

cpr

International Coach
Just turned it in to watch City break down the left, and Clichy puts an inch perfect cross onto the head of the steward. WAG.
 

sledger

Spanish_Vicente
I might be being a bit harsh on City here, they are playing high quality oppo after all, but on all the occasions I have watched them over the last year or so it's struck me that they really are a team that is dependent on a handful of individuals (as an Arsenal supporter I obviously can't really bag on them too much for this but...). Apart from Yaya, Aguero and Silva their entire team is basically made up of players that are serviceable but do not really have any x-factor, if you'll pardon that rather trite expression. I like Zabaleta a lot too tbf, but Nasri is just the ultimate Cinderella player, Clichy is absolutely terrible (anyone just see that cross he just attempted?), Kompany is seriously suspect, Dzeko is nothing special, Fernando is crap, everyone knows what Milner is about etc... Every time I watch them their tactics basically seem to be either 1) give the ball to Aguero/Yaya and they will do something good; or 2) give the ball to Silva and he will do something amazing/give it to Aguero/Yaya.

The narrative that is trotted out frequently is that City don't have the CL experience to get the job done at this level, but I just don't buy it. To me it seems a more plausible explanation is that their team is primarily made up of players who aren't crap, but are pretty middle of the road for the most part, and just aren't good enough to get it done against top oppo. Arsenal in disguise, in other words.
 

Cabinet96

Hall of Fame Member
They have too many players who are excellent in possession but average without. Fine in the PL because they're the best possession side in the country but they can't dominate the ball against Barca and Bayern.
 

wpdavid

Hall of Fame Member
Just turned it in to watch City break down the left, and Clichy puts an inch perfect cross onto the head of the steward. WAG.
Dire wasn't it. Perhaps that explains why Dzeko has spent most of the evening on the left wing. I can't think of any other reason.

This could be as embarrassing as Barca cba to make it. Could already be 4 or 5 without Hart and the woodwork.
 

Tom Halsey

International Coach
Don't really think City can blame the draw at all in all honesty. They could have drawn Atletico, Real, Dortmund, Monaco, Bayern or Porto. Barcelona are (admittedlt slightly tenuous but) arguably fourth hardest out of that little lot and, ignoring that, it wouldn't be at all a stretch to suggest that they're only the third hardest team City could have drawn out of the seven possibilities.
 
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sledger

Spanish_Vicente
I might be being a bit harsh on City here, they are playing high quality oppo after all, but on all the occasions I have watched them over the last year or so it's struck me that they really are a team that is dependent on a handful of individuals (as an Arsenal supporter I obviously can't really bag on them too much for this but...). Apart from Yaya, Aguero and Silva their entire team is basically made up of players that are serviceable but do not really have any x-factor, if you'll pardon that rather trite expression. I like Zabaleta a lot too tbf, but Nasri is just the ultimate Cinderella player, Clichy is absolutely terrible (anyone just see that cross he just attempted?), Kompany is seriously suspect, Dzeko is nothing special, Fernando is crap, everyone knows what Milner is about etc... Every time I watch them their tactics basically seem to be either 1) give the ball to Aguero/Yaya and they will do something good; or 2) give the ball to Silva and he will do something amazing/give it to Aguero/Yaya.

The narrative that is trotted out frequently is that City don't have the CL experience to get the job done at this level, but I just don't buy it. To me it seems a more plausible explanation is that their team is primarily made up of players who aren't crap, but are pretty middle of the road for the most part, and just aren't good enough to get it done against top oppo. Arsenal in disguise, in other words.
 

sledger

Spanish_Vicente
Clichy :laugh:

Love how Lee Dixon put it down to him being overawed by the occasion. Nah Lee, it's because he's absolutely crap.
 

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Ugh I really hate seeing a man walk for that. Can't remember what his first yellow was for though
 

cpr

International Coach
Must admit City had a decent 2nd half, wasted far too many chances though, could easily had 3 if Fernandinho wasn't so awful and if Dzeko had headed it anywhere else (though could cancel that out by saying the same about Messi's header at the end). Would've been harsh to lose 3-1 after that 2nd half though.

Clichy...........
 

Tom Halsey

International Coach
Messi, as good as he is, isn't a very good penalty taker. His long term record is really average. It annoys me a bit how whenever he scored a poorly taken penalty simply by virtue of the keeper diving the wrong way people dress it up as how Messi somehow waited for the keeper to go the other way when in reality he has never done anything of the sort.
 

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Messi, as good as he is, isn't a very good penalty taker. His long term record is really average. It annoys me a bit how whenever he scored a poorly taken penalty simply by virtue of the keeper diving the wrong way people dress it up as how Messi somehow waited for the keeper to go the other way when in reality he has never done anything of the sort.
**** the penalty let's discuss the open goal he missed on the rebound
 

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