Premier Lg EPL Matchday 18, 19 & 20 - On Optus Sport

[jod23]

Which is precisely why I thought you wouldn't go full Richmond fan.
That's ended well for them, copping it harder for having given it large.

Huh?

 

[Mr Meow]

Who would've thought - backing Savinho in wide, bringing KDB in and having Foden/Silva alternating coming central to support midfield might pay off.

Ake in the team helps as well.

Yes they've still conceded counters (I doubt that can be fixed in the short term) but it's better than rolling out the corpse of Gundogan and falling to start one of Doku/Savinho.

 

[moomba]

Who would've thought - backing Savinho in wide, bringing KDB in and having Foden/Silva alternating coming central to support midfield might pay off.

Ake in the team helps as well.

Yes they've still conceded counters (I doubt that can be fixed in the short term) but it's better than rolling out the corpse of Gundogan and falling to start one of Doku/Savinho.

Either Doku or Savinho has started 9 of our last 12 games.

 

[Mr Meow]

Either Doku or Savinho has started 9 of our last 12 games.

The point is that overall this is a much, much better mix than some of the previous games.

You are getting at least one of KDB or Silva central - sometimes two of them.

Kovacic not as big of a liability when he's not alongside a past it Gundogan. Kovacic-KDB is a better axis.

Ake a better option in central defence and Lewis tucking in a bit more on attacks.

Just Savinho out wide, a better option than playing both him and Doku wide, or neither. And Savinho is the best one to pick.

I'm glad you think the squads and tactics of the other games were identical but would expect you'd have noticed some of this.

 

[moomba]

I'm glad you think the squads and tactics of the other games were identical but would expect you'd have noticed some of this.

Would be a good point if I actually suggested that the squad and tactics of other games were identical and you weren't trying to be a dick.

 

[hawkman]

The coverage is getting worse and worse. Way too many replays and close up shots of players or coaches when live play is going on

So frustrating to try and watch

 

[Frank Bunn]

Man City looking good with the ball but vulnerable without it. Leicester playing through the press and getting it forward. Vardy would have had a pen if he hadn't been a fraction offside.

 

[Mr Meow]

Would be a good point if I actually suggested that the squad and tactics of other games were identical and you weren't trying to be a dick.

Don't get your knickers in a twist. The overall shape and squad today has been a better basis for fluency in attack than any of the last 4 games (at least).

9 shots, 4 on target from 51% possession is an improvement on some of the stagnant Man City stuff we've seen lately.

 

[moomba]

Happy enough at 1-0, at a guess we've had a 1-0 advantage in at least half of the matches during this run.

So a second is crucial, Leicester showing enough to worry me about the clean sheet.

 

[Mr Meow]

Man City looking good with the ball but vulnerable without it. Leicester playing through the press and getting it forward. Vardy would have had a pen if he hadn't been a fraction offside.

There aren't any obvious short term fixes to improve them without the ball. They need to get back to carving teams up primarily until Rodri returns and they can ship in some midfield/full back reinforcements.

Looking better going forward for sure.

 

[Magma]

while at least we have put in something resembling a press today, it's really just so far away from the level of press of years past. kovacic runs about 5x faster towards goal than he does defensively, its still just too easy to pass through midfield and as long as they continues we will give up chances.

 

[Mr Meow]

while at least we have put in something resembling a press today, it's really just so far away from the level of press of years past. kovacic runs about 5x faster towards goal than he does defensively, its still just too easy to pass through midfield and as long as they continues we will give up chances.

I noticed that with Kovacic too, he has thrown on the jets while running away from his goal at least.

 

[moomba]

Don't get your knickers in a twist. The overall shape and squad today has been a better basis for fluency in attack than any of the last 4 games (at least).

9 shots, 4 on target from 51% possession is an improvement on some of the stagnant Man City stuff we've seen lately.

24 shots, 5 on target 66% possession against Everton.
12 shots, 6 on target, 56% possession against Villa.
10 shots, 3 on target, 52% possession in the derby.

That's our last three games.

Today's game not too different from previous weeks. Our problem isn't possession, or creating shots (although we are much worse than previous standards, including today). It's converting chances, stopping the opposition and a tendency to fall apart after an hour or so when teams put us under pressure.

I will love it if we can carry on and get a good win today, but we are far away from that at the moment.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

The coverage is getting worse and worse. Way too many replays and close up shots of players or coaches when live play is going on

So frustrating to try and watch

Good preparation for Hokball on Channel 7 prime time next year.

 

[Magma]

hot knife through butter stuff this.

 

[hawkman]

Good preparation for Hokball on Channel 7 prime time next year.

At least I can avoid terrible AFL coverage by going to games. Plus both Fox and 7 aren't too bad at showing the game, commentary is generally awful

 

[Bradesmaen]

The coverage is getting worse and worse. Way too many replays and close up shots of players or coaches when live play is going on

So frustrating to try and watch

 

[hawkman]

Don't think we have played great but are somehow 2-1 up with a missed penalty as well

 

[Mr Meow]

24 shots, 5 on target 66% possession against Everton.
12 shots, 6 on target, 56% possession against Villa.
10 shots, 3 on target, 52% possession in the derby.

That's our last three games.

Today's game not too different from previous weeks. Our problem isn't possession, or creating shots (although we are much worse than previous standards, including today). It's converting chances, stopping the opposition and a tendency to fall apart after an hour or so when teams put us under pressure.

I will love it if we can carry on and get a good win today, but we are far away from that at the moment.

Everton match was alright with 2 expected goals.

1.03 vs Villa, that game was dire.

0.91 vs Man United.

0.97 vs Juventus.

I accept that besides Man United these are better sides than Leicester but the first half around 0.9 xG wasn't terrible. Per time in possession it was strong which reflected the slight uptick in fluency/cutting edge I noted.

Not the greatest start to this half but I still prefer this line up - with Ake as CB, 1 or 2 of KDB/Silva always available central and the best wing combo starting (Foden/Savinho).

What would you change with available players, or tactically?

 

[Magma]

we are so tentative in any 50/50 challenge and any tackles there is no physicality whatsoever

 

[moomba]

Ha ha **** off. Slides in nowhere near the ball. Looks astounded he gets a free against him and the commentators complaining about the booking being harsh because of the "context of the game".

 

[Mr Meow]

24 shots, 5 on target 66% possession against Everton.
12 shots, 6 on target, 56% possession against Villa.
10 shots, 3 on target, 52% possession in the derby.

That's our last three games.

Today's game not too different from previous weeks. Our problem isn't possession, or creating shots (although we are much worse than previous standards, including today). It's converting chances, stopping the opposition and a tendency to fall apart after an hour or so when teams put us under pressure.

I will love it if we can carry on and get a good win today, but we are far away from that at the moment.

But yeah it'll still be difficult when two world class attackers are out of form and the full back situation is not great. Plus defensively there's no easy solutions.

 

[Magma]

oh good, kyle walker to help calm things down.

 

[Magma]

hey look, youthful legs in mcatee sets up a goal.

 

[moomba]

Now hold out.

Please.