West Brom 0 – 0 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
28 Dec
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It was frustrating, deflating and felt like a defeat. A goalless draw away to a hard-working and wonderfully organised side will not always be regarded with such negativity, but when the final whistle was blown, it felt like an opportunity wasted. With Manchester United winning convincingly yet again, the pressure was on the Blues to secure the three points but despite creating a couple of excellent chances, it just wasn’t to be.
That said, we’re still top of the Premier League table so there is no reason to be too down-heartened. I’m convinced the players will bounce back strongly against Sunderland, intent on retaining top spot and knowing how well we have bounced back from setbacks in the past, this may be the springboard to even more goals and wins.
It was just one of those days when our front four didn’t quite click and although we pressed high up and were in total control for large parts of the match, we only created a couple of clear chances. As is becoming the norm for teams now facing City, West Brom packed the midfield and defence and made life difficult for us. They were organised, committed and deserve credit for their performance, but we ought to have found a way through.
When sides do as West Brom did and clutter the defence, we rely on one moment of brilliance from the likes of Silva or Nasri to break through, but unfortunately, for the first time this season in domestic action, it didn’t quite happen for them. Our tempo wasn’t quick enough and we allowed West Brom to recover their shape by not passing the ball with enough intent. At times, we were ponderous in possession and the fluidity of movement from the front quartet wasn’t up to its usual electric standard.
We missed the surging runs of Micah Richards down the right and it put into perspective just how valuable his pace and power is in creating another attacking outlet. One defender who was playing and did impress me was Kolo Touré, who replaced Joleon Lescott and produced a solid performance. He seemed sharp, was dominant in the air and had the speed to match Shane Long’s runs. Roberto Mancini seems to select the Ivorian whenever the opposition have a pacy striker so it was pleasing to see Kolo cope well with Long and Odemwingie.
Opposition View: West Brom much be given credit for the way in which they battled and raised their game for the challenge. They were compact, committed and successful in frustrating us. Their fans reacted as if they’d won the cup final, such was their elation at the final whistle. That’s a sign of how far we’ve come and how we’re now viewed. As for the West Brom fans singing “there’s only one Gary Neville”, that was just sad and pathetic!
As for City, I’m sure we’ll bounce back strongly against Sunderland and then at home to Liverpool. This result wasn’t the best for us but we’re still top of the table and in great shape.
I never even saw Odemwingie touch the ball?!
It’s true, Clichy has grown in stature with City, all our defenders have. Joe Hart wants clean sheets every game, and we are still hard to beat, I just don’t want a string of draws. Aguero looks a bit off his game again
I do not understand why Mancini does not play DeJong. He is a fantastic player and rotating him would give Yaya or Barry time to recover. He is a player of high caliber and he needs to be leveraged.
I second that. De Jong has to get his match fitness back some time.
Mancini and Platt have been rotating like Rafa, except for Kompany, Hart, Yaya and Silva.
I know Yaya Toure ALWAYS looks like he’s knackered, but I think he may be getting a bit knackered. Maybe Mancini has decided to wear him out before the africa cup of nations
We should play dzeko and look to put the ball on his head. West brom stacked the midfield and were happy to watch us pass it round outside the box in front of them. We need our fullbacks to go lateral and put in crosses and that could open up gaps in midfield. Against spurs and the rags we used the wide areas better I think.
How can you play De jong when Gareth Barry is playing out of his skin? mancini loves yaya so he wont drop him unless you drop silva or nasri then for me De Jong wont play, i think he wont even play when yaya goes to africa as he prefers milner before de jong. I do feel for de jong coz he is class but at the minute he wont get into the city team unless we have key injuries to Barry or Milner.
Oh my God listen to you blues – no humility whatsoever – putting this down to Albion “stacking” midfield and defense – I think WBA had 11 players same as City – the only difference is what your uber rich Arab owners have bought.
Have you all forgotten your roots like the moronic United fans who say “we” having never been near Old Trafford.
My Uncle supported City man and boy for 65 years – he would roll in his grave if he heard your arrogance ” we can score when we want” chants.
Our whole club isn’t worth anyone in your squad – that’s why we celebrated this as a victory for a real football club with real fans and British owners with a limited budget – remember those days?
I hope your Manchester arrogance bites you the Arse and Spurs pull off the impossible!
Come back to earth !
Ease up Pal… There is nothing wrong in having a bit of fun after so many years. It is not our arrogance but most likely you envy much like the other teams at our luck. I am sure if Blackburn supporters chant “we can score when we want”, you do not call them arrogant, do you?
Wind your neck in CB, the “we score when we want” chant is just having a go at the arrogant rags who sing “we do what we want”
Nice one Mr Canada, that chant is actually sarcastic, because well we probably haven’t been the best club for around, i don’t know the last thirthy or more years. None the less we have been well supported, with a loyal fanbase from all parts of the globe.
You ridiculous comment about the nature of football supporters in the globalised market of Soccor belittles the fact that there are plenty of blues supporters who stuck with this team through thick and thin from all sorts of different places, and maybe not all of us have the money to go to Manchester every weekend, that in no way means were arrogant bandwagon fan’s who need to come back down to earth.
Anyways i’m happy enough for your fine West Brom team to do well against us as you deserved it, i just won’t be going on to an Albion website sprouting a load of nonsense over it, Mr Canada/Hypocrite.
You don’t need to, pal, you sprouted enough rubbish on here.
12 years ago you were in the third tier, and you’ve won sweet FA in 35 years until last year.
Fans like you are universally hated. The last time we saw this kind of arrogance was at Birmingham – and look where they are. Even Abramovich want’s his club to be self sufficient now. Be careful what you wish for.
You may win the league (good luck to you), and you may even dominate Europe, but you have a team of mercenaries who cannot play together. Contrast that to our guys who died for the cause on Boxing Day. And that is where you are missing the point. There is no “I” in team. You may have limited success with your present line up, but you have a team of nomads who cannot, or will not, play together.
Long live the home grown teams such as ManUre, Wenger’s work at Arsenal, or even the Chelski team that has an established core of the likes of Terry, Lamps, and Cashley who have been there for years.
That’s where the future is. Teams win games, not individuals. You have the best squad in the division, no doubt – but you don’t have the best team, and you won’t win the league because of it.
Limited success or unbounded glory, die-hard spiritual soldiers or cold-blooded mercenaries [whichever way is your pick], we are going to be up there for a very long time like a thorn in your eyes and until thing are otherwise, you get nowhere by pretending to be a new Nostradamus. And I will testify that we are a boring boring city who can score when we want !
It is amazing to see how arrogant people can get by a couple of good performances. Enjoy your few good games because in professional soccer if you do not have the financial means your spiritual brotherhood will not even get you limited success and you will be in dog fight for survival.
Kompany, Hart, Richards, they definitely care so much less than Terry and co…….Sarcasm.
As a Baggies fan, not sure there is the need for such remarks from my fellow Baggies’ fans based on these comments. I think your analysis of the game is fair. We put 11 men behind the ball and set out to frustrate you. We then picked it up in the 2nd half and created our own chances. Unfortunately, with our budget or lack thereof, this approach is perhaps the best we can hope for. We deserved the draw and can be proud of our performance.
That being said, City understandably expect to win these games. You’ve probably spent more money these past 2 years than we have in our entire existence. If roles were reversed, we’d expect to win these games too (as we did against Wigan).
Good luck for the rest of the season. Will be an interesting title race that’s for sure…
Hey Lads.
I am glad that the long suffering City fans finally have something to cheer about. Man United fans are the most arrogant in the world and you guys suffered for years and years at their hands. To make things worse you, imho, are the “real” Manchester team. I have absolutely no problem with you having your moment in the sun.
I also have no problem with the money City have spent. You needed to do that to get up there and challenge. I remember when Sir Alex spent millions when he was first at the club and people were about to hail him a flop before that one game turned everything around. Even he admits that his career might have been different had that goal not gone in.
The fact is that you have spent tons of money….and any other team in your position would expect to win against a club that has a combined value of one of your players and has been, in recent years, the epitome of a yo yo club. Just as we expected to win when the Albion were relegated.
It IS a huge victory for the albion to hold a club like Man City to a draw. :Our man of the match was a free transfer from a championship club….that should put things into perspective.
One thing is important though…..and that is acknowledging that we were playing. Many pundits talk about Man City having an off day. The fact is we got our tactics right and frustrated you. As we all know a team is much more than an assembly of individuals. I hope you win the title….and we end up in the top half. a cup run would be nice too.
I have been very critical of our chairman Peace….but it appears he has finally got the message and combined ambition with frugality. I honestly wouldnt change the way our club is run for the was your is…but I certainly do not begrudge you guys any success.
For the sake of rational baggie’s fan such as yourself,I wish your team a great season! a fair comment from a good baggie’s fan
Think the mightybaggie is right actually. Fair comment.
Well done Mighty Baggie