MAN CITY 1 – 0 Reading – MY THOUGHTS
23 Dec
Yet another dramatic victory after a largely disappointing, insipid performance. There was plenty of possession but no cutting edge, and then a late, late winner to secure the three points – it was symptomatic of City’s season so far.
For 92 minutes, it was a hugely frustrating afternoon. Reading defended deep, they were resilient and organised, content to allow City to dominate the play and the onus was on the Blues to find that breakthrough. But as has been the case on too many occasions during this campaign, there was no creative spark, an alarming lack of tempo or purpose about our play and as the clock ticked on, we never really looked like scoring. And then came Gareth Barry’s diving header. Cue ecstasy, relief and more shouts of how champions win when not at their best.
It was clear from the outset that Roberto Mancini’s team selection wasn’t perhaps the best for the situation. The visitors did as many sides do at the Etihad and packed their midfield and defence. It’s not pretty but it has proven effective for teams in the past against the Blues and, at the moment, is certainly the best way to go. With City nowhere near their enthralling, destructive best recently - save for 45 minutes against Newcastle – it was a struggle to break Reading down.
In such situations, the Blues are at their best when playing at a high tempo. We are capable of scintillating one-touch football and yet there was a concerning absence of any drive or intent in the play yesterday. The likes of Javi Garcia and Yaya Toure were content in midfield to take far too many touches, slowing down the pace of the game, allowing Reading to get numbers behind the ball and make it very tough for City to break through. With the visitors posing such a limited attacking threat, there was no need for the trio of Garcia, Barry and Yaya. Two from three would have been more than sufficient, enabling an extra attacker to be introduced, but it took until the second half before Mancini decided to change matters.
Even then, he introduced Edin Dzeko as opposed to inject width into our play and it seemed staggering that it took so long until Scott Sinclair was summoned from the bench. He may not be the best winger in the world but he provides some semblance of threat out wide and although he didn’t make too much of an impact on the game, he at least showed directness and willing to run at, and commit, defenders. Of course, with such quality in the team as David Silva, our intention is always to play an aesthetically pleasing style, but against sides who defend deep and limit the space in which our creative players can work, that alternative option of pace and trickery out wide is essential. It was something we were crying out for yesterday.
In a largely forgettable contest, one player who will certainly remember the game is young Dutch defender Karim Rekik, who made his full debut after appearing a couple of times as a substitute in cup competitions. He is a centre-back by trade but operated on the left of the defence and acquitted himself very well. In an attacking sense, as expected, he couldn’t contribute a great deal but he was mature in the sense that he knew his limits and didn’t attempt anything too complicated. In the first half, he wasn’t helped by his teammates refusing to pass the ball to him, but he showed great composure defensively. Jimmy Kebe has the potential to be a tricky customer but Rekik showed terrific pace, excellent strength and was authoritative in the air. He may not feature too often again this season as players return from injury but he’s shown himself to be a huge talent and one to keep an eye on.
Opposition View: Reading’s tactics were effective in nullifying our threat and although they offered very little themselves, if they would have tried to press us high, we would surely have picked them off at ease. With regards to City’s goal, they can have no real complaints, other than look in the direction of Nicky Shorey and question why he made no attempt to clear the ball and instead decided to back into Barry. It was an odd choice to make and one which cost his side the game. Jimmy Kebe’s pathetic lack of sportsmanship in the second half in throwing the ball out for a goal-kick rather than give the ball straight to Joe Hart stood out as a sour note, but they showed a fighting spirit and resilience that should stand them in good stead.
As for the Blues, a couple of tricky away fixtures to Sunderland and Norwich lie ahead over the busy festive period, but this victory, although by no means comfortable, should provide the Blues with some confidence and momentum. And coupled with Manchester United being held by Swansea, it marks a good weekend of results for City.
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Pathetic performance. Started well but faded as the frustration grew. we got away with it again. The team is not playing well and that I’m afraid is the managers responsibility. Roberto seems to feel it’s individuals that are to blame and his job ends with picking the team and giving them their instructions. We are hanging in there though, still waiting for the spark to ignite our season.
Pathetic? I bet other teams wish they could be as pathetic us and still win the game and be 2nd in the league. Getting away with it as you put it comes with having the quality we possess and the ability to wear teams down. Yes we could be better but to lay the blame squarely on Robertos shoulders is just as naive as thinking its solely down to the players
There is no point having a go at me. It was pathetic. If you think that was decent then fine, but as blue and all that I am I try to analyze a game objectively. As for blaming the manager I have not been a fan of Roberto Mancini’s style of management for quite a while and I genuinely believe he is not getting the best out of the players. To call me naive, well i’m not going to bother addressing that. You go on continuing to say everything is great, thats your choice and you are entitled to it. Yes it’s brill that we are only just off the pace after having played badly in so many matches, still doesn’t make the performance any better, and we are discussing the performance. On a positive (besides our position in the league), it’s great to see the team playing the full 94/95/96 minutes as all great champions do (including Utd as Siamack points out).
this is just the issue though, its this black and white attitude that football fans voice. I never said everything is great because it probably isnt, but to suggest we were pathetic is extreme and inaccurate. Im afraid there is a lot in the middle which people seem to miss. We have had some really good spells in recent games and some not so special, a little perspective on things goes a long way
OK I retreat to “Very poor”. Nuff said.
United has been gotten away with it for years and that is what has earned them the reputation they enjoy now. The performance was not definitely “pathetic” as you describe because at the of the day, the end justifies the means. Mind you, I do understand your frustration at those last minute wins due to the emotional roller-coaster the team puts us through.
Not sure why Bobby plays two defensive midfielders against teams who jam the 18 yards box with 10 players. On numerous occasions excellent balls were sent on second post begging only for an extra body right there to put the ball in.
we do need a box to box midfielder with pace, stamina much like Ramiers in Chelsea that can not only inject some pace but can cover box-to-box distance in a matter of seconds.
The combination of Barry-Garcia-Yaya is to slow for a high tempo game.
I do hope Mancini nurtures this young fellow and other academy players such as Helan and does not go Boyata on them by giving them more first team options.
True, Barry-Garcia-Yaya is solid but a bit too slow. I think we need more pace in the team in general. We have the skills but if we could improve on the pace then I think we’ll be a force to be reckoned with in Europe too.
Same goes with width too. We just keep ramming teams down the middle and it makes it easier for them to defend against us. We need a quality winger with pace. I can’t even tell if Sinclair is the man because he doesn’t get to play enough.
I have to say, a player like Bale would be a perfect fit for us. He has pace, his crosses are mad accurate and can certainly chip in with a few goals too.
This may not be related to this post but does anyone knows if Clichy is injured or why was he left out of squad in our game against Reading?
i heard he was injured, couldnt imagine Rekik would start over him all of a sudden