MAN CITY 4 – 0 Leeds – MY THOUGHTS
18 Feb
Fully of intensity, purpose and a collective desire, this was the perfect response to last weekend’s humiliating capitulation. Whilst that was embarrassing, this was entertaining: a return to the fluid football of last season that we’ve rarely seen during this campaign. Clinical in front of goal against a desperately poor visiting Leeds team, a place in the quarter-finals and a home tie with Barnsley awaits.
Thanks to a brace from Sergio Aguero and one apiece from Yaya Touré and Carlos Tévez, we’re through to the next round and just one game away from Wembley. The draw, on paper, is hugely favourable to us and should we show similar levels of intent and quality against Barnsley, it will be a relatively straightforward passage.
The opening twenty minutes yesterday was City at their best. Bristling with pace, there was a superb tempo, a willingness to press high up the pitch, force errors and impose our extra class on proceedings. Perhaps with the pressure of the title race off, there was a sense of freedom about our play, the neat interchanges between the attacking players reminiscent of the enthralling football from the early stages of last year. Led by the irrepressive quartet of Aguero, Yaya, Tévez and David Silva, a couple of early goals set the tone and made life very comfortable. Leeds were poor but we were far more impressive than in recent times and that bodes well for the rest of the season. The Premier League trophy may be out of our hands but it is imperative to show character and finish the campaign strongly. More performances like this and we’ll do just that.
We struggled against Southampton, and have done on numerous occasions this season, when sides have pressed us high, showing energy in midfield and closing us down well, yet Leeds didn’t do that. We’ve also had great difficulty at times when teams have sat deep, putting ten men behind the ball and placing the onus on us to break them down, but the visitors avoided that. Instead, they were open but lacked the players or the mobility to cause us any problems. Leaving huge spaces at the back, it played into the hands of Aguero, his pace down the channels a constant threat, and the supporting cast of Silva, Tévez, Milner and Yaya were more than content to bomb forward.
Finding the clinical touch that has often eluded us, we were simply too good for them. Many Premier League defences would have struggled to contain our livewire strikers but Leeds had no chance and there was the sense that the Blues could score at will, if so desired. It was a routine, fluent and professional display, and one that must be repeated with more regularity now. This could be the win that provides that momentum boost before the run-in, the result that injects confidence into a hitherto below-par season.
Though a win is always welcome and wished for by all City fan, this game by no means should be considered a bench mark to delude ourselves into thinking that we are back to our best fluid football. As far as I am concerned, the bench mark for City’s response to our abysmal performances against Saints and Liverpool would be in our upcoming game against Chelsea.
We were very good yesterday but its far too soon to suggest a return to form. There’s every possibility we could go on a run but im far from expecting it. It would be tempting for me to pick the same team for Chelsea which is a must win for me in terms of us gaining momentum and finishing strongly.
FA cup final against united would be special but a lot can happen before that occurs
dear me that English is bad
Yeah, I totally agree siamack. If we put in a performance vs Chelsea then I’ll start to think we’re getting back on track. As VFAB pointed out, they didn’t press us. Allowed us to play our style. I just hope the game gave aguero a bit of confidence, because he hasn’t been as clinical as last season. Come on city!!
Excellent performance from our attacking players but if we want to win champions league then this wont do, We need to get Rid of Nasri,Garcia,Lescott,Dzeko and get players like saurez from liverpool, santi cazorla who will gel very well with Silva and Fellaini along side Yaya.
Lets hope Qpr take away some points from the Rags, Still 12 Games to go anything can happen. Cumon City!!!
Dzeko is our top goal scorer despite the fact he is playing in a system that suits anything but his style. Garcia has to be given more time to adjust. I still believe Nasri can come good given a bit more time. City should let go either Lescott or K. Toure and renegotiate the salary of the one who decides to stay.
From the list you have above, Fellaini is the one that I am in total agreement.
Chelsea is the limitus test & I am worried about RM’s tactics. I expect Chelsea to defend with 2 banks of 4 looking to exploit the space behind the City fullbacks. Unless we play with width & pace (the width cannot come solely thru the wingbacks) expect a tense match The bottom line is anything but a win will rightly put the spotlight on Mancini. He needs to vary tactics and stop being so do obstinate & predictable. The Leeds match is paper over the cracks as far as I am concerned. I jope I am wrong about Bobby.
for starters its litmus test, and as far as the anti mancini comments, lets at least wait till the end of the year before making any judgement as he has done great things for us. Barca dont vary tactics they have mastered a certain style, and thats what we aim to do
Spot on. Unless we do not qualify for Champions league, City should keep Bobby regardless we win FA cup or not
Barca are also consistently dominating sides. City are not. I don’t want Mancini fired. I just would like to see him vary his tactics once in while.
Also let me be clear that I was furious with Mancini for throwing his players under the bus after the debacle at Southhampton. The reason I believe City struggled against the Saints is the same reason we struggled in the Champions League. Pechottino anticipated that RM would not deviate from the midfield diamond and set up his team to apply high pressure, exploit the space behind the wingbacks, defend deep and narrow. I believe City failed because Mancini had no plan B once an opposing manager found out Mancini’s system. I am in full agreement that the man has taken City to another level but that does not give him a free pass from taking responsibility for what I believe to be his mistakes.