Southampton 1 – 1 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
8 Dec
Considering the performance, this was definitely a case of one point gained rather than two lost. While it was nowhere near as bad as the embarrassing defeat last year away to Southampton, this was nonetheless an underwhelming showing after Sergio Aguero’s emphatic opener. The home side were by far the better team, passing and moving with attractive fluency and showing admirable quality in possession but, truth be told, they didn’t fashion many clear-cut chances and a point was probably the fair result.
Bearing in mind our troubles on the road this season, had Manuel Pellegrini been offered four points from the successive away fixtures this week, he would no doubt have accepted it. The display yesterday, however, will surely have concerned him. City, normally so dominant if a touch insipid away from home, lacked any semblance of control as the hosts swarmed intelligently and produced an eye-catching, high-tempo showing. Yet, for all Southampton’s intricate possession and pretty football, it’s hard to recall Costel Pantilimon making too many saves, whilst the Blues, despite struggling to exert much influence, wasted a couple of golden opportunities.
Pellegrini’s tactics were questionable and his refusal to chance them until well into the second half even more so. Outnumbered in midfield, and with Aguero and Alvaro Negredo on the fringes of the game, it would have made sense to drop one of them into a deeper role to try to see more of the ball and retain possession, but Southampton, operating with purpose and intent, enjoyed the freedom to coast through the centre and pour forward.
Javi Garcia was introduced in the second half as Pellegrini sacrificed a striker in an attempt to offer protection to the back four but it merely highlighted the need for a top-class holding midfielder, someone the manager could trust from the start. Fernandinho tried valiantly but with Yaya Touré having a customary can’t-be-bothered day, if made life tough for the Blues in the middle. Defensively, we weren’t much better.
All that negativity aside, this was a decent point for City against a bright and energetic team. We know we are capable of much better, and have produced some scintillating football at the Etihad Stadium, but there are signs, with a victory and a draw in the last two on the road, that matters might just be beginning to click more consistently.
Is it just me, or is it disgraceful how Toure picks his games? Bet your bottom dollar he’ll turn up against Arsenal.
Seriously, that attempted trip yesterday summed up his tracking back in a nutshell.
Granted his is quality going forward and keeping possession but when the backs are against the wall (as they were last season and in the away games this season) he goes AWOL.
This is more reason to pair Rodwell/Milner with Fernandiho and push Yaya forward to do what he does best
But who to drop? Nasri? Negredo?
I agree by the way and would drop Nasri.
It depends, against a team like Saints that are very physical I would drop Nasri and put bullies on the field to fight fire with fire.
Agree with Siamack about Toure. I mentioned in earlier post that he should play as a false 9 away against teams who play high press as he is beast going forward but a liability defensively.
No way would I look to drop Nasri at the moment, its a tough one but I agree that Toure isn’t always a the races. He’s the best player around when you’re 2-0 up at home, or we are playing the scum but he doesn’t utilise his speed and power game in game out. In terms of a 5 man midfield in certain away games, Pelligrini will always play Toure in that same role, Aguero is a certainty and Fernandinho is very consistent, so with Silva coming back I would suggest Negredo will make way for a Milner or Rodwell, otherwise I cant see how silva nasri and Navas could all play together, would be interesting though
Garcia for Negredo – that’s going to do the trick isn’t it.
Say what you will about Garcia put at least he tries and won’t shirk his defensive responsibilconstantlyhich is more than can be said for Yaya.
I also find it interesting that Del Bosque, Mancini, & now Pellegrini all rate Garcia. Shame on me for not having the acumen to realze that clearly none of these managers know fuck all about the game.
As for me I’ll just say that you need your carthorses to go along with your thoroughbreds. But then again even if Garcia could walk on water he’d be ridiculed for not being able to swim.
I have said this before. Garcia may be a fine player, the big issue I have is he is not worth the money he was paid for, much like Kolarov now in his 4th contract year. Had we paid half their valuation, I would be among first line supporters of both as you got what you paid.
Sometimes you overpay but what we paid for them is nothing short of highway robbery considering their value-add to the team
The analogy for walking and swimming would ring true if Garcia ever had a decent game and was still slated, but he’s never had a good 90 minutes in a city shirt, I’ve heard he’s good in training but that accounts for nothing. I’m not for slating city players but he isn’t even a ‘carthorse’ I’m afraid.
Err, that should have read “responsibility” not “responsibilconstantlyhich”. These reprobates, no respect for anything…
…and both of them on the pitch at the same time never results in anything other than disappointment. Mancini himself had realized that by the end of his reign so I certainly wouldn’t expect him to come waving his cheque book in January. Kolarov does at least have a value going forward (in front of Clichy). Garcia, I’d be happy for him just to carry water never mind walk on it. If you’re going to win the title, you’ve got to do more than just look to contain Southampton. Fergie’s rags would never have taken that approach. But hey ho, we’re still firmly in the mix if we can turn over the gunners on Saturday, especially with Merlin available for selection.
laughed for about 2 minutes at the happy for Garcia to carry water comment
I think MP is now faced with a problem away from home. I think everyone is agreed that Yaya isn’t up to it in a defensive role playing away. I agree with you Siamack that Rodwell/Milner needs to partner Fernad. The manager has few other options unless he either sticks to the team that looked so poor on Saturday. However, I disagree with your assessment that Saints were all physical. They out-passed, out-ran and out-thought City, especially in the second half (and remember these were mainly kids, not seasoned professionals, some of whom are in the England U21 team!). Their passing was slick and accurate. Lallana and Rodriques were fantastic and ran straight through the heart of our defence. As you say Yaya couldn’t even trip them up! Shaw was amazing (18 years old!) – his crosses created utter confusion in the defence which had to be rescued a few times by Kompany. Demich. I have said before is well passed his best and looked in utter confusion.
I am not going to critise any other players from Sat. MP must now know there is problem away from home and it should have been clear to him as it is to the supporters. It will be interesting to see what he does about it in the next away game. I hate to mention it again but I wonder if MP still believes it was a good idea to get rid of Barry – he was outstanding again against Arsenal. Just look at what he brought to that game defensive wise and ask your self why have we got such a problem away from home this year. You may find there is an obvious answer.
I read in recent blog from Aguero that MP is looking for young English talent. Some people on this site believe there isn’ any. I desagree with them. If it is true why were City so hopeless against largely English 20 and U20 year olds on Sat? Both Saints full backs were 18 years old! But my advice to them would be stay away and develop your careers elsewhere as MP is never going to give you a chance to play here! Not a single dev. team player in the team or even on the bench this year (I think?)and Garcia in the squad every week? Why?
1. why did Milner start over Navas? Milner is a great player but its this more defensive mentality away from home that has us dropping points.
2. It baffles me how we can supposedly have so many superstars but not one of them can deliver a consistent, testing corner. It’s amazing. I think Southamptons rb( forget his name), whipped in more quality balls in this game than we have for the last 2 seasons combined.
Ryan, I think it’s because the DM is not good enough. I agree with you if it was stronger then Navas could be played.
My team for next away game would be DM of Rodwell and Fern, Midfield – Yaya, Milner, Silva, 1 upfront – obviously Aguero. Sorry but Negredo has to be a sub to start with, no other option. No enough strength in DM to play 4-4-2 at the moment.
More on my 1st point , we are Manchester City, we shouldn’t have to adjust our team or style, especially against teams like Southampton. We should be pressing high and they should be adjusting to us!
Don’t forget that Saints are above Utd at the moment. They have some very talented players and we are not good enough away from home this season. The question is why we aren’t good enough away?