Spurs 4 – 1 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
27 Sep
Manchester City’s performance at White Hart Lane yesterday was embarrassing. What started off so well soon descended into humiliation. It was spineless and abject, and, leaving the ground, it was hard to remember that last time I had felt so let down when watching the Blues. This wasn’t just a defeat. This was a journey from complete control to complete disintegration in sixty minutes.
And therein lies the problem. It would be easy to be all too superficial after this match and focus on Manuel Pellegrini’s team selection or Vincent Kompany’s absence or Willy Caballero’s errors or Aleks Kolarov’s ineptitude or Raheem Sterling’s wastefulness or Sergio Aguero’s troubles or the importance of the missing David Silva. They are several of the many reasons that explain what happened on Sunday, but what struck me firmly was that City have an issue that goes deeper than just one disappointing loss.
Here’s a quick quiz question for you: When was the last time City won a Premier League match having gone behind?
For the answer, you’d have to go back ten months and return all the way to December 2014 and a harsh winter’s night at Sunderland. Having conceded early, we fought back strongly to claim a convincing win. That, sadly, is the exception to the rule.
When City go behind, we don’t just ‘not play well’: we capitulate. We fall to pieces.
Is it a confidence problem? Are the players so fragile and insecure that they crumble without fight? Is it to do with our mentality? Our attitude? I wish I had the answers.
City were magnificent in the first half an hour against Spurs. We pressed high, we forced mistakes, we looked threatening going forward and secure at the back on the rare occasions our hosts ventured out of defence. We were leading and in complete control. Why, therefore, should one goal on the stroke of half-time break us?
We were a different side after the interval. Spurs scored again and then, as has become a worryingly frequent pattern, we simply descended into chaos. We had no idea how to chase the game. There were still 40 minutes to go once we fell behind, but rather than display a sense of assurance and self-belief – characteristics this group of two-time Premier League champions, and FA Cup and Capital One Cup winners should have in abundance – we panicked.
We pushed too many men forward and had too few men back to provide balance. It was all a bit frantic and resembled schoolchildren chasing the ball in clusters without anyone taking a step back and understanding how they can be more effective. Where was City’s leadership, composure, calm heads? This was not what we should expect. We lost our shape, we lost our discipline, we lost the plot.
It wasn’t the first time, either. Let’s think back to the derby at Old Trafford last year, when Sergio Aguero fired us ahead early on and yet we utterly disintegrated when United recovered. Or what about the home encounter in the Champions League with CSKA Moscow last season, when we had two players sent off while chasing the game and felt a sense of injustice at the officials rather than shame at our own limitations. How about in the FA Cup against Middlesborough, when we were made to look like part-timers by a Championship side and never threatened a recovery. There are plenty more examples. We do not just merely struggle when under pressure and a goal down; we fold with embarrassing ease.
We know how good these players can be and they will produce the goods once again very soon, but in amidst the flair and elegance which we see so often, they should look long and hard at this defeat and the lessons to be learned. Be more controlled, be more aware, act more like the professionals you are. If we do not learn, then more humiliation awaits.
MC have a superb starting eleven. But this match proved that your second eleven is not upto par by along shot
well said lets hope some of the players read this…you have to wonder will this team ever kick on and dominate english football.we have by far and away the best team and squad of players but it just never happens.after the 11 wins in a row you just knew it would crash and it did.but the crash is continuing.spurs were never in danger 2nd half-shocking..also what is happening with all these injuries? its double figures for the season now! is vincent kompany too finely tuned? a bit like aguero? its always muscle pulls/strains with them.questions should be asked why so many injuries.is it bad luck? i don’t know.
Hi Terry I remember some years back before we signed Kompany,That Wenger had been watching him since his Anderlecht days..This was back when Wenger was a master at finding uncut diamonds, And he was put off by Vinnys injury record,But apparently he was told that he was in fact so toned and fit it made him fragile (which happens sometimes) Also with Vinny I think he plays at 100% intensity all the time even in training,Maybe he needs be to be able to somehow save it just for actual Games.
::: I mean we got him for 6 million.I remember being at his début..He started off in midfielder(which was his preferred position at the time and ran the game,And then Finished the game at centre half.. The man oozed class..I have often wondered if he would stay fitter playing in midfield as you are running non-stop in defence You may not see the ball for 5-ten minuets, Muscle being used then not, used then not. Just A theory. And also he would be a great Defence minded Holding Midfielder for us in Europe if ever Needed.
its very frustrating gary wish they could get to the bottom of him and sergio.when the captains on his game theres few better and he was well on his game.interesting piece on wenger there too.maybe he wouldn’t pay the extra 30 quid or so lol.
I wouldn’t worry too much,you’ll soon be back winning. I’m a Spurs fan and there’s no shame losing to us as we have a good underrated young team,things change quickly in football,a few weeks ago we were winless and Kane couldn’t score even though we’ve outplayed every team this season we met,but now things look much rosier and i’m sure with your squad of expensive players you’ll be up there at the end of the season,you’ve gave us a whipping over past few seasons so were due one back sometime,Good luck for rest of the season and hope we both qualify for next years Champions league
Nice comment Paul Thanks,I think Spuirs have the Makings of a very very good exciting team…Pochatto (not sure how to spell that)Is also a very talented coach..I just hope you can Qualify for champions League then you will be able to keep the team together..And not have your best Players cherry picked from you.
Good Luck..Hope you finish above Arsenal.
City are now losing the psychological edge over their opponents. The Juventus game was a prime example when they were their for the taking, you could see they were initially worried but we were wasteful, too obvious and deliberate. Instead of punishing them we allowed them to build belief. I am not being arrogant or misguided but this City team should not be losing at home to sides who are inferior in skill. They lose to these teams because the opposition want it more. They have the right mentality and know they have to play with high intensity for longer. They also soon discover that this City team have forgotten how to tackle and when they do tackle they invariably concede a free kick. That seems a little too easy for teams to start to take back control.
When City play with flare and pace, maintain their professionalism and play as a unit, they look solid and really hard to beat. The opposition get more cautious because they know their resolve will break and City will dominate and win. The psychological battle is won.
We have started to look like last years team again and that is concerning. Teams know how to play us and what is more concerning is that there appears to be no ‘plan B’.
Do these players actually believe they only need to turn up and it’s ‘job done’?
We shall see over the coming few games whether they have the mental ability to perform to their potential, both individually and as a team. Losing becomes a habit, look at Chelsea..!!?
The Germans in midweek will not be not be thinking ‘beware the wounded animal’, they will be biting at the bit to take full advantage of a team at odds with themselves. I sincerely hope we have ‘the minerals’ for the fight or it’s going to be another early exit and another footballing lesson.
City can be a magnificent team for football fans everywhere to admire but the consistency is too short lived. Great teams should not appear vulnerable and should NEVER capitulate. They should be able to adapt to other teams tactics when a system is not working and not persist with the ‘one dimensional’ style that is only ever effective when winning and dominating.
If Juventus was a warning, then Palace should have set alarm bells ringing before the rot set in against West Ham.
When we become wasteful and careless in games we overstretch, become anxious because we are pressed and then pick up injuries.
When we play with guile and gusto we are fluid and exciting. The opposition have the anxiety and the mistakes are made, mentally, physically and positionally.
There is an opportunity to dominate like great teams of yesteryear and it is clear to see that until the weak links are removed we will flatter to deceive. The same names are reported week in week out. They may be able to train well and justify a first 11 pick but they need to be able to deliver the goods on match day.
I have stated before there is nothing wrong with losing a game, it’s the manner in which you lose. When you start to question professionalism and commitment it really hurts.
Is our mantra not “WE FIGHT TO THE END”.
I will always love my City, I always have, but at the moment I AM ANGRY…
COME ON CITY..!!!!!!!
It is so strange how Naive we are in Europe..Like when watching us play Juventus they were giving us a lesson of how to win in Europe, Them the Teacher us the Kids. We need to snap out of the rabbit in headlights syndrome and play with more Authority and Guile.
“If Juventus was a warning, then Palace should have set alarm bells ringing before the rot set in against West Ham”……..
That should have read… If Palace was a warning, then Juventuus should have set alarm bells ringing before the rot set in against West Ham.
Rant over…!!!
Its an old saying but “perhaps your not as good as you think you are”
From a spurs point of view i didnt see the domination you did rather we took a while to get going. City fans cant expect to win every match now matter how much gets spent. You can only have 11 players on the pitch so unless you have the 1st and 2 nd best player in the world in each position you are going to have to suffer sub standard performances now and then.
In a few years time when there a few more billionares owning clubs and over spening on players the whole set up is going to come falling down anyway as with 5 or 6 such clubs in the league there will be no advantage anyway.
City are working on building up there acadamy THAT is the best way forward.
Dont expect to win every game but no offence intended we do expect to beat spurs or teams of your standing. That said we just never came out for the second half and injuries a side we had enough quality on the pitch to win that game but you get these odd results from time to time… Just hope we see the same response as we did after getting beat by utd last season. Thanks for the words of wisdom though mate!
I think youve made my point there. You expect to win an away match against a top 5 team?
Yet a team of our standing can beat any premiership team on a good day and have beaten them all in the last few years to prove the point.
Trust me even at 3-1 up we spurs fans are tormented as to the final outcome because we fully understand how things can go. Im sure you was the same a few years ago.
I have a soft spot for city as my very first live match was the replay in 81. So i wish you well, but dont turn into chelsea fans please, remembering where you come from will ease the pain on a bad day.
It was not the getting beat by Spurs awY I have a problem with its more the scoreline to be honest. We got beat by Burnley away last year so I know any prem team can get a result against bigger teams. Why should we not expect to win away at Spurs? I bet the majority of Spurs fans thought you were going to lose given your point about being 3-1 up and not knowing if you could finish us off. You are right that we were there not so long ago but times change and on paper we should walk this league hence the confidence. The reality is we will win far more than we will draw or lose but let’s see if it’s enough come May.
Well said Bazza, I genuinely read that article and thought, although well intentioned, it is conceited and self-absorbed to the fact that there wasn’t an opposing 11 or the likes of Dier getting in their faces or Lamela making them look silly. You’re also being too nice. Get over yourselves Gary and Darren, you were beaten – and fairly.
I’m surprised at Marty D, normally hes very good at organizing the defense – hard graft on the training pitch & clear communication between the players is required, at times we have a discipline problem…. sometimes Marty or the 42 and/or a another look like a Red card waiting to happen. Awful second half; credit to the boss for not making any excuses after the game, hopefully this is our time for a “wobble” for the season, I’d rather it happen now (if at all) than April/may, fingers x Mr p kicks ass in training before the next game, no excuses…. No bulls***!! Come on city.
First off, credit to Spurs , they played well obviously. And of course it is clear how much we miss Silva..
But my biggest issue with this game is how poorly we keep the ball when up against an organized press. It’s amazing to me that we can have as many supposed superstars in a team and yet struggle so much when up against a bit of pressure. Even some of the bottom table clubs we face pass the ball better out of pressure than us. Is it a lack of effort by City? Are other sides’ press just that much stronger than ours? Do we struggle with it because we train day in day out against our own press, which is sub-par? Do we not communicate, or some of our players just not as talented as we think?
I think this is why we can be dominated in Europe at times, especially against the great teams. It’s one thing to face an organized press/defense, but another when you face an agressive and organized team that has just as much talent as you.
I really hope when can figure this out and not give the ball away so much. Otherwise we will continue to make it difficult on the defense and we will continue to get punished by the great teams.
Spurs fan in peace here. I have a question,that being why City fans hate Spurs so much ??
Does it date back to the centenary cup final ?..or some other reason. I can’t think of one. As an oldish man of 62 it’s perplexed me for some time. You’re not in anyway disliked by us other than as a rival in the day. Our hatred ( not too strong a word ) is reserved for arsenal,chelsea and west ham. You don’t seem to be disliked for the new found wealth and Arab backing. That because most recognise your fan base have always been a loyal bunch. Something that can’t be said for chelsea. Anyway would appreciate an answer to my original question. Good luck
to be honest mate i cannot see the hatred you claim here.don’t think there is any real hatred by city fans except for you know who.i think you’re a bit paranoid and i do not mean any harm here by saying that.
Terry I don’t mean on this page, more in general. Most City fans I’ve met have made their feelings pretty clear about us.
Alfie,I see where your coming from,Since standing in the Kippax from an early age I have come across many a City fan who genuinely have contempt for spurs,I have a close friend who dislikes spurs also, but I have never been given a why (or bothered to ask) So you are Right in some quarters of the blue faithful Spurs are Hated.
After yesterday I was wondering which is the real City ? The one that won 5 out of 5 and conceded none or the one that has lost 3 of the last 4 ?
As others have rightly pointed out, the City of never giving up, of plucking victories from the jaws of defeats or draws, seems lost.
We never looked like being anything other than losers yesterday once they went ahead. No fight, no spirit and no ideas of how to manage the game from behind. Their fourth goal summed us up, falling apart and literally all over the place.
With an ever growing injury list, we need to re-find our solidity and defensive organisation. I am afraid we will not win with Caballero between the posts however and I hope Hart is able to resume asap.
Hart
Zabaleta kompany Otemendi Sagna
Fernandinho Toure
Silva De bruyne Nasri
Aguero
As some have said it’s the manner in which we lost, Juventus set the rot, we were totally dominant in the 1st half and for the most of the second half until we defended poorly and were caught out by 2 opportunities well taken. You could see the heads and shoulders drop and an ‘oh no here we go again!’ And that was on the pitch.
So, most if not all supporters at the West Ham game were again shocked to sera repeat performance only this time we camped out in the West Ham half for the 2nd half but couldn’t get through. Why? Well to be frank some of the team just don’t know how to motivate themselves when we go behind and those that do know how are not playing.
We also have what seems to me developed an annoying habit of when we do have a chance to break we seem to have decided to pull up, let the other team get and back then pass the ball all over the pitch till someone ‘Sterling’ looses the ball or Navas takes two to many touches and stuffs the cross.
Sadly, SA is wearing the wrong boots and on the wrong feet or he’s auditioning for dancing on ice as he’s slipping all over the place! His accuracy or ability to connect with the ball seems to have left him for the moment and it’s done so at the wrong time not that there’s ever a good time. Maybe his international games have drained him but, he’ll get his mojo back just hope it’s sooner rather than later.
Sterling seems timid and his final shot needs work, Navas! Yes lots of pace but his decision making when it comes to the final del is woeful. Kolorov! Where’s the Kolorov that played brilliantly against Chelski? He’s seems to have reverted to type and is back to his lazy ways. We’re picking up too many injuries during training! Why?
There was a time players would be desperate to playing and if they’re fit enough to be on the subs bench then they should and maybe we wouldn’t have seem the awful decisions that were made against Spurs!!
I finds self with those nagging doubts that we could loose any game in the blink of an eye and we can’t figure out how to fight back and this comes from the management team. Pellegrini instead of showing some fire over the appalling offside decisions on Sat for which we should have an apology as HWebb couldn’t inter stand how the hell the blatant Spurs offsides weren’t given and when Demechelis shows a little back bone for pointing out the obvious gets booked and everyone is supposed to have respect for the officials is too one sided, they apologised for the L’pool B’mouth game! But Pellegrini has been fined previously so now won’t say boo to a goose.
the only time I’d rotate is for the Capital one cup, all the others unless injured AND physically unable to play We should keep the same team! That way they’d get game time and we could blood more our our emerging talent.
We need to look at the training too.
We don’t have a right to win every game but we can go down fighting and with imagination. Oh and I don’t know of any city supporters who hate Spurs.
I think Nasri should start when Silva isn’t there, he can help us control possession and work an opening. The game was too end to end and that played into spurs hands. Pleased that the manager didn’t blame the officials as every other manager in this league would have
I would suggest there is a tendency to be over-eager, to make too hurried a response to going behind. There is a knack to holding the line, rotating the ball, and re-grouping. Juventus showed us how to do it, and we should learn from them.