Community Shield Post Match Thread 1 - 2

[yag101]

I felt Mendy was too cautious with moving forward a little to support our attack. Kante didn't just mop up better defensively, he also knew how to join an attack and help out a player by positioning himself well to receive the ball and recycle possession... Mendy looked like he didn't really know where to be. Perhaps he just needs more time to adjust and gel with his new teammates, but I strongly feel we need another centre mid.

 

As for Drinkwater, people don't seem to have noticed but I thought he had a bit of a stinker. His passing and decision making was way off. I would love to sign someone who could offer him some competition.

 

It's no doubt already been said but Hernandez is a fantastic signing and fantastic player.

[Dr The Singh]

As champions of the Prem, that performance wasn't the most convincing.   

 

Next week is where it counts, roll on Saturday

[Izzy]

4 hours ago, LinekersApples said:

 

I did a shit in the stadium, which I would never have even attempted at old Wembley.

 

This is definitely a contender as my new signature 

[iancognito]

4 hours ago, Thracian said:

Surprised anyone was happy with today's performance.

 

Somehow we forgot that it was a hot, sticky, day with so many people trying to run with the ball and only succeeding in wiping themselves out in the second half.

 

Today was a day for passing. On the floor and with steady consistency yet we failed lamentably to even pass acceptably let alone with any attitude.

 

Mahrez and Gray were the chief culprits but not the only ones. The former must have lost the ball half a dozen times in risky situations around or just in advance of the halfway line. 

 

It's a schoolboy error. You take people on in the front third of the pitch when you've some chance of a breakthrough and the problems of being dispossessed can be recovered. But at least Mahrez was trying to make something happen.

 

Gray too showed energy and determination but instead of causing a bit of chaos and then slipping a dangerous pass  to a supporting team-mate he just kept trying to do it himself and was inevitibly thwarted.

 

Mourinho gave a masterclass of retaining possession in the second half with his team, passing the ball patiently to draw energy, heart and ideas away from Leicester and standing slightly off the Leicester defenders, limiting their passing options to what became an increasingly static attack and then pouncing on any mistakes to counter including in the easy way they were allowed to cross from our latterly reconstituted left flank for Ibrahimovic's deserved winner.

 

Those mistakes were more pronounced with the absence of Kante and how desperately he was missed because we had no-one cleaning up messes. Not even close. Some would gain possession but mostly they just gave it away again and sometimes quite sloppily.

 

I also wondered why, with Ibrahimovic's being the main threat. we didn't utilise Ulloa earlier, especially as we had no-one even threatening to get on the end of attacking crosses and we couldn't use the standard counter-measures for dealing with the main United striker which would be to have one baulker remaining tight and preventing any free or easy headers with a spare man dealing with anything loose. It was clear we needed Ulloa at both ends on occasions. 

 

Vardy's opportunist goal was a plus point - one chance, one goal is always encouraging - but otherwise, apart from a few neat spells of close and positive passing in the first half we were way below our best in virtually every department. Today our team, our tactics and our set pieces were disappointing.   ..   

 

           

 

  

Mahrez and Albrighton were shocking today. There's no way Albrighton can expect to stay ahead of Gray & Kaputska on that form. Let's not forget though that Gray is far from the finished article and is a brilliant young prospect, the sort you've championed on here for years. He learns every game and I'm more impressed every time he plays.

 

I'm not having any of this Mourinho masterclass rubbish. His team looked devoid of real attacking intent and scored from their only two real chances. The Lingard goal was bouncy, bobbly, lucky to run for him and in the end poor defending from us.. In the second half they looked bewildered about having two pacy players and he'd used 4 subs by the time he correctyed it and gave the defence more cover.

 

Ulloa really isn't the best cover front and back. Ibrahimovic is a clever player who made sure he was up against Wes whenever possible because Huth was winning everything.

 

In the first half we were poor, tactically and to a man granted but our set pieces caused them problems, Shinji hit the bar, Musa's header from the flick on and Utd weren't comfortable at all from long throws.

 

Ranieri always impresses me with his ability to switch to plan B early if plan A hasn't worked, he changed at half time today and until United made 4 or 5 subs they'd started to struggle defensively.

 

For me, we need to start switching Riyad and the opposing winger far more than we do. As with Albrighton, teams are making him go down the line because they know he wants to cut in. Every single time he cut inside today they had an extra man anticipating it. He either needs to be switched from side to side to vary it or he needs a new trick in his locker. Musa looked decent, Vardy looked sharp, Hernandez was far more solid than Simpson as plusses. Drinkwater gave a few passes away but there were still a couple of cross firled passes that anyone would have been proud about.

 

Oh and if we'd kept Fuchs on for the final ten, that cross doesn't get in and Wes doesn't get outjumped. If we need LB cover it's Chilwell. Jeffrey shouldn't get near our defence ever again he's a liability.

[Aroberts123]

Came away from that not being too disappointed however definitely a few talking points. Everyone was hoping musa and vardy would play together, and they looked exciting. However think shinji will get the nod next week as can sit behind vardy and put pressure on defences. Musa and vardy are very similar and ideally, both play on the last defender to utilise their pace.   Musa is lightning, however he reminds me a little of schlupp- super quick but a bit wild, probably lacking composure in front of goal. Yes he scored two good goals last week, but I can't help but get that impression. His pace will be a weapon anyhow.

 

would have liked to have seen Gray start, think he deserves to next week. Albrighton looked way off the pace, so did riyad. He'll be back though, he bend in a 59 yard screamer in a week or two and he'll be the best player in the world again.

think Simpson needs some proper competition, Hernandez makeshift right back may push him but would like us to get in an out and out right back. Another CM is necessary, only time will tell us if Mendy is as good as is claimed- another addition there wouldn't hurt though. 

Think we'll beat hull next week 2-0.

[C-man]

A day of mixed emotions really. Gutted with the result, felt we should have pushed on at 1-1 but nevermind - guess we'll have to go back next year

 

Heat and sun in Blocks 111/112 was draining. Felt that contributed to a lot of 'apathy' from some fans who spent were forced to spend the game shielding their eyes rather than sing, and probably (mixed with alcohol) also led to a lot of the infighting described in the other thread.

 

On the positive side, great to see my team at Wembley for the first time since 2000 and a fantastic atmosphere in The Torch pre-match.

 

But my personal highlight was the march to the stadium from The Torch, down Bridge Road and up Wembley Way. Incredible scenes - has anyone got any videos from it?

 

[WigstonWanderer]

Kante & City were a match made in heaven, and I doubt whether either of us will be quite as good apart. Claudio should try Amartey and Drinky in midfield next week as I think he's the nearest thing we have to a Kante replacement.

 

When I saw Jeff coming on I assumed it was for Mahrez. Rather disappointing to see Fuchs off.

 

Some good play, some bad, mixed bag.

[Guest]

12 hours ago, Larry_LCFC said:

Gray looks very promising and makes some very threatening runs. He just needs to seriously learn when to pass it and not shoot. 

That's normal for a young guy. We said the same about Mahrez.

 

He looks truly exhilarating and works back on defence.

[Fox92]

Albrighton didn't look fit enough but he needs to start because we can't go into games with Mahrez and Gray, both full backs won't have defensive support then.

 

Drinkwater tried everything. Great game for him. Looked like he was playing alone. Miss Kante already.

 

 

[Mark_w]

2 hours ago, C-man said:

Felt that contributed to a lot of 'apathy' from some fans who spent were forced to spend the game shielding their eyes rather than sing,

They couldn't sing because they were shielding their eyes?

[Nick]

Albrighton and Mahrez didn't have their best games but hey, it's early days. Albrighton will especially be under natural pressure by Gray for a starting place as the season develops.

 

Okazaki hit the bar a couple of times and looked good again - to keep ahead of Musa he may need to start converting a couple of these chances - Musa doesn't do the work off the ball that Okazaki does.

 

Drinks had a great game, and Fuchs was well above average too. The middle of the park though is still a problem. Mendy put some good tackles in and the odd forward pass but not convinced yet and King worked his socks off but is perhaps not the answer to a starting place.... If we have cash I would be looking for a box to box central midfielder Mata may be too attacking but someone who can fulfill a role intercepting, tackling, tracking and dictating play. This should be our priority over signing another forward.

 

Hernandez played well again. I would prefer though we acknowledge that despite his long throw, he's a better centre back than right back. Let's not try and buy Keane, give Hernandez this slot and get a young right back in - round pegs round holes.

 

Now I know what Jeff and Amartey offer the side - especially Jeff. Not sure if Amartey is the next Inler.

 

CM is still the priority for me - unless of course Raneiri thinks his young Polish signing can be mounded to this position....

 

 

[Oxfordfox83]

10 hours ago, Col city fan said:

The only way that Gray will be a 'star' is if he learns and learns quickly, when to pass the ball. He's got the attributes...quick and tricky, but the mental side of the game is what stands those really good young players out from the others.

He's young so this will improve..decision making, composure and the such like. I want to see him come on this season and not fizzle out into yet another tricky player who doesn't link play up well enough. 

Two things:

 

He's got plenty of time to learn before he needs to be a star-he's likely to come off the bench until he's keeping people out of the team.

Plenty of players yesterday hesitated at vital moments, taking touches or making poor decisions. Gray shot badly once, but scared United several times. He made more in his 45 mins than Mahrez did in 90 (Not to rag on Mahrez-we're all very aware that when he's hot he's roasting...).

Very pleased to see Gray unafraid of playing United at Wembley, taking corners and FKs and shooting. That attitude will define his progression, and I think he'll have a big role for us this season.

[ARM1968]

More positives than negatives to be fair. Need to start the league by battering Hull good and proper. 

[C-man]

27 minutes ago, Mark_w said:

They couldn't sing because they were shielding their eyes?

Well I can't think of any other reason people in a 'singing' section wouldn't be singing...

 

[Manwell Pablo]

Well apart from the bus (FCK NATIONAL EXPRESS) not turning up resulting me having 0 drinking time and missing the opportunity to pick up some tickets and see some people I used to go to games with, some of which I have not seen for literally years, us losing 2-1, and far too many of our own showing themselves up as thieves racists or thugs,I thought it was a pretty good day.

 

 

[Oxfordfox83]

10 hours ago, Thracian said:

Surprised anyone was happy with today's performance.

 

Somehow we forgot that it was a hot, sticky, day with so many people trying to run with the ball and only succeeding in wiping themselves out in the second half.

 

Today was a day for passing. On the floor and with steady consistency yet we failed lamentably to even pass acceptably let alone with any attitude.

 

Mahrez and Gray were the chief culprits but not the only ones. The former must have lost the ball half a dozen times in risky situations around or just in advance of the halfway line. 

 

It's a schoolboy error. You take people on in the front third of the pitch when you've some chance of a breakthrough and the problems of being dispossessed can be recovered. But at least Mahrez was trying to make something happen.

 

Gray too showed energy and determination but instead of causing a bit of chaos and then slipping a dangerous pass  to a supporting team-mate he just kept trying to do it himself and was inevitibly thwarted.

 

Mourinho gave a masterclass of retaining possession in the second half with his team, passing the ball patiently to draw energy, heart and ideas away from Leicester and standing slightly off the Leicester defenders, limiting their passing options to what became an increasingly static attack and then pouncing on any mistakes to counter including in the easy way they were allowed to cross from our latterly reconstituted left flank for Ibrahimovic's deserved winner.

 

Those mistakes were more pronounced with the absence of Kante and how desperately he was missed because we had no-one cleaning up messes. Not even close. Some would gain possession but mostly they just gave it away again and sometimes quite sloppily.

 

I also wondered why, with Ibrahimovic's being the main threat. we didn't utilise Ulloa earlier, especially as we had no-one even threatening to get on the end of attacking crosses and we couldn't use the standard counter-measures for dealing with the main United striker which would be to have one baulker remaining tight and preventing any free or easy headers with a spare man dealing with anything loose. It was clear we needed Ulloa at both ends on occasions. 

 

Vardy's opportunist goal was a plus point - one chance, one goal is always encouraging - but otherwise, apart from a few neat spells of close and positive passing in the first half we were way below our best in virtually every department. Today our team, our tactics and our set pieces were disappointing.   ..   

 

           

 

  

Wow, you must have watched a very short highlights reel to get that from the game. I think every statement you made was wrong, which in such a long email is impressive.

[Nick]

4 minutes ago, Manwell Pablo said:

Well apart from the bus (FCK NATIONAL EXPRESS) not turning up resulting me having 0 drinking time and missing the opportunity to pick up some tickets and see some people I used to go to games with, some of which I have not seen for literally years, us losing 2-1, and far too many of our own showing themselves up as thieves racists or thugs,I thought it was a pretty good day.

 

 

Manwell Pablo - rolling glass half full.

 

+1

[Guest Col city fan]

21 minutes ago, Manwell Pablo said:

Well apart from the bus (FCK NATIONAL EXPRESS) not turning up resulting me having 0 drinking time and missing the opportunity to pick up some tickets and see some people I used to go to games with, some of which I have not seen for literally years, us losing 2-1, and far too many of our own showing themselves up as thieves racists or thugs,I thought it was a pretty good day.

 

 

+1 from me too

[Nick]

24 minutes ago, Oxfordfox83 said:

Wow, you must have watched a very short highlights reel to get that from the game. I think every statement you made was wrong, which in such a long email is impressive.

[foxfanazer]

Thought a draw and a penalty shootout would've been a fairer reflection but not too disappointed. Had a great day. Just a shame to hear that some of our fans let us down, didn't see any of it myself

[Jazzy_Jeff]

We could have played better but didn't play bad enough to warrant any concern. It is still effectively pre-season and I am confident we will be back to our old selves on Sat.

 

Was more frustrated with the media's bias towards utd. When Mahrez was pulled back in the 1st half it was ok because there was cover, when Bailly took out one of ours at a corner on a yellow it was just laughed at and the fact their winner was offside doesn't appear to matter much. McManaman on BT Sport even said he is offside but had got himself into a great position - didn't think being offside was meant to be classed as a great position.

 

Got this annoying feeling that everyone wants us to fail this season and would be really chuffed if we did.

[lgfualol]

The media bias will only get worse, especially if Man U do well and with their twatty players and a manager desperate for attention so he'll say stupid things to be in newspaper headlines.

[Monsell1976]

I would be more concerned if I was a Man U fan.

Yes they won, but by a Man U standard, I thought they were ordinary, nothing special at all.

We didn't play to our potential, and saw things to be positive about, musa, vardy looking dangerous, gray pushing for a start.

Also saw things that concerned me, King weak link, I feel we have something missing, but can't put my finger on it, and the defence getting opened up to easy again.

All this said, the season hasn't started yet, and trust those running the club to get it right, come the start of the season

[Steven]

47 minutes ago, foxfanazer said:

Thought a draw and a penalty shootout would've been a fairer reflection but not too disappointed. Had a great day. Just a shame to hear that some of our fans let us down, didn't see any of it myself

I thought ref didn't give decisions against Man Ure only on the basis that they are a "big club". Example their centre half stamps on Vardy, nothing. Two seconds later an innocuous touch by a City player is given as a foul. I mean, WTF.   

[Dynamogoon]

17 minutes ago, Monsell1976 said:

I would be more concerned if I was a Man U fan.

Yes they won, but by a Man U standard, I thought they were ordinary, nothing special at all.

We didn't play to our potential, and saw things to be positive about, musa, vardy looking dangerous, gray pushing for a start.

Also saw things that concerned me, King weak link, I feel we have something missing, but can't put my finger on it, and the defence getting opened up to easy again.

All this said, the season hasn't started yet, and trust those running the club to get it right, come the start of the season

Kante is missing. That's the difference this year. Big loss for us, no one else does what he did