Spring board to better things?

[lush]

Well what a performance. From the first whistle to the last, the atmosphere and game play was a joy to be part of.

Sheff utd to their credit took part in the best game of the season, but it was city who stole the show, macarthy leading by example from the back, and the hammond & hume double act up front.

Craif levein will no doubt be extremely pleased with the outcome, and he will have learnt a valueable lesson today, and that is, that in this league its not about using a striker to hold the ball up, its about using the attacking pace and skill of H&H.

Mr hammond did find himself at fault with the lino on a few occassions, but not as much as tuesday night, and eventually his partnership with hume was the match winning ingredient.

Never for a very long time have city had 2 quick and tricky strikers that gave a good opposition the shakes. For once, the opposition were scared of us, and couple that with macarthy`s leadership qualities at the back, we showed great footballing ability and attitude.

When you think that our best player prior to today was the oustanding talent of smith, who had an average performance, someone somewhere had to shine, and shine they did.

Only one thing bothered me today, and that was johanson at LB, and we all know the deal there, but if craig heeds the striking point, then we`ll NO doubt win more than we dont.

Ive been hammering for what we saw today for months, and now the batton is clearly there for craig to take in hand and reach the finishing line.

LCFC Men Of The Match.

[Milky]

When you think that our best player prior to today was the oustanding talent of smith, who had an average performance,

are you saying that smith had an average performance? i may have read it wrong but if you are saying that, what game were you watching. unless your being sarcastic of course

[Libertine]

are you saying that smith had an average performance? i may have read it wrong but if you are saying that, what game were you watching. unless your being sarcastic of course

He means the Watford game I think.

[Milky]

He means the Watford game I think.

yeh, having read it again i think he does.

[Jimmy]

smith was fantastic today, sylla, kisnorbo and maybury drastically improved joey was quality and H+H were the same as at derby, linking well and creating chances all game long

[AyewJoking]

smith was fantastic today, sylla, kisnorbo and maybury drastically improved joey was quality and H+H were the same as at derby, linking well and creating chances all game long

I read that Levein thought H+H were off the boil against Derby.

[Jimmy]

he did, but he is a muppet, both times the partnership was forced due to mdv not being fully fit

[lush]

are you saying that smith had an average performance? i may have read it wrong but if you are saying that, what game were you watching. unless your being sarcastic of course

In comparison to tuesday, he was average, because he was unreal v watford. He was still one of our best players today.

Macarthy hammond and hume were just that bit better than smith, the reason why we won ultimately.

[Thracian]

Well what a performance. From the first whistle to the last, the atmosphere and game play was a joy to be part of.

Sheff utd to their credit took part in the best game of the season, but it was city who stole the show, macarthy leading by example from the back, and the hammond & hume double act up front.

Craif levein will no doubt be extremely pleased with the outcome, and he will have learnt a valueable lesson today, and that is, that in this league its not about using a striker to hold the ball up, its about using the attacking pace and skill of H&H.

Mr hammond did find himself at fault with the lino on a few occassions, but not as much as tuesday night, and eventually his partnership with hume was the match winning ingredient.

Never for a very long time have city had 2 quick and tricky strikers that gave a good opposition the shakes. For once, the opposition were scared of us, and couple that with macarthy`s leadership qualities at the back, we showed great footballing ability and attitude.

When you think that our best player prior to today was the oustanding talent of smith, who had an average performance, someone somewhere had to shine, and shine they did.

Only one thing bothered me today, and that was johanson at LB, and we all know the deal there, but if craig heeds the striking point, then we`ll NO doubt win more than we dont.

Ive been hammering for what we saw today for months, and now the batton is clearly there for craig to take in hand and reach the finishing line.

LCFC Men Of The Match.

You make a good point in that last paragraph.

This basic team needs to play together and develop their high press, low pass, attacking game so that all the natural partnerships develop, movement becomes instinctive, the timing of runs more precise and the comeraderie becomes solid as cement.

Given time, and the minor improvements I've mentioned, this team CAN evolve to be exceptional by City's standards.

The test will come when Levein plays away and when he comes across five in midfield.

He needs to show faith in the style that suits his young players ... like Ferguson when Scholes, Beckham and the Nevilles emerged.

Dour, spoiling football will only dampen the spirit of these lads. Keep em disciplined by all means, keep em fit and keep em mindful of helping one another but most of all Craig, keep em off that bloody leash.

[Gené and Tonic]

wondeful performance today, because we ATTACKED, instead of sitting back and waiting for them to make the first move. Well done Levein for staying with the same strategy right to the end, if he'd have tried to close the game down, we probably wouldn't have won, let alone by two goals.

Now, continue it! Also put Sheehan at left back.

[lush]

You make a good point in that last paragraph.

This basic team needs to play together and develop their high press, low pass, attacking game so that all the natural partnerships develop, movement becomes instinctive, the timing of runs more precise and the comeraderie becomes solid as cement.

Given time, and the minor improvements I've mentioned, this team CAN evolve to be exceptional by City's standards.

The test will come when Levein plays away and when he comes across five in midfield.

Dour, spoiling football will only dampen the spirit of these lads. Keep em disciplined by all means, keep em fit and keep em mindful of helping one another but most of all Craig, keep em off that bloody leash.

Ive been saying for about 3 months now, that we have a good enough squad, its just a lack of confidence thats been lacking. You dont hammer stoke 4-2, win at watford, win in cardiff and now hammer sheff u without having something generally in the squad.

Like you say, just a tweak here, fine tune there, "kicking lumps out of the attack" and rebuilding it and adding some serious skill (smith), just breeds confidence, especially when you go 2-0 up v a high flying team.

For sure, the test will not be bolton, thats graigs bonus game for me, its leeds and stoke as to how much craigs learnt from today. If we play a positive approach, no matter what the outcome, then we can assume he means business. If we get 2,3 or 4pts from them games, were going in the right direction.

[moseeds]

...Like you say, just a tweak here, fine tune there...

I completely agree with that. This is why I would like Levein to stay. Appointing a new manager will most likely result in a completely new game plan with (maybe) another set of players. The problem with booting out Levein means making the assumption the future appointee will be better for the team. I have seen enough of City to realise the team is not far away from becoming a force in this division. The only way this will happen is with consistency in both playing style, players and in my opinion manager too. I said after the Watford game my faith in Levein had been shaken drastically. Todays performance has begun the rebuilding process for my heart and mind and I suspect for many other fans too.