Man City (H) - Pre-match Thread

[CloudFox]

19 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

At least you're all getting worked up about what he did say - one of my 'favourite' FT habits is people imagining what he might say and getting their knickers in a twist about it.

Could not agree more.

 

Of course he wants to test himself and his team against Haaland. If we shut him out, we're one of the few teams that managed it. If he doesn't play, there's the narrative of "well they didn't face Haaland".

 

I'm still Brendan Out, but picking on things like this is childish.

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, Tuna said:

Vards loves a goal agaisnt these!

Am I right in thinking he's only ever scored in 1 league game against them at home (a hattrick) all his other goals vs them have been away.

[Ric Flair]

4 signings in January would need a few out the door for the 25 man squad. Bertrand, Soyuncu and Vestergaard pointless being named anyway, possibly Perez too. Get them gone. 

[MalletFox]

11 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

4 signings in January would need a few out the door for the 25 man squad. Bertrand, Soyuncu and Vestergaard pointless being named anyway, possibly Perez too. Get them gone. 

Are we doing all of that before the Man City game, Ric?

[Matt]

3 hours ago, moore_94 said:

Brendan Rodgers Pre-Match Press Conference vs Man City

 

Team news?

“In terms of the squad, we’ll monitor Evans over the next few days. Ndidi is back training with the squad. Albrighton is back last weekend. It’s all fine.”

 

Ndidi?

“Most important thing is he’s back training. He’s looked fine with the players. He’s available.”

 

Morale?

“Results and winning is important. It breeds confidence. It’s about the process. We’d played well for a number of games but had errors in that, but now our concentration is better. We scored two fantastic goals in the first half at Wolves. In the second half, we dropped our lines a little bit which gave Wolves the ball but we were still a threat. The spirit has always been good.”

 

Ward?

“It was a difficult start for him because of the team not playing to the level we want. Whenever you keep a clean sheet, the goalkeeper plays a part in that. He looks really at home, in training and in games and he made a couple of good saves. That’s the mark of a good goalkeeper.”

 

Man City?

“They’re the best possession team in world football, so you know defensively you’re going to have to work. We understand the challenges in the game, but we also prepare for the moments where we can be a threat. You’ve got to have that luck along the way.”

 

Haaland?

“I hope he plays because it’s a player I’ve seen from his earlier years, and you want to see the best players. We have a chance to see a world-class player progress his talent on our shores. He’s 22, everyone can see the talent. He’s a natural goalscorer, but he works on it as well. He always makes the right runs. He never wastes a run. He has the hunger to be the best player he can be. He thought he needed to be stronger and put on 10kg of muscle. He’s blessed with incredible physicality. Over this next decade it will be great to follow him. I hope he plays, it will be great to measure ourselves against top talents.”

 

Goals?

“We feel we can always create. We can create more. We can be better in the final third. We lose it too often there that means we can’t sustain attacks. We’ve shown we can score goals when we retain that quality.”

 

January?

“You’re constantly reviewing it. I’ve got a meeting today with the recruitment team looking at January. It’s ongoing. There will be gossip around players, but that doesn’t concern me. Hopefully we can do some business in January.”

 

Add to squad?

“I’m hopeful we can. You can see the impact one player has made to our team, and if we had another four of those, that would help us. Let’s see if we can do anything in January.”

 

Turning point at Wolves?

“There’s still a long way to go. The Forest game was important. In the main the consistency has been good in the team since then. We’ve attacked well and defended strongly. There is a different feeling to the team.”
 

Most complete Man City?

“However they work, they have the best the manager in the world and the top players, and that combination makes them very difficult to play. They’re so full of quality and intensity and competitiveness.”
 

Stopping Haaland?

“When he has space, he’s really effective. His runs, his movement and his hunger to score is very clear. They have world-class talents, so we have to defend well as a team. We have to use the ball well and exploit the spaces.”
 

Preparing for two different Man Citys?

“Not really. It’s a team full of talents, so whoever they play in that position will have immense quality.”
 

Opportunity to find out where Leicester are?

“It should be a great atmosphere which spurs the players on. It’s all about moments, you’ve got to be strong and resilient, and then when you have the ball, you have to be able to exploit that.”
 

Tactically?

“It’s all about denying space. If the space is there, they’ll exploit it. If you press too high in the wrong moments, the goalkeeper can open up the game and they can play through you. You can’t be too low for too often. With Haaland, he’s very dangerous from crosses. He can run behind. He’s a complete striker.”
 

Difficult to bring in Evans and Ndidi given performances?

“It’s a nice one to have. We’ve got players in form in the team and that’s what you want. It gives you that greater choice in the game. It’s very important to have a bench that can affect the game. They can only train well and then we will pick the team.”
 

Vichai legacy?

“The move to Seagrave, reaching a European semi-final, the work with the council on the stadium, that’s the legacy. Everyone is very proud and honoured to carry on his legacy. The achievements are testament to that. You think of the great person and the work he did with the club and in the community. Everyone is aware of his presence. But then you are aware of the future with Khun Top. Every player is aware. Players were here during the tragedy and that will always be with them.”

 

Morale?

“Results and winning is important. It breeds confidence. It’s about the process. We’d played well for a number of games but had errors in that, but now our concentration is better. We scored two fantastic goals in the first half at Wolves. In the second half, we dropped our lines a little bit which gave Wolves the ball but we were still a threat. The spirit has always been good.”

 

Oh dear, what a crime. Didn't we have more success than we have when dominating the ball having possession for possession's sake as we usually do, whilst arguably creating more than we usually do in the process.

 

Man City?

“They’re the best possession team in world football, so you know defensively you’re going to have to work. We understand the challenges in the game, but we also prepare for the moments where we can be a threat. You’ve got to have that luck along the way.”

 

Yuck 

 

Haaland?

“I hope he plays because it’s a player I’ve seen from his earlier years, and you want to see the best players. We have a chance to see a world-class player progress his talent on our shores. He’s 22, everyone can see the talent. He’s a natural goalscorer, but he works on it as well. He always makes the right runs. He never wastes a run. He has the hunger to be the best player he can be. He thought he needed to be stronger and put on 10kg of muscle. He’s blessed with incredible physicality. Over this next decade it will be great to follow him. I hope he plays, it will be great to measure ourselves against top talents.”

 

 

 

Goals?

“We feel we can always create. We can create more. We can be better in the final third. We lose it too often there that means we can’t sustain attacks. We’ve shown we can score goals when we retain that quality.”

 

We've rarely created under him, ever. Too concerned about "controlling games". We've scored plenty but that says alot more about our teams chance conversion rather than chance creation.

 

Oooh, he forgot to tell us 12.30pm KO's are always difficult and that there is an impending indian summer and it's going to be hot, hot, hot!

 

[StanSP]

1 minute ago, Matt said:

Goals?

“We feel we can always create. We can create more. We can be better in the final third. We lose it too often there that means we can’t sustain attacks. We’ve shown we can score goals when we retain that quality.”

 

We've rarely created under him, ever. Too concerned about "controlling games". We've scored plenty but that says alot more about our teams chance conversion rather than chance creation.

Oh no! We convert the chances we have!!! 

 

Heaven forbid!! 

[Matt]

Just now, StanSP said:

Oh no! We convert the chances we have!!! 

 

Heaven forbid!! 

That's good, but i'd rather see us try and create more than aimlessly pass at the back.

 

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

2 hours ago, whoareyaaa said:

No idea why he thinks we will be looking to sign 4 players in Jan, maybe 1 or 2 not 4.

There isn't usually good business to be had in January. What was our last good signing in the middle of the season? Ndidi?

 

I mean, there will be some players dropping down/out of the European competitions, and their clubs may need the cash, but who is really available?

 

But I guess if we lose Cags, Lurch, Perez, Youri, and Praet...

 

[StanSP]

7 minutes ago, Matt said:

That's good, but i'd rather see us try and create more than aimlessly pass at the back.

 

I'm happy with how much we're scoring to be honest. That's clearly not the issue these days. 

 

Let me guess you'll call me a happy clapper for it... 

[whoareyaaa]

I don't think any manager (bar Rodgers of course) would hope the top goal scorer in the league plays against them  it is a funny comment but nothing to get worked up over just funny

[winteriscoming]

Rodgers comes out with a lot of shit. Like every other manager he’s going to praise the opposition coach before we play them. I agree it’s nonsense wanting haaland to play but it would be more surprising if he came out and said - fvck off pep and all the money you and your club have spent. It’s never gonna happen with any manager. 

[Sunbury Fox]

Imagine the headlines if Rodgers said how glad he was that Haaland is injured, not to mention the extra motivation it would provide to his replacement to do well against us. Rodgers said what media training would have led him to say - and what was the sensible thing to say. I think it is a complete non issue. 

Edited 27 October 2022 by Sunbury Fox

[Ric Flair]

57 minutes ago, MalletFox said:

Are we doing all of that before the Man City game, Ric?

Marcus Edwards, Enzo Le Fee, Todibo and Odin Thiago Holm

[Ric Flair]

43 minutes ago, Matt said:

That's good, but i'd rather see us try and create more than aimlessly pass at the back.

 

We don't aimlessly pass at the back, in fact our possession stats are way down in recent weeks, surely that should make you happier?

[MalletFox]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Marcus Edwards, Enzo Le Fee, Todibo and Odin Thiago Holm

Imagine that! 😍

[Matt]

33 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

We don't aimlessly pass at the back, in fact our possession stats are way down in recent weeks, surely that should make you happier?

We really do, but you're entitled to your opinion.

 

As I said in my earlier post, "Didn't we have more success than we have when dominating the ball having possession for possession's sake as we usually do, whilst arguably creating more than we usually do in the process." in response to him saying we gave the ball away against Wolves (Which I jokingly said he'd be unhappy about our lack of possession in the post-match Wolves thread. Jokingly )

 

Our form has also coincidently  had an upturn when as you say possession stats are way down, one swallow doesn't make a summer, neither does beating 3 of the worst teams in the league, but it's encouraging, especially as these would usually be the team's we "struggle to break down". 

 

Likewise, less aimless passing at the back (Your prerogative), having possession for possession's sake have coincided  with 4 clean sheets, who'd have thought.

 

However, his comments about being better on the ball and about being disappointed with losing the ball are a concerning red flag and point towards his possession obsession and control freak nature of 'controlling the game' when we've won 4-0, 3-0 and 4-0 playing in a clinical, economic, having purposeful possession in an effective way.

 

Edited 27 October 2022 by Matt

[TheLittleBigMan]

We'll have these lot. They are dog sh*t.

[Ric Flair]

13 minutes ago, Matt said:

We really do, but you're entitled to your opinion.

 

As I said in my earlier post, "Didn't we have more success than we have when dominating the ball having possession for possession's sake as we usually do, whilst arguably creating more than we usually do in the process." in response to him saying we gave the ball away against Wolves (Which I jokingly said he'd be unhappy about our lack of possession in the post-match Wolves thread. Jokingly )

 

Our form has also coincidently  had an upturn when as you say possession stats are way down, one swallow doesn't make a summer, neither does beating 3 of the worst teams in the league, but it's encouraging, especially as these would usually be the team's we "struggle to break down". 

 

Likewise, less aimless passing at the back (Your prerogative), having possession for possession's sake have coincided  with 4 clean sheets, who'd have thought.

 

However, his comments about being better on the ball and about being disappointed with losing the ball are concerning red flag and point toward his possession obsession and control freak nature of 'controlling the game' when we've won 4-0, 3-0 and 4-0 playing in a clinical, economic, purposeful possession in an effective way.

Sorry let me be clear, we have stopped aimlessly passing about at the back (your words) in recent weeks and I'm happier for it. I don't like us doing it if it doesn't lead to anything, which when we're playing badly or look vulnerable is actually a disaster waiting to happen. It's OK to play possession based football if done correctly and with pace and positivity (we've done this plenty).

 

We're still a team that whether we play possession based football or go a bit more counter attacking, we seem to allow teams plenty of chances (often a large chunk of them aren't massive chances) but don't create that many chances (when we do they tend to be quality chances and finishes), whatever the football we play I want the attitude to be that we are trying to win football matches and not control what the other team do. I accept having the ball means the other team doesn't have it, but you need to do something with it otherwise its irrelevant. 

[jammie82uk]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

he forgot to tell us 12.30pm KO's are always difficult

I seen a stat but not verified it myself, we have played 14 games at 12:30pm and won once 

[VG Fox]

3 hours ago, Tuna said:

Vards loves a goal agaisnt these!

3 would do nicely..

[sacreblueits442]

On 24/10/2022 at 07:50, taupe said:

It's a balancing act, and tbh I don't know where the line is. I don't like sitting deep and inviting pressure against any team, so that high defensive press does seem to be the way go, play the game if not in the opponent's half then at least higher up the pitch, but Man City play a different game.

 

Man City control and change the pace of a game so well, they have individual players of quality, and as a team their running off the ball is creative; they always seem to have a man, and a pass, available. Haarland is reaping the rewards and obviously a class act in his own right. 

 

I think you have to accept that you will not have the possession nor territory advantage against them, that they will control the game and make very few mistakes. They do have off days and of course they can be frustrated, thwarted and slowed but rarely do you see them negated. They've been beaten by a sucker punch (or defensive howler) and resolute defending. 

 

I've no idea how you go about beating them but I don't feel going toe-to-toe is not the answer. Their quality will do fo you. I feel you need to accept you're going to spend most of the match in your own half, try to shut down space, watch the runs, be dynamic essentially and then capitalise on your own possession and their mistakes. You have to work hard to do it, it takes belief and commitment to what must feel like a lost cause at times.

...so playing them on the counter then!!!

  A 5-3-2 in a well martialed set up will be the way to go. Keep your Fullbacks at home.

[westernpark]

1 hour ago, whoareyaaa said:

I don't think any manager (bar Rodgers of course) would hope the top goal scorer in the league plays against them  it is a funny comment but nothing to get worked up over just funny

Yeah he probably just wants him to play so he can tell his missus when he got home that he shook Haaland’s hand. 

[coolhandfox]

2 hours ago, MarriedaLeicesterGirl said:

There isn't usually good business to be had in January. What was our last good signing in the middle of the season? Ndidi?

 

I mean, there will be some players dropping down/out of the European competitions, and their clubs may need the cash, but who is really available?

 

But I guess if we lose Cags, Lurch, Perez, Youri, and Praet...

 

It a unique window with the world cup break, clubs normal have to deal with being in season coming into the window.

 

This year there is a 4 week break before the window, it going to be a very different winter window.

[Cincinnati Fox]

9 hours ago, Tuna said:

Vards loves a goal agaisnt these!

He got a goal last week and he is a streaky bastard!!!! 

[Dan]

5 hours ago, westernpark said:

Yeah he probably just wants him to play so he can tell his missus when he got home that he shook Haaland’s hand. 

Or Haaland shook his hand.