This weekend's other games

[Zippity]

Bournemouth currently winning and will go third for a while if it stays that way.

Great that the League is so open but we need to take advantage and keep up with the 'other' teams before the 'bigger' teams i.e. the ones who are allowed to spend get their act together.

[Zippity]

Man City v Brighton is, so far a good example of why technical, possession-based football is, well...boring.

It's all about moving the ball around to try to disrupt the other team's shape or patterns. Try one flank...no luck, shift it back into the middle or defence then try the other flank...no luck there...back into midfield...rinse and repeat...just don't lose the ball. There's very little scope for a flair player, for example, to takle a chance, try to beat a player and either create a chance or risk losing the ball.

Yes, I know that when it works it can be effective but...it's canny boring to watch, no?

Well, I think it is, anyway.

[Ragatino]

Man City v Brighton is, so far a good example of why technical, possession-based football is, well...boring.

It's all about moving the ball around to try to disrupt the other team's shape or patterns. Try one flank...no luck, shift it back into the middle or defence then try the other flank...no luck there...back into midfield...rinse and repeat...just don't lose the ball. There's very little scope for a flair player, for example, to takle a chance, try to beat a player and either create a chance or risk losing the ball.

Yes, I know that when it works it can be effective but...it's canny boring to watch, no?

Well, I think it is, anyway.

It is a very good point Zippster. Barcelona at their best was hypnotic but the game was far more interesting when teams when hell for leather.

When it comes down to it, the game these days with the Crown Prince Guardiola's technical and tactical dominance convincing the rest of the football world that this is "the beautiful game". There is a lot to be said for the barnstorming teams of the 90s/00s.

These days it's about ball retention and recycling the ball to find the weaknesses. So it's sit deep bring the technical team on and hit them on the break.

EH's 22/23 team was the best style I'd seen us play and one of the most enthralling match winning systems in the Premier League Era.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Man City v Brighton is, so far a good example of why technical, possession-based football is, well...boring.

It's all about moving the ball around to try to disrupt the other team's shape or patterns. Try one flank...no luck, shift it back into the middle or defence then try the other flank...no luck there...back into midfield...rinse and repeat...just don't lose the ball. There's very little scope for a flair player, for example, to takle a chance, try to beat a player and either create a chance or risk losing the ball.

Yes, I know that when it works it can be effective but...it's canny boring to watch, no?

Well, I think it is, anyway.

Well it was insomuch that it did Pep's record of never having lost four in a row all the time he's been a manager.

[Zippity]

Much better 2nd half, tbf.

[Jammy89]

Quite something to see City losing again though.

Agreed about Howes 22/23 team.

Is the League more open but it also feels that Liverpool is beginning to step it up and away. . . .although, I still think City will win title.

[Ragatino]

Quite something to see City losing again though.

Agreed about Howes 22/23 team.

Is the League more open but it also feels that Liverpool is beginning to step it up and away. . . .although, I still think City will win title.

No one is perfect and City aren't bullet proof.

Yes I also think they will still win the title. However, all this noise that it's unfair and that they would run away with it just hasn't been the case in reality since the 17-18 season.

Time will tell on this Slott fella as I've said previously. He's not faced any adversity and he's got a fit squad.

Let's see how they're looking mid Jan.

[Ragatino]

Villa's form has dropped off a cliff.

D,D,W,D,L,L

Losing to Liverpool yesterday 2-0. They've not experienced the injuries we did last season but the pressure of the European Schedule, those extra miles of travel, the extra intensity on the legs against UCL opposition mid-week. It all adds up.

[Ragatino]

Wolves starting to pick up a bit of form. After 3 losses in the spin they've gone 3 games unbeaten 2 draws and then a 2-0 win yesterday at home to the Saints. Southampton look like relegation fodder already.

The Brentford v Bournemouth match was mint! Proper ding dong Premier League match. Great advertisement for the league. A far cry from the grumblings of the dull Man City performance. Credit to Brighton I guess for the win. I've not watched the highlights but fair play to them for taking all 3 points.

The league is super competitive this season.

Forest in 3rd with 19 points.
NUFC in 12th with 15 points.

You could throw a blanket over 10 teams right now. All to play for after 10 games.

The Red Filth in 13th with 12 points level with West Ham who drew with Everton yesterday. Leicester play the filth at the Swamp tomorrow. They're only 2 points back from the Filth. A result there would be sweet for the Foxes and brilliant to pish on Horseface's chips ahead of the Amorim's arrival.

Chelsea v Arsenal is a tasty fixture in the late fixture today. Should be fireworks but I recon Arsenal are just gonna try and beat them up and it'll end 1-1 or 2-2 at the Bridge. A Chelsea win would really see the Gooners lose it with their already turning attitude on Captain Scarlet (Arteta). They're both on 18 points so a draw would be the best for us however either way we're gonna be right on their coat tails throughout the season as they both manage their European schedule.

Our record at the City Ground is very good. We've not lost there in the top-flight since May 1987. We're starting to find a bit of form, Isak is scorer match winning goals. I'm positive yet reserved in my belief of a win today.