City and Amdouni

[kritichris]

Well done Connor Roberts at least he shows a bit of metal showing he cares and dislikes being on the losing side. Unlike most of the rest.

Roberts showed that when he had a pop at Weghorst in the Nations league.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Lads in the bar here in Nerja tonight asked why do we have no physicality. Indeed.

[outwoodclaret]

Lads in the bar here in Nerja tonight asked why do we have no physicality. Indeed.

Last time I was in Nerja watching football in a bar we got the patron to put the Burnley v Fulham League Cup tie on. It was part of our famed “Capital Punishment” when we also beat Arsenal and Chelsea before being robbed in the semi final v Spurs.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I had great difficulty in watching the game, I only managed about 15 minutes in the first half and we were already 2 down. Why does VK persist in playing games without a pair of recognised full backs and no ball winner in the centre of midfield. City just seemed to be toying with us. We looked poor from the bit I saw.

[army88]

Yes, He just not ready for this level yet. His handling and command of the area is poor. Why Muric is not playing instead is beyond me frankly.

Well I think a few of you are fixated on a problem so small and are missing the bigger picture.

Here goes

We have centre backs with not enough physicality at this level they also have no experience at this level , we have a right back who is irrational in decision making and switches off in games ( he could sit with me at some of them as we watch the oppositions moves develop ), and a left back who isn’t and positionally really struggles playing there —— all that against the best club side in the world who keep the ball and prod poke you for 95 mins with brilliant football thrown in.

The opposition is irrelevant though as if you don’t stop balls into the box and stay switched on you will be constantly punished at this level.

Watch the goals back and then tell me how Trafford is at fault for any of them ?

1 - O’Shea initially does well but then allows the wide man to lift his head and pick a pass onto Alvarez head while our defence stood like statues

2- Vitinho / Berge switched off ( though the pass - f kick was perfect )

3- O’Shea turns his back on Rodri when he’s shooting / passing it into the net

Worryingly the furthest man forward to score for us was our left back who struggled all game.

[WillPark]

I was there last night… it was a strange experience. But thank you for the tips you gave up front. Ended up with one of BTs suggestions for a meal as the others wanted steak. The food was excellent
Pep said before the game that we are a better team than it seems looking at the table. Certainly not true last night. We were cheering if there was a shot on goal, however weak it was. The singing really started when Zaroury entered the field. Must have sung 5min straight without him even touching the ball. Then we sang for players not on the pitch or even at the club, and it was all for a bit a laugh.
The performance was really bad, and the talent/quality of City was not really on display. There is no use singling out players who were bad. Boys against men doesn’t cover it both on the sideline and on the field.

[ClaretinBudapest]

I think VK was watching a different game.From”it was a good performance” to ”we had our moments”.No we were outplayed,outwitted and outmuscled physically for 95 mins.by a Citeh side who never got out of second gear.
It does not really matter who the opponents are because it is these same results every game independent of who we play in the PL.
Trafford,although he was not to blame for any of the goals, does not instill confidence in the already fragile back line.
O`Shea tackled his man then let his eye off the ball for the first goal.
Vitinho,Odabert and Berge went to sleep for the second goal.
O`Shea turned his back on the shot for the third goal instead of putting his body on the line like Tarks or Mee would have done.
That sums up the game that despite their effort there really is no grit and fight in the team apart from Roberts when he came on which was pointless when 3-0 down.The only way you will unnerve Citeh is by getting in their faces like Luton do.We couldn`t punch our way out of a wet paper bag.

[army88]

I think VK was watching a different game.From”it was a good performance” to ”we had our moments”.No we were outplayed,outwitted and outmuscled physically for 95 mins.by a Citeh side who never got out of second gear.
It does not really matter who the opponents are because it is these same results every game independent of who we play in the PL.
Trafford,although he was not to blame for any of the goals, does not instill confidence in the already fragile back line.
O`Shea tackled his man then let his eye off the ball for the first goal.
Vitinho,Odabert and Berge went to sleep for the second goal.
O`Shea turned his back on the shot for the third goal instead of putting his body on the line like Tarks or Mee would have done.
That sums up the game that despite their effort there really is no grit and fight in the team apart from Roberts when he came on which was pointless when 3-0 down.The only way you will unnerve Citeh is by getting in their faces like Luton do.We couldn`t punch our way out of a wet paper bag.

Come on CIB be fair we’ve never been in a game against them going back years - Boyd’s goal at home beat them but they footballed us to death and got nothing that day.

I know it’s a difficult switch Dyche ball to football and it really looks like we don’t give a **** what happens - but I think we do it’s just we have players missing in a jigsaw and he hasn’t worked it out yet.

Normal service was resumed for me in city games - we huff and puff but generally produce nothing- neither do many others in fairness against them.

[sinkov]

I agree with army, I can't find fault with Trafford for any of the goals and certainly not the first one. Vitinho was out of his depth, he simply couldn't cope, at this level he's a liability.

So we are apparently missing solid CBs like Tarkowski and Mee, we miss a commanding keeper, like Pope perhaps, we are spineless, we miss the fighting spirit that Dyche instilled in his players and we lose 3-1. So for a bit of perspective have a look at this,

Nov 2020 City 5 Burnley 0
Sep 2020 Burnley 0 City 3
Jun 2020 City 5 Burnley 0
Dec 2020 Burnley 1 City 4
Jan 2019 City 5 Burnley 0
Oct 2018 City 5 Burnley 0
Jan 2018 City 4 Burnley 0

It would be fascinating to look back at the comments after those games, to see who was getting it in the neck back then, as
I recall Dyche used to get a lot of the blame, poor use of subs, tactically inept, etc. etc. but in the grand scheme of things last night's result was one of our better ones against City. Funny old game football innit ?

[Turf_Forever]

There was a corner which fell to Berge for a good chance on goal, but he swung and missed.

There was Amdouni virtually through on goal and should have squared it to Odobert for a tap in, but he blazed over the bar.

There was an exchange of passes on the edge of the box, but the simple lay off was behind Brownhill preventing the shot.

We are just not at the races with simple phases in play, and will go down as a result.