Man City Discussion

Ah, I might have understood it backwards in that case
Not necessarily.This is not worth the explanation but here I go anyway:
MC gave up a goal to MU that was similar to NYC in that it involved pathetic play -- not quite a turnover but close -- right in front of goal. So I said very CFG
You said that's Typical City.
I said but they're not because they -- MC -- score set pieces, which they did twice today and we did roughly twice all season.
 
Not necessarily.This is not worth the explanation but here I go anyway:
MC gave up a goal to MU that was similar to NYC in that it involved pathetic play -- not quite a turnover but close -- right in front of goal. So I said very CFG
You said that's Typical City.
I said but they're not because they -- MC -- score set pieces, which they did twice today and we did roughly twice all season.
Well it could be used either way so that's fine, no prob. But regardless, 11 points clear at the top of the table, 14 wins in a row in the EPL this season. Crazy.
 
I know Pogba was missing for United but it's crazy when City can elect to not use Aguero even off the bench for this match and it's no problem. Of course the Aguero to leave in January rumors (especially if City sign Sanchez) are heating up again. Personally I'd rather keep Sergio...
 
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I know Pogba was missing for United but it's crazy when City can elect to not use Aguero even off the bench for this match and it's no problem. Of course the Aguero to leave in January rumors (especially if City sign Sanchez) are heating up again. Personally I'd rather keep Sergio...
I'm not sure if it was "no problem", necessarily. United/Mourinho were successful in preventing City's attacking juggernaut from scoring from open play, and even really taking very many good shots (relatively speaking). If Lukaku hadn't made two defensive errors during those set pieces and all else being equal this match ends 1-0 to United and the narrative is very different.

Could Agüero have made a difference? Hard to say. Clearly Pep didn't think so. Or, he felt Sterling was better for the pseudo-false 9 thing he was sort of doing.
 
I know Pogba was missing for United but it's crazy when City can elect to not use Aguero even off the bench for this match and it's no problem. Of course the Aguero to leave in January rumors (especially if City sign Sanchez) are heating up again. Personally I'd rather keep Sergio...
I think it would be a mistake to let Aguero go.

I'm not sure if it was "no problem", necessarily. United/Mourinho were successful in preventing City's attacking juggernaut from scoring from open play, and even really taking very many good shots (relatively speaking). If Lukaku hadn't made two defensive errors during those set pieces and all else being equal this match ends 1-0 to United and the narrative is very different.

Could Agüero have made a difference? Hard to say. Clearly Pep didn't think so. Or, he felt Sterling was better for the pseudo-false 9 thing he was sort of doing.
I kind of agree with you, here. Thought it was about as mundane as City has looked all year. Pep didn't help matters by going to 3 CBs and putting Sterling there. I think that played into manu almost getting back in the game. Interesting that the best manager in the world is still apt to do that kind of thing, as it's one of my pet peeves. It seems to never accomplish anything but put your own team on the back foot.

I still can't get over how often the rub of the grass is going City's way. They are obviously the best team, but every bounce is seemingly in their favor. SMH compared to my team's luck.
 
I'm not sure if it was "no problem", necessarily. United/Mourinho were successful in preventing City's attacking juggernaut from scoring from open play, and even really taking very many good shots (relatively speaking). If Lukaku hadn't made two defensive errors during those set pieces and all else being equal this match ends 1-0 to United and the narrative is very different.

Could Agüero have made a difference? Hard to say. Clearly Pep didn't think so. Or, he felt Sterling was better for the pseudo-false 9 thing he was sort of doing.

You could also argue if City didn’t botch a clearance United wouldn’t have had so much as a sniff at goal.
Otamendi miss timed header and then ricochet off Delph is the only reason they scored.
 
I watched the Merseyside and Manchester derby with a buddy who a Liverpool fan. Apparently anyone but United is a strong feeling with a lot of fanbases.
 
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It wouldn't be wrong to say that Pep abandoned his philosophy a good bit with what they did to get back. Really interesting to see if he continues to evolve or if this was some function of him calling it equivalent to a title match for his club and acknowledging Barca are basically through already.

Either way, good win for MC, for sure. I think they could make the last 8, maybe semis, if he shows more pragmatism such as he did today.

Taurus Taurus , holy shit. Hold up a bit there, cowboy. DeBruyne is City's best player in this system (2nd best player overall), but you're skipping a whole lot of people to reach that conclusion that he's 3rd in the world. I assume this is post match excitement.

Even in the PL, lots of professional observers rate Coutinho over DeBruyne. I wouldn't put either in the top 10. Great player, of course. He's just not done enough yet to even warrant mentioning in the same sentence.
I knew it was a bold statement to put De Bruyne in that lot and would get a comment, but I think it's an interesting debate to have. I still stick by my opinion. When simply just watching him play, for me he has it all. The first touch, speed, free kick ability, goals, passing ability in the box and awareness of the game.

He has not won all the accolades yet, but i'm putting him up there before the rest of the "professional media" makes it known. I have confidence if not this year, perhaps next year he will be part of the top group of players named as FIFA or UEFA player of the year, and I'd say finish above Coutinho.

Certainly not the best attacker, but as all round player, he's in top 3 for me and I would pick him as starting XI on a World all start team.

We'll come back to this thread for "kicks" in about a year.
Hey Midas Mulligan Midas Mulligan what say you? I'll now take it a step bolder. De Bruyne for me, is the best player in the EPL. Took a bit more time (13 months rather then the 12 I stated), but the "professional media" finally caught up.;) Oh, where is Coutinho? I can't find him.
 
Hey Midas Mulligan Midas Mulligan what say you? I'll now take it a step bolder. De Bruyne for me, is the best player in the EPL. Took a bit more time (13 months rather then the 12 I stated), but the "professional media" finally caught up.;) Oh, where is Coutinho? I can't find him.
DeBruyne has really turned it on. And you may be right - hard to balance vs. Forward positions. And then you have DeGea...

Coutinho had a hat trick like 10 days ago, so he's not exactly struggling.
 
DeBruyne has really turned it on. And you may be right - hard to balance vs. Forward positions. And then you have DeGea...

Coutinho had a hat trick like 10 days ago, so he's not exactly struggling.
Certainty not struggling, but my point being, he is also not certainly in the conversation among the world elites. Very good player though.
 
Certainty not struggling, but my point being, he is also not certainly in the conversation among the world elites. Very good player though.

DeBruyne is better now, he wasn't notably better when we had this discussion before. Both are elite. If you're in the top 10 in the world at your position, that's elite.

If Barca is offering 140 million pounds, you're elite.
 
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