TommyD68

Seems like the obvious choice to me if/when James moves on, but looks like Manning has his favourite in Knight who will probably get it with Vyner taking vice. Agree though I’d like to see Vyner club captain, I think it would be thoroughly deserved.

Whilst I think he could go on to play for a team fighting at the top of the table I don’t think we have too much to be worried about. I get the impression he’s very happy where he is, local lad and has cemented his place as number 1 after years of being in and out of the starting 11. Unless a big offer comes in from a much stronger side, I’d imagine Max will most definitely be here at the start of next season at the very least.

Won’t be anything to do with Zak, they’ve gone to him as the most marketable player in the squad to try and promote the club in another way. If Alex Scott was still at the club I can assure you there would have been the Alex Scott range.. just another tactic they’re trying to promote the club. Don’t think it’s actually as bad or weird as people are making it out to be though.

Absolutely agree with all of that, Dickie does edge it this year. I think what I admire about Zak is his ability to play in a number of partnerships/combinations and still put in solid performances. Im not knocking Dickie or any of the other players at all, but I think they are able to excel when Zak is their partner. Not sure a combo of Naismith and Dickie would work for example, where as we’ve seen Zak worth with them both. I think I remember Kal saying in an interview he’s a dream to play with. Hopefully we build on this partnership next season and start creating some more chances up the other end!

Has been a terrific signing and a clear front runner for player of the season. Is worth mentioning I think Vyner goes under the radar, Dickie is very lucky to have someone with Zak’s athleticism next to him. Gives him the freedom to get forward knowing he has someone he can rely on to cover and make recoveries. Whilst Dickie has been brilliant this year, I’d like to see some praise for Vyner too- maybe we’re just far more used to his consistent performances this season

“He conceded 3” is such lazy analysis, does that mean goalkeepers can only play well if they keep a clean sheet? If we’re applying that rule to other positions, strikers should score with every shot, and if they don’t score they’ve had a bad game? Max isn’t superman and can’t save every shot. Kept us in the game tonight, like he has done on numerous occasions this season. Another great performance, commanded his box extremely well and was clear MOTM for me. He’s having a great season and has been one of the best performers in the squad.

Was never a foul for their second goal imo which is what changed the game and gave them momentum, wouldn’t say it was needless by Vyner at all. He’s got to compete there and was very very harsh to give it. That being said, always felt like it was going to go one way once they equalised, shame considering how little they created up until then

I think this is easily Maxs best period in the team and it’s the happiest I’ve felt about the position in a long time. Every player regardless of their position has pros and cons, people seem to bash Max for his distribution yet people used to moan when Bentley slowed things down and lumped a ‘safe’ ball up the field. Max tries to play out and find players, it’s now always going to pay off but a lot of the time he finds his man and gets us on the front foot- the outball to Pring for example. I think he’s had a great season and has saved us on numerous occasions this season, if you’ll pardon the pun. Certainly not an area I’d be looking to replace in the Summer, maybe an experienced number 2 on the bench as cover but no more than that.

Makes sense! Not entirely sure who Dickie had next to him last season either at QPR, but appreciate its not easy playing in a team that are fighting down the bottom of the league, especially as a CB. I think having Vyner next to him allows him to excel, not sure how good a partnership of Dickie and Naismith would work for example.

I don’t think there’s many CB’s in the league with the athleticism of Vyner, the amount of recovery tackles he’s made over the last year or so have been incredible. A lot of them he shouldn’t have even made either but somehow did, I love the bloke

I said a while ago I think the Vyner/Dickie partnership could be one of the strongest we’ve seen since Kalas/Webster and I stand by that. They both compliment each other so well. I was very pleased to see Sky do a piece on Zak before the game saying how crucial he is to the team. I still think some fans overlook how important he is for us. To Zak’s credit I think this is because we’ve almost got used to him now performing at a 7 or 8/10 most weeks. Not many CBs in the championship have the attributes he has imo, I thought he was brilliant today and was probably my MOTM. As for Dickie, what a signing he has been. No idea why QPR let him go for such a small fee, he might not be the quickest but he’s terrific on the ball and great in the air. I think top 6 this season might be a little too soon, but if we keep these two fit and playing well I really do feel excited about next season. Especially if O’Leary, Tanner, Pring and Mccorie carry on with their great performances too. Great time to be a city fan

Unlucky lads, better team lost on the night but can be proud of the performances throughout the tournament. Might even be a blessing in disguise, if we’re to have the tiniest chance of edging close to the top 6 we’re going to need a fully fit squad and time to recover. A cup run might not allow that.. not that I think we’re really in the mix for top 6 but trying to look at the positives ey win 3 or 4 on the bounce and who knows! (I do know deep down we’re nailed on for no higher than 12th)

Oh give it a rest looks like Origi handballs it 6 yards out changing the direction of the ball, nothing he can do about that.

Yeah I remember and agree he looked very assured tonight. I don’t think anything really fazes him and seems very calm in situations like that. Going back to the West Ham game, he came out of his box to sweep up which led to our goal straight down the other end. Only a few days before he was caught out at PNE in a similar situation, but I think that speaks volumes.. A lot of players in that position may have shied away but he didn’t and I don’t get the impression he ever will. I think he’s hugely underrated by some of the fan base and is getting better and better.

Max had a brilliant game tonight, great positioning and sweeping all night, distribution was great and commanded his box very well. For some reason some people often say, “well he didn’t really do much and didn’t have many saves to make”. Being a good keeper is a lot more than making saves, and whilst he didn’t have to make any worldie saves this evening, he did everything else very very well. His improvement in all round game is one of the main reasons why our defence looks so strong imo.

Played brilliantly tonight, all seem to be very calm and composed. Cam, Zak and George in particular. I think Max also a much more calming influence compared to previous keepers we’ve had, I thought he was also fantastic coming for crosses and commanding his area. Zak’s run in the first half was great, I love that we have defenders and keeper who are confident on the ball.

I expected King to retire at the end of the season and immediately take up a coaching role with us, shame if that isn’t the case will be sad to see him go.

A very good point, I also thought Watfords press was very good. I think it’s also worth mentioning Zak and Dickie both like to attempt progressive passes out from the back to start attacks, which in my opinion is great and what we need. Sometimes it’ll work and get us on the front foot, other times they’ll lose possession.. it is what it is. I’d rather they attempt it than just pass it along the back four playing it safe and not look to move the ball forward. Then we really would have something to moan about!

Whilst I agree he’s not been the same since Nige left, I think the criticism is a bit harsh. He did also suffer a knee injury early on in the season and think has taken him a bit longer to get up to speed, don’t think it’s necessarily to do with a new manager. Hes still had some great games, Southampton and West Ham away for example. Much better team with him in it imo, also we don’t have another CB with his athleticism and leadership. Dickie gave the ball away a lot more today than Zak did today. Let’s not start this Vyner isn’t good enough bandwagon again when he clearly is.

Looks like he we’ve added another leader on the pitch as well which is an added bonus! Loved is intent to get forward last night and looked very solid down that right side with Tanner.

I was shocked when I saw the odds for him to make 2+ fouls tonight, a combination of him being the wonderful shithouse he is, Tommy scoring and city getting the win means I’m £400 richer tonight. Cheers Joe lad But yeah like others have said, first name on the team sheet atm. Let’s pray he can stay fit because we’re finally seeing the player we knew was in there and the team is benefiting hugely. Nobody else in the squad can play the role he does, and he's doing it superbly this season.

Harsh on Zak and Max I think, Zak defensively was very sound. Misplaced a few passes but was trying to do the right thing and I don’t mind that. Max didn’t do anything wrong and made a fantastic save. Thought that was one of Tanners best performances so far for us and was definitely my MOTM. COYR!!

Yes clearly a typo, I’m stating world class keepers make mistakes too, it’s the nature of the role.. any mistake is magnified. For some reason a portion of city fans are so quick to throw abuse at MOL but reluctant to praise him on his great performances. I personally think he’s been one of the stronger players for us this season.

This fan base is so fickle at times we wouldn’t have West Ham to look forward to on Tuesday if it wasn’t for O’Leary, kept us in the game with some fantastic saves prior to our equaliser. He made a mistake just like other world class keepers do, own it, learn from it and move on.

I think it’s bound to happen in certain games, a lot of his game is centred around high energy and you can’t expect him to be able to perform like that week in week out. I said it from day one though I think it was very premature to give him the armband, he was performing very well and I don’t really see why he needed the added pressure.. especially after only being at the club for a short period. I also think it’s very harsh on Vyner who has come through the academy, worked extremely hard to be one of the first names on the team sheet and is the clear leader on the pitch to then take it off him and give it to knight. I can see the argument for “it’s only an armband, it doesn’t mean much”, but I can also see why it would be a bit demoralising for someone like Vyner. And I can also imagine a scenario where Knight feels added pressure taking the armband after a short period at the club which could effect his performance.