MarcusX

Respectfully I think you're wrong. 25 games 1 goal last season, was hardly setting the world alight. Was a regular in the U21s squad though. Obviously has a good head on him, or had some good advice, to step away from City and get more regular football which he's thrived on. Made his debut in the last international break, and then was injured in this one and don't forget he's had the likes of Saka, Foden, Rashford (til he lost form) and Grealish ahead of him. I'd be amazed if he's not in the Euro squad He was injured and didn't train was listed as a sub for the second game but clearly didn't want to risk him

2017/18 was a pin stripe remake of the 86 kit Not sure 21/22 is really a retro, all 3 kits were new styles. All the adidas and puma shirts were fairly original designs, and tbf so were most of the Bristol Sport ones - 17/18 actually the exception in being retro. Since then retro has had a comeback all across the board so can see why the club have done it but I agree I'd like to see something more modern next time.

I was referring to history and establishment as a big club, not one that's just bought their place at the top table like City have. I also think it's a real shame for their fans that they got their first league win in so long during lockdown and couldn't be in the ground to witness it. I don't mind Arsenal either, used to watch them a lot, but work with one of their fans and he'd be unbearable

I think that's incredibly harsh, one player doesn't win trophies alone. He was in a fairly average Spurs side for too long and probably should have moved sooner if winning trophies was his goal. In terms of the title race it's Liverpool for me. Proper team and fan base (even if some are idiots) and play the most exciting football even against the big teams. The City v Liverpool and City v Arsenal games were worlds apart.

You make a good point, although I think it's rather different. They were all our players going off to other teams to get experience and none of them had a decision coming up regarding a transfer fee. We're talking about 6 more games for a player who isn't ours to make an impact. Or, we could give those 6 games to one of our own young lads. I say this as someone who thought in the brief minutes against Southampton he looked like he had a bit about him. and certainly haven't written him off - but I could see why people would rather not bother, especially given that we're going to have to pay for him.

Whilst I agree, you can also counter that by saying the horrendous performances against Swansea, QPR and Wednesday we're all following his plan and he setup in a specific way against those that led to us being ineffective (eg not pressing high and sitting off). There's night and day between yesterday and those games (and the aforementioned games) so it's not down to the players.

I know we’ve had a similar view on Manning, but it’s been unfortunate for him that he’s not had the players to do that sooner. Though pre-Twine we were suggesting he play Conway deeper behind Wells, which I still think could have worked.

As someone who hasn’t been a fan of Manning (although caveat it by saying early on I could see signs of some improvement initially) I’m delighted with the wins this weekend, but more importantly the performances. Credit where it’s due, he’s changed shape (and back again when needed) and made subs that have had a positive impact. Long may it continue. Also, give credit if his plan all along was Twine in the 10 and Knight in the 8 / deeper (and with James) then at least he’s finally got that and he’s been unlucky with the injuries.

Fair point, and we’re also putting twine in the shop window a little bit if he has a storming end of season. Could see Burnley raise his price or someone else come in etc Although I’d be surprised if teams weren’t already aware

If I had to guess I reckon it’d be quite high from the smaller squad / no sub days but would be interested to know!

Not sure what Pring was actually booked for?

Commentators just said he looked hurt after playing that pass. Thought their red was harsh initially, at the third angle though you can see he’s missed the ball completely and probably a yellow with that kind of force. Opening 20 aside, it’s been a decent performance.

Another pen we don’t get, shock

It was Twine, and a stupid booking at that

A bizarre thing to be wound up by. Surely someone’s life is more important than the last 15 minutes of a football match?

Already been said, red v green is a clash for anyone who is colour blind and black vs dark green would be awful too. I don’t think yellow and green is exactly brilliant either but it’s a very light yellow and a dark green at least

I didn’t mention result, and that’s not the key indicator today IMO

I’d imagine that would be a nightmare for anyone who is colour blind, particularly red v green. As theirs is dark green then I assume black might be difficult to?

Were we scared of Leicester? Didn’t look it. Easy to say 5 at the back if you want to be negative about it, or you could say it’s 3 at the back?

Disagree, this games fairly important IMO. Its a chance for Liam to prove that he isn’t a “one trick pony” in terms of game plan. It’s also a chance for him to win some fans back I reckon, or start to at least. I think loads of us were excited after Southampton and thought we’d turned the corner and we all know what happened since. So is Leicester another anomaly where the opponents press and attacking style left gaps for us to expose (which is our strengths despite Liam not because of him) or, let’s give him some credit as he changed formation and plan, was it signs that Liam did his homework and set up well to beat the team in front of him? One thing that was notably different was the high press. I can’t understand why we aren’t doing that against “weaker” teams instead of this stand off stalemate nonsense we saw against Swansea. If we see that press, and some more direct play today - OR - if they sit in but we manage to unlock them, then I think a few opinions may change. If we see a repeat of QPR, Swansea, Wednesday etc then Friday was ultimately pointless really.

Look how far Assignon is from the ball when he fouls Mudryk, he’s ran past the ball and knows he isn’t getting there so has to take the man.

No chance City were playing for a draw, they just couldn’t break down the 11 men Arsenal constantly had behind the ball.

Really? Defender has over ran it and the ball isn’t within playing distance, bringing Mudryk down. It’d be a foul anywhere else on the pitch.

Had it happened at the other end, as Phillips was about to shoot, I’m sure it would be a penalty (eg a foul on Phillips) It’s an intriguing one though, it’s clever play rather than cheating, there’s no rule to say you can’t put your body in the way.

Didn’t James say yesterday he wants to stay? Or did I mishear that?