posted Oct 31, 2006

It was a fairly good home performance against middlesbrough, but then weve been okay at home all season. It's the away form that's the problem and has been for about a year now. Pearce has to sort that out quickly because losing as many away games as we do is going to eventually put too much pressure on the team to get results at eastlands. Im also sick of the huge ovations Paul Dickov gets for running around chasing shadows for his usual 75 minutes. Yes the guy is clearly a trier, that's never been in doubt but he's always lacked quality, never scored many goals and it baffles me as to why pearce brought him back again. Pearce should stick with Vassell and Samaras up top. Both are unpredictable and flitter in and out of games, but both of them have the ability to be potential match winners on there day. We also have to try and make some money available for the manager in Jan, as the squad still lacks creativity and a genuine out and out goalscorer. Lets hope he invests it better than he did do in the summer aswell.

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posted Oct 31, 2006

i am not suprised with boro at all...

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posted Oct 31, 2006

i am not suprised with boro at all

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posted Oct 31, 2006

The fact that James and Fowler left and Distin wants out doesn't reflect well on either City or Pearce.

Think there's trouble ahead.

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Boro didnt make City look good, City played well, were hungry for the ball and gave everything they had. All played well, especially Dickov, a shame that he wasted some of his best years at othe clubs. The team SP put out last night was something approaching our best side, Samaras needs full games, and will improve loads, he can play the ball well and just needs more confidence which will come with games. Leave Corradi having a siesta somewhere, he isnt up to the pace of the Premiership, he's had a few guilt edge chances and failed. As for Maccarone's shots, I think that Weaver would have saved them had they been on target, but then I'm probably biased. Get Vassell back to match fit and give him some shooting practice, his pace scares defenders to death.

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Fowler has more interest in counting his rent money than playing footy, it was a mistake to buy him in the first place. We need players that play for pride aswell as the substantial paypacket. Keegan bought Annelka to help us challenge, but players like him and Fowler want to be in clubs that are already there, not actually pull their finger out and do the challenging. Dickov is great, if his energy and drive do nothing more than inspire his team mates in a game he has earned his pay compared to some. Annelka was awesome when he wanted to be, just didnt want it enough. Let the journey men go, and concentrate on home grown talent and young hungry players with a dash of Dickov experience to inspire them. Look at Micah Richards.

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Dreadfully dull game.

As a neutral who has a soft spot for Boro, it was not the result I'd looked for. If they can't beat the likes of City, then I think it will be a long season...

At any rate, the back 4 looked quite ordinary, and and with Dickov driving Swarzer mad all evening it seemed that Boro couldn't settle. They definitely had some good chances so perhaps it was down to a lack of sharpness or even willingness. Southgate needs to instill something in the squad, and there's no time like the present.

I've read differnet views from supporters as to his suitablilty - should he stay or should he be sent packing?

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Just as a PS to an earlier post, did anyone else think The Boro goalie was lucky not to get a yellow or even red card for the one-on-one with Dickov in the first half? Dickov got to the ball first and got his shot away, but the keeper definately caught him and all the ref gave was a goal kick. Maybe Dickov's reputation and attitude count against him on these occasions...

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Once again delusions of grandeur from a bottom 5 club in Middlesbrough...City outplayed, outpaced and outclassed them for the best part of 75 mins. As for the physical aspect of the game, it is football and it is a contact sport...just ask Huth, as seen on one of the many occasions he wrestled Dickov to the ground.

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posted Oct 31, 2006

Expecting us to still play our own game against tactics of closing down/harassing/men behind the ball is not a delusion of grandeur. Under O'Neill, Leicester were the kings of playing like that, and I always questioned why we so often failed to live with it.

Player for player, yes I believe we are a better team than Man City, and that certainly is no delusion of grandeur. Yet on the pitch we simply couldn't get our game going because of the tactics (note, not formation), that City employed.

So why not come on down from that ever so high horse of yours and actually try to understand what's being written.

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