Written by kirsikka
With the potential of Europe now looking to be Svalbard levels of remote, but still not quite impossible, and all the missing players forcing AI’s hand when it came to selection it was a case of “This is what we’ve got. Go out and try to win as nothing else is enough”.
Man of the match against Man City?
Jebbison
Jebbison
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Zabarnyi
Zabarnyi
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Semenyo
Semenyo
Vote
Evanilson
Evanilson
Vote
Someone else
Someone else
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Still, with Cook in the 8 role and only really one possible attacking sub of note I don’t think too many will have had too high hopes.
In a way, we suffered at the hands of Man City’s last two results. If they’d beaten that lot up the road and won the cup final they’d have been almost on the beach. Instead, they had a point to prove and quickly showed it by dominating the game.
It’s an odd one to comment on since our hopes rested on a win, but we simply didn’t have the personnel to play the managers game, or to bring on the subs that his system needs.
The short version is we got brushed aside. There were a few glimmers but really it was about as comfortable a defeat as I’ve seen an AI team suffer. No fault of the players or the manager on this occasion. It was still a slightly sad end to our chances though.
Through most of the game, they bypassed any attempt at a press like it wasn’t there. What was interesting to note for future reference is that the few times we did manage to put them under pressure, mistakes crept in. Replay that game with certain other players fit, plus some of those out there not knackered, and it could have been very different.
But yeah, they were cutting through us with ease. In a way, we seemed to be caught in two minds because we knew we needed the win so weren’t dropping into a low block all the time. This left them space to exploit and they played around the men further forward like a hot knife through butter.
Let’s talk about the action:
Goal 1: The problem with leaving world class players with lots of space to dribble into in our area is that sometimes they’ll use that space to do something world class. Case in point for a fabulous finish (xG of 0.02 but nobody was saving that).
I’m not sure where Cook was, or why Adams didn’t step into the space and to challenge but our central midfield was AWOL as Marmoush was given all the time in the world to step forward and blast it. Yes, it was an incredible finish. However, there’s no way he should ever have had that much time and space.
Sitter: Araujo was left for dead and the ball was cut back across goal for De Bruyne who missed an open goal. I mean, this was the most open of open goals. xG was something like 0.85. He hit the bar. Let offs don’t come much bigger than that.
AFCB chance: We finally had a breakaway and Tavs whipped in an early cross for Evanilson but his sliding volley bounced back off the post. It was a night when we really needed chances like that to go in. Unfortunate.
Goal 2: An attempted clearance at the edge of our area from Kerkez gets a slight deflection from a challenge and it lands kindly for Man City. With Milos out of position, they play it back into that space and end up slotting the ball into the net. Came from their determined attempts to win the ball back high, the second time that’s cost us in the last two games. People getting at us with our own game.
Half time: Man City are killing us with possession now they’re ahead. We can’t keep hold of the ball on the few occasions we do get it. Brooks on for the anonymous Kluivert.
Red card: Man City continued to dampen the game with pass, pass, pass, pass, pass… etc but finally a loose one to a defender at the halfway line saw Evanilson on it in a flash and about to run through on goal. A desperate pull back from the defender meant only one outcome was possible. Not the first time Evanilson has created that situation this season…
Red card: We tried to exert some pressure against the ten men but it was so pedestrian. Kerkez was sloppy on the ball near the Man City area and they tried to break, it got messy near the halfway line and Cook lunged into a challenge where he nailed the opponent in his shin. A straight red. Utterly needless and brainless.
In many ways, that red card is endemic of how things have mostly gone since January.
Goal 3. With the game stretched as we tried to make something happen and both teams down a player, there was space everywhere. A late break saw Man City score their third as the attacker sold Smith a dummy and fired it in.
Goal 4. Something for the away end to cheer at least. Jebbison pounced on an error at the back and squeezed it home. Well done him.
Let’s be honest, it wasn’t much of a contest. We looked mildly better in the second half as Brooks added some impetus. Whilst I wasn’t confident of us breaking down a low block ten men (see recent weeks), there was a couple of minutes of hope until Cook’s foul levelled the numbers.
Selected Player Watch
—– Kerkez —–
The best AFCB player on the pitch by a country mile. Also often proved to be our best (almost only) attacking outlet. Can walk away with his head held high that he gave his all until the big move, which is surely coming soon.
—– Semenyo —–
Must be carrying some kind of injury. I know he’s been off-form for a while compared to his best but he was so insipid out there. Either that or he heard Man Utd were interested and wanted to put them off. I understand he was up against top quality players but even some of his basic passing was shocking.
—– Araujo —–
Still very early days and a tough match on which to judge him. He does look to be struggling though. Good that he’ll have time to reset over the summer and come at it fresh in August. With Smith one year older, I do wonder if we might see a young right back arrive over the summer which could make the competition for a place very tough next year.
—– Brooks —–
Made a difference when he came on and desperately tried to make things happen.
—– Kluivert —–
Another who must be carrying an injury. Surely? Again, I understand the quality of the opposition but there was none of his hassling and harrying out there. Correctly hooked at half time. I wouldn’t be surprised if we later hear he had a knock.
—– Jebbison —–
Pleased for him. Whenever he’s come on for a cameo he’s tried to make an impact and today it paid off with a goal. The only bright point.
AI and Tactics Watch
This is one where the manager can’t really be criticised as the missing players really destroyed his main tactical approach. There was no obvious option available to play as an 8 and so he tried Cook again, and had no wide pace on the bench.
Tough one as in small glimpses throughout I thought Man City were far more brittle than I’ve seen in other seasons but we can’t complain as we were comprehensively outplayed.
The Cook sending off does open up an interesting experiment on Sunday. My guess is that we’ll see Tavs start there as he has the energy. Whether he has the positional sense, we shall see.
There wasn’t much enjoyable about that performance. I think we must respect players who have thrown everything they’ve got at the league this season who now have nothing left in the tank to give.
I’ve said before many times that its been a great season. Europe is now off the table, so let’s find the silver lining… there will be eight or nine other PL teams next season who have to deal with playing midweek European games and the challenges that brings. It opens the door for us to go for the throat in lots of matches against opponents tired from the travel and game overseas.
Let’s try and end on a high with a win at home and push up that record points total even further.
Your say…
Audenshaw Cherry said…
I thought Zab had a really good game. My MOM.
Cook and Adams partnership always seems to leave a hole in the middle of midfield, hence the first goal although Cook was giving Araujo an earful when it went in. Not sure why.
Araujo and Soler need more game time before people start to criticise either.
Brooks made us look better in the second half.
Jeb’s goal shows that we never give up. Good for him.
Well beaten by a team who clicked from time to time throughout the game and scored three very good goals, including a ‘worldie’.
Good things: KDB didn’t score, how I don’t know and Haaland has still only ever scored one against us.
No Europe but it’s still been a bloody good season.
Great to see Mr and Mrs table at an away game for the first time in many months. Stay well and, hopefully, see you again next season. – To join the conversation, please click here.