A few observations from tonight's game

At the risk of incurring the wrath of this board by starting a new thread about a Barnsley match that's just been played I thought I'd mention a few things from tonight.

In terms of the game I enjoyed it. It was open, as the scoreline shows, and it was interesting to see how City are taught to play it out from the back. It's a high risk strategy and they got caught a couple of times. However, the confidence that they have to play tight passing triangles in their own box was impressive.

Their third goal came from such a move. An almost suicidal pass across the box by one of their centre halves made its way to their left wing. From there it zipped to the right and eventually a tremendous team goal. Technically they were good all over the pitch, as you'd expect for a club recruiting some of the best young talent Europe has to offer.

As for us a number of the more fringe players had a chance to stake a claim for a more regular starting place. By the end of the game I don't think any had made a strong positive impression.

Jordan Williams did score but was beaten for pace a few times by their left winger. Pinillos does not get forward enough for me. Bird was acceptably average. Bahre again gave the ball away too much. Victor looked strong at times but should've worked the keeper more with his chances.

As for the others it wasn't Woodrow's night. Potts isn't making the driving runs of the initial weeks of the season. Thiam doesn't produce that killer cross from the wing. Davies' distribution was better with his throw than his usual kicking. Pinnock and Lindsay seemed to struggle with City's pace at times.

Am I disappointed? Yes, I don't like losing to any team, but would I prefer a victory over Wycombe to City? Of course, the league's the priority. Tonight gave us more evidence that a few key injuries or suspensions would harm us. Signings will be required in January, there's no doubt, if we are to push on.

 

Thanks for that, I didn't go so its much appreciated.

There's quite a few things that people need to understand. The average age of our squad is about 23, so these lads are playing against another team of kids but from Englands elite team.

Man City have a squad of about 100, we are picking from a squad of 20.

Granted we have more experience but we are playing against lads that are going on to play internationally in the main. Not all of them but the vast majority.

The stats show we had 20 odd shots again, whilst playing our fringe players. I still expected us to win, I've got used to it, but we need to get perspective that our lads are babies, even the first XI and to have more chances to beat a team of lads who might get near Man Citys team in years to come is no mean feat.

IMHO of course

 

I agree with most of your post.

What I will add is it’s incredibly difficult to judge how the players would do in a league game based on tonight as the City U23’s play completely different to anything I’ve seen from a League One side.

I’ve watched Pinnock regularly & he’s pretty quick for a centre back but he looked slow at the side of the City attackers tonight, the pace is frightening. Jordan Williams for example did get caught out tonight but I’ve no doubt Cavare & virtually every League One defender would as well.

Even Bird who I’d agree looked pretty average would & has done a lot better against the types of player he normally comes up against, the City players were often too quick to even get the chance to foul them.

 

This is the reason this comp is ******* stupid though. Some of the Man City Team will be on more than the top earner of our side. Maybe 3 times more.

It should be a cup for the teams that can't get far in the FA CUP. If it was about blooding English players, I get it, but it isn't. Its not sour grapes, I don't mind we've been beaten on penalties but the reality is the cup is supposed to give the young english players a chance, when the reality it isn't.

 

I agree they shouldn’t be in it but at the same time we’ve got to give our all to try & win a trophy.

Agree with you on the English players as well, I’m not sure how many of the City lads were English or not but judging by the names there was clearly a couple of Spanish lads in there for a start

 

Three Spanish, two Dutch, one Norwegian and one Welshman got on the pitch for City. The other seven were English.

 

Of the fourteen players to feature for us last night, eight were English.

 

Just seen the goals and not over impressed with the defending to be fair.

 

I counted ten