Lack of belief and confidence.

That's what really hit me on Saturday evening. Just how low on those two attributes the team looked.

It was always going to be difficult - christ, we were playing one of the top sides of current world football, but if the mindset isn't right then it's going to be (and was) impossible. The first goal killed us off and after that it was like watching a friendly match. We huffed and puffed but never ever came close. We weren't strong enough. We weren't fast enough. We weren't confident enough, and I honestly think we will be relegated this season - not on the basis of the Manchester City game, not at all - I just think we haven't got the squad to consistently grind out results against the likes of Cardiff/Brighton/Forest et al from now until the end of the season.

The only players that can take any credit from Saturday are Mellis and Cywka. Steele was ok, but I felt he should've done better for the first which was key, and knocked what little stuffing we had, straight out of us. It was soft, as were all the goals. Manchester City didn't really have to work for any of them. The fourth was just diabolical from start to finish. Ethuhu might as well have been a ghost.

It's ok hiding behind the 'It was Manchester City and we weren't expected to win' argument, and to some extent, that washes, but on the day, we didn't play anywhere near how we can. The heads were down and the belief looked shot and we simply whimpered throughout the day. The players were overawed by the occasion and it showed.

I didn't expect us to win, but I expected to us to make City work and work hard for the win. They didn't have to break sweat. I don't think Barry or Toure moved out of the bleedin centre circle.

All in all, it was a good day out but one that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Like I said, I'm not embarassed, just disappointed that we didn't make the most of playing 90 minutes against the champions of England. I'd expect nearly all those players will look back and think, 'I could've done more'...

 

Steele did ok for me but he was onto a hiding for nothing playing behind a defence that don't track players and who dont 'ever' react to the second ball. Etuhu was quite simply a disgrace and should be dropped - we need players with a bit of bottle for this relegation scrap. I think Harewood (as well as Mellis and Cywka) should get a lot of credit of his effort and workrate but he was sadly he was let down by too many of his team mates on the day.

 

The reason we did not do more on Saturday is because the whole team were overawed. It happened with Bradford at Wembley. It happens in a lot of cup finals, where good consistent teams do not play their usual game. Players get cramps, etc. we did better second half, but like Fergie said on the Nani sending off, it's gone, past , move on.
Like Tom Fun says let's get our heads down. We need 4 points from the next two games, 6 would do nicely. We are getting to that point in the season where those at the top are getting edgy, those at the bottom are fighting, and those in the middle with nothing to play for will start putting youngsters and fringe players in ready for the cull. We have to fight like hell this next week or two.

 

I thought Tunnicliffe had a better game, had to do alot of covering on the right , a good run on goal and I think the one decent tackle in the match (think he got booked for it)

 

this is without doubt the best post ive seen on here all weekend!