Brum vs City [R]

[CityBlues]

Getting the thread up. Should be a three pointer, really hoping we can capatalize and get a big 3 points here.

[MVF]

Here's hoping.

Really need to consolidate our position with Liverpool/Tottenham faltering at the weekend.

[Manchester City]

No Ade or Toure today, with Ireland and Petrov on the bench. I haven't made up my mind yet if I think the lineup is a good selection: Given, Zab, Vincent, Lescott, Bridge, SWP, Nigel, Barry, Bellers, Tevez, and RSC.

[MLSn00b]

4-4-2 again... Come on Hughes.

[Manchester City]

First 15 minutes have made me nervous. I hope I am wrong to be.

[MLSn00b]

Well the next 25 mins afterwards haven't been all to reassuring either.

[CityBlues]

Still are looking VERY uncome at the back via Lescott. Glad to have Kompany at the back today as he seems to be solid. RSC looks lazy and apathetic, he's had a few good moments, but doesn't posses the hustle I would like to see. Bellamy, Tevez, and SWP are carrying their end of the bargain seems in offense. We just need that extra pass to get through their defense. Credit to Birmingham, their defense has been fantastic so far. Given has been immense, he is the class of the league right now.

[Manchester City]

Well the next 25 mins afterwards haven't been all to reassuring either.

And the last near 10 were not as well.

Barry is not playing particularly well. He has given away or sent completely out four or five passes. Couldn't get his body set to take that great pass in the box from Tevez (which could have easily been a goal, as no one was between him and Taylor when he first received it) either. I hope Hughes talks some sense into him at half.

Generally we aren't passing as we all know we can. Are final third play is very disappointing as well. Aside from the first 15 minute or defense has not been that bad, though. That said, Given was still tested several times but showed why he should be in anyone's world top ten keeper list.

I really feel we should have gone with a 4-3-3 in this one. It should be Bellers and Tevez on either side of RSC, with SWP, Nigel, and Barry in midfield. Our best defense is scoring goals against scrappy teams like Birmingham.

I have to say, though, Benitez is very impressive. Chucho has some real drive. Give him a few years to acclimate and I believe he may be another Tevez-type.

[MLSn00b]

Agreed. I think we play best when in a 4-3-3.

[Slater582]

Penalty awarded for Birmingham.

Ref says Nigel De Jong handballed.

Given saves the penalty from Mcfadden.

[Manchester City]

Given may well be credited for giving us a Champions League place.

[Manchester City]

Please tell me we didn't just go to a 4-5-1?

[Manchester City]

As soon as we went to the 4-5-1, rather than switch to a 4-3-3 when Petrov came on, I was fairly sure we would at best draw. Then, as the match went on and we continued to kick the ball up field even though we no longer had a target man or anyone of even remotely large size in the box, REFUSING to play the ball on the ground in midfield, I was completely certain we would draw or get nicked. Hughes' tactics are still very suspect and our teams mentality seems to be fragile.

It was not the worst outcome but I think it is reasonable to be disappointed.

On a positive note SWP, Zab, and especially Given had a great match. Those 7.5 million pounds were an extreme bargain. When B'ham got the penalty I said to me mate that Given is going to take this. It's going to stay 0-0 I shouted. And he did his business. Massive keeper.

On a further negative note, though, Barry, Kompany, and RSC had a fairly bad night. RSC and Kompany both have an excuse and I really think Vincent will get better with time; I am not convinced RSC will. Barry really had none. I know some will say it was the crowd, but he needs to get past it. He had a bad match at AV as well--he should be able to handle the pressure. I hope the reason for his poor performance was something we cannot be aware of and that it will not be persist as he is usually incredibly consistent and a class player.

Burnley was always going to be a most win. We need to treat it as that and not a balloon it to a cup final match. Heads just need to be made right and confidence needs to be regained. We will do this.

We are top four lads, all is not lost.

[chinesefootballfan]

ugly football for city. ugly football overall for that matter. When is Ade and Robinho back?

[MLSn00b]

Gotta agree with you on RSC MC. He hasn't looked good at all. Yes he has the injury problems of the past season to fall back on, but he's been back for a few weeks now. I want to see some progression, signs of him getting reacclimated. All I've seen is a slow player that doesn't have a feel for the game.

[phishy]

Given may well be credited for giving us a Champions League place.

If y'all make it, will have more to do with the £250 million spent.

[Manchester City]

If y'all make it, will have more to do with the £250 million spent.

Have you watched our matches this year? We could have two more losses and at least one or two more draws without a keeper of Given's quality.

[CityBlues]

Agree with the statements made, 4-3-3 is our best formation, clearly the 4-4-2 isn't working, it may work with Ade, but RSC was hopeless today. Lots of frustrating points in this match, I think we are lucky Jerome is crap as he had several opportunities to stick it to us and flubbed. Barry was pretty poor as was the defense again. MUST be sorted out against Burnley as this is two weeks in a row we could have capatalized on results and we've not done so.

[juanca]

Have you watched our matches this year? We could have two more losses and at least one or two more draws without a keeper of Given's quality.

Given is quality, yes...

But don't you ever wonder why during all his time in newcastle, Not one Major Big club came calling for him?

(i'm just asking)

[phishy]

Have you watched our matches this year? We could have two more losses and at least one or two more draws without a keeper of Given's quality.

i had this long post typed up.. but whats the point?

in a word.. yes.