Oh man. ManCity deep inside the stoke mind. A 2 on 5 break yields a simple goal. Lambo tried this 3-5-2, 3-4-3 at Aston Villa way back and it lead to such gems as a 8-0 loss to Chelsea. And it was only Guzan's near man of the match performance that kept it so close for AV. Cameron starts. I wish Cameron could cut his teeth against better teams and stop this amateur hour against mickey mouse clubs like ManCity.
Geoff with some great feather passes early but he's looking for Shaq and everyone knows it. Cameron is trying to play up more, but his CB's can't get him the ball. He will need to tighten up and give City less above his CB's.
Even though geoff is a bit nonchalant out there, they have moved DeBunyons first to the right now the left mid. A couple of counters by ManCity that have come to nothing, but again Geoff has to step a bit closer to his CB's.
Recap. If you were to ask me which team is playing with their backs to the wall, in a relegation battle and battling for each 50/50, loose ball, I would say it is ManCity. Stoke showing zero interest or urgency. Lambo has Stoke in a 3 or 5 man backfield depending on ball. Geoff had some good early passes, but he is also playing too casually. Only the Hobbit Joe Allan his fellow CM is showing the intensity to match ManCity. Geoff is also giving Mancity a pocket to play in between him and his CB's. Otherwise, it is 1-0 and Stoke might pull one back as they are isolating the City's CB's and taking the fullbacks out of the match.
Stoke start the half with more energy trying to press, but not closing down well as a team. THis is ManCity bread and butter. They will cut this to shreds. Stoke need to play an intense defensive game in their own half.
All year Stokes problem has been their CB's. they are a liability. 2-0 to city pretty much because Stokes CB's can't manage simple passes and cut outs. So frustrating.