Okay well it looks like a lot of posters have migrated to other City forums with more activity, I post at a couple myself but as a mod here it's my duty to keep the forum afloat. With the lack of activity I think next season's discussion can be compressed into this thread. There's a separate thread for transfers and anything general of course (random player discussion, news, etc.). So the title defence begins!
For once we have a fairly kind fixture list although as we well know, any team can beat another in the English Premier League. What is important to note, though, is that we're at home after 5 of out 6 Champions League group games, meaning United are away after 5 of their 6 Champions League games - and those games for them are against Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa, and City. Last year we were away after all 6 of our Champions League games (including the 6-1 massacre at the swamp) so the shoe is on the other foot next season. - August 12 18 August 2012 15:00 H Southampton Barclays Premier League 25 August 2012 15:00 A Liverpool Barclays Premier League September 12 01 September 2012 15:00 H QPR Barclays Premier League 15 September 2012 15:00 A Stoke City Barclays Premier League 22 September 2012 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League 29 September 2012 15:00 A Fulham Barclays Premier League October 12 06 October 2012 15:00 H Sunderland Barclays Premier League 20 October 2012 15:00 A West Brom Barclays Premier League 27 October 2012 15:00 H Swansea City Barclays Premier League November 12 03 November 2012 15:00 A West Ham United Barclays Premier League 10 November 2012 15:00 H Spurs Barclays Premier League 17 November 2012 15:00 H Aston Villa Barclays Premier League 24 November 2012 15:00 A Chelsea Barclays Premier League 27 November 2012 19:45 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League December 12 01 December 2012 15:00 H Everton Barclays Premier League 08 December 2012 15:00 H Manchester United Barclays Premier League 15 December 2012 15:00 A Newcastle United Barclays Premier League 22 December 2012 15:00 H Reading Barclays Premier League 26 December 2012 15:00 A Sunderland Barclays Premier League 29 December 2012 15:00 A Norwich City Barclays Premier League January 13 01 January 2013 15:00 H Stoke City Barclays Premier League 12 January 2013 15:00 A Arsenal Barclays Premier League 19 January 2013 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League 29 January 2013 19:45 A QPR Barclays Premier League February 13 02 February 2013 15:00 H Liverpool Barclays Premier League 09 February 2013 15:00 A Southampton Barclays Premier League 23 February 2013 15:00 H Chelsea Barclays Premier League March 13 02 March 2013 15:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League 09 March 2013 15:00 H Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League 16 March 2013 15:00 A Everton Barclays Premier League 30 March 2013 15:00 H Newcastle United Barclays Premier League April 13 06 April 2013 15:00 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League 13 April 2013 15:00 H West Brom Barclays Premier League 20 April 2013 15:00 A Spurs Barclays Premier League 27 April 2013 15:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League May 13 04 May 2013 15:00 A Swansea City Barclays Premier League 12 May 2013 15:00 A Reading Barclays Premier League 19 May 2013 15:00 H Norwich City Barclays Premier League
The defending was atrocious for both sides. The first Southhampton goal comes off an embarrassing clearance attempt by Lescott. He almost did the same thing again minutes later. Then on the second goal, it was bad enough that Rodwell gave the ball away, but why were the defenders so easily caught of position? On top of this the Southhampton midfield runs past the MC players who are delayed in supporting the defense. Thank god Southhampton made a defense mistake of their own off the corner. The defender heads the ball back toward his own net right near the penalty spot as he is falling back. Nasri did not even need to move seeing as he was left unmarked in the box. I know the PL isn't known for the best defending, but surely this was below standard for a team I consider to be extremely talented in MC.
Got home not long ago and this club is going to be the death of me, nothing can be simple. I wonder if playing 3-5-2 for the entire preseason explains the rustiness in our typical formation today. Nasri was immense though and thought Rodwell had a good debut BESIDES that one bad pass. Hopefully Aguero is not too seriously injured, Brian Kidd apparently told someone near the tunnel it isn't too bad but he will have a scan.