The English Football Thread

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

We played for a draw in that game and got it in the end. I don't think that's a good idea though. City are much better flat track bullies than us and they will pick up more points from the smaller sides so we have to pick up more against the big sides (à la Atletico vs Real/Barca) and beating them away should have been our target as we are more than capable of it.

The worst thing about our dropped points is the repetition of mistakes. Against City we drew after trying to hang on to a 1 goal lead and then we did the exact same thing against United. Against Sunderland we had no width and played too narrow and then did the exact same thing against Newcastle.

Playing safe when we didnt need to. I definitely agree with that.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

But the thing with City is that they're surprising good playing with 10 men, don't know if anyone else has noticed. I think it's probably due to the fact that they tend to get a lot of red cards, so they know how to adjust when a man down. But still though, that game at the Etihad was a pretty poor performance by us, the worst we've played against them under Jose, in my opinion.

I think its their attacking style of play. Down a man their attacking kids just sit back more, without really changing their shape too much. Even looking at them today, their holding mid fernandinho was practically living in Palace's box every time he got the chance.

I think that Monday fixture should be easier then the fixture we have against West ham.

They are doing good and the timing is not the greatest.

Then after that going to the lane might be tough. Even though we beat them already but from past few years, white Hart lane can be hard and as well the date makes it tricky.

Anytime you have a game after a holiday I find it tricky especially against such opponents.

I expect West Ham to rollover to us at home. Stoke is the danger game to me, especially consider the siege mentality they have at home.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

City got better with 10.Made us look like had less.Man U was daft.Seemed like given their form we forgot it'd be a tough game and that 1-0 lead be enough.Been easier to take if hadnt happened last minute however...

Its the points against the other that can be costly.Last year we had stupid results and hopefully Newcastle n Sunderland wont be a trend

[LAB 1,030]

What's done is done. The important think now is for the players and manager to understand that we must not do the same mistakes again on Monday and lose points again. Stoke are not a team we are supposed to lose points from. Forget how City are doing, It's completely up to us not to bottle it.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Looking at the table, we actually play 8 of the current top 10 at home in the 2nd half of the season. (City, United, Everton, Spurs, West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle, West Ham) with Liverpool at home as well who are currently 11th. That's a big advantage for us.

[The Chels 2,502]

But the thing with City is that they're surprising good playing with 10 men, don't know if anyone else has noticed. I think it's probably due to the fact that they tend to get a lot of red cards, so they know how to adjust when a man down. But still though, that game at the Etihad was a pretty poor performance by us, the worst we've played against them under Jose, in my opinion.

We've only dominated them and deserved to win once in 4 attempts under Jose - the 1-0 away win last year when they had to play Demichelis in the midfield. I really don't understand Jose's cautiousness against City. They are not that good and they're certainly there to be got at. Compare our away performance to them this year with Atletico's against Real Madrid (a much more formidable opponent) and our tactics look amateurish.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

BENTEKE YOU BEAUTY!!!!!!

[Madmax 9,219]

Looking at the fixtures till Aguero comes back (mid Jan):

Chelsea

Stoke (a), West Ham (h), So'ton (a), Spurs (a), Newcastle (h)

Man City

Palace (h), WBA (a), Burnley (h), Sunderland (h), Everton (a)

Theirs are a shade easier.

[Pizy 18,903]

Looking at the fixtures till Aguero comes back (mid Jan):

Chelsea

Stoke (a), West Ham (h), So'ton (a), Spurs (a), Newcastle (h)

Man City

Palace (h), WBA (a), Burnley (h), Sunderland (h), Everton (a)

Theirs are a shade easier.

Annoying as hell.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Lol @ Spuds.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Aguero being out makes sod all difference as so far still managing to find goals.Not the one man team made out to be and Jamies ooo Chelsea have the advantage article was daft

[dee25 1,044]

We've only dominated them and deserved to win once in 4 attempts under Jose - the 1-0 away win last year when they had to play Demichelis in the midfield. I really don't understand Jose's cautiousness against City. They are not that good and they're certainly there to be got at. Compare our away performance to them this year against Atletico's against Real Madrid (a much more formidable opponent) and our tactics look amateurish.

Honestly, I think the worst way to play against City is sitting back. Those tactics might work against Arsenal but City will pick you off if you back off on them and allow them time on the ball, especially in big matches where they're usually up for it. The games we beat them last season were games where we actually played aggressively and with high intensity. You can say we were lucky to beat them at home but in that game I remember them struggling to deal with out pressing and us creating good chances with even Torres hitting the bar.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt.Whats done is done need to focus on what we have coming up and learn from mistakes and not piss around with chances

[Sheva. 5,373]

According to live commentary, Lukaku scored an OG for Soton.

[Fernando 6,585]

Annoying as hell.

What's so annoying as hell about some fixtures that are easy for both teams?

I rather they have tougher fixtures around March then now.

Because look how we was ahead and they catch up?

If they have tough fixtures in March, and slip up there can be very fatal.

So save them tougher fixtures for later.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Plus its just on paper.Man U looked a likely win given their form..not so much same with Sunderland.On the day can go either way

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

According to live commentary, Lukaku scored an OG for Soton.

He's a natural goalscorer.

[The Chels 2,502]

Honestly, I think the worst way to play against City is sitting back. Those tactics might work against Arsenal but City will pick you off if you back off on them and allow them time on the ball, especially in big matches where they're usually up for it. The games we beat them last season were games where we actually played aggressively and with high intensity. You can say we were lucky to beat them at home but in that game I remember them struggling to deal with out pressing and us creating good chances with even Torres hitting the bar.

Completely agree. City probably loved our tactics - they attacked without having to worry about defending. I really can't see the advantages of a low-block, sitting-off approach compared to a high-intensity pressing game in games like this. The latter gives us a much bigger attacking threat and means we're not pinned back all the time having to make last-ditch clearances (e.g. Ramires').

[Fernando 6,585]

I think its their attacking style of play. Down a man their attacking kids just sit back more, without really changing their shape too much. Even looking at them today, their holding mid fernandinho was practically living in Palace's box every time he got the chance.

I expect West Ham to rollover to us at home. Stoke is the danger game to me, especially consider the siege mentality they have at home.

You sure about West Ham?

They are on a roll and momentum is on their side.

Giving that the fixture is the 26th after Christmas it makes it a very dangerous game.

As we don't know if some players might have party too much or what not.

Concentration might not be to the fullest in games right after holidays.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Man U 1-1 Falco.Watch them win this now