The signings, the unbalance of the squad and the starting 11's we've fielded in both games are baffling.
The formations haven't been right either can't even see what we're trying to do, were playing a 4 1 1 4 were miles too open.
Got to make the right changes now and.get back to last season's levels which starts by picking our strongest 11

Looked like the players were baffled too

They weren't the only ones

Seems like everything we built last season is just disregarded, the way we play and certain players

We persevered with muric last season and in the end he came good he demands the ball and has it at his feet which creates a ‘extra man’

Played with one striker- foster playing well but seems like he doesn’t want to drop amdouni so trying to accommodate

While delcroix had a steady game he’s not replacing the work maatsen did, different player all together

We pressed from the top and now refuse to press

Berge and Cullen just pass it straight back to whoever passed to them and don’t try to create anything same with roberts

Very early days and we defiantly play better football and we have played the best and a better team of the division

Kompany said every game we will get better 3-0 and a 3-1, maybe 3-2 next time out

bumba wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 4:26 pm

The signings, the unbalance of the squad and the starting 11's we've fielded in both games are baffling.
The formations haven't been right either can't even see what we're trying to do, were playing a 4 1 1 4 were miles too open.
Got to make the right changes now and.get back to last season's levels which starts by picking our strongest 11

We have to give it time

Elizabeth wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:26 pm

We have to give it time

Give what time?

Height and strength in midfield has always been a weakness and our incomings have not improved this critical area at all
You have to win the midfield battle to give yourself a chance of winning the game
Villa are a very good side, as were City and Spurs will also control the midfield next Saturday

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:40 pm

Height and strength in midfield has always been a weakness and our incomings have not improved this critical area at all
You have to win the midfield battle to give yourself a chance of winning the game
Villa are a very good side, as were City and Spurs will also control the midfield next Saturday

Bissouma, Sarr and their wing backs will have an absolute field day if we line up how we did today against Spurs

Have to say I too feel like there's a "change for change sake" mentality at the moment.

Trafford unbelievably poor for first goal today and doesn't convince me - and he's certainly not as good as Muric with his feet. No doubts will improve with experience.

Crying out for the workrate of Brownhill - he's not even getting a sniff.

Amdouni - where is he playing? Does the lad himself know?

Left back - baffling why Taylor isn't even on the bench. Missing Maatsen no doubts. But why are we trying to put square pegs in round holes?

What's the script with Ekdal?

Appreciate this is early days etc

I agree really, tried to change too much too quickly. Muric and Brownhill had earned their places, the new lads should have to do the same.

Luppy wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:43 pm

Have to say I too feel like there's a "change for change sake" mentality at the moment.

This is exactly how I feel and have felt all summer.

Massively over thought everything - surely the top plan was to try and make our loan signings permanents (I believe we could have signed them) add one or two free transfers and then maybe another one or two more?

I’m only echoing what some have already said but within about 20 mins of our game against Huddersfield you had a good idea of what VK wanted to do, what the roles for the players were broadly going to be and there was a clear blueprint.

I’m 180 mins in now and I’m still not sure what our game plan is. We don’t seem to want to control the possession and our creative players are not being brought into the game nearly enough.

The most shocking thing to me however was the passiveness. Every second ball seemed to drop for Villa and there wasn’t the industry in chasing down that we’ve become used to, save for a spell between our goal and their 3rd. We looked like a well beaten team for far too much of that game, one that was just going to accept defeat timidly. It’s all well and good starting all our nice shiny new players but there looks to be very little steel or character in there bar this new aggressive streak we’ve seen in Foster lately.

Oh, and I’ll say it again: Muric is about as integral to the way we (were) playing as any other of our stand out player from last season. He needs bringing back sharpish.

BigGaz wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:51 pm

I’m only echoing what some have already said but within about 20 mins of our game against Huddersfield you had a good idea of what VK wanted to do, what the roles for the players were broadly going to be and there was a clear blueprint.

Exactly this. We look all over the place.

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:54 pm

Exactly this. We look all over the place.

I think you need a large dose of realism

VK picks a team to play his game.
As we saw last season there can be painful lessons along the way, but he isn't going to change anything to accommodate one match. You learn nothing doing that, you take the hit and improve. Work on the errors, defensively and attacking.
We made mistakes today that cost us, and after Monday in the classroom they'll all know what they need to do.

Just like last season it's going to be 8 or 9 games before we see the best of this side, and it may be a very different side than today, but it will still be VKs genius that gets us there.

the most baffling thing is the dropping of Muric, the first decision VK has made that I genuinely question his wisdom on

taio wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:01 pm

I think you need a large dose of realism

Which is what mate?

The realism is that we’ve spaffed 100 mill on some very powderpuff footballers

Some happy clappers think we’re gonna magically end up midtable - no chance.

I think that formation and player selection has been very, very naive. I just can't understand why Kompany doesn't revert to 3 classic midfielders like we did in the first half of last season. Brownhill-Berge-Cullen (or Ramsey or even Cork) trio looks more balanced than Cullen + Roberts in inverted role while Berge and Amdouni push forward. We are so vulnerable on the break and it's obvious that Cullen can't hold the midfield on his own like he did in the Championship. I think that Kompany is overthinking it a little bit, similar to what Arteta is trying to do at Arsenal.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:02 pm

the most baffling thing is the dropping of Muric, the first decision VK has made that I genuinely question his wisdom on

I agree he didn’t deserve to lose his spot..

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:03 pm

Which is what mate?

The realism is that we’ve spaffed 100 mill on some very powderpuff footballers

Some happy clappers think we’re gonna magically end up midtable - no chance.

Pathetic comments from somebody who’s been looking to get digs in at any available opportunity. We’ve barely started the season with some of these lads and you’re already making snide comments.

Swizzlestick wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:15 pm

Pathetic comments from somebody who’s been looking to get digs in at any available opportunity. We’ve barely started the season with some of these lads and you’re already making snide comments.

Simply reacting to what I was concerned about before a ball was kicked and what I’ve watched over 180 minutes of football so far.

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:03 pm

Which is what mate?

The realism is that we’ve spaffed 100 mill on some very powderpuff footballers

Some happy clappers think we’re gonna magically end up midtable - no chance.

I'm certainly no happy clapper and I think we will finish mid table.. certainly not in the bottom 5

cockneyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:16 pm

I'm certainly no happy clapper and I think we will finish mid table.. certainly not in the bottom 5

I’ve not seen anything that will indicate that so far at all.

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:03 pm

Which is what mate?

The realism is that we’ve spaffed 100 mill on some very powderpuff footballers

Some happy clappers think we’re gonna magically end up midtable - no chance.

Given your user name I would have expected maybe a less knee jerk, pathetic over reaction after just 2 games?

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:17 pm

I’ve not seen anything that will indicate that so far at all.

2 games in against the best team in Europe and another that'll finish top 6.

If this was against Luton and Everton I would hold your concerns

The most baffling thing today is the number of fans who don't seem to understand we've played twice this season with a huge number of players to bed in.... and we've played the best team in the world.... and a team with champions league form under their current manager.

Actually I've read this board long enough to know this response was entirely predictable... however frustrating it is.

cockneyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:16 pm

I'm certainly no happy clapper and I think we will finish mid table.. certainly not in the bottom 5

Im assuming you haven’t watched much premier league football this season.

I thought there were some real strengths today but that game told me best we can ask for is around 15th

We need to refind a bit of humility - last year was so high-octane, so exciting and so many things worked out well, that it feels like key people at the club think that will always be the case - even at PL level. Some fans convinced we'll finish top 10 because....VK is a genius etc.

Some at the club may have started to believe all the hype. There is nothing automatic about players 'gelling' or 'settling' or 'bedding in', need to start picking teams to get results and gradually introduce new faces.

cockneyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:23 pm

2 games in against the best team in Europe and another that'll finish top 6.

If this was against Luton and Everton I would hold your concerns

The big test coming up is now the must not lose game against Forest.

Indecisive wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:24 pm

The most baffling thing today is the number of fans who don't seem to understand we've played twice this season with a huge number of players to bed in.... and we've played the best team in the world.... and a team with champions league form under their current manager.

Actually I've read this board long enough to know this response was entirely predictable... however frustrating it is.

I totally agree that we need to maintain perspective given the two teams we’ve played, you have also hit the nail on the head of one of the issues we are having in my opinion. “A huge number of players to bed in”. I think far too many changes have been made in one go. We should still have Muric in the side as well as Brownhill or Cork alongside Cullen. Koleosho, as exciting a prospect as he is, shouldn’t be starting. Johann should have started too and potentially Taylor until a new starting LB is signed. Far too much pressure on the young players with so many changes and so little experience in the side. I also think those that have got us up there at least deserve a shot.

A big reality check for those thinking we'd just carry on from last season, or be qualifying for Europe.

cockneyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:16 pm

I'm certainly no happy clapper and I think we will finish mid table.. certainly not in the bottom 5

On what basis from what we've seen against, admittedly, two very good teams, do you think we'll finish mid table? Incidentally I hope you are right!!!

Did many think that, esp on here? Think most knew the size of the task.

Twistedbyknaves wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:30 pm

I totally agree that we need to maintain perspective given the two teams we’ve played, you have also hit the nail on the head of one of the issues we are having in my opinion. “A huge number of players to bed in”. I think far too many changes have been made in one go. We should still have Muric in the side as well as Brownhill or Cork alongside Cullen. Koleosho, as exciting a prospect as he is, shouldn’t be starting. Johann should have started too and potentially Taylor until a new starting LB is signed. Far too much pressure on the young players with so many changes and so little experience in the side. I also think those that have got us up there at least deserve a shot.

I understand the sentiment but seriously who from last years squad who have faired better today?

They absolutely anhilated us.

1968claret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:18 pm

Given your user name I would have expected maybe a less knee jerk, pathetic over reaction after just 2 games?

I don’t think it’s knee jerk at all mate.

I had concerns all summer about our transfer strategy/unbalanced squad and my fears have been actualised on the pitch so far.

Of course we have played some good sides yes - my concern is how easy we are to play against (never a good sign) and how un cohesive we look.

Think people are looking at one ten minute spell where we had a few half chances and looking into it way too much.

If we were beaten today by some individual brilliance or whatever it’d be different.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:42 pm

I understand the sentiment but seriously who from last years squad who have faired better today?

They absolutely anhilated us.

How do you think a Dyche Burnley team (oh I'll get pelters for this) in its prime, before the purse strings were tied for fattening the goose for sale, would have faired today? I know what I think

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:28 pm

Im assuming you haven’t watched much premier league football this season.

I thought there were some real strengths today but that game told me best we can ask for is around 15th

No I don't.. I sit at home watching ceefax

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:42 pm

I understand the sentiment but seriously who from last years squad who have faired better today?

They absolutely anhilated us.

I think Johann ahead of Benny potentially. Redmond ahead of Koleosho (not last years squad but has lots of experience). Cork or Brownhill in midfield to work with Cullen rather than leaving him completely exposed. Muric. Taylor as the only recognised LB. It was a naive team selection and setup. With more experience in there maybe we wouldn’t have been annihilated. I’m all for playing youngsters but I think we’ve made too many changes in one go.

Twistedbyknaves wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:48 pm

I think Johann ahead of Benny potentially. Redmond ahead of Koleosho (not last years squad but has lots of experience). Cork or Brownhill in midfield to work with Cullen rather than leaving him completely exposed. Muric. Taylor as the only recognised LB. It was a naive team selection and setup. With more experience in there maybe we wouldn’t have been annihilated. I’m all for playing youngsters but I think we’ve made too many changes in one go.

Thing is we got beat 3-1 at home to a much worse Villa side last time we were in the Prem with all the experience in the world.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:50 pm

Thing is we got beat 3-1 at home to a much worse Villa side last time we were in the Prem with all the experience in the world.

Fair point. It’s all about opinions. But I’d much prefer a mix of exciting youngsters and raw talent with some experienced heads. Rather than loads of youngsters thrown together that haven’t even played championship football never mind prem football. I thought we looked disjointed and lacking any coherence as a team (I appreciate the standard of opposition), and for me that’s down to the sheer number of changes from last season.

My take for what its worth. A lot of talk about Muric being far better with his feet. It's not as important as some think. You just need a keeper that is competent with his feet who can lay the ball off and not panic. Kompany obviously thinks it's more important to have a better shot stopper given the amount of pressure we'll be under (not saying Trafford is any better at the moment). And playing out from the back, you need to have options in midfield for the defenders to pass to. If we're outnumbered in central midfield it's gonna be tough. Saw a few times today there was no outball so the defence just launched it forward.
We walked the league last season but this doesn't make Kompany an infallible god. He's a young manager who will learn from his mistakes or at least work himself to death trying.
I suspect quite a few thought we'd come flying out the traps this season following last year and all the additions but it doesn't look like that will be the case.
Still very early and a difficult fixture list to start out but it gives us time to gel and get some difficult games out the way while doing so.
Hope he plays a strong team at forest.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:42 pm

I understand the sentiment but seriously who from last years squad who have faired better today?

They absolutely anhilated us.

I know we’re generally pretty opposite in view, so this won’t surprise you from me - but - Maatsen, Tella and THB improve that first eleven today very easily on what we put out, in my opinion.

Some really exciting signings for the future this summer, but nobody will be able to convince me that we wouldn’t have a more ‘ready’ and ‘gelled’ team if we’d signed those three after Beyer for about £60m as opposed to Trafford, Odobert, Ramsey and O’Shea (examples) for a similar total. The biggest miss being Maatsen but we obviously don’t know how strongly we have tried to get him out of Chelsea. We’re missing THB’s distribution from the back as much as Muric’s also, for me. I have no huge worries about Trafford but I’m just unconvinced Muric really needed replacing - he was a key cog and it will take Trafford time to become that same component of our attacking play. We have the potential for a really good, young attacking side but there’s definitely a concern that we may have attempted too much evolution on last seasons side in one fell swoop.

However, to your main point, I do actually agree (long waffle there to get to my point!) - I’m not sure last seasons players would really make any difference to todays result. Villa were too good for us regardless.

bumba wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:34 pm

Give what time?

Well it’s either a choice of giving the team time or you time. You choose

It all looks a bit disjointed at the moment, but they've only played two competitive games together, against very good opposition.

I think we're missing some key defenders and haven't really got our shape right yet, but there are enough positive signs there.

I just hope this tough run of games doesn't destroy the players (and fans) confidence and we're in a good place to start picking up points when they become a bit more 'even'.

Let’s be fair, he did say we only had one £100m player in our team!!! That aside as others say let’s keep in perspective and the reality is to avoid relegation……..hopefully Luton take 1 spot, Everton get whacked re FFP points deduction………..and given the changes in personnel this team will get better as long as the confidence doesn’t get totally smashed with fans getting on their backs………..

Have a beer, reflect and we go again next Saturday!!!

Bizarre that Brownhill is not getting a look in!

Does it mean,He is on his way out,Wolves etc,he shouldnt be,hope not,UTC.

JohnMcGreal wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:09 pm

I just hope this tough run of games doesn't destroy the players (and fans) confidence and we're in a good place to start picking up points when they become a bit more 'even'.

Let’s look at the mentality Kompany instils in his squad and what happened after our very slow start last season. Hope that is enough to allay your worries

Ilkley claret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:15 pm

Bizarre that Brownhill is not getting a look in!

Beyond ridiculous as far as I can see.
Trafford for Muric? Not sure he's ready.

There’s a bit of context missing here.

I don’t necessarily disagree with some of the selection discussions, but I’d argue that we’re missing our best two centre backs and we’ve only played against teams who both look certs to finish in the top 6-8.

It’s an old trope that you get punished for every mistake in the top level, but that’s not true. We’ll face a lot of sides this season who are far worse than City & Villa.