S-Clarke

Well, neither are average players. I think they're just having a dip, Tadic in particular is quite clearly class as we've seen, but he looks a bit off colour. After starting the season like a train, a dip will always raise questions as we've yet to experience many dropped points. All 3 will come good in the end though, and I predict we'll be worrying during the summer if we're able to keep hold of them. This is almost a complete mirror of the first half of last season, as I remember threads popping up regarding Shaw, Chambers, Wanyama as well at the time we started to drop off. Let's hope the 2nd half of the season is a bit better this time.

Should have been out beforehand? Where should he have been? In midfield to anticipate Aguero getting through and in behind the 2 CB's? He didn't make any error of judgement, because he made a save. He didn't get lucky, because his 'judgement' enabled him to make the save. Jesus wept.

He's had 2 pretty frightening games, but this is what you get with him. He will give you a few stinkers, and then a few blinders. There's obvious ability there, but a bit of rawness and rashness too. I like him, I think he adds an element of unpredictability to our attack which can open the door in those real tight games. I would be tempted to bench him for the next game though, as from the bench he may look more threatening at the moment. Rotating him and Long seems to work ok.

Tadic's touch was particularly horrific. It was similar on Monday as well, not quite sure what's up with him as we all know he's sheer class.

He learnt from his mistake. He came out slightly in order to narrow the angle, but he didn't rush out because that would have been a silly idea. So he shouldn't have gone more quickly, he should have done exactly what he did - which was to hold his ground, narrow the angle and save. And he did all of those, therefore he made a terrific decision and a good save. Why are people even calling that a mistake or an error of judgement? Seriously, what does this guy have to do to win over some people? Best defence in the league, yet apparently it's nothing to do with him. I think he deserves credit. And this unhealthy lover affair some people have with a wacky, injured Pole is a bit odd. Fraser is a better keeper.

To be honest, I think our last 'complete' performance was our job against Hull at the KC. I felt we muddled through against Leicester, and obviously were pretty crap in the subsequent 2 games as well. But the reality is that we were always going to dip. We were never going to win every week whilst keeping clean sheets, it's a total impossibility. And we are and were in a false position, that's not being negative, it's just the truth. The longer our amazing run went on, the bigger 'bolt'' this sort of period would hit us with as expectations have been screwed all over the place. I'd say that getting a good result in the next 2 is pretty important to maintain a bit of momentum, otherwise we're heading into the Christmas fixtures on a pretty horrific run of form.

There are some proper obvious WUMS on this forum, always looking for an opportunity to berate and criticise - no matter where we are or what position we're in. The oddballs never post during any of our successful runs either. They must try harder as their acts are so transparent.

I keep reading that Arsenal are having a rubbish time with injuries, but who apart from Wilshire are they missing? (and he's not exactly much of a miss).

That was a decent save at his near post, which took a lot of sting out of the shot and allowed Toby time to clear it.

Ah good, we have one of those people who like to belittle Steven Davis and are constantly trying to replace him in the line-up! He's basically one of the first names on the team sheet, he's a terrific player and pivotal to the formation and way we play. If you can't see that, then I suggest you take a trip to specsavers. And how is the fact that no ''Top club'' has put in a bid for him take away from his ability to do a job for us? You say this is typical English fan syndrome, but I'd say your post is typical of a modern day football fan. Spend, spend, spend. Name, big names, big transfer fee's.

Yeah, I'd bring in Long. Mane has been pretty horrific in the last 2 games to be honest. I've got a feeling we'll nurse Morgan through the next few days and he'll be ok, would imagine Cork would be available if he isn't anyway.

Really not getting the ''embarrassment'' posts. We didn't play well, they did, they hit us on the break whilst we were pressing. Game over and not worth sweating over. Wednesday is too close to mull over this.

Too much of a gamble to throw in a kid in such a big game, when it's 0-0. You have a player in Toby who has played there before, so you go with experience. Of course it wasn't ideal, but injuries aren't ideal. It's the situation we face as a club of our size, Koeman did the sensible and safe option to retain the experience.

Cork was Ill, Morgan was injured. Bringing on a CB and moving Toby to CM was really the only choice, even though not an ideal one. Other option would have been to throw an 18 year old in there, and that wouldn't have been an ideal situation. You need experience in games like these and it was still 0-0 at the time of the changes.

And a very fair point.

Pretty frustrating overall. Still gutted I couldn't make it what with my ****ed foot, but didn't miss much! We started the game as we meant to go on, really. City were up for it, probably more so than us, and we seemed a little overawed by the game at times. Key performers Tadic and Pelle had stinkers, more so Tadic. When that happens, you need a team like City to have a bit of a stinker too to give us a chance - but it didn't happen, they barley gave us an inch to be honest and kept us at a distance most of the game. I still don't think we'll get near top 4, but top 6 is possible for sure. We're better than we showed today, which is the frustrating thing, but credit to City who put a pretty perfect away performance. No answer when they play at that level, just have to applaud them.

We were pretty ****, but no way should there have been booing as we've been brilliant so far this season. Not so much this game though, but I think as fans we'll allow them that!

So you'd throw in a young kid against Toure? Alderweild is more of a CM than Gardos. Good move. Glad you're not the manager.

Yeah, they've been brilliant. Quick to the ball, pressing as a unit, incisive with their passing. We've just dropped a level, and there will only be one result if these are the circumstances.

He has been poor, although he is up against one of the best in Kompany. Tadic is the one I've been most disappointed and frustrated with, he's had a total nightmare and has killed our attack. I hope this is a one off.

Slight muscle injury, probably brought off as a precaution more than anything. Don't really want to lose him for more than a game.

But we're still on 26 points and third in the league. I don't think we're the worst. We just had a pretty ****ty day today, it was always going to happen. Let's not go over the top.

Please can you advise the alternative? Cheers.

People will go way OTT here and call for changes and tactical modifications, but the stark reality is that we have played poorly against a very good side. Can't happen for sides like ourselves, there will only be one result if that happens. Bit frustrated that we didn't ever give this a real go. Tadic has had a complete nightmare!

Want to go so bad, but seriously hurt my foot last night (not broken, but torn mid-foot tendon) and I can't walk on my right side at all (shame, as I'm a right footed Beckham as well) Not sure how I'm going to make up to row NN...but I may dose myself up with painkillers and try...(stupidly..)