""It was a disappointing start and we couldn't recover from it. We didn't play well.”
, Joe Hart – 05/12/2015.
I have made something of a point within this blog of mentioning City's application and approach in the opening stages of games. Being "at it" from the kick off with energy and purpose, has been fundamental to all of City's great displays over the last few seasons. Its no surprise that City's worst performances have been against the backdrop of lethargic starts. Be it a lack of respect for the opposition, an eye on the next match, tiredness, or lack of concentration, it really doesn't matter, starting slowly in the Premier League is too big a risk, even to a side of City's obvious qualities. And yet they do, probably one in every two games. A lot of times the team recover quickly, or their class shows over the ninety minutes, but sometimes they don't recover; West Ham, Liverpool, Stoke are all examples of this.
Stoke did not just start this game quicker, they had done their homework, and were no doubt rubbing their hands in glee when they saw City opening with a midfield two in front of the currently underperforming Demichelis/Otemendi partnership. The only surprise is that City found Stoke playing a high pressing game from the off, a surprise. Mark Hughes may have his detractors, but he's not stupid, and he knew that going for the jugular from the first minute was Stoke's best chance of getting something from the game.
Stoke have also added some tasty players into their traditional style of solid work ethic and slightly misjudged tackle. Shaqiri, ex-Bayern and Inter, is one of these, and it was his guile which opened up the right hand of City's defence before crossing to Artaunovic to open the scoring on 7'. Eight minutes later the same combination was again City's undoing, Shaqiri producing a defence splitting pass onto Artainovic, who finished passed an oncoming Hart. Unfortunately neither of these goals were a wake up call, and City were somewhat lucky to only be 2 vs. 0 down at half time.
Bony's replacement at half time was a surprise to no one, with the clock ticking on the big Ivorian's time as City's No.2 striker, given the energetic and mature displays of Iheanacho, who again replaced him. The other substitution, Delph for Fernandhino was a strange one for me, and was perhaps done with an eye on the Borussia game in midweek (indeed perhaps too many players had their eye on the Borussia game in midweek :/). Certainly City continuing to rely on two midfielders to hold a side with the bit between their teeth was a gamble, especially given Silva was showing lack of match fitness and it was known he would not be asked to play out the full 90 minutes, returning as he was for his first full EPL start for eight weeks. Although the second half started slightly better, soon the inevitable cracks, which show when any side is chasing a game, started to have an affect. Stokes confidence grew again, and they probably created the better chances during the second as well as the first 45, and if it were not for more Joe Hart heroics, the score could have been worse.
So a game to quickly forget, with the alarm bells from the back four when Kompany is not present fast becoming a loud blaring klaxon. Whatever the right answer, be it delving once more into the transfer market in January, or (as would be my preference) recalling Denayer from his loan in Turkey, something has to be done if City wish to pick up silverware this season. The chances of Kompany seeing out the rest of the season injury free are low, and without him the defence looks lost and leaderless whenever City are on the back foot. Something also needs to happen about the slow starts, and that one lies squarely with Pellers.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Etihad Stadium Manchester
