They were there for the taking and we actually outplayed them inspite of having a right back, central midfielder and two 19yr olds in our defense. Smalling is an idiot.
We played well for the opening 20 which was good and the way that we didnt completely captulate when we went down to 10 shows we are getting there but that it will take time. That said 13 points after 10 games is beyond poor
I'm disappointed but also hugely encouraged. Most teams would get absolutely battered being down to 10 men at the Etihad (1-6?) City were shitting it at the end. Proud of the lads for that second half.
Our defence actually looked a lot calmer when McNair came on - think he could be a star.
Can't take much away from that analysis wise other than Smalling is an idiot. Thought we played well up until then. City weren't great, couldn't capitalise on our back four of two 19 year olds and a CM and RW with an extra man. Also looked shaky in the last 15 minutes.
Not disappointed but left wondering 'what if...' we had a fit back four.
You've got to be an idiot not to see progress under Van Gaal. There's spirit in that team, wonderful performance with an inexperience back 4 and with only 10 men.
Worst thing is that City were for the taking today, bar those two or three penalties they should've had ( ) they haven't done any serious damage, bar the obvious goal, in the second half despite us being a man down.
Shit sucks, it only proves that our defenders are fecking braindead and on top of that our most consistent defender ( consistent - not injured prior to today ) is down with, most likely, a dislocated shoulder.
Game was gone with the red. More injuries to make matters worse.
As for City, they'll point to the one million penalties they could have had but I thought they were absolutely pathetic in the last 15 minutes. Don't think they have a hope of catching Chelsea.
I liked that how we went forward in the end. Smalling is a disgrace.
Fellaini is decent yet again, despite stupid foals in the box that somehow went unnoticed.
We'll never have a fully fit squad, will we. That, coupled with Smalling's brainfart just deflated me today. 1 point from 6 doesn't do us justice at all. We should have got something out of that game today.
Started well. City put pressure on us and we crumbled. Nervous defence and then Smalling went and cost us the game.
Could have been a different game 11 v 11, but to be fair City should have had 2 penalties by half time, we shouldn't forget that despite our strong finish.
It's a case of riding the storm till January right now and hope we can get the right defenders in. Our back four is a mess.