Boro home match review.

Well that was a big disappointment. There isn't a lot to say really. I said in my last blog post that Middlesbrough will sit back, look to stay in the game and look for one or two opportunities to score. I said City's defence is not good and will concede. It's bad but very predictable. I'm most disappointed because we scored in the first half, did all the hard work and the only thing they did not do was put away more than one of the near twenty chances to score. Aguero, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Navas, De Bruyne and Silva all had good opportunities to score yet only Aguero scored just before half time. De Bruyne did a wonderful cross and boom, an easy finish against an excellent Valdes in net. All City and City had something to show. Good. Middlesbrough came out second half, changed shape, looked more of a threat but City held firm. Good. City got to the last 15 minutes, Aguero had a chance to seal the game but missed and City looked knackered. They just needed to hold shape, defend well and do what is asked. Simple really. In added on time, here we go again with typical City. Boro get deep into City's half (just play the normal game, why are we backing off?) unmarked, the winger is allowed to cross and De Roon puts a powerful header away. Clichy didn't clear and was out muscled, not good enough. Bravo gets a hand to it, like Ter Stegen in midweek with De Bruyne's freekick, and both will be disappointed to concede.

 It would have been a great 1-0 result if they could have hung on. But reality is they did not and not that's six points dropped at home. Them six points need making back. Where? Well we now can't afford to lose against teams around us and grab a win or two. I'm looking to games in December against Chelsea, Arsenal at home and away at L'pool. We need 7 points from them if we can and maintain some wins between then. Crystal Palace away is next up in the league. A difficult match but I'm not too worried. They aren't quick, they haven't defended too well this season and I've been disappointed in them. If City don't win that match, it's title over near enough. Chelsea look like the team that will mount the challenge but I expect that Liverpool and Arsenal will maintain some pace, but it's City that could win it. In my opinion though, top 4 is more realistic but will be disappointing. City can win the league, they have the best squad and if Aguero stays fit all season then he will get the golden boot, which begs the question of defence and goalkeeper. They are City's weak points. Joe Hart was no better than Bravo, but he is also no worse. So we are 17 million pounds down the drain and Hart on loan. Not good business. Guardiola needs to address the defensive problems and sign a couple of defender. A new CB and a LB would be on my list. But we won't sign decent players in January. I'm wary that this first season under Pep will go amiss. That means just two more seasons and by the end of his spell, we are meant to have the reins of a dominant force and City are miles away from that. Very disappointing. Pep has his work cut out. But if he does make City a success, he'll have done an amazing job. So over to you Pep. I hope he does it and if anyone can turn City into a force to be feared, he is the man you want at the helm. He needs to address problems. 

A quick note as I finish this short review blog, I like Guardiola's praise in his press conferences. He never blames the team and is all about team ethic. I like that. He takes pressure away. If Pep can sort the defence out and get them to play as he wants and keep clean sheets, we'll do well this season. Some of players aren't good enough for one reason or another and won't be hear this time next season (it'll be interesting to see who Guadiola thinks is not good enough and we'll see in January and next summer who they are) but, we need to sort our form out now. Pep has 2 weeks on this last international break for a few months, to sort out some tactics, new positions and ideas to sorting the team out and getting some decent results again. It'd be great if we could go unbeaten from now until the new year and pick up 7 or 8 wins in the next 10 games in all competitions. That would see City near, if not top of the league, qualify in the champions league and avoid defeat against 3 title rivals. Onwards and upwards but I'm very disappointed for yesterday's result and performance. But well done Middlesbrough, a point closer to safety and a good defensive unit and goalkeeper. I don't think they'll go down this season but I do think they will be in relegation fight. I think they have too much to go down. They play like they did second half yesterday against teams in the bottom half, they'll easily stay up. It's those matches at the bottom when they play each other (the 6 pointers) that matter for relegation and staying up. Bournemouth are great at them (yesterday aside... of course) and Middlesbrough can do the same. Good luck for the season Boro.