Yep. I'm not saying the above players are bad players and don't have any quality. What I'm saying is that I don't think that outside the tactical set up at Man City they would be the same players or be able to perform like they are now. Look at Sane's games for Germany and then Man City for example but yes this is for another thread.
Raheem Sterling
- Thread starter MyOnlySolskjaer
- Start date
Pretty much a repeat of that performance he had against us up top for Liverpool at Old Trafford a few years ago. He ran us ragged, but barely managed to give De Gea anything to do despite getting loads of great chances.
Still among the handful of best performers in the league this season, and a big reason for why City are running away with the league title, so I doubt tonight will trouble him for too long.
Still among the handful of best performers in the league this season, and a big reason for why City are running away with the league title, so I doubt tonight will trouble him for too long.
He linked well for them too, got the assist and nicely set up Godogen again when hit the outside of the bar/post.
Find this hard to disagree with, I've said this a few times and its a reason many people think I hate your manager. He is capable of sending you guys out to play like Man United when he wants. 2nd half today despite you winning 3-0 was the 2 top teams in England going for one and other toe to toe. You did the same one other time I can recall watching you this season at 2-0 down v Palace (I think). When you are allowed to play as you can, there is very little difference in terms of ability between both squads and its why I've called Jose a coward many times.
Today at half time, he manned up and went for us second half, pushed Pogba into a space where he could be Pogba and when you played, you played like Manchester United. If you played like this week in, week out you'd be sitting much closer to us and I think Jose has to adapt to modern football and take the game to teams because you have the ability. For me even given our two losses this week the difference between us and you this season has been the managers. Pep is happy to take a loss and concede a goal knowing a win and a loss is better than 2 draws. Jose has to adapt to this because the points tally to win the league while they are both in Manchester is going to be mid 90's I feel.
The Manchester United that played 2nd half today are capable of hitting that number, the Manchester United who are more pre-occupied with not losing than winning will fall short.
I guess he really is a United fan 
Yes exactly. There may be a difference between our squads but it doesn't equate to a 13 point gap. This is a credit to your team and more importantly Pep Guardiola who's done a great job in hiding a lot of your weaknesses and creating a fear in PL teams. Teams are beaten before the game begins but you've got earn that respect by approaching all games in the same fashion. We when we turn it on we can play some really good football but we have to go 1/2 nil down before we see it. It doesn't make any sense. Half the time we are playing with the handbrake on. I think our squad is weaker than yours in some key areas like the fullbacks and in midfield depth and we also don't have a quality RW but apart from that there isn't too much between the teams. Whether it's a closer title race next season from our perspective depends on whether we can we strengthen in some of these weak areas. Half the problems in our team start with our defence. We need a defensive overhaul ( a bit like you guys did last year) to give a better platform for our attacking players and then I think we'll see a closer battle next season.
What has Sterling couldn't hit the barn door got to do with Pep's tactic, or no KdB?
Still, he's an excellent player, and one that I wish he's ours.
Still, he's an excellent player, and one that I wish he's ours.
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At half time, I did mention that Sterling has single handedly kept United in the match. His finishing has always been his weak point. He is a good player but not the world class some posters made him out to be.
As many posters pointed out earlier, he is successful because Pep's system suits him. He is benefited from having world class around him. He is not the player, you'll build your team around.
I doubt he would have slept properly last night.
As many posters pointed out earlier, he is successful because Pep's system suits him. He is benefited from having world class around him. He is not the player, you'll build your team around.
I doubt he would have slept properly last night.
Oh god, no
Their most threatening player by far, and has been for most of the season. His movement is first class, which is why he gets so many chances. Our back four could not live with him.
He's still only 23. I can imagine his finishing and composure will get better as he ages.
He's still only 23. I can imagine his finishing and composure will get better as he ages.
Whenever a player sucks, people talk about his movement.
Movement is the reason City have won the title with ease this season, whether it be creating a chance for yourself, or opening up space for other. Big part of football.
Having watched Sterling miss sitters for multiple seasons, this performance is nothing out of the ordinary. He has missed sitters throughout the whole of this season.
Despite some claiming Baldy has transformed Sterling by telling him to open up his body for a shot, it has done feck all for his shooting. That is because Sterling was taught as a child to open up his body when receiving the ball.
Despite some claiming Baldy has transformed Sterling by telling him to open up his body for a shot, it has done feck all for his shooting. That is because Sterling was taught as a child to open up his body when receiving the ball.
Pep's system made him look better but still couldnt hide his true ability
He's good at back-post tap-ins and spinning the ball of his crotch to secure late winners.
Seems to be scared of De Gea.
Still scored 21 goals this season. Some player.
De Gea is the anti-Sterling. Sterling is bordering on Danny Welbeck levels of jelly-legs in front of goal, while De Gea has balls of steel and relishes 1v1s.
18 goals 11 assists in 27 apps.
Has he been flattered by the City system, or just unlucky for England? He's been awful in front of goal. I'd be fuming about that header if it was against a better team (and we didn't score immediately after the save).
Hasn’t scored an England goal since 2015. Get Rashford in there and he will show him how it's done.
He was lucky to stay on for the full 90 today.
City create a bucket load of chances and hand them on a plate for him. Even then he misses sitters regularly for them.
He's a more mature version of Liverpool 13/14. He has not been transformed by a system, he has improved his good areas and retained his deficiencies.
A great player, but I doubt he'll ever be an elite player. Just doesn't have that killer instinct in him. Reminds me very much of Pedro actually.
Prime Pedro formed a very deadly front 3 with Messi & Villa...
Hopefully rashford starts ahead of him for the foreseeable future, he simply doesn’t deserve his place in the first 11.
Agree. I can't believe he stayed on for 90 minutes
I think Gareth was hoping he'd get a goal and regain his confidence. Obvious Kane would be subbed and Trippier to be fair ran his socks off too so was a sub. That leaves one sub left.
I think we can expect to see Marcus play in the match against Belgium but honestly can understand why he decided to keep him on.
I think Rashford would have started had the team sheet not been leaked foolishly.
Southgate didn’t want to prove the leak correct.
Southgate didn’t want to prove the leak correct.
And sterling has formed a very deadly front 3 at City, and did the same at Liverpool. He's a very good player, but never the fulcrum of an attack due to deficiencies in his game.
Intelligent movement, good pace, but a bit clumsy with the ball and inconsistent finisher. A bit like Pedro who played second fiddle to Messi and Hazard because they had a more rounded skillset.
I certainly hope that's the last we see of him in that form
Lots of players are flattering in the City team - look at Otamendi, Delph, Fernandinho. They don’t look anywhere near as good when taken out of that system, peps just done a really good job with some of these guys.
You can say similar about Sterling at City now though.
Yes, he misses easy chances, I'm sure one will come eventually, but England don't need him to be a goal scorer. What he does for England though is still important. He takes up good positions often between the lines. This gives other attackers a lot more space. His pass for lingards goal was also perfectly weighted so let's not pretend he is doing nothing offensively. Do I think in an England shirt Rashford offers more of a goal threat absolutely, but I think Sterling gives England better balance overall.
System definitely flatters them. They were nothing before playing in the system and continue to be nothing special outside of it.
Huge reason I dont think City's spending is scary is how they just buy a ton of players who are merely good but not transcendent in ability. It's a collection of decent to very good players playing bit part roles to be greater than the sum of their parts.
And Sterling formed a deadly front three with Sane and Aguero.
Because Southgate wanted him to score a goal, which would have been great for his confidence. Unfortunately, he did score, but it was really good management by Southgate.
Sterling's a top player, no doubt about it.
This is a very blue tinted perspective.
He’s one of the most advanced players in the team and has scored 2 goals in 40 caps.
A lot has been made of his rough treatment by the media, perhaps even racially motivated on some level, but that’s probably kept him in the side longer than he deserves because Southgate has been keen to back him.
Rashford can feel really hard done by, having done more in an England shirt. He would have started had that teamsheet not been leaked.
His England performances are derisory.