What had changed? Was it different tactics from the manager or had the players thrown off the shackles after the embarrassing lap of appreciation after the West Ham match? It felt like the City team we knew and love had returned. There was pace, intensity, movement, great passing, crosses, shots, incidents and saves galore and the crowd responded well. The game that then unfolded was a complete revelation- and how! Yes, City won in the end but it had everything that was not present in the last few months of home matches. Iheanacho, Mahrez, Diabete and Vardy provided the attacking threat. Midfield looked vulnerable with Silva and Choudhury in the centre. Why has it taken so long for him to be selected? Simpson returned at right back. The main pleasant surprise was to see Jakupovic in goal for his first league game. The team for the match rather selected itself from who was standing and fit. There is also the likelihood of many out-of-favour players returning from loan just to complicate the situation. The decision is critical for the future and there is a lack of trust that, if Puel stays, the right sort of players will be recruited for next season. Rumours of Puel losing his job had been rife for weeks and, as I write, David Wagner’s name seemed to be the favourite, with Benitez a fans choice. The amount of injuries stacking up and a suspension have not helped his cause either so the cupboard was rather bare for team selection.Īgainst this backdrop the match seemed secondary. Who knows whether it is his methods or the players unable or unwilling to play his way but the performances had recently been awful and so, so boring. After many home games and the totally inept performance by players and manager against West Ham I held no hope for the match against Arsenal who were belatedly giving Arsene Wenger a good send off.Īnd what of our manager? After an encouraging start he had somehow managed to suck the spirit and energy out of our team. When going to a City football match there is usually the thrill of what might happen and a hope to see some exciting play to lift the spirits. This season has drawn to a close with a sense of frustration and disappointment. I hate to say it but I did not look forward at all to going to City’s last home match as I drove my usual 2.5 hours from Suffolk.
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