Riza’s darkest hour as City bottle their latest “season defining game”.

2 Responses to Riza’s darkest hour as City bottle their latest “season defining game”.

1. Blue Bayou says:

   March 12, 2025 at 10:37 am

   Another excellent report Paul.
   My thoughts are:
   1. I’m pretty sure Riza had Colwill in mind for the not being prepared to scrap it out category. While he often does many good things and works hard, his attitude for Lutons equaliser confirms what Bellamy says about him, i.e. he’s nowhere near the finished article yet. While Jordan Clarke brilliantly controlled the ball on his chest and volleyed into the roof of the net, Colwill was the closest city player to him, and didn’t attempt any kind of challenge, but just stood and watched. I don’t know whether he could have prevented the shot but at least he should have tried to put Clarke off.
   2. I hope all the people who decry us playing out from the back at all, will take time to reflect today. We mostly hit long balls from the back towards Salech. As we know from experience, that is food and drink to McGuinness, and he and Bell mostly won the aerial battle, with Luton using them as a springboard to launch another foray into our half.
   3. Omer needs a big reaction against Blackburn this Saturday. If we concede a goal within the first seventeen minutes again (as we have in 5 of 6 away games in 2025), and end up with no points, I fear there will be overwhelming pressure for change at the top after the international break!
2. Brian Andrews says:

   March 12, 2025 at 1:47 pm

   Paul – many thanks as always for your accurate summary of last night’s debacle. Prior to kick-off, I really felt that this would be a certain “3 pointer” for us, but even before the somewhat fortunate early second half goal, my doubts had set in because of our lack of any real attacking constructive play. I believe that individually, the whole squad have merits, but why is it they seem unable to act as a cohesive unit and consequently seem lacking in how to perform as a “team”. I presume that in our backroom staff there are specialist coaches, on attack, defence, corner takers, opposition etc. all overseen by Mr Riza, but where was the guidance last night? Just a dreadful evening.
   The manager has some very hard work ahead of him over the remaining matches not the least of which is to decide on what is his best starting eleven and stop the unsettling practice of four or five changes every match. Let us have some consistency in the selection of those who start games, and give them some encouragement in knowing that they have his backing. Blackburn is a good lace to start.