Allardyce on... Manchester City

  • by Staff Writer
  • Saturday, 19th October 2013

Big Sam was understandably disappointed by a third home defeat of the season - whilst admitting that his team were distinctly second best...

Sam: I thought you gave it a good go today, especially after the second goal?

Too late though, wasn't it. That's the problem. Manchester City were better than us today. If we were to get a result then I've always said that you have to play your very best - but sometimes the opposition don't allow you to do that.

We came out of the traps hoping we could set the tempo but what happened is that Manchster City decided they would, what with the quality of their players. When you get the front two and Yaya Toure passing the ball like they did it frightened us a little bit, put us on the back foot.

The sad thing was, even after all of that, when they got through our goalkeeper was magnificent today - but then we made two basic errors for two goals, rather than the quality of Aguero, Negredo or Silva putting the ball in the back of the net with great, fluent moves.

A simple ball down the middle for the first goal and somebody not picking the smallest man in Man City up on the second goal was really disappointing for us. So gifting the two to them was something that you don't really expect to come back from against a team of their quality.

But we gave it a go, and at least I was pleased with the response the lads showed in not giving up and fighting right until the end. And, of course, when we got back to 2-1 with a good goal that we scored we showed a little bit more of the passing qualities that had failed us in the first half.

The constant passing back to our players and the opposition regaining possession was the reason we didn't look anything like we did at Tottenham two weeks ago. So really our only contribution from an attacking point of view was 20, 25 minutes - but that was after Manchester City were already 2-0 up and that was too late.

Was James Collins maybe the most important missing element out there today?

No, I don't think so. We played with James Tomkins and got a clean sheet against Tottenham so I think whether it's James Collins or James Tomkins, the quality of Negredo and Aguero was outstanding. The quality of their runs with Yaya Toure and David Silva passing it to them. But, even when they pierced our defence Jussi was there to save us today.

It wasn't the quality of the first goal, it was a huge mistake by our defence and a good finish. But it wasn't really quality the second goal, it was a huge mistake by us letting him have a free header seven yards out. To be fair to him he's put both of them away pretty well but for him they weren't difficult finishes because he didn't have any pressure on him.

What's the news on Guy Demel, who was substituted in the second half?

He's okay; it's just a dead leg.

Thank you.

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