Thinking back on the game, we really should have tried to grab another goal, especially in the first half. We were by far the better side then, and 2-0 at half time would have been perfect.
I don't know about the Johnson tackle. Debating whether it was a tackle or interception is a moot point in my opinion. Any other day, it could have been a red. We were fortunate it wasn't because we've all seen those kinds of plays resulting in a sending off. And realistically, if that had been Richards on Agger, what would we be saying?
Anyways, Johnson was good playing out of position yesterday, except for that play in like the 43rd minute when Richards completely out muscled him and played a ball to an unmarked James Milner. Thankfully for us, Ricahrds played the ball to an unmarked James Milner
Carroll played a good first half, bar his blown 1v1. Hopefully he's starting to embed himself on the team and his confidence will pick up.
Downing, for me, is still disappointing. He would release Johnson on the wing and then just stand there. Move into space already, or at least move to draw a defender away! Seems like such a simple concept to me (It must be if I understand it!). But, maybe he was out of it with his arrest and all.
I thought Kenny got it right yesterday except for one thing. I would have taken off Carroll for Kuyt and dropped him into midfield. Then, move Bellamy up top. When we parked the bus in the second half, we were never going to score on a counter with Andy up top. Nothing on Carroll, speed just isn't his thing. Having Bellamy up top would have been a threat to City's backline and could have prevented them from piling on pressure out of fear of a counter.
But can't really complain though. 90 minutes from Wembley if we keep our heads.
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