I know it was City and some of the team did put in a decent effort only to lose to a mistake by Olise. However yet again we failed to create chances and PV seems unable to correct this.

If we had created a handful of real chances which our strikers had missed then I would not blame PV but our poor strike force. However not really threatening the opposition goal yet again is worrying.

I think PV's time is nearly up unless he can change his tactics.

One more point

I very much expected Man C to dominate possession and for us to sit deep and counter-attack when necessary.I agree we were disciplined and largely contained them.Our issue was in transition whereby we just could not gain a foothold due to the Man C 'Pressing' and their ability to regain possession and I concluded it was only a matter of time before we conceded a goal.It really was a hard watch.

Alas a loss of concentration at a corner and a moment of madness cost us the game.A goal behind, we showed far more attacking intent but this was another game in which we never registered a shot on target,our third in succession. Particular praise goes to Guaita and Sambi Lokonga.

I suspect that nobody was surprised with the result and I suppose many suspected the scoreline would indicate a more emphatic Man C victory.

Edited by Willo (12 Mar 2023 8.04am)

Guaita and Lokonga were superb , it’s a shame we are in this mess, we need to beat Brighton , or Viera is gone , was 25/1 for “next manager to leave” before Villa game, now 4/1….

“This is a crisis, a large crisis.... in fact if you have a moment, it’s a 12 storey crisis, magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24 hour portage , and an enormous sign on the roof saying “This , is a large crisis” - Edmund Blackadder

From my perspective Clyne found it very difficult against Grealish who on one occasion simply brushed him off leaving Clyne on the floor.Perhaps Clyne was feeling the pace hence his withdrawal to be replaced by Ward.

Apropos the goal, this was purely down to players losing concentration, allowing Gundogan to run unchallenged into space, and a moment of madness from Olise.

Some have alluded to the referee letting 'fouls' by City go but I thought he had a very good game and wasn't his fault he had to give a stone-wall penalty.

Who knows, but for that switch-off in defence we may have held out for a hard earned 0-0

Sunday morning - always interesting to see how other fans reflect on the match. Not convinced sacking Vierra is the answer. We used to have 3 strikers who could not score. Now Benteke is gone we have 2. All 3 midfielders who made a difference last year and got us up the pitch have gone or have been injured. Only one replacement brought in. Ward and Clyne both in the twilight of their careers but the young full back in line to replace them has a chronic injury problem. So recruitment has been an issue

From a tactical point of view I was worried to see Milly start yesterday - had a wager he would be off by half time. Surely Richards could have done everything Milly did - but better. Otheriwse we play Ayew because he tracks back and we dont play Eze because he doesnt. Can we win 4 matches to stay up. I hope so .