Reaction to the defeat at Rochdale

By Nathan Jackson
April 1 2007

City controlled long spells of the game, but a general lack of skill meant that Rochdale scored twice against the run of play. Having waited nearly 24 hours to write this report after the game, I've had time to assess the situation, and these are my conclusions about yesterday's game and recent form

I could write this report by stating how disappointed I am about yet another game that we controlled has ended in defeat. About how we should have been 3 or 4 goals up by the time Rochdale eventually scored with one of their few shots during the entire game. Similar to how most of the games have been going since the turn of the year. All this whilst I also analyse the form of our opposition. But I won’t write about that.

 

I could write this report by talking about each individual player. Whether is being Jeff Hughes giving the ball away umpteen times or him wasting several great chances. Or perhaps how Nicky Eaden was near enough always out of position when Rochdale rarely broke forward. How Nat Brown just hoofs the ball straight back to the opposition as opposed to passing it a few yards to a player right next to him. How neither of our 30+ goal strike force didn't have a decent shot on goal. Or even why one of, if not our best player started on the bench. But I won’t write about those.

 

I know this reaction is shorter than what you’re used to but I think it says it all about how the same team that we beat 7-1 a few months ago just beat us 2-0. Rochdale didn’t even play any differently from when we beat them 7-1, so that really does just say it all about how differently City are playing in recent months.

 

I’ll leave you with this little stat, our last 7 games have been against teams we’d already beaten earlier this season. We’ve won just one of those 7 games, losing 4 and drawing the other 2. If anyone tries to convince you that nothing has changed since the beginning of the season, then just show them that stat because it is quite literally shocking to say the least.