So, our Carabao dream is over for another year. There will be no re-run of 1985.
In reality, of course, we knew that before we’d even kicked a ball. Unless the inhabitants of that exclusive club known as the ‘big six’ bugger off to that European Super League they so crave, the likelihood of a team of mere mortals ever winning it again is virtually non-existent.
As things stand, the winners of this, or any domestic, competition will invariably come from said group of elites and that’s only if/when Pep decides to give one of the other five a turn.
So, no great loss to depart the competition (sorry Kathy) although any defeat comes with an element of pain, especially when it’s inflicted upon you by Bournemouth and doubly so when you were winning 2-1 two minutes into injury time.
But, as Dean Smith alluded to afterwards, we can have no real complaints. Despite leading twice, Bournemouth were the better side on the night and deserved their win, even if it did come in the end via the width of the Barclay End crossbar.
Todd Cantwell, in trying to recreate the spirit of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium March 2020, ended up slightly overdoing the casual indifference part, with his well-struck penalty from virtually no run-up slamming into the crossbar instead of the roof of the net.
And that was pretty much it.
Angus got close to a couple of Bournemouth pens but not close enough and so it will be the media darlings of Sandbanks rather than the pains in the @rse from Norfolk whose shiny ball gets rummaged at 9:45pm tonight.
With Smith making ten changes from the team that beat Millwall and Scott Parker making the same number after their walloping by Arsenal at the weekend, the win for the Cherries was proof, more than anything else, that they currently have more strength in depth than City.
“Young at times” was how Dean Smith described last night’s team, which I took to mean a bit naïve, and included in that grouping was“AJ” – aka Aaron Ramsey.
While it seemed perfectly reasonable to put Jonathan Tomkinson and Tony Springett in that category, and Ramsey is undeniably young, the fact that the latter has been brought in from a big club and has been lauded as a star of the future, means we’re expecting a little more from him.
The general consensus is that those brought in on loan are done so in order to strengthen the group, not (as least from a City perspective) to offer the player experience on behalf of his parent club.
Given that bringing in Ramsey has been perceived by some as Dean Smith doing his old club, (and the club he supports) a favour, then it probably wasn’t the best choice of words.
I’m still hopeful the lad will be able to provide us with something that we don’t already have though and that those trotting out the above line will have to eat their words, but we’re still waiting for that to happen.
Early days though – Ramsey didn’t have his first Colney training session until 16 days ago – so let’s not be too harsh too soon. Equally, his coach for the next ten months needs to not make it sound as if this is merely us babysitting for Villa.
But, semantics. Dean has enough folk on his case without me joining in. So I won’t.
On the whole, despite exiting the competition and experiencing that unpleasant and too-familiar sight of our back-four getting bullied, there were some good things to emerge – not least the form of Gunn.
His superb shot-stopping must mean he’s now pushing Tim Krul hard, and a mistake or two or a departure from the Dutchman (neither of which hopefully won’t happen) and Dean Smith has one waiting in the wings ready and willing to grasp the opportunity.
Also, the fact that three of our four strikers whose names aren’t Josh Sargent either scored or contributed to a goal was another big fat plus, as was the fact that Gabriel Sara got 90 minutes under his belt.
In particular, the belated Pukki/Idah partnership gave off vibes of those heady days of January when we went three games without defeat and looked – whisper it – a little dangerous in front of goal.
So, not all bad. Just a shame it had to be at the hands of Bournemouth.
But would I swap defeat on pens to them in the cup for a win at the Stadium of Light on Saturday?
Too damn right I would.
On the Ball City…
I didn’t see the game, not even highlights yet-I guess the ITV4 inferior round up programme will be on tonight.
My only real problem with getting knocked out of the League Cup before the end of August is that many of the fringe players won’t get a meaningful game before January. It will be interesting to see who departs, on loan or otherwise, in the next week.
Yep… a very good point, Don. As you say, until the early rounds of the FA Cup, said fringe players have to rely on Under-23 football to keep match fit.
given that the next round of the Cackapoo Cup is 2 days after the world cup final this is as good a year as any to swerve it.
Fair comments all, GG.
I was at the game and my main concern was the same as over the past 5 years. We look vastly inferior to the top league sides in pace, power and athleticism. In skill we’re almost as good, but the lack of being competitive in those other fundamental attributes is holding us back.
It’s also concerning that despite Stuart Webber rightfully identifying these deficits, not one single signing since then has reduced that gap. With every signing along comes another tidy ball-player who is not quick enough and suffers from chronic pushoverability.
PS . The gaping hole in our left back position needs filling in with a dedicated specialist pronto.
Hi Gary
Well Ex-City Players Matthew Dennis was on the score sheet for MK Dons and Jaiyimi was scoring for Charlton, Clark and most of our loanees didn’t get game time for one reason or another surely city didn’t block themselves they weren’t Cup tied??
Man for Man I honestly don’t think with our 1st 11 that Bournemouth are a stronger team and they will struggle to survive in the Premiership and will city be the club to replace them that question will be answered in May.
We have Sunderland at the Stadium of Eternal Light while Bournemouth have a game against a faltering Loserpool at Anfield and after the loss to ManUre on Monday someone will get the backlash I feel sorry for Parker I really do.
I just wonder if the club had two agendas last night 🌙
1 If they won all was good and looking to the next round
2 If we lose then let’s concentrate on a promotion push nothing to worry about
Am I being cynical or just a realist at heart, last season Parker said that city had done them a good turn by dumping them out of the cup one less thing to concentrate on I just think that city have the same outlook but will never be honest enough to admit it.
I think you are being a realist. At this stage of the season and the early rounds of the cup competition – the cup is good for giving those fringe players game time and a chance to show themselves to the manager (as mentioned in the comments above), so more like a challenging reserve team game – but another round or two in and getting close to the semis etc, then the first team eleven will likely become more involved and that may cause issues with any promotion push we have / might have / might hope for 🙂
Thanks Dave the extra cash would have come in for the next transfer window as well
The biggest plus for me from last night was the sight of Dan Barden on the bench and back properly in the squad, after everything he’s been through.
Well said, Jonathan. And so say all of us.
Good comment.
Last night was primarily an exercise in getting minutes into Byram, Idah, Sara etc Gary.
Of course it was disappointing to concede in injury time but it’s not going to have any bearing on this season.
I would have liked to have seen a Dean Smith Mk 2 side compete with a Leicester or a Southampton but that’s for another day.
Sunderland away is the big one.
I would take a point now but this game gives us a real chance to show this recent improvement extends to our travels.
Alex Neil is an interesting lad.
Did reasonably at Preston with a small budget and has done very well at Sunderland.
I remain convinced if he had his time again at Norwich he would do a lot of things differently.
Namely not panic during or after Newcastle 6 Norwich 2.
He will be desperate to beat us
We have to match that.