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Final whistle verdict: Irons season started here

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Manchester City 3 Irons 1

michail-antonio-west-ham-stoke_3387473At last we can feel confident for the first time since the lads re-assembled in pre-season.

It seems odd to be talking like that after a 3-1 defeat but for the first time since last season we really started to play with purpose and passion in the second half and as a result the season finally took off.

After looking frail, tentative and out of touch again as City dominated in the first 45, manager Slaven Bilic subbed the entirely ineffective Gokhan Tore, pushed Antonio into his best position and pushed Sam Byram in behind him.

Manu Lanzini’s craft came a bit later and you wonder what the result might have been had the boss started with the right side he settled on in the second half.

Make no mistake City  are top class at their best and they were in the first half but we really got among them in the second 45 minutes and an Antonio header at the back post again – this time from an Arthur Masuaku cross – breathed life into a team that had looked lost.

It would have been a miracle had we taken anything from the game but for 20 minutes in that second half we really did show courage, bravery and energy.

The next time we see the Irons – against Watford after the international break – it will be a very different looking side and one which will be picking up plenty of points.

At half time this had the look of a game which could only end in total embarrassment but the second half showed we so much  courage.

Add the finesse and craft that will grow with the return of Dimi and Manu and we can look forward to seeing Zaza in the Claret and Blue.

I feel a whole lot happier. Hope you do,

COYI

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

0 comments

  • whitehp says:

    I agree, we looked something like the team of last season for periods in the 2nd half. Tore can go back to Turkey now, but Masuaka looks class. Valencia is shot, and Calleri out of his depth. Zaza, Payet, Lanzini starting, with 6 winnable games on the trot should set the benchmark.

  • Eddie says:

    I was just about to mention Byram Tone.We have Byram,we dont need a new right back to be first choice,we need a back up.Give Byram a run in the team & he is going to settle in to being a very good player & acquisition for us.I find it mindboggling that fans call for Fletcher or other young uns to be given game time to gain experience but so readily shout for a new right back when we have one we signed last year for the future.Now is his time.The boy will win England caps im telling you!

  • Tone says:

    Yeah as I said before ( sorry for doing a canchaz) let’s gauge our season on the next 7 or 8 games when we play the teams we should be on a par or better than with some of our injured players back.I had today down as a free hit.We played well in the second half.Now can we please give a run in the team to Byram.The kid is going to be quality if fans give him a bloody chance to show them!

  • kcockayne says:

    Do you really think that Diminish IS coming back ?

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