Fabio looks up for it this season

Although there were not many performances that deserve a special mention. I thought Fabio's commitment was 1st class in his first game. It looks like he was serious in the summer to come back fitter and stronger and establish himself as a quality player not only at Championship level, but a higher level too.

I did read an article a few months ago in which he stated he is going to work hard in the summer and work on his fitness and strength. It looks like he kept his word to do everything he can physically to get in great shape for this campaign.

His tackling was forceful and well-timed meaning he was up to the pace of the game. His distribution was so-so, maybe that comes with more games but I must say he won me over with that performance against Blackburn.

I love to see totally committed players doing there best for the club. I am hoping he can improve his concentration levels as he was ball-watching at times last season, but in fairness, the amount of world class players attacking our defence last year, i'm sure even the best would become disorientated with the constant flow of attacks with nothing going the other way.

Hats off to Fabio,I know it's only 1 game, and I might get a fried egg slapped in my face for this post in a few weeks time, but I do feel Ole got this signing right and we have an excellent player that will blossom this season. I was very critical last season, us fans eh??

Although there were not many performances that deserve a special mention. I thought Fabio's commitment was 1st class in his first game. It looks like he was serious in the summer to come back fitter and stronger and establish himself as a quality player not only at Championship level, but a higher level too.

I did read an article a few months ago in which he stated he is going to work hard in the summer and work on his fitness and strength. It looks like he kept his word to do everything he can physically to get in great shape for this campaign.

His tackling was forceful and well-timed meaning he was up to the pace of the game. His distribution was so-so, maybe that comes with more games but I must say he won me over with that performance against Blackburn.

I love to see totally committed players doing there best for the club. I am hoping he can improve his concentration levels as he was ball-watching at times last season, but in fairness, the amount of world class players attacking our defence last year, i'm sure even the best would become disorientated with the constant flow of attacks with nothing going the other way.

Hats off to Fabio,I know it's only 1 game, and I might get a fried egg slapped in my face for this post in a few weeks time, but I do feel Ole got this signing right and we have an excellent player that will blossom this season. I was very critical last season, us fans eh??

Good post!


Fully agree. I was pleasantly surprised by Fabio against Blackburn. There seemed to be a real zip about him and focus, he was continually looking around, getting a sense of where his team-mates were and perhaps more importantly the opposition and looked quick and decisive in the tackle.

Last season was a baptism of fire for him coming up against some of the world's best strikers, when perhaps he wasn't anywhere near match fitness at the time.

Also, a special mention to Brayford on the opposite flank - he also looked well up for it and hardly anything got past him, the encouraging thing is that neither player backed off their man (unlike Taylor last season!) and managed to cut out crosses from source.

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Ohhh fabiooooooo

Good post!


Fully agree. I was pleasantly surprised by Fabio against Blackburn. There seemed to be a real zip about him and focus, he was continually looking around, getting a sense of where his team-mates were and perhaps more importantly the opposition and looked quick and decisive in the tackle.

Last season was a baptism of fire for him coming up against some of the world's best strikers, when perhaps he wasn't anywhere near match fitness at the time.

Also, a special mention to Brayford on the opposite flank - he also looked well up for it and hardly anything got past him, the encouraging thing is that neither player backed off their man (unlike Taylor last season!) and managed to cut out crosses from source.

Correct! John Brayford looked excellent, much more steel down the flanks that should hold the defence together this campaign. Make us all wonder what the hell happened last year, as he would of proved to be an astute MM signing.

Whats going to happen to KTC? my opinion is that he is awkward on the ball and well down the pecking order now, and my guess is that we will struggle to offload him.

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

When he first came here, he was shocking. But like with a few of Ole's January signings, I don't think he was properly match fit. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think Ole was preparing for the Championship.

Fabio grew better and better as the season went on, and was brilliant against Blackburn. He could be one of our most important players over the season I feel. He's definitely got more about him in the left-back role that recent players who have played there - such as Andrew Taylor and Jlloyd Samuel.

My only two worries about Fabio are, number one - his attacking play. He loves to attack and if the opposition counter-attack, I fear it may cost us a goal. My other worry is his passion. Yes, it's great to have passion but it has to be controlled. He is definitely a passionate person, as we've seen, but we need to make sure he can keep it under control. His brother is the same.

Overall, a good start to the season by Fabio - him, Connolly, Hudson, Le Fondre, Brayford and Jones were the ones who impressed me on Friday night. Would expect them all to start against Huddersfield.

When he first came here, he was shocking. But like with a few of Ole's January signings, I don't think he was properly match fit. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think Ole was preparing for the Championship.

Fabio grew better and better as the season went on, and was brilliant against Blackburn. He could be one of our most important players over the season I feel. He's definitely got more about him in the left-back role that recent players who have played there - such as Andrew Taylor and Jlloyd Samuel.

My only two worries about Fabio are, number one - his attacking play. He loves to attack and if the opposition counter-attack, I fear it may cost us a goal. My other worry is his passion. Yes, it's great to have passion but it has to be controlled. He is definitely a passionate person, as we've seen, but we need to make sure he can keep it under control. His brother is the same.

Overall, a good start to the season by Fabio - him, Connolly, Hudson, Le Fondre, Brayford and Jones were the ones who impressed me on Friday night. Would expect them all to start against Huddersfield.

Good post! If Fabio is bang on form, he can make those challenges and get it right! I am optimistic we can have a really good season with the squad assembled by Ole

He's magic you know, you'll never get past Fabio

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

I think we need to try not to get too carried away with Kenwyne Jones. We have a habit of building players up and knocking them down ( Daehli seems to fall into that catergory lately) and conversely we knock a player for a period of time and we somehow feel the need to build them up again.
Kenwyne Jones scored two pre-season goals and a Championship opener but he hasn't completely turned the corner in my book yet. There were times in that Blackburn game where he had the ball at his feet and was going around in little circles and attracting the attention of too many defenders - you just knew he was going to eventually lose it... and he did!

Annis, I know you liked the somersault celebration but I don't think he's the type of player who can score consistently (hope I'm proved wrong!). I'd much rather we started with Le Fondra up front, in his natural position, alongside Macheda- because if there's anything the opposition cannot legislate against it's pace and movement. I'd bring Jones on if we were getting no change out of a couple of rough-house centre-backs.. he's certainly no 90 mins player.

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

I think we need to try not to get too carried away with Kenwyne Jones. We have a habit of building players up and knocking them down ( Daehli seems to fall into that catergory lately) and conversely we knock a player for a period of time and we somehow feel the need to build them up again.
Kenwyne Jones scored two pre-season goals and a Championship opener but he hasn't completely turned the corner in my book yet. There were times in that Blackburn game where he had the ball at his feet and was going around in little circles and attracting the attention of too many defenders - you just knew he was going to eventually lose it... and he did!

Annis, I know you liked the somersault celebration but I don't think he's the type of player who can score consistently (hope I'm proved wrong!). I'd much rather we started with Le Fondra up front, in his natural position, alongside Macheda- because if there's anything the opposition cannot legislate against it's pace and movement. I'd bring Jones on if we were getting no change out of a couple of rough-house centre-backs.. he's certainly no 90 mins player.

Ole certainly has options upfront. KWJ is an excellent option to cause havoc, or dare I say it, Ole playing direct football away from home

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

I think we need to try not to get too carried away with Kenwyne Jones. We have a habit of building players up and knocking them down ( Daehli seems to fall into that catergory lately) and conversely we knock a player for a period of time and we somehow feel the need to build them up again.
Kenwyne Jones scored two pre-season goals and a Championship opener but he hasn't completely turned the corner in my book yet. There were times in that Blackburn game where he had the ball at his feet and was going around in little circles and attracting the attention of too many defenders - you just knew he was going to eventually lose it... and he did!

Annis, I know you liked the somersault celebration but I don't think he's the type of player who can score consistently (hope I'm proved wrong!). I'd much rather we started with Le Fondra up front, in his natural position, alongside Macheda- because if there's anything the opposition cannot legislate against it's pace and movement. I'd bring Jones on if we were getting no change out of a couple of rough-house centre-backs.. he's certainly no 90 mins player.

Ole certainly has options upfront. KWJ is an excellent option to cause havoc, or dear I say it, Ole playing direct football away from home

I really wouldn't want to build our football around a big target man. He is useful yes. But the football we played was dire as a result of all that hoofing the ball forward at kenwynes head. I much rathther see us playing some nice football with guerra, Macheda and le fondre, make use of matts and whitts qualities they both looked uncomfortable and lost with the style of football we played saturday.
Fabio was excellent defensively best match he done in that regard. But it also coincided with him not running down the channels didn't offer support as much as he normally does and midfielders looked isolated no options to pass it forward.No doubt part of oles tactics, since he wasnt the only one reluctant to go forward. I am wondering were this attacking possession based football is?

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

I think we need to try not to get too carried away with Kenwyne Jones. We have a habit of building players up and knocking them down ( Daehli seems to fall into that catergory lately) and conversely we knock a player for a period of time and we somehow feel the need to build them up again.
Kenwyne Jones scored two pre-season goals and a Championship opener but he hasn't completely turned the corner in my book yet. There were times in that Blackburn game where he had the ball at his feet and was going around in little circles and attracting the attention of too many defenders - you just knew he was going to eventually lose it... and he did!

Annis, I know you liked the somersault celebration but I don't think he's the type of player who can score consistently (hope I'm proved wrong!). I'd much rather we started with Le Fondra up front, in his natural position, alongside Macheda- because if there's anything the opposition cannot legislate against it's pace and movement. I'd bring Jones on if we were getting no change out of a couple of rough-house centre-backs.. he's certainly no 90 mins player.

Ole certainly has options upfront. KWJ is an excellent option to cause havoc, or dear I say it, Ole playing direct football away from home

I really wouldn't want to build our football around a big target man. He is useful yes. But the football we played was dire as a result of all that hoofing the ball forward at kenwynes head. I much rathther see us playing some nice football with guerra, Macheda and le fondre, make use of matts and whitts qualities they both looked uncomfortable and lost with the style of football we played saturday.
Fabio was excellent defensively best match he done in that regard. But it also coincided with him not running down the channels didn't offer support as much as he normally does and midfielders looked isolated no options to pass it forward.No doubt part of oles tactics, since he wasnt the only one reluctant to go forward. I am wondering were this attacking possession based football is?

Certainly no possession based football being implemented in that match! I give Ole credit for playing in a way that suited the players out there. The attacking football must be coming with the players you mentioned getting fit!

Thomas, I have to admit another one of Oles players I never rated last season,but the other night I was more than happy with him

Me too Annis, I thought it was just another Utd reject who Ole was being generous to. I am happy to be wrong, and that's why I love football because it's hard to predict

Yes Thomas, I reckon I could be wrong on quite a few players so far,Kenwyne Jones has stunned me, last season I thought he was the laziest ever City player,long may this continue

I think we need to try not to get too carried away with Kenwyne Jones. We have a habit of building players up and knocking them down ( Daehli seems to fall into that catergory lately) and conversely we knock a player for a period of time and we somehow feel the need to build them up again.
Kenwyne Jones scored two pre-season goals and a Championship opener but he hasn't completely turned the corner in my book yet. There were times in that Blackburn game where he had the ball at his feet and was going around in little circles and attracting the attention of too many defenders - you just knew he was going to eventually lose it... and he did!

Annis, I know you liked the somersault celebration but I don't think he's the type of player who can score consistently (hope I'm proved wrong!). I'd much rather we started with Le Fondra up front, in his natural position, alongside Macheda- because if there's anything the opposition cannot legislate against it's pace and movement. I'd bring Jones on if we were getting no change out of a couple of rough-house centre-backs.. he's certainly no 90 mins player.

Ole certainly has options upfront. KWJ is an excellent option to cause havoc, or dear I say it, Ole playing direct football away from home

I really wouldn't want to build our football around a big target man. He is useful yes. But the football we played was dire as a result of all that hoofing the ball forward at kenwynes head. I much rathther see us playing some nice football with guerra, Macheda and le fondre, make use of matts and whitts qualities they both looked uncomfortable and lost with the style of football we played saturday.
Fabio was excellent defensively best match he done in that regard. But it also coincided with him not running down the channels didn't offer support as much as he normally does and midfielders looked isolated no options to pass it forward.No doubt part of oles tactics, since he wasnt the only one reluctant to go forward. I am wondering were this attacking possession based football is?

Certainly no possession based football being implemented in that match! I give Ole credit for playing in a way that suited the players out there. The attacking football must be coming with the players you mentioned getting fit!

I know what you are saying mate, sometimes you need to be cynical pleased that ole has that in him at the end of the Day we need to pick points
But it's a bit disconcerting how we didn't have much possession, fair enough if we had played it safe but at least showed we can keep the ball in the team. I don't see his philosophy implemented which is a worry. Don't agree that we played in a way that suited the players we played a number of people out of position, Maynard, daehli, le fondre all been excellent in preseason no coincidence that they looked anonymous last night due to endless hoofball. The defence and jones looked good because of the way we played. Midfield and wingers looked ineffective or hardly got on the ball.

Last edited by Tommy2 on Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Fabio was our best player during the last 6-8 games.

One of only a very small number who genuinely looked 'up for it'.

He looked excellent in the friendlies I saw and I'm looking forward to seeing more of that in the next 40-odd games.

The important thing now is that Ole settles on a system and his best side and gets them to gel as Fabio is one of a fair number of City players who will thrive at this level if the structure is right.

Other than the first few games where he was clearly struggling for match fitness he has been excellent.

The one challenge he made in the first half was unreal v Blackburn.

Debate time. Fabio or Declan John?

No question about it, Fabio.

Fabio all day long... IMO John isnt a left back, I dont think hes great positionaly or defensivly but he's fantastic at taking players on and going forward... I hope Ole uses him at some stage as a winger, I think he'd shine there

Fabio all day long... IMO John isnt a left back, I dont think hes great positionaly or defensivly but he's fantastic at taking players on and going forward... I hope Ole uses him at some stage as a winger, I think he'd shine there

Ole shown great faith in Declan last season, I thought Fabio was brought in to play LB then Ole plays him RB. For me the best approach would of been playing Super Kev & Fabio or Cala at LB last season. Cala couldn't of done any worse there

Totally agree with you, Both Ole and Malky showed alot of faith in Dec. He's obviously a talented player.. and thays exactly what I thought shouldve happened. Maybe not Cala there, he has'nt got the pace to go there. But Kev on the right and fabio on the left wouldve been ideal.. I did like the look of us with three at the back with two wing backs,. You could use both Dec and Fabio then

Fabio and Brayford was great friday, we're pretty good covered on fullbacks atm