Couldn't agree more. A bit of diving, rotational fouling, putting pressure on the ref.... this is what smart sides do. Some call them 'the dark arts'. More fool us if we refuse to join in and choose to play at a disadvantage.
Kicking opponents from the first whistle, safe in the knowledge that the ref will bottle every decision until your opponent responds and then at some stage give you a ridiculous penalty, is rather different.
City are not the Corinthian Casuals. But I would rather watch them, and rather play against them, than Ferguson's United.
He's very clever. Knows exactly how to prevent the counter attack without getting booked.
But again, the difference is he understands where the line is and knows exactly how to work it. United changed where the line was for them, or removed it altogether.
That said, Rodri and City do occasionally get away with murder.
Dennis was alarmingly strong. I remember him tossing a Southampton player around like a rag doll once. And yes, he could do filthy if that what you wanted. But only when necessary- it wasn't what HE wanted.
Every squad needs a few *******s. I think this is why the likes of Gabriel and Ben White have stepped up their ****housery following Xhaka's departure