So what made the difference

[Vic]

there is a thread on the Caf which basically makes out that man for man there is nothing between the squads.

The fact that they can't see the difference says it all.

Then it must all be down to the managers....

(There was a Guardian article a few months ago that wondered how much better some of the Rags players would be in a Pep team...)

 

[Gabriel]

This season, the referees have been much more in our favour:

2016/2017
71 yellow
4 red
Fouls Committed 405
Fouls Suffered 411

2017/2018 (so far)
55 yellow
2 red
Fouls Committed 305
Fouls Suffered 324

;-)

The reality is that we have retained possession much better this year and avoided situations where the ball has had to be contested.

 

[KS55]

1. Ederson
2. Fullbacks, including the emergence of Delphinho.
3. Players bedded in to the Pep way.
4. Filthy oil money (oops)

 

[fatbloke]

The pace and intensity of Walker, Delph and Fernandinho.

Last season we had Zabaleta, Kolarov and Yaya who not only killed us defensively against counter attacks but also killed our pressing against possession based teams. The forwards would press, Silva and KDB would press and then there would always be a free man because Zab, Kola and Yaya couldn’t press as consistently as the younger lads so teams would be straight on our back four.

It was tactical suicide but we had to keep playing that style despite the weaknesses so the players staying could get a better understanding of the system.

 

[manimanc]

Peps sly and sneaky doping methods and it's been a shit league.

 

[yeah whatever !!]

Players finally understanding what Pep required.

Is the correct answer.

 

[roj]

last year we looked good till the turning point of the Chelsea defeat, this year we have been superior without question. But what definitively happened.

For me we were great last season we got some stinkers in key games but we have this term so not sure that’s it

The Chelsea win.

Edit: Watch that game again

 

[vmsuhail]

last year we looked good till the turning point of the Chelsea defeat, this year we have been superior without question. But what definitively happened.

For me we were great last season we got some stinkers in key games but we have this term so not sure that’s it

Full backs, Ederson, improvements of Otamendi/ Stones/ Sane/ Sterling/ KDB, Dinho and Silva maintaining their peak levels, Delph being immense at LB, an incredibly consistent high intensity of play, Mane red card and a good fixture list that had us play top teams mostly after every 3/4 matches.

 

[vmsuhail]

Everyone being shit... nothing to do with us

At least that’s all I heard on the radio coming back from Wembley last night

And Pogba injury during the Oct-Nov period.

 

[adrianr]

Is the correct answer.

I would add having players that can deliver what Pep required. With all the will in the world the likes of Clichy, Sagna or Zab just didn't have the legs to be a Guardiola fullback, even if they understood what he wanted perfectly.

 

[vmsuhail]

Ederson enabling us to play out from the back but also launch counter attacks with an accurate long pass.

Having a consistent midfield three of Fernandinho, Silva and De Bruyne throughout the season.

More time for the squad to learn what Pep wants from them.

We didn't have any key player injured for long and Mendy was covered well by Delph. KDB started all league games except the derby.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

In Guardiola's first interview when he first came he said that it is easy to go into a club and organise them defensively and get them sitting back playing negative football because all that takes is everyone understanding where to stand in a defensive zone. But it takes time to implement attacking structures.

When he first came in i think he got the whole squad incredibly fitter than what Pellegrini left them in and we had a good start but over the whole season we just didn't quite have the right players to keep the Guardiola philosophy going but it was all being learnt.

And while we have been brilliant at times this season Pep's philosophy still isn't fully being implemented properly by the team, for various reasons. Some of which down to not being helped by poor final passes/crosses, poor finishing and defensive lapses in concentration or mistakes but also because we still have not quite got the right players in some areas (we will strengthen again) plus with the amount of young players in the squad (Ederson Stones Laporte Mendy Bernardo Sterling Sané Jesus) who haven't fully developed their quality, experience or confidence as players yet; we have a huge amount of improving still to do. Which is actually quite frightening for everyone else - all those younger lads a year older and better, plus a few new signings, and this team could be unbelievable next season!

Get the signings right and i can see this season's records being smashed next season.

 

[yeah whatever !!]

I would add having players that can deliver what Pep required. With all the will in the world the likes of Clichy, Sagna or Zab just didn't have the legs to be a Guardiola fullback, even if they understood what he wanted perfectly.

oh of course there's that too.

 

[trevorriley]

ederson / full backs / organised midfield not giving ball away / silva & KDB carrying on being world class / good cover for injured players rather than a weak bench.

we need to stay one step ahead in summer, strengthen in two or three areas. Since January scousers have beaten us 3 times &we lost three other games plus 1-1 with burnley when we where clearly the better team. Pep will make sure that doesn't happen again.

 

[adrianr]

ederson / full backs / organised midfield not giving ball away / silva & KDB carrying on being world class / good cover for injured players rather than a weak bench.

we need to stay one step ahead in summer, strengthen in two or three areas. Since January scousers have beaten us 3 times &we lost three other games plus 1-1 with burnley when we where clearly the better team. Pep will make sure that doesn't happen again.

No matter how or where we strengthen there will be unexpected losses. It's too much to expect to go a whole league + all cup campaigns unbeaten. However the 3 losses to Liverpool should definitely stand out as something we can address (rag game to a lesser extent). Sometimes we need to be able to just keep it together and not shit the bed in the space of 5 minutes.

 

[Bluesince1979]

And Pogba injury during the Oct-Nov period.

Theyll be reet when hes back

 

[01cravend]

Pep found his team/tactics/formation and stuck with it unlike last season when he was experimenting every game. Makes a huge difference and was arguing with posters last season about that being what Pep wanted to do but they were adamant that he was changing it because he wanted to and would continue to this season.

Also better/younger/more suited players to play Peps game. The players we had already better understanding Peps tactics helped by the no more chopping and changing.

 

[Sir peace frog]

we play one way,doesnt matter who we are playing or what the score is ,we play one way and all the players now know exactly how to play when to play and where they should be ,we will do the same next season with a few tweaks and will be even better at it,with better players in certain positions and a deeper squad to rotate


fucking mint

 

[Sir peace frog]

Pep found his team/tactics/formation and stuck with it unlike last season when he was experimenting every game. Makes a huge difference and was arguing with posters last season about that being what Pep wanted to do but they were adamant that he was changing it because he wanted to and would continue to this season.

Also better/younger/more suited players to play Peps game. The players we had already better understanding Peps tactics helped by the no more chopping and changing.

great minds :)

 

[blueincy]