But what standards of support are people expecting, mate? I don't see it anywhere else, either?
Our football is more like watching a beautiful opera than an Iron Maiden concert.
As I mentioned, I think the demographic has changed, exacerbated by a generational void of City and, football in general, monetising the arse out of it.
It's a middle class sport and younger fans have been priced out for a couple of decades now.
There's a drive to create a spectacle, we only had to watch that light show before kick-off last night, a desire to crave acknowledgement, recognition.
We aren't going back to the days of Rent Boys, Munich and You're Gonna get your Fucking Head kicked in. That's an era when grounds were intimidating and as a teenager, you stood with your mates and didn't really mean to offend, but only to get the rise out of the opposition fans.
I think Pep is wanting a hostility which can't be delivered, outside of booing the opponents in possession or the referee.
I'd argue there are few better atmospheres when Liverpool have been in town and it is the same fans who helped City come back from the dead against Villa when we saw a glimpse of hope.
Certain games or situations will get more of the juices flowing, it has always been that way.
Perhaps Pep might also realise from the team playing without the hardbrake in the second half, the urgency on show, that the fans became more engaged as a result?
Pep will have hated the risks in possession we took, but it's the way to go. Both in terms of results and not sending the Etihad to sleep.
