Pep Guardiola - 2022/23

[Bluewars]

This is utter nonsense

I would rather Pep is given a blank cheque to clear out the sad faces than to put our trust into the players

its obvious the dressing room is divided , this is going to take a while to sort out.

There's a reason he only spent max 4 seasons at a club before joining us.

 

[Charlesfarsbar]

There's a reason he only spent max 4 seasons at a club before joining us.

there Is a reason why most top managers have a limited shelf life at big clubs , eventually the players get fed up of the same voice asking for more and more despite the success they have brought

normally it’s too expensive to change the players so the manager is the one to get the boot

Pep has signed on for another two seasons, he will be massively backed , the team will be unrecognisable in 18 months time

buckle up and enjoy the ride

 

[Blue and true]

I’ve tried to calm down and relax after yet another shit-show yesterday but I am getting more and more concerned about the teams direction. No side, however great, is immune to bad results or a bad season, but I can’t help but worry about us next season and beyond.

For whatever reason, we now find ourselves playing week in, week out, with at least half a dozen of our best players/bona fide winners, not there for one reason or another. Some can’t get in the side (Dias, Laporte). Some have had their form/standard fall off a cliff (Bernie, Gundo, KDB), others seem to be in limbo (Walker, Foden) and Cancelo has been booted out.

No team can handle this number of missing top players and let’s face it, no other team would even attempt it, because 99.99999% of other clubs, would boot the manager out of the club, as it is far more cost effective (and easier) than thinking about trying to replace so many players.

Let me be clear…I do not want us to part ways with the best manager in the world but something has got to give. If the club is backing the manager over the players (and I fully expect them to) then it means we need to back him with a summer of spending that makes Todd Boehly look like Peter Swales.

The club cannot and MUST NOT go into next season with Akanji, Ake, Rico, Grealish and Mahrez as nailed on starters.

Akanji must be nothing more than a back up CB.
Ake can possibly be our LB, much like Delph or Zin were. Not the long-term answer but serviceable in an otherwise solid/top-class back 4.
Rico must be what he is…a kid working his way into professional football.
Grealish a squad player as he won’t ever deliver enough playing wide forward every week.
Mahrez a squad player as he is too flaky and cannot be 1st choice when he goes missing for months on end.

Before people lose their shit with “Ake is our best defender” or “Mahrez has been great since the WC” or “Grealish is working hard”…look at what we are watching collectively out on the pitch. The level of these players (no matter how hard they are trying), is nowhere near the level of those they have replaced from previous title-winning seasons. Most top sides (we have done it ourselves) can handle one or two players in the side that are a level or two below the rest. No side remains a top side, when there are more squad players in the starting XI, than there are top players and at the moment that’s where we are at.

If the likes of Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Gundo, Bernie are done, then it requires replacing them with players of equal quality. That means no more squad-padding with Akanji, Ake, or Calvin Philips like purchases. It means buying proper top-class players. If we don’t, then we have started to see the end of our dominance cycle and this side is in a top four battle next season.

Absolutely nailed it. And if he can't arrest this malaise then he needs to go.

 

[FantasyIreland]

First and foremost he needs to stop making the job harder for himself and frustrating for the fans.

Start by playing a regular spine.....then add the best players available in their favoured position to that spine.

Stick to basics where formation is concerned and play to the strengths of the collective as well as the individual.

Continually fucking about/tinkering and rotating is causing unnecessary issue and inviting avoidable criticism.

If the problems are just as apparent when the above is applied,then we clearly have matters that run much deeper than the managers tactics and team selection.

 

[FantasyIreland]

This is Pep's best 11,IMO

-------------Eddie--------
Walker--Stones--Dias--Ake
--------------Rodri------------
-------Bernie--Grealish-----
Foden-----Haaland-----Alvarez

 

[Damanino]

this wont be popular, but Chelsea won their two CL's when they were in kind of turmoil and had rather shit league campaign both when they hired Di Matteo mid season and Tuchel mid season.
they ended up winning the CL despite all the off field issues, PL issues as the managerial change galvanized them for the CL.
and didnt even matter that Di Matteo was far from a big tactician, neither Tuchel provided great playing tactics.

I am not saying get rid of Pep now and hire someone who might win us the CL. but if we play like last few months and Leipzig will eliminate us due to it, a team with lot lesser squad and resources same as Pep did before with Monaco, Lyon, Spurs etc., then big question need to be asked from Pep.

and if we beat Leipzig and we get either Pool or Spurs next round maybe, we all know what will happen in the away games especially. we shit the bed like every time. we need to overcome these mentality issues to win CL.

 

[sir baconface]

Pep can only do so much. He cant create with the wrong tools. Clear out needed. Far too many passengers not weighing in with goals or assists. The club needs to give him better players and not have him creating miracles each season.

Hey, I’m not piling in on Pep and agree with much of your post.

Not this part though. You paint a picture of some unfortunate wretch inheriting a shit squad at a penniless club, then being expected to perform miracles. He’s been here years and it’s his squad, assembled at some considerable cost.

I’m thankful for what he has done but let’s keep proper perspective.

 

[Constantine]

The midfield for the rest of this season (bar injuries) is probably: De Bruyne - Rodri - Gundo. It has its weaknesses of course but still is the best midfield trio amongst the available. I hope Pep goes back to that proven selection.

 

[SanPellegrini]

We should have all realised he’d lost the plot when he publicly body shamed Phillips

I don’t know what happened during the World Cup but since then he’s alienated half his squad, taken aim at the club’s fans and made ridiculous decisions on tactics

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

The midfield for the rest of this season (bar injuries) is probably: De Bruyne - Rodri - Gundo. It has its weaknesses of course but still is the best midfield trio amongst the available. I hope Pep goes back to that proven selection.

A painfully slow trio, but with Bernardo’s face like a slapped arse and Phillips on the naughty step (with about 5 other players) the options are limited.

 

[Constantine]

A painfully slow trio, but with Bernardo’s face like a slapped arse and Phillips on the naughty step (with about 5 other players) the options are limited.

Agree about pace but they can play quicker in transition. See last game of last season (vs Villa) for example.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

This is Pep's best 11,IMO

-------------Eddie--------
Walker--Stones--Dias--Ake
--------------Rodri------------
-------Bernie--Grealish-----
Foden-----Haaland-----Alvarez

I disagree on a couple of the players but a couple of choices will split fan opinion in any side. What’s worrying/crazy is that the XI we are putting out most weeks looks nothing like that.

I was thinking back to Peps 1st season where he gave everyone a chance and was then ruthless. Full backs were basically told “you’re old and shit and have to go”. I then look at our starting XI yesterday and think, if Pep had walked into the club and saw a starting back 4 of Walker, Akanji, Ake and Rico, would he be happy or would he say “I can’t win a PL and CL with those 4 starting at the back”?

 

[supercity88]

The players are clearly burnt out from such a long period of challenging in all competitions and being successful. I'm sure Pep knew this season would be a challenge, but perhaps not to the level it has been for the usual reliable players. Ultimately he's got to give his players a chance now. Go back to the way we used to play and pick the best players for that system and see how that goes over a few games. Stop changing things so much from game to game.

I'm really keen to see what performance we get from the team against Leipzig. If the players are suddenly running miles, throwing their bodies on the line and playing incredibly well again then we'll know they're just not in the mindset to challenge for the league. And then the club have a huge decision. Do they shift Pep to let someone knew come in and give what is a quality squad a kick up the arse, or do they recruit heavily so that Pep has a new core to work with and decide to shift out those who weren't committed.

Personally I'd go with the latter, because I trust Pep to get the team singing again. Nedum's piece on BBC today was spot on in that, whilst we're not playing well, we've not completely fallen off the cliff. We're still a very good side and have something to build on. But Pep and the players need to come together now and get things sorted...yet we've been saying that since Everton.

 

[01cravend]

this wont be popular, but Chelsea won their two CL's when they were in kind of turmoil and had rather shit league campaign both when they hired Di Matteo mid season and Tuchel mid season.
they ended up winning the CL despite all the off field issues, PL issues as the managerial change galvanized them for the CL.
and didnt even matter that Di Matteo was far from a big tactician, neither Tuchel provided great playing tactics.

I am not saying get rid of Pep now and hire someone who might win us the CL. but if we play like last few months and Leipzig will eliminate us due to it, a team with lot lesser squad and resources same as Pep did before with Monaco, Lyon, Spurs etc., then big question need to be asked from Pep.

and if we beat Leipzig and we get either Pool or Spurs next round maybe, we all know what will happen in the away games especially. we shit the bed like every time. we need to overcome these mentality issues to win CL.

Chelsea won both theirs with park the bus tactics. You seen our bus currently? Could thread zorbing balls through the holes in it.

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

Are any other top managers this obsessed with the opposition’s strengths?

Why can’t we just play to ours?

 

[waspish]

Pep and Klopp are failing this season due to pushing the players beyond their limits for several seasons now and then blaming them for not performing according to the expectations. The players are losing faith and the teams are losing ground.

Pep's plan to shake things up after the WC seems to be unsuccessful and is making the team worse. Even the best managers make big mistakes. Maybe we can save the season if Pep manages to come up with a better plan.

Think Pep allowed silly criticisms to get to him. Is it a coincidence he prefers to play with our least expensive players in defence, as if he wants to prove a point? Akanji, Rico and Ake cost under 60m together. The 60m players are on the bench or at Bayern now. Guess Pep would say he wants hungry and happy players. And he would be right in principle. But his treatment of the players who started the most games last season and were key cogs in our build up play has been unproductive.

Don’t put Pep in the same bracket as Klopp in the failing!? Failing is where klopp team is and out of all the domestic cup games!

We haven’t been at it all season but with peps management we are second still in the fa cup! Or is failing not being second!?

Some fans have to get use to losing not winning trophies or we be in denial for for 11 years without a title and 5 years without A Trophy! Arsenal as well 20 years without a title! Chelsea 5/6 years without the title!

Most Man City fans ARE grounded it’s just a few becoming that used to winning Premier league and cups that you do get blinkered into believing it’s never going to end and saw this in the the rags!

Hope Pep has his clear out in the summer and bring in the players he wants and we carry on competing winning the league, he is the best manager to do that..

 

[waspish]

Problem with pep is he is too stubborn. Substitutes fine get used at right times or at all. The style of play we had back in the sterling sane days was so great to watch attacking fast football now it’s over passing boredom. Haaland should have been the key to attacking football but he seems wasted apart from his initial goal burst. Bring entertainment back pep.

Yep he is stubborn and frustrating as fcuk but he brings home the bacon most seasons he has been here with trophies..

Let’s hope he gets the backing in the summer am sure he will..

 

[waspish]

the board need to have a chat with him to find out what the fuck is going on in his head! We all realistically knew yesterday that team and shape was going to struggle yet the best manager in the world buries his head and keeps doing it???

The board will give him encouragement and back him 100% that’s what they always do and is right! You don’t question his methods of tactics!

 

[bluemoon32]

Don’t put Pep in the same bracket as Klopp in the failing!? Failing is where klopp team is and out of all the domestic cup games!

We haven’t been at it all season but with peps management we are second still in the fa cup! Or is failing not being second!?

Some fans have to get use to losing not winning trophies or we be in denial for for 11 years without a title and 5 years without A Trophy! Arsenal as well 20 years without a title! Chelsea 5/6 years without the title!

Most Man City fans ARE grounded it’s just a few becoming that used to winning Premier league and cups that you do get blinkered into believing it’s never going to end and saw this in the the rags!

Hope Pep has his clear out in the summer and bring in the players he wants and we carry on competing winning the league, he is the best manager to do that..

I can see some fans are entitled but don't you think most of us are just concerned with the way we are playing & the obvious drop off in attitude and work rate ?
I don't expect to win trophies every year but i do expect 100% commitment from all involved & i don't think we're getting that.

 

[alexmcity]

Hope Pep has his clear out in the summer and bring in the players he wants and we carry on competing winning the league, he is the best manager to do that..

Agree with that, but a drastic clear out may create more problems than solutions.

Pep and Klopp are failing relative to their respective standards. Let's face it, it's a failure to lose a title race against a team that has 2-3 players who would be starters at City. Arsenal's squad is far from our squad experience and quality wise.

If we win nothing, especially if United finish above us, you'll see a lot of people turning against Pep. I won't be among them. It's natural to have bad seasons, even for the best managers. Think our problems this season are partly self-inflicted. Pep's formations and line-ups after the WC were a bit OTT. Thought he was scared that we could go the Liverpool way this season, and his reactions lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.