Pep Guardiola - 2022/23

[blueparrot]

Tell that to the other poster mate, it’s not me that’s saying this I’m just asking the question.

Yes, I know. I was just adding to the question :)

 

[MichaelBBack]

I'll never lose faith in Pep after all he's done for us, but I truly don't get the subs thing. Especially when we've got games every few days, what's the harm in letting Alvarez have 15 minutes or giving Phil the last half hour of that game last night?

I'm not even saying that they'd have changed it or won it for us, but purely for fitness and injury risks, surely it makes sense to make a couple of changes? Jack had been kicked about as usual and looked a little sore, and one or two players were clearly a bit tired towards the end.

Just not sure what his aversion is to making subs, especially in games that seem to be crying out for a bit of change.

Still, we got the minimum result we needed and I'm confident in the lads to get a win at our place, so all's well that ends well, hopefully.

 

[Brewster's millions]

I thought it after the Villa game last season when Gundogan dragged us over the line to win the PL. That game was lost and Pep was on the edge until Gundogan saved his bacon.

I thought it again during the Brentford match. There's something missing with Pep now. The spark has dimmed and our football is laboured and frequently boring.

His press conference rant against the PL charges did little more than mask what's been going on on the pitch imo. The same heartfelt passion isn't apparent when it comes to matches.

The team reflects the coach. Make of that what you will.

The spark does seem to be missing this season and despite trying a number of different formations and line-ups, we’ve never really found any intensity or aggression in our play. Various excuses have been offered - the World Cup and distracted players being the main culprits - but ultimately it’s been the same story all season and the buck has to stop with the manager.

The big question for me is whether the pretty turgid football we’ve been served up this season - and last night was particularly boring to watch - is simply a pragmatic response to the current shortcomings of the squad or something more insidious, and by extension whether this would change if we revamp the squad in the summer.

I’m in two minds about this to be honest. We will sign more mobile midfielders in the summer and possibly a fast winger as well, and this will help. We’ve also bought some very average players when compared to the ones we’ve lost. But I also think that Guardiola’s mindset has changed and become more cautious. Last night for instance he again referenced our lack of pace and vulnerability to counter attacks from Leipzig. But we were hardly blessed with pace at the back in 17/18, and that didn’t stop us from playing aggressive, attacking football. Also, we have an absolute weapon up front in Haaland who we refuse to play early balls to, even when we have 9 or 10 players behind the ball and we’re not vulnerable to a counter attack.

Personally I’m not convinced that new players will bring a new mindset and I question whether Guardiola signing the new contract was the right move for both parties. Lots of people will disagree with that and no one can question his achievements. But he seemed genuinely unsure as to whether he wanted to continue, and given the all-encompassing nature of the job, I do wonder whether the spark is still there with him and whether he’s ready to overhaul not just the squad but the mindset as well.

 

[fuskarn]

why he didnt make subs:

 

[Lavinda Past]

Just needs two fast above average natural wingers

Along with two proper full backs who are able to both defend, and support the wingers.

Oh yes... Don't forget the top class midfielders we need to replace/back up Bernardo, Gundogan, and De Bruyne.

All is not rosy in our garden, and I don't believe that Pep is necessarily the right man to lead a rebuild. He's too cautious, obsessed with keeping the ball, and the killer instinct seems to be missing. He probably needs time to recuperate, and I expect he will already be thinking about taking a break from football.

Time for the Board to take back control of things and identify a successor. It won't be easy, and it will never be the same.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Along with two proper full backs who are able to both defend, and support the wingers.

Oh yes... Don't forget the top class midfielders we need to replace/back up Bernardo, Gundogan, and De Bruyne.

All is not rosy in our garden, and I don't believe that Pep is necessarily the right man to lead a rebuild. He's too cautious, obsessed with keeping the ball, and the killer instinct seems to be missing. He probably needs time to recuperate, and I expect he will already be thinking about taking a break from football.

Time for the Board to take back control of things and identify a successor. It won't be easy, and it will never be the same.

Problem with us needing a rebuild is any decent player will be 100 million. We need about 5 to 7 new players

 

[Lavinda Past]

Palmer isn't fast or a natural winger

He's another 'emperor's new clothes' product from the academy. He's nowhere near ready for elite football and certainly not as a winger.

A loan beckons next season.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Problem with us needing a rebuild is any decent player will be 100 million. We need about 5 to 7 new players

Exactly

Modern day problems... :-)

 

[mattcity5]

He's another 'emperor's new clothes' product from the academy. He's nowhere near ready for elite football and certainly not as a winger.

A loan beckons next season.

He 'may' be ready, but he needs a run of 6 or 7 games in his best position to give him a chance to feel secure and show what he can do.

He's not going to get that here. A season on loan would be good, but I wouldn't be surprised if he left in the summer either. He needs first team football now for his own sake.

 

[blueparrot]

Problem with us needing a rebuild is any decent player will be 100 million. We need about 5 to 7 new players

4 needed possibly 5, a couple may be £100 mill the other 2 or 3 I'd guess around £60 mill, but we'll probably bring in about £250 mill. Doubt our net spend will be over £100 mill.

 

[Lavinda Past]

He 'may' be ready, but he needs a run of 6 or 7 games in his best position to give him a chance to feel secure and show what he can do.

He's not going to get that here. A season on loan would be good, but I wouldn't be surprised if he left in the summer either. He needs first team football now for his own sake.

Unfortunately for him, academy prospects going out on loan from City have a tendency to not come back to City.

He'll make a good career for himself, but he'll be very lucky if it's at the 'elite' level.

 

[BillyShears]

Pep is the best manager in the world managing a team in heavy transition. The core of his first team is slowly being phased out and a new team and new style of play is being adapted to. Considering all that being 2nd and still being in the title race and the CL is a positive thing.

We can forget sometimes just how seriously he takes his job and how big his ego is. Guardiola is a born winner. He doesn’t do failure. He’ll get this team “right” but it may take one more transfer windows before it clicks in the way the 2017-19 team did. I am pretty relaxed about it all.

That’s not to say, before anyone pipes up, he hasn’t made mistakes this season. He’s made quite a few, but we’re so used to perfection they jump out and feel more pronounced than they actually are.

 

[wolviedinho]

We are lucky bastards to have this man in charge. We can all debate the ills the team currently has but I don’t care. Not because I don’t want us to roll teams over and not because I will accept standards have slightly fallen below expectation.

We all want us to win every game including pep, players and club. On reflection, the players are just not able for whatever reason to find the big man up front. Age catching up on a few, some are just not good enough anymore or the tactics are not or the formation are not aiding our situation.

The team is transitioning and still competing so fair fucks to them all. Not happy crappy at all. I can see what I am watching and the issues this season are numerous and highlighted above.The levels previously are not just there. So what if people say Haaland is wasted. 31 goals, learning new league and team and vice versa. Haaland also needs to understand who is behind him when making runs. Takes time.

Take a deep breath everyone. It’s been a year with so many disruptions. The financial charges has everyone on edge.

Switch off and get some perspective.

Anyone can support a winning machine but it’s in these moments that true City fans get behind our club more so than ever before.

So knock off the needy shit. Support is needed more when the chips are down.

 

[BillyShears]

We are lucky bastards to have this man in charge. We can all debate the ills the team currently has but I don’t care. Not because I don’t want us to roll teams over and not because I will accept standards have slightly fallen below expectation.

We all want us to win every game including pep, players and club. On reflection, the players are just not able for whatever reason to find the big man up front. Age catching up on a few, some are just not good enough anymore or the tactics are not or the formation are not aiding our situation.

The team is transitioning and still competing so fair fucks to them all. Not happy crappy at all. I can see what I am watching and the issues this season are numerous and highlighted above.The levels previously are not just there. So what if people say Haaland is wasted. 31 goals, learning new league and team and vice versa. Haaland also needs to understand who is behind him when making runs. Takes time.

Take a deep breath everyone. It’s been a year with so many disruptions. The financial charges has everyone on edge.

Switch off and get some perspective.

Anyone can support a winning machine but it’s in these moments that true City fans get behind our club more so than ever before.

So knock of the needy shit. Support is needed more when the chips are down.

People should vent on forums. It’s why they exist. But I do think we should cut Pep more slack (and I include myself in that).

 

[wolviedinho]

People should vent on forums. It’s why they exist. But I do think we should cut Pep more slack (and I include myself in that).

Yea vent away but then come back and acknowledge the situation once the emotions have subsided. So what if Pep is fucking up, he has brought us to the pinnacle of world football. Jeez cut the man a lot of slack.

 

[skillman]

Pep is the best manager in the world managing a team in heavy transition. The core of his first team is slowly being phased out and a new team and new style of play is being adapted to. Considering all that being 2nd and still being in the title race and the CL is a positive thing.

We can forget sometimes just how seriously he takes his job and how big his ego is. Guardiola is a born winner. He doesn’t do failure. He’ll get this team “right” but it may take one more transfer windows before it clicks in the way the 2017-19 team did. I am pretty relaxed about it all.

That’s not to say, before anyone pipes up, he hasn’t made mistakes this season. He’s made quite a few, but we’re so used to perfection they jump out and feel more pronounced than they actually are.

Completely agree with the majority but he’s being stubborn and, dare I say it, cowardly with the need for control. It’s affecting us going forward.

Part of me could understand if it was a case of us not knowing how to attack now we don’t use a false 9 and because of that he was using control to make sure we’re ok defensively while he figures it out. But we’re shite at both at the moment. The control isn’t serving any other purpose than Pep being scared shitless of having less than 70% possession. And the worrying bit? Teams don’t give a shit. They’re letting us have it like it’s Pellegrini’s 15/16 season because they know we’re blunt with it.

Again, fine if it’s start of the season and it’s teething problems but we’re in February and it’s been shit for months.

Best manager in the world? Yes. Glad to have him? Absolutely. But he needs to pull his head out of his arse and grow some of the same ‘balls’ he’s accused players of not having throughout his spell here.

Mistakes are fine by me - the CL final in 2021, mistake not to start Rodri but fine. No subs last night? Fine. His handling of certain players? Fine (line). But stubbornness to stick with a way of playing that is keeping the ball for the sake of keeping the ball (everything he’s fought against since becoming a manager by the way) is unacceptable when it’s not particularly producing results. We’re lucky Arsenal went through a dry spell and I hope he realises it’s time to show some bollocks and *attack*.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Pep is the best manager in the world managing a team in heavy transition. The core of his first team is slowly being phased out and a new team and new style of play is being adapted to. Considering all that being 2nd and still being in the title race and the CL is a positive thing.

We can forget sometimes just how seriously he takes his job and how big his ego is. Guardiola is a born winner. He doesn’t do failure. He’ll get this team “right” but it may take one more transfer windows before it clicks in the way the 2017-19 team did. I am pretty relaxed about it all.

That’s not to say, before anyone pipes up, he hasn’t made mistakes this season. He’s made quite a few, but we’re so used to perfection they jump out and feel more pronounced than they actually are.

We all have to be pretty relaxed about it Billy, it's completely out of our hands!

All we can do is hope that Pep, or whoever else is tasked with the rebuild, gets it right.

What I would say is that 7 years is a long time in football, and (if we're being honest) Pep started to look jaded at the end of last season, and we're just not the same as a team.

To be honest, I think that the nature of the Real Madrid defeat knocked him sideways. As I've said earlier, I think he's stayed here a year too long, no doubt feeling that he needs to win the CL for the owners.

 

[blueparrot]

We all have to be pretty relaxed about it Billy, it's completely out of our hands!

All we can do is hope that Pep, or whoever else is tasked with the rebuild, gets it right.

What I would say is that 7 years is a long time in football, and (if we're being honest) Pep started to look jaded at the end of last season, and we're just not the same as a team.

To be honest, I think that the nature of the Real Madrid defeat knocked him sideways. As I've said earlier, I think he's stayed here a year too long, no doubt feeling that he needs to win the CL for the owners.

I don't think he stays anywhere if he feels jaded. The fact he signed an extension tells me he's up for the challange of rebuilding this summer and going for the next 2 years.

 

[ScottSinclair]

I don't really buy the fact that our players behind Erling is incapable to play more direct. Bernardo, Gundo, Mahrez and Grealish (who is our best player at it at the moment behind Kev) all made their names in Quick transition teams and Foden has all the tools for it. What we are currently seeing imo is years of players drilled to not take risks and not get tempted to play on the first movement they see. Our current struggles is all about coaching. Most managers would live and die by their management of a superstar like Haaland. Pep is a genius and deserves time to get it right, but he might have to sacrifise a lot more of his style then he first anticipated, before he starts building it up again.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Yea vent away but then come back and acknowledge the situation once the emotions have subsided. So what if Pep is fucking up, he has brought us to the pinnacle of world football. Jeez cut the man a lot of slack.

As Pep has said, he'll know himself when it's time to go. Until such time, he's more than earned our patience and full support.