Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

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Crooked_rain said:
I'd try Akanji or Stones as the DM. They've both played that position for us before, they're no Rodri, but at least it's an extra body in there, especially Stones who is good on the ball.

That might mean putting the new Uzbek lad back in defence again but so be it. I think his lack of experience is far less important than the fact teams can walk through our midfield at will and we have no control there. That's what's really damaging us, not our defence.

either that or give Jack another go in midfield, he did well vs Forest.

Surely these are better options than us just keep doing the same thing again and again and letting teams waltz through our midfield
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At this stage, I’m not even arsed who plays in midfield, as long as we have enough bodies in there. Unfortunately, Pep seems bent on emptying the centre of midfield as far as possible.
Be good if someone, whether a member of the coaching staff or a senior player, got in his ear and told him this is a monumentally shit idea.
 
Time for the tippy tappy to be mixed up a bit.
We have no legs in midfield which means we cant defend we need to go long and wide and get it over.
Teams are happy to sit in and watch us pass from side to side.Need to play Marmoush just of Erling.Also please put some of the young players in the team and give them a run ala Nunes at right back u never know we may discover the academy produces good footballers.
 
Love the guy.

But his absolute reluctance to play youngsters is infuriating and might be detrimental.

How long can our pitch to world class prospects be that there’s a pathway to the first team? When that pathway just means training with the team and not actually playing any games.

I get it in the middle of a title race but we’re not. So given players like NOR a chance. Please. Before they (rightly) have their heads turned by a club offering more money and guaranteed game time.
 
skillman said:
Love the guy.

But his absolute reluctance to play youngsters is infuriating and might be detrimental.

How long can our pitch to world class prospects be that there’s a pathway to the first team? When that pathway just means training with the team and not actually playing any games.

I get it in the middle of a title race but we’re not. So given players like NOR a chance. Please. Before they (rightly) have their heads turned by a club offering more money and guaranteed game time.
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These players are not gonna get a chance with pep so there is no point in even discussing it and tbh if where either oreilly or mcatee id be looking for an out as even though we are shit in midfield they are still nowhere near the pitch . Good luck to them .
 
There are so many things I just don't get about how we are playing. Yes, everyone plays a low block and we need to commit numbers forward to engage all the defenders but there is almost no movement anymore, only an occasional flat run. Everyone dutifully in a space and cleanly moving the ball around until a winger gets fed up and tries something or hits a cross into a 5 v 1 Haaland. Then if we lose the ball at all we are retreating with 3 at the back and lose 1 v 1s everywhere and the goals end up being so simple
 
Can’t shake the feeling that something is ‘off’ behind the scenes.

Maybe that’s bollocks. It has been a mad season with injuries, and he’s obviously had stuff going on in his private life.

I’m basically arguing with myself at this point.
 
B\connellblue said:
Failure to get top 4 not only fucks up this season but also nexts too as well as summer recruitment. We're at a crossroads here. Either way I believe Pep walks at the end of the Season.
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If Pep walks then we are royally fucked either way

There is no better man to rebuild this team than the greatest manager the world has ever seen

If we’re not in the champions league it won’t make any difference as we’ve never really signed ready made stars before. Young hungry players who want to make their name playing for the most successful team in team of the last decade
 
B\connellblue said:
Failure to get top 4 not only fucks up this season but also nexts too as well as summer recruitment. We're at a crossroads here. Either way I believe Pep walks at the end of the Season.
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This has end of an era written all over it. Yesterday was a capitulation not a defeat and not the first of its kind this season. I hope he can consolidate and regroup but my guess is that his days are numbered at City. He deserves a heroes exit so maybe he will depart after that crazy competition in June with our eternal thanks and gratitude.
 
blueparrot said:
No it doesn't, ,no it won't, and no he won't which will be a disappointment for you.
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I don't want to see him go anymore than anyone else but he looks burned out and doesn't seem to be able to turn things around. Top 4 even if you think it matters little is a huge part of the clubs planning make no mistakes about it.
 
It’s pretty obvious this squad has checked out. My concern is that despite the new contract does pep feel like he can’t get them going again? Either that or he commits even longer and completely rebuilds the team.
 
I hope Pep can turn this around. I think he may need to rethink how we play. Alot of teams have gone for the pace & power approach. We just don't have the players for it. Peps philosophy is more around keeping the ball and we have had the best players in the world for the last 10 years. Teams are playing with 2 CDMs etc

It's going to be interesting. teams have lost the fear factor. Was interesting seeing how Enrique set PSG up against us -
 
not sure what is he planning for midfield but we are up against Valverde, Bellingham, Ceballos midfield soon followed by Guimaraes,Tonali, Joelinton trio then Real again and then a McAllister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai trio all in two weeks.

he surely cannot think a Bernardo-Kovacic duo can go up against these. Newcastle midfield doesnt have that much speed but very physical and good stamina.
Liverpool midfield quick and also energy to go box to box all game.
Real midfield has speed and energy but may not be that great in defending. would look better with Camavinga but he is injured at the moment. Modric can come in adding experience but not much stamina at age 39 lol.

midfield battle will dictate our next few big games, and cannot see what solution is Pep opting for. he wont get away with a line up like vs Arsenal with Savinho, Foden, Marmoush all starting. he needs to remove one of these and add more steel and energy to midfield. but with who? Gundo?

if midfield is bypassed easily again in these games too then our defence will get no help, and they will panic and put chances on a plate for Isak, Gordon, Salah, Diaz, Nunez, Mbappe, Vinicius etc.
good thing is we surely instructed Txiki to help with the midfield situation in the January window and he is on it. or is he?
 
Whatever happens this season, we are likely to be much better next season.

We'll have more energy and steel in midfield, and the competition for places behind Haaland and on the wings will force players to run a bit more.

Currently, Foden, KDB and Savinho don't do enough in defence and don't help the midfield to close down spaces. We are too open.
 
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