Worst season since the takeover?

[Newman Noggs]

For me, the missing ingredient in the current squad from any previous season I can remember is the absence of a single player the very sight of who, with the ball at his feet, gets me to my feet (if I wasn't already standing). Someone mercurial or who does something unexpected.

Even under Pep, we've always had someone who made things happen even going back to earlier managers Bellamy. Yaya, David Silva, Sane, Tevez, Sergio, De Bruyne, Foden. The current iteration has good players but is anodyne, functional (possibly intentionally) and above all predictable.

People talk about atmosphere but I've lost count of the number of times I've had a roar in my throat as Haaland makes a run crying out for a through ball and it dies as the midfield player looks up, stops, gives a little hop, turns round and passes backwards. Early in the season, I thought it might be Doku or Savinho but now I know they are going to flatter to deceive. Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

 

[blueparrot]

For me, the missing ingredient in the current squad from any previous season I can remember is the absence of a single player the very sight of who, with the ball at his feet, gets me to my feet (if I wasn't already standing). Someone mercurial or who does something unexpected.

Even under Pep, we've always had someone who made things happen even going back to earlier managers Bellamy. Yaya, David Silva, Sane, Tevez, Sergio, De Bruyne, Foden. The current iteration has good players but is anodyne, functional (possibly intentionally) and above all predictable.

People talk about atmosphere but I've lost count of the number of times I've had a roar in my throat as Haaland makes a run crying out for a through ball and it dies as the midfield player looks up, stops, gives a little hop, turns round and passes backwards. Early in the season, I thought it might be Doku or Savinho but now I know they are going to flatter to deceive. Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

I don't think anyone expected Foden to have the season he's had, there was no real reason to hink he wouldn't match last season or even kick on a bit playing as a 10.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

For me, the missing ingredient in the current squad from any previous season I can remember is the absence of a single player the very sight of who, with the ball at his feet, gets me to my feet (if I wasn't already standing). Someone mercurial or who does something unexpected.

Even under Pep, we've always had someone who made things happen even going back to earlier managers Bellamy. Yaya, David Silva, Sane, Tevez, Sergio, De Bruyne, Foden. The current iteration has good players but is anodyne, functional (possibly intentionally) and above all predictable.

People talk about atmosphere but I've lost count of the number of times I've had a roar in my throat as Haaland makes a run crying out for a through ball and it dies as the midfield player looks up, stops, gives a little hop, turns round and passes backwards. Early in the season, I thought it might be Doku or Savinho but now I know they are going to flatter to deceive. Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

Very hard to disagree with this assessment.

The magic is simply not there.

 

[jimharri]

It's been a chore watching us this season. Nothing to do with the shitty results, it's the calibre of football we're playing. I used to laugh at fans of other clubs calling us boring, when we were anything but. Now? Hate to say, but yeah; we're a bloody hard watch. Compare to the Centurions team. Or the season after (the 99 pts season).

 

[HorlocksWalk]

For me, the missing ingredient in the current squad from any previous season I can remember is the absence of a single player the very sight of who, with the ball at his feet, gets me to my feet (if I wasn't already standing). Someone mercurial or who does something unexpected.

Even under Pep, we've always had someone who made things happen even going back to earlier managers Bellamy. Yaya, David Silva, Sane, Tevez, Sergio, De Bruyne, Foden. The current iteration has good players but is anodyne, functional (possibly intentionally) and above all predictable.

People talk about atmosphere but I've lost count of the number of times I've had a roar in my throat as Haaland makes a run crying out for a through ball and it dies as the midfield player looks up, stops, gives a little hop, turns round and passes backwards. Early in the season, I thought it might be Doku or Savinho but now I know they are going to flatter to deceive. Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

I guess it boils down to the question, "do you want to be entertained or to win stuff" (I know both would be nice) We did not win as much under Pellegrini but when we had Negredo firing for those few months it was brilliant to watch. How many of us have watched the CL final again but I still get goosebumps when I watch the Agurroooo game.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I think many forget we had a horrible period last season in run up to Christmas?

3-3 Spurs, Chelsea 4-4, Palace 2-2, 1-0 at Arsenal. Shockers.

Difference this time, we haven't been able to pick ourselves up unlike after the Club World Cup.

 

[spacecadet]

It's been a chore watching us this season. Nothing to do with the shitty results, it's the calibre of football we're playing. I used to laugh at fans of other clubs calling us boring, when we were anything but. Now? Hate to say, but yeah; we're a bloody hard watch. Compare to the Centurions team. Or the season after (the 99 pts season).

True Blue. The whole squad seems to be riddled with slow It down, then pass it back or sideways for 5 yards. O'Reilly broke the mould at Bournemouth, but it was soon coached out of him.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

For me, the missing ingredient in the current squad from any previous season I can remember is the absence of a single player the very sight of who, with the ball at his feet, gets me to my feet (if I wasn't already standing). Someone mercurial or who does something unexpected.

Even under Pep, we've always had someone who made things happen even going back to earlier managers Bellamy. Yaya, David Silva, Sane, Tevez, Sergio, De Bruyne, Foden. The current iteration has good players but is anodyne, functional (possibly intentionally) and above all predictable.

People talk about atmosphere but I've lost count of the number of times I've had a roar in my throat as Haaland makes a run crying out for a through ball and it dies as the midfield player looks up, stops, gives a little hop, turns round and passes backwards. Early in the season, I thought it might be Doku or Savinho but now I know they are going to flatter to deceive. Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

Very true but if we end up with the FA Cup and the CWC plus top four it will have been amazing for a transition season. It’s not over till the fat lady sings.

 

[Lavinda Past]

It's been a chore watching us this season. Nothing to do with the shitty results, it's the calibre of football we're playing. I used to laugh at fans of other clubs calling us boring, when we were anything but. Now? Hate to say, but yeah; we're a bloody hard watch. Compare to the Centurions team. Or the season after (the 99 pts season).

Manuel Pellegrini was criticised by many City fans for far better football than we have seen this season.

Mark Hughes left a better squad than our current batch of players.

 

[Micky Blue]

I have some really good memories from that hughes season. Hamburg, Arsenal, the excitement of that Chelsea game, Stephen Ireland and some of the brilliant signings we made - swp, Kompany, zaba

That Robinho goal in the Chelsea game.
That was an exciting time, it felt like we had arrived when that ball hit the back of the net.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Jack has the capability, he cuts inside, the goal yawns and he passes it sideways or waits too long and the shot is blocked. We're not a bad side we're just missing that spark.

Were forgetting that our wingers are following instructions

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

A fully fit Rodri will make next season so much easier

You and all the others clinging onto this are in for some shock. A fit Rodri isint even close to fixing this

 

[K-Bo]

It's been a chore watching us this season. Nothing to do with the shitty results, it's the calibre of football we're playing. I used to laugh at fans of other clubs calling us boring, when we were anything but. Now? Hate to say, but yeah; we're a bloody hard watch. Compare to the Centurions team. Or the season after (the 99 pts season).

Yeah saying things like this always risks the appearance of 'it was a chore watching 4 in a row' type comments, but I completely agree.

I actually think there's been a trend towards boring from pep, even when we were still winning. False 9 onwards really, he's got more conservative.

 

[paulchapo]

I don't think anyone expected Foden to have the season he's had, there was no real reason to hink he wouldn't match last season or even kick on a bit playing as a 10.

I've no idea what's going on with Phil atm. Health issues, personal problems, burn out? He was supposed to be the David Silva replacement, never really happened and his form this season has shown no way he's replacing KDB. Unless his form improves massively he'll be getting shipped out next season.

 

[mancityvstoke]

Who needs enemies?

 

[Bluesince1979]

If i hadnt seen such riches….
… i could live with being poor

It seems worse because of previous success’ and going for a tight champs league spot should feel more exciting!
But for me it hits hard because we kinda all saw it coming, the aging squad, the squad replacement, the powers that be ballsed it right up and where as i expected a fall off at some point, i expected just tweeks would be required, not a whole rebuild

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Manuel Pellegrini was criticised by many City fans for far better football than we have seen this season.

Mark Hughes left a better squad than our current batch of players.

When Hughes was in charge FFP wasn’t implemented and we could aggressively go after players such as Tevez, Adabayour, Robinho, Barry etc. We don’t take established Premier League players or players in Europe away from teams anymore, when Pep came in he got the likes of Stones, Walker, Bernardo Silva, Sane, Mahrez all coming with stats to back it up.

The transfer policy now is all about potential, it’s hard for that to flourish when the rest of the team around them are potentials or players that have gone past their shelf life. It would have been easier to integrate the likes of Doku, Savinho etc maybe four years ago when we had players at the peak of their powers. Kyle Walker outlined a point that David Silva was the best player he’d ever seen as he would know other players game’s inside and out. He knew where Leroy Sane was going to run before Sane himself knew it. If Doku or Savinho had someone like that finding them they’d have a lot bigger returns on goals and assists this season.

I find it bizarre Pep gets backed in the market in January and only one of them in Marmoush is regularly starting. What was the plan for these players and why is he persisting with players we know are done.

The club World Cup is going to be a huge problem in preparing for the new season and could have us on the back foot going into August. There can’t be anymore of this zero fight and meagre performances next year as what we might think is a blip could turn into an irreversible slump. Teams like Chelsea and the rags are testament to that who are spending lots of money and being unsuccessful trying to find that magic fairy dust of what made them good once upon a time.

 

[blueparrot]

I've no idea what's going on with Phil atm. Health issues, personal problems, burn out? He was supposed to be the David Silva replacement, never really happened and his form this season has shown no way he's replacing KDB. Unless his form improves massively he'll be getting shipped out next season.

Not a chance he gets shipped out, no idea what's happened this season but no reason not to expect a return to his best next season.

 

[paulchapo]

Not a chance he gets shipped out, no idea what's happened this season but no reason not to expect a return to his best next season.

Yes sorry I didn't make myself clear I meant if he has another season like this one next year.

 

[warringtonblue]

When Hughes was in charge FFP wasn’t implemented and we could aggressively go after players such as Tevez, Adabayour, Robinho, Barry etc. We don’t take established Premier League players or players in Europe away from teams anymore, when Pep came in he got the likes of Stones, Walker, Bernardo Silva, Sane, Mahrez all coming with stats to back it up.

The transfer policy now is all about potential, it’s hard for that to flourish when the rest of the team around them are potentials or players that have gone past their shelf life. It would have been easier to integrate the likes of Doku, Savinho etc maybe four years ago when we had players at the peak of their powers. Kyle Walker outlined a point that David Silva was the best player he’d ever seen as he would know other players game’s inside and out. He knew where Leroy Sane was going to run before Sane himself knew it. If Doku or Savinho had someone like that finding them they’d have a lot bigger returns on goals and assists this season.

I find it bizarre Pep gets backed in the market in January and only one of them in Marmoush is regularly starting. What was the plan for these players and why is he persisting with players we know are done.

The club World Cup is going to be a huge problem in preparing for the new season and could have us on the back foot going into August. There can’t be anymore of this zero fight and meagre performances next year as what we might think is a blip could turn into an irreversible slump. Teams like Chelsea and the rags are testament to that who are spending lots of money and being unsuccessful trying to find that magic fairy dust of what made them good once upon a time.

The only way Doku & Savinho's returns could be any worse is if they didn't play, something like 4 league goals between them in nearly 50 games is shite