Pep Guardiola - 2025/26

lasereyes said:
This is a typical armchair view. Take potshots at all those who are in the hot seat with no constructive suggestions on what we can/should actually do. Throwing out blind criticism when we lose a couple of games is the easiest thing in the world. Actually fixing it takes brains and courage.
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Haha, I wish I was in my armchair rather than in Brighton on Sunday.

I love this logic though. Demanding answers and solutions rather than asking them of the men that are paid millions. I have actually given solutions in other posts though.

Solution 1
Do not play a high line with a slow ageing defence who are struggling to defend
Solution 2
Buy a right back
Solution 3
To play better football try not to pass a team to death, with slow boring build up that allows every player to get back so any half decent team with shape can defend and very easily.
Solution 4
Buy proven prem players as a base and the potential players around them. Our team isn't build with leaders as it once was so buying younger inexperienced players will be a big ask for them to hit the ground running.

Now solution 1 and 4 are tactic related so that can easily change tomorrow. Solution 2 and 4 are finance related and considering we spent a few bob and done well again financially with outgoings then there shouldn't be too many obstacles in place there for them.

So there are my solutions to the problems I listed, not that it is worth anything because like I said there are men who are paid millions to find these solutions.
 
Withnail said:
So shambolic that the team still got 3rd place.
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The very good start to the season saw to that. People think it is because we overcame everything, don't get me wrong we improved but we was flying after about 10 games or so. We also lost a cup final to a lower half team that people ignore when they talk about our end to the season. We won't have the benefit of an amazing start this season so lets see where we end up
 
B\connellblue said:
Yes I have said elsewhere that I liked Cherki, reijndeers, and Kusanov. On Gonzalez Pep bringing Nico O'Reilly on before him Saturday wouldn't suggest he rates him all that highly.
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He started the two preceding games, with O'Reilly only getting 25 minutes in those 2 games. I think that Nico G definitely should have been brought into midfield against Brighton - bit baffling he wasn't - but Pep tends to have his own, curious reasons. Doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't rate him
 
Can see a PSG last year scenario with us where we look absolutely bang average until about January and then it will all click.

Similar to the treble year where it took Pep until February to land on the team and system that became so successful in the run in.

Many forget Paris had 4 losses and a draw in the group stage of the CL and had they not beaten us at home in January - of which we were 2-0 up before losing 4-2 - they would have been out at the group stage.

We will be out of the title race, but I think we could finish strong in all the cups.

The team need a Carabao Cup to get back to winning ways and instill a bit of confidence.
 
Ajm1985 said:
He started the two preceding games, with O'Reilly only getting 25 minutes in those 2 games. I think that Nico G definitely should have been brought into midfield against Brighton - bit baffling he wasn't - but Pep tends to have his own, curious reasons. Doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't rate him
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Don't think O'Reilly for Bernardo was that strange at 1-1, More of an attacking change than Gonzalez for Bernardo.If he'd have taken Rodri off then I'm sure Gonzalez would have been the change.
 
blueparrot said:
Don't think O'Reilly for Bernardo was that strange at 1-1, More of an attacking change than Gonzalez for Bernardo.If he'd have taken Rodri off then I'm sure Gonzalez would have been the change.
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That was the issue - didn't need an attacking change like that, in my opinion, we needed to start winning the second ball in midfield and have better possession. Nico G on for Bernardo, double pivot with Rodri, arrest momentum and allow Reijnders to push up behind Haaland. O'Reilly could have replaced Bobb, who was flagging.
 
thegoatsthegoat said:
Haha, I wish I was in my armchair rather than in Brighton on Sunday.

I love this logic though. Demanding answers and solutions rather than asking them of the men that are paid millions. I have actually given solutions in other posts though.

Solution 1
Do not play a high line with a slow ageing defence who are struggling to defend
Solution 2
Buy a right back
Solution 3
To play better football try not to pass a team to death, with slow boring build up that allows every player to get back so any half decent team with shape can defend and very easily.
Solution 4
Buy proven prem players as a base and the potential players around them. Our team isn't build with leaders as it once was so buying younger inexperienced players will be a big ask for them to hit the ground running.

Now solution 1 and 4 are tactic related so that can easily change tomorrow. Solution 2 and 4 are finance related and considering we spent a few bob and done well again financially with outgoings then there shouldn't be too many obstacles in place there for them.

So there are my solutions to the problems I listed, not that it is worth anything because like I said there are men who are paid millions to find these solutions.
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Tbf the back 4 on Sunday was very pacey but playing a highline and an offside trap it doesn't matter how quick you are you are immediately on the back foot trying to chase someone with the momentum. The highline is a great tactic but you have to have a great press from the front and midfield and make the pitch half a pitch. We are just not good at that atm the front 3 really need to do more.
 
uwe rosler 28 said:
Tbf the back 4 on Sunday was very pacey but playing a highline and an offside trap it doesn't matter how quick you are you are immediately on the back foot trying to chase someone with the momentum. The highline is a great tactic but you have to have a great press from the front and midfield and make the pitch half a pitch. We are just not good at that atm the front 3 really need to do more.
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The highline requires switched on defenders which we don't have either. Sunday it was handled better but Brighton was crap and we still somehow lost. That high line is suicide with the current city team
 
Gordyola said:
Poor? For me it was a significant achievement to get into 3rd only 3 points behind Arsenal who has a great season according to most, he also managed to get to the FAC final
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If you believe Pep did a good job last year I'll just say we have different standards and leave it there...
 
Gorbachev said:
Can see a PSG last year scenario with us where we look absolutely bang average until about January and then it will all click.

Similar to the treble year where it took Pep until February to land on the team and system that became so successful in the run in.

Many forget Paris had 4 losses and a draw in the group stage of the CL and had they not beaten us at home in January - of which we were 2-0 up before losing 4-2 - they would have been out at the group stage.

We will be out of the title race, but I think we could finish strong in all the cups.

The team need a Carabao Cup to get back to winning ways and instill a bit of confidence.
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Yes, PSG are a good example how things can change quickly. I'm sure most fans and pundits didn't rate them as one of the favourites in the CL. Many would have laughed at the claim that they could outplay both Liverpool and Arsenal. Yet, after they won against us, they became unstoppable.

Some events are non-linear: that is, small changes have big effects. People often jump to conclusions: the squad lacks quality, X and Y are average (Rodri and Gundo...), Pep is finished, and so on. Then we win several games in a row and things look completely different.

Pep expects that the team will click at some point. It may be a bit late for a title challenge, but it is likely (not guaranteed) to happen, given the quality of the coaches and the players.
 
thegoatsthegoat said:
Haha, I wish I was in my armchair rather than in Brighton on Sunday.

I love this logic though. Demanding answers and solutions rather than asking them of the men that are paid millions. I have actually given solutions in other posts though.

Solution 1
Do not play a high line with a slow ageing defence who are struggling to defend
Solution 2
Buy a right back
Solution 3
To play better football try not to pass a team to death, with slow boring build up that allows every player to get back so any half decent team with shape can defend and very easily.
Solution 4
Buy proven prem players as a base and the potential players around them. Our team isn't build with leaders as it once was so buying younger inexperienced players will be a big ask for them to hit the ground running.

Now solution 1 and 4 are tactic related so that can easily change tomorrow. Solution 2 and 4 are finance related and considering we spent a few bob and done well again financially with outgoings then there shouldn't be too many obstacles in place there for them.

So there are my solutions to the problems I listed, not that it is worth anything because like I said there are men who are paid millions to find these solutions.
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Hope you stayed to applaud the boys. The City stands were half empty by the time the final whistle went let alone when the players came across. By law of averages some of the folks taking potshots here were among the exodus gang. Drives me nuts.

To your points:
1. Our back 5 on Sun was plenty young and plenty quick. So that wasn't the issue

2. Right back. Well duh. Real question is who? Would you pay 80 mill for Livremento? I certainly wouldn't.

3. Play better football. No shit. Our style under Pep hasn't changed in the past 5 years. We won umpteen titles with slowish possession based football. We haven't had fast pace since 2017-19 when Sane was flying and KDB was at his peak. Look at the 2022 run-in and the game against Villa. Identical. We just had better players. We are a team in transition. It would be wonderful to have a magic wand and make is pass better and quicker, find space, cross better, press better, finish lethally, etc etc. But life ain't that easy. It's going to take time. Too many spoilt fans on here who think we have a divine right to rule the roost forever. Prob akin to Red Cafe circa 2013-2015.

4. Buy proven PL players? Again that is super generic. Back to #2. Who will you buy at what prices? And they have to want us over others. And with PSR looking large also?
 
lasereyes said:
This is a typical armchair view. Take potshots at all those who are in the hot seat with no constructive suggestions on what we can/should actually do. Throwing out blind criticism when we lose a couple of games is the easiest thing in the world. Actually fixing it takes brains and courage.
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OK, I agree but why is it whenever someone speaks on any deficiency we may have and offers thought out opinions for discussion they are immediately attacked by the angry clappers who believe every player is good enough and the manager can do no wrong. Then there are the flappers who think no one is good enough, the players, the manager, the board, etc. Neither is possible or correct.
There are many shades of grey. For instance, I do believe the players as a collective are "good enough" to compete with anyone. There are some who I don't think are up to our standard for whatever reason, but as a whole we are good enough. I can't tell you how many friends I have that support other clubs who think any City fan complaining about a lack of talent should be embarrassed.
I also happen to believe that for the past while Pep has not been able to get the best out of the side for whatever reasons. For me, too many players are asked to carry out roles they are not best suited for. Also, some of the tactical ideas seem to be gratuitous, i.e. the very high line. And the player selection, both starting and substitutions, don't appear to be merit based at all times.
Ya can't overturn the entire squad which I don't believe needs doing anyway, so Pep needs to figure out a way to get a tune out of them and to stop asking of them things that make them look ridiculous in repeating the same errors over and over again. Otherwise we're going nowhere of any significance this year or even next. That's the opinion of this supporter. You can agree, disagree, a bit of both, slam me, support me, whatever...
 
Withnail said:
Watched every game, whilst there were several poor performances getting 3rd place was ok, certainly not shambolic considering the injuries we had.
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I am referring directly to those performances. I've never once said finishing third was not OK. Those are two mutually exclusive points for me.
 
Gorbachev said:
Can see a PSG last year scenario with us where we look absolutely bang average until about January and then it will all click.

Similar to the treble year where it took Pep until February to land on the team and system that became so successful in the run in.

Many forget Paris had 4 losses and a draw in the group stage of the CL and had they not beaten us at home in January - of which we were 2-0 up before losing 4-2 - they would have been out at the group stage.

We will be out of the title race, but I think we could finish strong in all the cups.

The team need a Carabao Cup to get back to winning ways and instill a bit of confidence.
Click to expand...
Agree about the cups but I don’t think it will happen this season as pep is too stubborn to adapt and will just carry on regardless week in week out
 
blueparrot said:
Don't think O'Reilly for Bernardo was that strange at 1-1, More of an attacking change than Gonzalez for Bernardo.If he'd have taken Rodri off then I'm sure Gonzalez would have been the change.
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Nico G should have come on at 1 nil. He should have started instead of Bernardo but at the least come on for him on the hour up 1 nil for sure.
 
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