In the past when we had these type of players and if they were absent for whatever reason, our technical players could pull us out of the mire. We're lacking in both departments so it can makes things a lot tougher. A bit of steel at CB and MF would really benefit us.We need leaders not show ponies, we have enough of them, we need the next Kompany, Zabaleta etc, I do t know who’s out there, they don’t necessarily have to be world class but they need some balls and leadership quality.
Best post ive ever read on here.We’re in a decent situation. Contrary to appearances (the number of goals we’re conceding + the media narrative, and even a lot of our own fans on here), we’re in a growth phase. For now it shows mainly in first halves – that’s how long we’ve got full energy and, as a result, concentration. Those two things are very closely connected.
The first half against Leeds was outstanding (almost zero threat from Leeds, and City had more great chances than just the 2–0), same with the first half against Fulham, 1–3, with the goal conceded in added time. Then we had another great 10 minutes of the second half, after which we basically decided the game was over – zero concentration, zero coordination, we switched off, and everything went in for Fulham (their xG was 1.4 for the whole match with 4 goals scored?). Understandable, though unacceptable.
It is better, but to look defensively stable we need: a) Rodri back (ideally Kovacic as well), b) Stones and Khusanov back/in better form. Nico is great but right now Nico has to play every single game, otherwise we don’t even have the semblance of a defensive midfielder. With this kind of fixture congestion, full defensive solidity is impossible because of player fatigue.
Maybe it won’t be enough to win the league, but I’m actually having a pretty good time with this season so far, there’s a lot happening and, in my view, I see clear progress and chances: 1) if Arsenal slow down, we’ll be right there, plus we’ve got the game against them at the Etihad, 2) we have other competitions whose key stages will be in the spring, when maybe we’ll have someone like Rodri back at his best.
Don’t look for scapegoats (like lack of leaders, which is bullshit), it’s unnecessary. The reason for our current situation is quite clear: we’re rebuilding and still under construction. At the same time, we’ve got a key injury and a few defensive players who aren’t in optimal form. That should change, and then we’ll be at a level to challenge for the main titles.
Except the lack of leadership isnt bullshitBest post ive ever read on here.
Glen Campbell?The phoenix is rising from the ashes of last season
Riding out on a horse in a rodeoGlen Campbell?
Yes. We certainly need Rodri or someone like Kompany, Fernandinho, Zabba. With Haaland and Foden playing like this we can win anything. But we need more leadership on the field. We are not far away though and will get stronger as usual after Christmas.Except the lack of leadership isnt bullshit
For the precise reasons that you've just stated, I'm not convinced that much will change after ChristmasYes. We certainly need Rodri or someone like Kompany, Fernandinho, Zabba. With Haaland and Foden playing like this we can win anything. But we need more leadership on the field. We are not far away though and will get stronger as usual after Christmas.
There are no obviously strong leaders apart from maybe Diaz and Donna. We need an organiser on the pitch….like Rodri. I confess I am hoping for someone in January. One reason we usually improve after Christmas is that we play a lot of games without lots of international breaks. I think that, with our passing style, we benefit more from momentum than any other club. I remain optimistic at this point.For the precise reasons that you've just stated, I'm not convinced that much will change after Christmas
Pep often tinkers with the formation (on Tuesday it was Foden playing further forward) and this confuses the opposition
At Half Time the opposing Manager usually makes a tweak (Leeds started going long and Fulham started playing diagonally behind O'Reilly) but we just continue with what worked in the First Half.
Sometimes it makes no difference to the result but it adds to the sense that we're often weaker in the Second Half.
In those situations the players need to think for themselves, but as with so many other opinions, a lot could change if Rodri returns to anything remotely resembling peak fitness
I take your point mate, but a solid defence isn't just defined by the number of clean sheets, as United and Liverpool (twice) both took their foot off the gas from the moment they knew that they were Champions, and promptly conceded more goals.The team with the best defence have failed to win the PL in 18 of the 33 PL seasons:
In 1993-94 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 4th.
In 1994-95 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 1995-96 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 5th.
In 1996-97 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 3rd, the team who won the league only had the 5th best defensive record and conceded 18 more goals than the best defensive team.
In 1997-98 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 1998-99 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd with just 17 goals conceded, the team who won the league conceded 20 more goals than them.
In 1999-00 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 4th, the team who won the league only had the 6th best defensive record.
In 2001-02 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2006-07 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2009-10 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2010-11 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd, the team who won the league only had the 3rd best defensive record.
In 2012-13 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd, the team who won the league only had the 5th best defensive record.
In 2013-14 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 3rd.
In 2015-16 there were two teams with joint fewest goals concdeded and they finished 3rd and 5th.
In 2016-17 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd, the team who won the league only had the 3rd best defensive record.
In 2018-19 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2023-24 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2024-25 the team with the fewest goals conceded finished 2nd.
In 2014-15, while the team with the best defensive record did win the league, the team with the second best defensive record finished 7th.
Spurs and Brighton we weren’t fitNewcastle, Villa, Spurs and Brighton.
Consistency is our centurion season, we consistently won. There's 22 games left, Arsenal will drop points, we just have to be there in April.
Have you only just learned to read? ;)Best post ive ever read on here.
Great post i still feel we some more strong characters and some toughness and grit. That said I feel City is the team with the greatest potential.We’re in a decent situation. Contrary to appearances (the number of goals we’re conceding + the media narrative, and even a lot of our own fans on here), we’re in a growth phase. For now it shows mainly in first halves – that’s how long we’ve got full energy and, as a result, concentration. Those two things are very closely connected.
The first half against Leeds was outstanding (almost zero threat from Leeds, and City had more great chances than just the 2–0), same with the first half against Fulham, 1–3, with the goal conceded in added time. Then we had another great 10 minutes of the second half, after which we basically decided the game was over – zero concentration, zero coordination, we switched off, and everything went in for Fulham (their xG was 1.4 for the whole match with 4 goals scored?). Understandable, though unacceptable.
It is better, but to look defensively stable we need: a) Rodri back (ideally Kovacic as well), b) Stones and Khusanov back/in better form. Nico is great but right now Nico has to play every single game, otherwise we don’t even have the semblance of a defensive midfielder. With this kind of fixture congestion, full defensive solidity is impossible because of player fatigue.
Maybe it won’t be enough to win the league, but I’m actually having a pretty good time with this season so far, there’s a lot happening and, in my view, I see clear progress and chances: 1) if Arsenal slow down, we’ll be right there, plus we’ve got the game against them at the Etihad, 2) we have other competitions whose key stages will be in the spring, when maybe we’ll have someone like Rodri back at his best.
Don’t look for scapegoats (like lack of leaders, which is bullshit), it’s unnecessary. The reason for our current situation is quite clear: we’re rebuilding and still under construction. At the same time, we’ve got a key injury and a few defensive players who aren’t in optimal form. That should change, and then we’ll be at a level to challenge for the main titles.
i don't see this as a slump maybe even growth on where we are this time last yearOur customary mid November to mid December slump ?
If two defeats in four games, one where we played the reserves and one where the officials did us, constitutes a slump.