Yes. United under Ten Hag when they finished 4th had numbers that should have seen them around 14th. They failed to improve their general play and saw their performances even out with their results in the following season. First falling to 8th and then their horrible season last year. xG predicted that years agoPeople like to slate xG but it is the single best predictor of long-term results that we have. That's why it's used.
We have topped the league every single year on xG since Pep arrived, with the sole exception of last season. This year we are basically neck and neck with Arsenal. We're up there for a reason, and the reason is that on balance we deserve to be. As the season goes on, all this luck equalises out and people get the results they deserve.
I don't think we get pressed as aggressively as Palace pressed us if Doku is playing because of his pace.
We won 3-0 today but Palace could have had 2 or 3 themselves.
Arsenal are a very strong side when all is well in their world. Our job is to stay with them until March / April and exert maximum pressure. The signs are good because even in December, when presented with the easy pickings of Wolves at home, their bottle went and they had to rely on some extraordinary luck to see themselves through.A few months ago Arsenal beat Palace 1-0 and Fulham 1-0, both goals coming from set pieces, and everyone in the media was talking about how strong that they were and how they'd romp to the title as no one could compete .
We go to Palace and win 3-0 and the main talking point on MOTD is how Palace played better than they did in the FA Cup Final against us in May.
Imagine Arsenal had gone there and won 3-0.
Now I still think that they're favourites to win the league, but they're a bit over rated by everyone who was clamouring to announce them as the best team in Europe and Rice as the best midfielder in the world a month ago after they beat Bayern in the CL
I don't really care what people or the media think or say about City. As long as the boys in blue continue doing the business on the pitch then what anyone else thinks or says is just waffle. I do like waffles with ice cream and honey but that's my limit.A few months ago Arsenal beat Palace 1-0 and Fulham 1-0, both goals coming from set pieces, and everyone in the media was talking about how strong that they were and how they'd romp to the title as no one could compete .
We go to Palace and win 3-0 and the main talking point on MOTD is how Palace played better than they did in the FA Cup Final against us in May.
Imagine Arsenal had gone there and won 3-0.
Now I still think that they're favourites to win the league, but they're a bit over rated by everyone who was clamouring to announce them as the best team in Europe and Rice as the best midfielder in the world a month ago after they beat Bayern in the CL
Well worth a watch....
I don't think so.That wasn't uploaded onto a man city fan's youtube account by any chance was it?
It's not only our defensive frailty when the ball turns over, it's our inability to control games, and our penchant for losing possession when pressed. And our squad depth is poor - it's no wonder we lost to Bayer Leverkusen when we fielded a squad consisting almost entirely of our backup players - there's a noticeable and significant drop in ability between our preferred starters and our backups.And our losses at Brighton and Newcastle could've easily gone the other way. In any of our league defeats this season, Spurs aside, our xG was higher than the opposition's.
We completely dominated Brighton in the first 60 minutes and could/should have been 2 up before their equaliser. We missed about 5 big chances at Newcastle. We missed several really good chances at Villa... It's normal to win games where you are the inferior team and to lose games where you create more chances than the other tram.
It's not only our defensive frailty when the ball turns over, it's our inability to control games, and our penchant for losing possession when pressed. And our squad depth is poor - it's no wonder we lost to Bayer Leverkusen when we fielded a squad consisting almost entirely of our backup players - there's a noticeable and significant drop in ability between our preferred starters and our backups.
The league is 38 games - it's not a sprint - it's a marathon. The best squad, in terms of ability, stamina, mentality, and depth will almost always win the title. Unfortunately we lack depth and even when we field our first choice squad, we're susceptible to defensive lapses.
Sure, it's possible we might win the league - but we're unlikely to do so. Should we make significant positive signings in the Winter window, I'm open to changing my mind.
I'm sometimes wrong. Everyone is. Otherwise I'd make a killing on sports betting.I remember you were arguing after the first half of the 22/23 season that Arsenal would win the title with 97 pts or more. You thought they were guaranteed to win the title. They finished on 84 pts, we won it with 2-3 games to spare.
You tend to emphasize our weaknesses and glorify Arsenal's strengths. Why is anyone's guess.
I'd prefer it to be this season.I expect City are going to have some difficult moments ahead but I expect us to be in the running in March and April next season, and that's when the title race will start in earnest.
Rice is mustard though. If played for us I think we would rate him that highly. If he were to get injured I think it would have the same impact losing Rodri did on us.A few months ago Arsenal beat Palace 1-0 and Fulham 1-0, both goals coming from set pieces, and everyone in the media was talking about how strong that they were and how they'd romp to the title as no one could compete .
We go to Palace and win 3-0 and the main talking point on MOTD is how Palace played better than they did in the FA Cup Final against us in May.
Imagine Arsenal had gone there and won 3-0.
Now I still think that they're favourites to win the league, but they're a bit over rated by everyone who was clamouring to announce them as the best team in Europe and Rice as the best midfielder in the world a month ago after they beat Bayern in the CL
I'm sometimes wrong. Everyone is. Otherwise I'd make a killing on sports betting.
This is the 2025/26 season - if you disagree with what I've posted - state your reasons as relevant to this season. I'm no Arsenal fan. I route for City. But I try to see things without biasing what I watch one way or the other. Sometimes I get it wrong. But if I'm wrong this season, I'm not alone: https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/winner.
And I don't always agree with the bettors - it's curious to me why Liverpool are favored over Chelsea this season- I slightly favor Chelsea to finish ahead of Liverpool.
I wouldn't have him in Rodri's class. Can't dictate a game and isn't as creative as Rodri at his best, yet.Rice is mustard though. If played for us I think we would rate him that highly. If he were to get injured I think it would have the same impact losing Rodri did on us.
Well worth a watch....
It's not only our defensive frailty when the ball turns over, it's our inability to control games, and our penchant for losing possession when pressed. And our squad depth is poor - it's no wonder we lost to Bayer Leverkusen when we fielded a squad consisting almost entirely of our backup players - there's a noticeable and significant drop in ability between our preferred starters and our backups.
The league is 38 games - it's not a sprint - it's a marathon. The best squad, in terms of ability, stamina, mentality, and depth will almost always win the title. Unfortunately we lack depth and even when we field our first choice squad, we're susceptible to defensive lapses.
Suppose, for example that Haaland is injured - that's a huge, huge loss for our side and based on what I've seen so far this season we'll struggle mightily if he is out. As opposed to Arsenal - they can take injuries to multiple first choice squad members and they'll carry on - a little worse off sure, but nothing nearly so impactful as a loss of Haaland to our side - too, Doku, Foden and Cherki - if out, are a big big loss whereas Arsenal can cope much better with losses to players in similar positions.
Sure, it's possible we might win the league - but we're unlikely to do so. Should we make significant positive signings in the Winter window, I'm open to changing my mind.