So far in this run-in, we are the ones that seem to be unable to handle the pressure. It was obvious in our game against Arsenal at the Etihad. Also, yesterday’s draw has reduced the pressure on Arsenal because they don’t have to win all their remaining games to win the league.
There are a number of players with a lot to learn in our squad.
Khusanov Guéhi O’Reilly Semenyo Marmoush Savinho Trafford Reijnders Cherki Nico and Ait-Nouri have never been in a title race before. Nunes Doku and Lewis have but weren’t key players when we were last in one. Even some who are experienced in title races - Stones Aké Dias Gvardiol Kovačić Foden and Rodri - have missed a lot of games so we’ve missed their experienced impact often.
The only title winning experience, from players who were key players in title wins, we’ve consistently had throughout the season are Donnarumma BSilva and Haaland.
We haven’t handled the pressure well when we’ve got back into the title race a few times this season.
We got ourselves within 2 points after a good run in November and December, then drew at Sunderland, threw away leads against Chelsea and Brighton, and then put in our worst performance of the season at the Rags.
So we had to reset and claw it back a which we did where we got ourselves within 4 points in late February, but we then drew with Forest and West Ham after leading in both games with plenty of time after their equalisers to go on to win.
We then got the title in our hands after beating Arsenal yet have put in a couple of performances where we showed some poor aspects, like our poor finishing at Burnley and our passive first half hour of the second half at Everton.
It’s like we’ve not been comfortable when we’re in with a shout. And uncomfortable having a one goal lead in a number of games and done silly things in those games.
Plus we haven’t been good away from home, winning just 50% of our games.
One thing I’ve noticed of late, when I start to think about who we can bring on; we lack top quality impact off the bench. There was a time not long ago where, if we started Kompany Otamendi DSilva Gündoğan Sterling Sané and Agüero, we had the options of Stones Laporte DeBruyne BSilva Mahrez and Jesus to come off the bench. And we could mix and match those players and not no notice any difference, whereäs now we are playing pretty much the same team and giving the bench a few odd minutes because they aren’t top players.
To be honest, I’m a bit surprised we’re in a title race this season as I think it’s probably a year too soon for this squad, with the majority of them having been here 15 months or less (especially many starting at the moment) and many lacking elite level experience.
But we are still in a title race! We are now chasing again so that might do us some good regarding our own games and performances. But we’re relying on the 15th, 17th or 18th placed teams in the league to do us a favour, and they’re down there for a reason.