The battle for 4th place

[Marvin]

Am I right in thinking any win in our final 2 games will be enough if the Hammers v Scum ends a draw taking into account our far supperior Goal Difference?

Yes, but can you see City winning either game? We wont beat Arsenal. Swansea away is a possibility

 

[the_game_161]

Least West Ham have to play United still

 

[stonerblue]

It's jolly exciting don't you think? Loving the drama of it possibly going down to the last day, how can fans complain about anything? We've got our money's worth, winning 4-0 one week and getting beat 4-2 the next....c'mon it's fantastic, it's what we're all about, it's typical city not being typical city. Let's get on it for these next 3.. ( maybe 4?) games and have a ball. No need to get down, Greater things are on the horizon.

Post of the morning. Bring on Ronaldo.

 

[Marvin]

The man has no interest in Manchester City. He wants the CL on his cv. He's fucking 60 ffs it's not like he needs to impress to get work and enhance his career. I always had him down as a clown,a charming one but a clown non the less. now though he's gone beyond that, he's quite obviously stitching Pep up out of sheer bitterness. A guy in the pub down here was defending him when I asked a few simple questions.
1, given the time he's been in the game why on earth could he not see what the kid could do earlier and play him over bony ?

2, we all had rashford and his pace rammed down our throats, why then would you pitch him against an aging MDM in the Derby?

3, the first 2 questions are about opinion but this is basic football management. yesterday we were getting battered, very lucky to be only 2-1 at half time. why on earth having got to half time did he not change a single thing, not one.did he think there was some miracle about to happen or something?

The guy in the pub had no answers.

I do, the man is deliberately hurting us. can't see any other reason.

The players on the bench were largely players who would play versus Real Madrid. Imagine if they had got injured. That would be worse. We should be using younger players like Kelechi who are interested

 

[hilts]

The man has no interest in Manchester City. He wants the CL on his cv. He's fucking 60 ffs it's not like he needs to impress to get work and enhance his career. I always had him down as a clown,a charming one but a clown non the less. now though he's gone beyond that, he's quite obviously stitching Pep up out of sheer bitterness. A guy in the pub down here was defending him when I asked a few simple questions.
1, given the time he's been in the game why on earth could he not see what the kid could do earlier and play him over bony ?

2, we all had rashford and his pace rammed down our throats, why then would you pitch him against an aging MDM in the Derby?

3, the first 2 questions are about opinion but this is basic football management. yesterday we were getting battered, very lucky to be only 2-1 at half time. why on earth having got to half time did he not change a single thing, not one.did he think there was some miracle about to happen or something?

The guy in the pub had no answers.

I do, the man is deliberately hurting us. can't see any other reason.

He could just be a complete moron I suppose, why he hasn't trusted a couple of youngsters more in his time here is indefensible. This is the sole reason why kolorov and bony get picked. He is a clueless coward

 

[mosssideblue]

Dropped a huge bollock today and instead of giving us a comfortable 7 point lead, we're now, in my opinion, living far too dangerously. Given the rags dropped points we had a huge opportunity to push on but now we're in a situation where we have to beat Arsenal to give ourselves a realistic chance of finishing fourth, and given our record against top teams, I don't see it. Granted, the game on Wednesday is huge, but for me qualifying for next seasons champions league is more important. We don't qualify and we have gone backwards, and it's a catastrophe to have the best manager in the world come in and not be in Europe's top competition.

I really struggle with this logic. We are 90 mins (120 mins) from the final. We may never have a better opportunity to lift the CL, so I absolutely think the club (not just pellers), want us to go for it this year.

 

[bellsouth]

No problem with the team selection yesterday but the longer MP has been in charge the worse the team has played. First season was good, 2nd season poor and this season atrocious. One off games in league cup and Champions League we've had our moments but by and large the style of play is getting worse and worse and easier to play against. The sideways and backwards passing makes it so easy to play against us. Offensive players with the exception of the De Bruyne, Kelechi and sometimes Aguero, have had their attacking instincts drilled out of them, they speed towards the opposition box and then play it backwards and the slow build up starts again. We hardly ever have midfielders bursting into the box anymore, the whole style of play is old and slow, reflecting unfortunately the manager himself.
He's not totally to blame of course, players do have to take responsibility themselves and if we are to beat Madrid and finish top 4 it will only be because of players stepping up and making it happen. But I do feel strongly that the coaching over the last 3 years has lead to this stale style of play and contributed to lacklustre displays.

 

[cibaman]

I really struggle with this logic. We are 90 mins (120 mins) from the final. We may never have a better opportunity to lift the CL, so I absolutely think the club (not just pellers), want us to go for it this year.

I don't think it was a clear cut either/or decision. Reaching the final of the CL would be a great achievement, sensational if we win it. But finishing in the top 4 is also incredibly important. We don't really have the luxury of giving one objective significant priority over the other. It goes with the territory at this level, having to play vital matches on the bounce.

I could understand him not starting Aguero and De Bruyne but thought that both should have been on the bench and brought on in the second half. I just don't understand now why Aguero was on the bench. If he wasn't there to be used in the circumstances we found ourselves in, why was he there at all?

There seemed to be a general mood among the staff and players yesterday that the game just wasn't important. The introduction of DemIchelis felt like we were raising the white flag, protecting the goal difference. When we pulled it back to 4-2 I thought there was a remote chance of snatching a draw. Another goal then and Southampton would be panicking. But there was a complete lack of urgency among the players, walking about, taking their time over free kicks. It seemed they'd lost interest.

Rotating players is a fact of life. But its essential that the manager has the ability to motivate the incoming players. Make them feel that the game is important, not just a fixture to get out of the way. That's where I thought MP let us down yesterday.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

I really struggle with this logic. We are 90 mins (120 mins) from the final. We may never have a better opportunity to lift the CL, so I absolutely think the club (not just pellers), want us to go for it this year.

How can you struggle with that logic?
You just seem to defend the indefensible. There is no way the club want to risk not being in the CL next year.

 

[mosssideblue]

I don't think it was a clear cut either/or decision. Reaching the final of the CL would be a great achievement, sensational if we win it. But finishing in the top 4 is also incredibly important. We don't really have the luxury of giving one objective significant priority over the other. It goes with the territory at this level, having to play vital matches on the bounce.

I could understand him not starting Aguero and De Bruyne but thought that both should have been on the bench and brought on in the second half. I just don't understand now why Aguero was on the bench. If he wasn't there to be used in the circumstances we found ourselves in, why was he there at all?

There seemed to be a general mood among the staff and players yesterday that the game just wasn't important. The introduction of DemIchelis felt like we were raising the white flag, protecting the goal difference. When we pulled it back to 4-2 I thought there was a remote chance of snatching a draw. Another goal then and Southampton would be panicking. But there was a complete lack of urgency among the players, walking about, taking their time over free kicks. It seemed they'd lost interest.

Rotating players is a fact of life. But its essential that the manager has the ability to motivate the incoming players. Make them feel that the game is important, not just a fixture to get out of the way. That's where I thought MP let us down yesterday.

Thanks for your response.

What yesterday should confirm is that our squad is not matched to our ambitions, the fall off in quality between our first 11 and the remainder is huge. I genuinely believe Pellers did the right thing yesterday with his team selection, not only for his desire to field the team that will give us the best chance on Wed, but also to satisfy the clubs European aspirations. And to be fair, the team that he did select, a) didn't get much criticism on the pre match thread and b) had they worked and put a shift in, could have gotten something from the game.

With regards to Subs. Again (and IMO), I believe he was right not to use Kun. It was clearly obvious in my mind that too many in that team were having a day off (safe in the knowledge they will still get a fat cheque and that they may not again play for us after today), so bringing on Kun, wouldn't have turned the game around, but would have risked unnecessary injury to him.

Bringing on Demi probably was the final acceptance that the team were downing tools for the day.

If there isn't a major overhaul of players for next season, Pep will have an almighty fight on his hands.

 

[Bill]

The daft thing is had he had the gumption to get Wins under his belt earlier in the Season he could rest players now with top 4 already secured. But no,he had to fuck about any rotate for the sake of it. I'd sack him tonight then hope kidd could win us the CL and pellegrini misses out on his holy grail.

 

[mosssideblue]

How can you struggle with that logic?
You just seem to defend the indefensible. There is no way the club want to risk not being in the CL next year.

So we potentially weaken ourselves for the semi final? I still don't see your logic

 

[Steve68]

So we potentially weaken ourselves for the semi final? I still don't see your logic

Because the certainty of being in Europe next season is better than the small chance we can both get a result in Madrid and beat either of the other two teams in the final.

 

[mosssideblue]

Because the certainty of being in Europe next season is better than the small chance we can both get a result in Madrid and beat either of the other two teams in the final.

Don't get me wrong, I want us in it every year. But are you saying because of who else is in it, we should resign ourselves to never winning it? that's what I seam to be taking from your post. So (gen question btw), what should we do once were in it again?

 

[Elbow beards]

It's jolly exciting don't you think? Loving the drama of it possibly going down to the last day, how can fans complain about anything? We've got our money's worth, winning 4-0 one week and getting beat 4-2 the next....c'mon it's fantastic, it's what we're all about, it's typical city not being typical city. Let's get on it for these next 3.. ( maybe 4?) games and have a ball. No need to get down, Greater things are on the horizon.

Here, here, nothing worse than the season being over with 4 games to spare. When the rags won it in 2013, I was like "meh" when we won a game 'cos they were just dead rubbers

 

[GaudinoMotors]

So we potentially weaken ourselves for the semi final? I still don't see your logic

"Potentially" - not every player gets injured and tires himself out. Players also thrive on motivation and confidence. Your line is just blame the players and absolve the manager of any responsibility for yesterdays debacle. There was a balancing act to be played, but knowing that nited dropped points and we play Arsenal next, should have focused more emphasis on getting something. You're not going to do that with Bony and Kolorov in the side and bringing Demi on.
I realise whatever he had done yesterday may not have guaranteed anything - but that's down to him failing to improve individuals and the defence collectively over his time here. That's partly why the second string is so weak.
But win on Wednesday and against Arse and you're right and I'm completely wrong. Tis football.

 

[bert38]

Because the certainty of being in Europe next season is better than the small chance we can both get a result in Madrid and beat either of the other two teams in the final.

Why? What is the point of qualifying for Europe? Aren't we supposed to want to win it? Or you want us to keep qualifying so we attract better players for what purpose?

 

[Steve68]

Don't get me wrong, I want us in it every year. But are you saying because of who else is in it, we should resign ourselves to never winning it? that's what I seam to be taking from your post. So (gen question btw), what should we do once were in it again?

I'm referring to the specific situation where we need to fight to be in Europe next season, preferably without a qualifying round. A situation where we go into an away leg without a win under our belts against one of the great European teams and then have to probably beat Bayern. Those odds are not great.

Being in Europe next season is much more important. For the income, for attracting the best players, for not having to play Thursday with the knock on effect on league performances.

Of course we shouldn't be in this position. A comfortable third place has been within our reach but has been completely thrown away by inept individual and collective performances made worse by what looks like wilfully bad management decisions culminating in what looked like deliberate sabotage yesterday by both the manager and several players.

Of course we want to win the cup but can you honestly see that happening this season the way we are playing? Can you see that useless shower of shite pretending to be City players yesterday beating Arsenal this weekend?

 

[Steve68]

Why? What is the point of qualifying for Europe? Aren't we supposed to want to win it? Or you want us to keep qualifying so we attract better players for what purpose?

I want to be in Europe NEXT season. As it is we won't be.

 

[mosssideblue]

I'm referring to the specific situation where we need to fight to be in Europe next season, preferably without a qualifying round. A situation where we go into an away leg without a win under our belts against one of the great European teams and then have to probably beat Bayern. Those odds are not great.

Being in Europe next season is much more important. For the income, for attracting the best players, for not having to play Thursday with the knock on effect on league performances.

Of course we shouldn't be in this position. A comfortable third place has been within our reach but has been completely thrown away by inept individual and collective performances made worse by what looks like wilfully bad management decisions culminating in what looked like deliberate sabotage yesterday by both the manager and several players.

Of course we want to win the cup but can you honestly see that happening this season the way we are playing? Can you see the useless shower of shite pretending to be City players beating Arsenal this weekend?

If we want to attract the best players, I agree. But do you concede that they will actually want to compete in it, rather than just qualify for it year on year?

Just on your last para.. Yes, most definitely. Our best 11 I believe will play the rest of the season. The team that we saw yesterday will be spread far and wide come August