“This was all about character.” — Kev

[SebastianBlue]

Kev said in his FA Cup SF post-match interview that today’s match, as well as the team’s general performance this season, was about “character” after the highs and energy drain of last season (and the Real Madrid game).

And it got me thinking:

Where would we rank the 23/24 squad in the all-time ‘collective character table’ for City teams?

We have had quite a few I would say collectively had very strong character, including a few of our more recent sides (last season and 11/12 being the ones that obviously come to mind).

Where would you put them? What other squad would compete for the top spot?

 

[Mike N]

What a team!

 

[John Wayne]

I don't know about top spot, but the 99/00 team overachieved massively. We went on a 7-match winless streak but showed big balls to get over the line on the last day at Blackburn.

 

[lust overlord]

Kev said in his FA Cup SF post-match interview that today’s match, as well as the team’s general performance this season, was about “character” after the highs and energy drain of last season (and the Real Madrid game).

And it got me thinking:

Where would we rank the 23/24 squad in the all-time ‘collective character table’ for City teams?

We have had quite a few I would say collectively had very strong character, including a few of our more recent sides (last season and 11/12 being the ones that obviously come to mind).

Where would you put them? What other squad would compete for the top spot?

In terms of battle hardened get the job done,even when it's not going well for us.
This side are 1st.

Other than that the 2018 2019's epic title run in with Liverpool,having to win every game, under enormous pressure.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I've watched a lot of (English) football. For what's its worth I definately rank City number one. But not saying the others because there's always some twat who pulls it apart.

 

[SebastianBlue]

I don't know about top spot, but the 99/00 team overachieved massively. We went on a 7-match winless streak but showed big balls to get over the line on the last day at Blackburn.

That is a good shout, and was thinking about them as I was posting, but thought some miserable **** on here would shoot that suggestion down. ;-)

 

[Mike N]

Am I allowed to say ‘massive’ win?

 

[TShed]

This was a classic game up there with all our greatest achievements if you take everything into account

Pep was fucking brilliant too I think he’s going to stay just to completely fuck these cunts over

Just hope the 115 doesn’t get settled for a couple more years

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Am I allowed to say ‘massive’ win?

Of course, we gave 'em an almighty massive 1-0 battering!

 

[SebastianBlue]

Of course, we gave 'em an almighty massive 1-0 battering!

After giving Real Madrid a 1-1 smashing.

 

[ancoats]

First, take a look at the number of games the backbone of this squad has played and won over the years
So many semi-finals/finals in cups and Champions League both knockouts and again QF finals, semi-finals/finals won/lost, then how many points each season to win the league

Close the voting, This Squad and manager are the best in world football

 

[Mike N]

Was saying earlier how the Chelsea fans must have been delighted on Wednesday night when it went to extra time. Oops.

 

[A57 the snake]

This was a classic game up there with all our greatest achievements if you take everything into account

Pep was fucking brilliant too I think he’s going to stay just to completely fuck these cunts over

Just hope the 115 doesn’t get settled for a couple more years

Bang on mate !!

 

[Gabriel]

An important psychological win. What made it unusually impressive is that I don't think any one player would individually score higher than 6 out of 10, which would normally be a defeat, yet collectively they toughed it out and won the day.

 

[blue for life]

Psychologically a huge win! So chuffed tonight!

 

[Edghill OG]

I don't know about top spot, but the 99/00 team overachieved massively. We went on a 7-match winless streak but showed big balls to get over the line on the last day at Blackburn.

Wasn't it the West Brom game at home where we went 1 nil down and scored two late goals to win 2-1 that put an end to that run? On the verge of going 8 games and slipping out of the automatic qualification spots. Absolute pandemonium at the end. Great game to be at and a huge momentum shift to get us back on track. As was Blackburn obviously.

 

[John Wayne]

Wasn't it the West Brom game at home where we went 1 nil down and scored two late goals to win 2-1 that put an end to that run? On the verge of going 8 games and slipping out of the automatic qualification spots. Absolute pandemonium at the end. Great game to be at and a huge momentum shift to get us back on track. As was Blackburn obviously.

Correct. Prior's debut and the first time "Feed the goat" was sung.

 

[Edghill OG]

Correct. Prior's debut and the first time "Feed the goat" was sung.

Ahhh. Super Spencer Prior. Quite an inspired signing. Nothing wrong with your memory mate. Think the murderer scored for them if I remember correctly.

 

[John Wayne]

Ahhh. Super Spencer Prior. Quite an inspired signing. Nothing wrong with your memory mate. Think the murderer scored for them if I remember correctly.

He did. Deflected shot over Weaver. Gary Megson had just come in, kept them up that year and built a side that won promotion with us in 2002. They were tough opposition that day.

I'm a bit sad remembering stuff like this :)

 

[Axel Freed]

I think the City teams of this era have been peerless in terms of character / mental toughness when compared with other great teams. The way Pep only chooses players with the right mindset and then fosters this amazing resilience in them is just as important to our success as his tactical genius is.

That said, I’m reminded of something Michael Vaughn once said when discussing the much vaunted mental toughness of the great Aussie side of the 1990s and 2000s - the gist of it was that it’s easier to be resilient and hang in there in difficult situations when you know Hayden or Ponting or Gilchrist can smash bowlers out of the attack or when Warne and McGrath can run through the top order batsmen in a few overs.