47 | Phil Foden - 2024/25

Blue_Lightsaber said:
I don't judge someone off of one bad game.. it can happen.. but I think there's something wrong with him.. something physically or medically. I don't know what it is.. I will not speculate.. but he's not the player he was last season physically.

He just seems to be devoid of energy.. doesn't have the willpower or energy to press, get the ball back like he used to and if you remember he used to be our best presser. In fact it was his pressing that benched Sterling.

Even his passes and shots don't come off with the same venom/ authority as before where he could beat defenses.. but instead now they find opposition team players and he's only 24..

I hope our medical staff can fix this or we might actually need another midfielder if it's a really bad injury.
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I think it's a mental thing but it's impacting his whole game and he's letting it stop him from performing. I think we all remember that game against Dortmund where he missed a shed load of chances before finally taking one. Pep commented then on how happy he was because he didn't drop his head, he just kept going and kept trying and believed he could score.

We've seen glimpses of Phil's best but nothing more. Some lovely turns and that ability at the edge of the box to create space and shoot. But it's not flying into the back of the net. But that seems to be leading to him getting frustrated and throwing in the towel rather than working to get the ball back and have another go. He's getting bullied off the ball consistently as well. He's never been the strongest, but it's happening far too often. Just looks like a player lacking in confidence and not responding in the way he needs to.

Would really benefit from some time out of the side to remove the pressure and find his feet again. But if he wants to be the player we all know he can be, he has to get through this quick and kick on. He's only 24 as you say and he's human - he's allowed to lose some form and confidence. It's common in young players. The sign of a great player is how they react and the signs at the moment are worrying. All it takes is one moment and hopefully he gets back.
 
supercity88 said:
He's only 24 as you say and he's human - he's allowed to lose some form and confidence. It's common in young players. The sign of a great player is how they react and the signs at the moment are worrying. All it takes is one moment and hopefully he gets back.
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This is very true. The daughter of one of my colleagues is also 24 and an international for her country. She was playing in the USA but having a torrid time recently, and got a loan to a WSL club till January. I met her a few weeks ago and she was down in the dumps, doubting her ability and talking about giving up.

A few days ago she was playing for her country in a Euros qualifier and scored a belting goal. Suddenly she's not talking about giving up football. The current slump seems to be impacting many of our players but once we eventually put a series of good wins together, hopefully our individual and collective confidence will improve.
 
supercity88 said:
I think it's a mental thing but it's impacting his whole game and he's letting it stop him from performing. I think we all remember that game against Dortmund where he missed a shed load of chances before finally taking one. Pep commented then on how happy he was because he didn't drop his head, he just kept going and kept trying and believed he could score.

We've seen glimpses of Phil's best but nothing more. Some lovely turns and that ability at the edge of the box to create space and shoot. But it's not flying into the back of the net. But that seems to be leading to him getting frustrated and throwing in the towel rather than working to get the ball back and have another go. He's getting bullied off the ball consistently as well. He's never been the strongest, but it's happening far too often. Just looks like a player lacking in confidence and not responding in the way he needs to.

Would really benefit from some time out of the side to remove the pressure and find his feet again. But if he wants to be the player we all know he can be, he has to get through this quick and kick on. He's only 24 as you say and he's human - he's allowed to lose some form and confidence. It's common in young players. The sign of a great player is how they react and the signs at the moment are worrying. All it takes is one moment and hopefully he gets back.
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Agree with the second para - things that were going in last season are going just wide or being well saved. They are only fine margins but make a difference.
 
Man_City_Loyal said:
Born round the corner from me, lived up until recently still round the corner from me/family.

have friends in the same circle, stuff clearly going on outside of football.

But thanks
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Go on then.

Both of you once living in Stockport doesn’t quite do it for me but here’s a chance to redeem yourself with some considered, substantiated info.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
This is very true. The daughter of one of my colleagues is also 24 and an international for her country. She was playing in the USA but having a torrid time recently, and got a loan to a WSL club till January. I met her a few weeks ago and she was down in the dumps, doubting her ability and talking about giving up.

A few days ago she was playing for her country in a Euros qualifier and scored a belting goal. Suddenly she's not talking about giving up football. The current slump seems to be impacting many of our players but once we eventually put a series of good wins together, hopefully our individual and collective confidence will improve.
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Glad to hear she is back on track.

Doesn't take much to knock people off their stride. People are too quick to dismiss players at times. Quality is one aspect, mentality just as vital.

We will all have had ups and downs in our careers. One mistake in my job when I was younger really did weigh heavy. Now I am less affected, largely because of experience and also through simply not giving as much of a shit!

Foden had a remarkable season then looked off it for England. The manager didn't help. He became a scapegoat. He is a young lad with a young family and there could be a number of reasons for the loss of form. But he is one hell of a player and deserves time to get back on track.

How many young players look like world beaters before disappearing into obscurity? With our support we can help Phil turn it around.

There's a collective issue at the moment, it's no time to start firing insults at individuals.
 
sir baconface said:
Shame you didn’t take up the offer.

Unsubstantiated third hand gossip is all you seem to have. If you know more, let’s hear it.
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Ive heard some third hand information, myself. I posted it last week. Good source who says that the stomach illness that was mentioned by Pep back in August/September has not yet been diagnosed and is still bothering Phil.
 
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sir baconface said:
Ah right. Two totally differing pieces of third hand info now.

Any more for any more?
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The other lad is right, there was stuff going on at home a few months ago before he moved house, with Police were involved over noise complaints from his ex-neighbours. Nothing came of it.

That plus he moved house, probably settling in there, shit World Cup bar the Netherlands game, then the stomach illness, and he’s come back into a team that’s all over the shop…
 
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