Following the recent Arsenal match, I wrote that whatever happens in the end, I will applaud. That's where I stand. Zero complaints from the team, the boys did their best, clearly overachieving...
As for the club's management, the following are well known facts before a ball is even kicked:
- Zero or very little rest / preseason, 6 years in a row.
- Every team will raise their game playing against us, we are their WC Final.
- Zero protection from refs, constantly fucked from officials during the last 10 consecutive seasons.
All the above (as well as other data) should be considered as input in the procedure of designing your strategic plan. They never have. Never. On the contrary, what we have witnessed is the development of a culture within City's hierarchy: Don't worry, take it easy, Pep will find a solution. He has indeed, provided solutions to every fucking kind of limitations, you name it. It doesn't make the club right though. It's exactly the "logic" that brought us where we are today...
If I start summarising the "highlights" of the season, this post will never end. Just to make a point:
- Arsenal away (draw): Same lineup for 3rd consecutive match in the space of 7 days, the team a moving hospital. We could hardly walk, never mind run. Nevertheless the manager had to wait until 87' to bring Savio on, apparently he could not trust the boy in such a stadium, in such a game -and he was right, of course. At the same time, his colleague had the luxury of bringing players like Saka, Eze (HG, apparently considered surplus for City), Martinelli, from the bench. No comment...
- Villa away: We started with Oscar Bob. Oscar Bob does not start for Emery's team. He simply doesn't. In fact, Oscar Bob does not have a place in Emery's bench, at that moment of time. In 2, 4, 6 months, after 1 year, who knows? We'll never find out. You see, the club decided it wasn't worth waiting for Oscar's progress any more, he's no longer with us. By the way, we also started with Savio and Reijnders in midfield, in that match. But we're never getting those points back. No further comment...
- Newcastle away: Working with Pep, Nico G has shown clear signs of improvement. We do not win without him vs Bournemouth, as well as vs Liverpool at home, earlier in the season. And then we travel to St James' Park. Were we fucked by the ref? Absolutely. Fact remains, however, that Nico G does not start ahead of Guimaraes, neither does he start ahead of Tonali, in Howe's team. We lost there. No further comment...
I can go on and on and on, the thing is, I cannot explain such stuff. We are supposed to compete against the very best, domestically - abroad. How can this be possible for a club like City? Not Wolves, not WH, not Southampton. But City. Has our mission statement changed? Is our primary objective to develop players, and win something, if possible? If that's the case, no problem. But if we are aiming to fight for every fucking trophy in 4 (FOUR) fucking competitions, every fucking season, then this is bizarre. This is wrong, period. Because, guess what, I am not going to blame kids, it's not their fault. Young players need time. But, you see, History does not wait for you. History will indeed punish you for disrespecting football at the highest level. I mean, even the ones who have made gigantic steps forward under Pep, like NOR, for example. Remember Chelsea's equalizer at home, in injury time? Inexperience costs, I'm sorry. Especially when combined with fatigue, it can prove to be fatal...
We have been playing football in slow motion for years. Emphasising on control, keeping the rhythm as slow as possible. Keeping the ball, basically. So that opposistion does not have it. If they do, they will run, we cannot follow. We cannot run, we cannot accelerate. It becomes existential for us: Runnings are prioritised, "we rest with the ball" (Pep's words). Yet, instead of reflecting on how the fuck 4 in a row (treble included) was even possible in the framework of such a strategy, clowns and trolls will keep asking for a higher pace in our game, will keep asking for direct football, and so on. Nonsense. We cannot do it. We cannot afford to even try it. This is not 2017-18, I'm sorry. Circumstances have changed dramatically...
Lessons have not been learnt by the club's management. We operate in the most demanding league in the world, and we are at war, on - off the pitch. Our planning needs to be perfect. Which means:
- Individual quality matters.
- Size of the squad matters.
Are we willing to finally learn? Until we do, let's enjoy that **** in London celebrating the following days. That **** and the anti-football he represents. Last season was a gift to Slot and Liverpool, this season it was Mikel's and Arsenal's turn...
PS: If I could speak directly to Pep: You know what's going on. You know exactly what's going on. Do not give them the satisfaction.
You know what to do. So does your Chairman.