Yet more self-inflicted pain yesterday.
I keep questioning whether it's one of the three things below;
- The 10% isn't there mentally at the moment (not aggressive enough in the boxes)
- Injuries and the patchwork nature of our team throughout this season
- Players just worn out
Palace were incredibly deep, but arguably well set up. We did the hardest part, which was establishing a two goal lead. They were still time-wasting in the 76th minute before the first goal!
Pep often says he won't make changes because the players are doing ok, or controlling the game. At 70 minutes we were in control, but there was a clear complacency setting in, on the pitch and in the stands. That ridiculous phone light thing (which we've had in the past from groups of kids on a school trip in a CL dead rubber) and our football just went off a cliff, playing in a dire horseshoe shape - Dias to Ake, Ake to Gvardiol and the back the way to Walker.
There was a time to make changes, maybe Kovacic and Nunes to either alter the defending Palace had to do, or give us more running power. Rico had done well, but we weren't causing them problems anymore. After his goal we barely had a shot.
The first goal is dire - play into the big man and work off him, no pressure on the ball and then Walker & Dias allow them into the space for the cross.
Once that went in, we lost control of the game. Palace were getting out too easy, made subs to give them impetus and then got their break with the penalty. Stupid giveaways from Foden & Bernardo and caught out yet again.
I don't think you can't go through a PL game making minimal changes anymore - other teams will make 5 subs and change the game. Look through this season - even Bournemouth at 4-0 down brought on reasonable quality and went for it.
We did have another midfield and attack combination yesterday, but there was depth there to make subs across the pitch.
There is a definite complacency at the moment - remember Pep and his 'happy flowers team' comments? It's worth looking up, because we're in the same spot now.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...all-news/pep-guardiola-man-city-news-26103284
I really struggle with the exodus at 38-40 minutes and on 90 minutes yesterday. We were 2-1 up in a must-win game, yet people just left in droves. But the players and the crowd work from each other - is it the dire football from 70 minutes that forced that, or just a general complacency across all of us?
Pep, the players and the supporters - we all need that fire back.
