Feelings towards the current side

[eyalluvitt]

Defence

Midfield

Attack

 

[mccity]

Back in the 2017 part of 16/17, especially after we went out of the FA Cup to Arsenal, anyone not named Touré, Aguero, or Jesus had a bunch of people on here saying how little they liked them anymore, or that they weren't good enough, or blah blah...

That includes De Bruyne, Silva, Kompany, Fernandinho and others. It wasn't everybody felt that way about all of them, but they all had detractors. Except for the three above.

One year later the feeling was certainly different.

I'm just saying don't confuse disappointment with a less than perfect run of form and less than perfect level of performances (in this COVID defined season especially!) for a feeling of apathy or disdain or even indifference to the current crop of players.

 

[samarasra]

People have different outcomes on this, Personally I've played against close friends in football matches and wouldn't see them as a mate during the game or after a handshake at most, That tonight after the game I thought was pathetic. But that's modern day football unfortunately so we may get used to it. They are all kissing and hugging getting 200k whilst we are at home on minimum wage getting wound up.

Nothing modern day about Buzzer and George Best's friendship. Best, best man at his wedding + 7 Utd players at his wedding. Players clubbing and socialising together, it's amyh that it is a modern phenomenon.

 

[mccity]

Nothing modern day about Buzzer and George Best's friendship. Best, best man at his wedding + 7 Utd players at his wedding. Players clubbing and socialising together, it's amyh that it is a modern phenomenon.

Most footballers care a lot less about these things than people realise. Especially in England. It might be a bit sad but it's just how it is.

 

[Scottyboi]

Back in the 2017 part of 16/17, especially after we went out of the FA Cup to Arsenal, anyone not named Touré, Aguero, or Jesus had a bunch of people on here saying how little they liked them anymore, or that they weren't good enough, or blah blah...

That includes De Bruyne, Silva, Kompany, Fernandinho and others. It wasn't everybody felt that way about all of them, but they all had detractors. Except for the three above.

One year later the feeling was certainly different.

I'm just saying don't confuse disappointment with a less than perfect run of form and less than perfect level of performances (in this COVID defined season especially!) for a feeling of apathy or disdain or even indifference to the current crop of players.

We were just as bad last season this isn't a blip.

 

[samarasra]

Everything you say is correct. But we will never see the likes of our 2017/18 team again. That one season was the best in history by any English team and the following season was almost on a par. I am not being pessimistic for the future just realistic. No team will ever reach 100 points again. It is a unique record that will last centuries after we have all gone.
Like most people on here I have followed City through thick and thin and I won't be giving up on them anytime soon. My expectation for the future is a team that often wins trophies and is always in the mix. Our current team is evolving and I believe we will pick up at least one more trophy this year, possibly the CL. Perhaps we won't be as good to watch but I'll enjoy it just the same.

Agree with you. except your long term forecast that 100 points record will last for centuries I hope we will be targeting it every season. As you say the reality is we are evolving, when you drain the talent pool of 17/18 it takes a while for the level to build again and it is not possible to have like for like replacements. Looking forward to watching the process for as long as possible.

 

[mccity]

We were just as bad last season this isn't a blip.

We weren't great in 2012/13 but then we were in 2013/14. We weren't great in 2014/15, 2015/16, or 2016/17, but then we were in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

It's not about the form, it's about the personnel. In the past decade we've had players that at times looked like they were no longer cut out for it, only to go on and play key roles in future successes, and vice versa importantly.

After 2016/17 it only took a couple of touches to the squad for us to become elite. A lot of the players people felt apathy towards all of a sudden became class. It's not that they magically just became good either; they just needed the platform.

This past seasons and a bit has been the reverse. It's still the same players, they still have the same quality. It's just not translated too well to success, but it's not like they're duds either.



And besides, how bad are we really? We got 81 points last season which is more than any previous City side that has failed to win the league has got. And we were comfortably ahead of 3rd. We scored over 100 goals and our keeper won the golden glove. We won a trophy, made another QF and a semi-final.

This season started a bit shakily, and the effects of fixture congestion and no preseason have hurt our game more than most teams and more than most realise. And yet we've comfortably topped our CL group, become defensively solid (we are joint top of the clean sheets table and we are getting them quickly, plus we currently have the 2nd best defence in the league), and we're not exactly too far off of the pace at the top. And this is with us losing our unique playmaker in Silva. And we also had no strikers for a while, and now we have one back but the other is a rather good player to be missing too.

It might not happen, but I think this crop of players easily has it in them to be very successful. Which is why even if you're disappointed with how things are, I don't think it's worth being apathetic or whatever towards the players.

 

[Bill Walker]

Absolutely, the only players I'd be gutted about losing as the current squad stands are Kev, Foden and Dias. Everyone else has a price for me and if a good offer came in we should consider selling. Sterling very high up on that list and if someone offers between 80-100m we should seriously consider it

Ederson, Aguero ?

 

[itisrising]

Back in the 2017 part of 16/17, especially after we went out of the FA Cup to Arsenal, anyone not named Touré, Aguero, or Jesus had a bunch of people on here saying how little they liked them anymore, or that they weren't good enough, or blah blah...

That includes De Bruyne, Silva, Kompany, Fernandinho and others. It wasn't everybody felt that way about all of them, but they all had detractors. Except for the three above.

One year later the feeling was certainly different.

I'm just saying don't confuse disappointment with a less than perfect run of form and less than perfect level of performances (in this COVID defined season especially!) for a feeling of apathy or disdain or even indifference to the current crop of players.

I get your point but I think this is a bit different in my case atleast.

The timescale of apathy has been over a year and, thinking back to previous years, I've never felt that way about our side. If most of these players were sold like Rodri, Mahrez, Cancelo, Mendy, Gundogan etc, I am totally indifferent. We've had less successful years but there is no way I would feel the same if that was Kun, Silva, Zaba, NDJ, Kompany even Hart. The lack of connection to most of these players is startling atleast in my personal case.

 

[itisrising]

Ederson, Aguero ?

Aguero is gonna hurt every blue but he's not really a sellable asset alongside Fernandinho as they're coming to the end of their careers.

Ederson is fine but it wouldn't be close to losing Hart for me.

 

[SidJames]

I am worried Foden is going to want out.

If i was him,i would have had enough of watching players like Mahrez,Sterling, get the nod over him.

Dortmund will be sniffing around next.

Not sure wtf is going on with Pep regards Foden.

I read a post on the match thread.A poster said we might not see Foden late on in the Derby,because he might score,and that would reflect bad on Pep,then he would have to play him more.

Hate to say this,but it did get me thinking.

Pep has one hell of an Ego to feed,Foden does himself no favors every time he comes on and scores.

 

[mccity]

I get your point but I think this is a bit different in my case atleast.

The timescale of apathy has been over a year and, thinking back to previous years, I've never felt that way about our side. If most of these players were sold like Rodri, Mahrez, Cancelo, Mendy, Gundogan etc, I am totally indifferent. We've had less successful years but there is no way I would feel the same if that was Kun, Silva, Zaba, NDJ, Kompany even Hart. The lack of connection to most of these players is startling atleast in my personal case.

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't think it would be right of me to try and convince you to change your mind on that. It seems more intimate (is that the right word?) than what I was addressing. But it's nice that you're open about that.


Maybe watch some of the youtube videos City put out? It might help you get to know the players on a more personal level.

I think you'd be surprised how attached a lot of the players are to the club. Particularly after 18/19 (the media love in of Liverpool got them all to become real bitter Berts) and last year after the CAS thing.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you rediscover your feelings towards the players.

 

[Easy]

We have improved a lot defensively now we need to score goals.

Simply not clinical enough right now.

 

[Keeper!]

I am worried Foden is going to want out.

If i was him,i would have had enough of watching players like Mahrez,Sterling, get the nod over him.

Dortmund will be sniffing around next.

Not sure wtf is going on with Pep regards Foden.

I read a post on the match thread.A poster said we might not see Foden late on in the Derby,because he might score,and that would reflect bad on Pep,then he would have to play him more.

Hate to say this,but it did get me thinking.

Pep has one hell of an Ego to feed,Foden does himself no favors every time he comes on and scores.

He is a young player, outstanding talent but very inconsistent as you would expect.

He will get his chance to be a regular in this side when he is ready.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I am worried Foden is going to want out.

If i was him,i would have had enough of watching players like Mahrez,Sterling, get the nod over him.

Dortmund will be sniffing around next.

Not sure wtf is going on with Pep regards Foden.

I read a post on the match thread.A poster said we might not see Foden late on in the Derby,because he might score,and that would reflect bad on Pep,then he would have to play him more.

Hate to say this,but it did get me thinking.

Pep has one hell of an Ego to feed,Foden does himself no favors every time he comes on and scores.

Well done.....while i agree we need to see more of Foden,that is some fanciful bollocks right there.

 

[FantasyIreland]

In answer to the question......

 

[urban genie]

I feel as I do about any city side I have watched over the last 39 years,

 

[Tugay One Cup]

He is a young player, outstanding talent but very inconsistent as you would expect.

He will get his chance to be a regular in this side when he is ready.

He's been incredibly consistent. Up until this season, that is.

To my plebian untrained eye, it looks like his development has just stopped in its tracks. I wonder why that could be.

 

[FantasyIreland]

He is a young player, outstanding talent but very inconsistent as you would expect.

He will get his chance to be a regular in this side when he is ready.

No more inconsistent,and far more effective,than any of Bernie.Mahrez or Sterling.

That reasoning doesn't cut it for me.

 

[Whether or not]

The current squad is lacking a bit in personality and charisma and that combined with empty stadiums has the whole thing feeling flat. Players like Zabba, Kompany, Yaya, Silva were adored by supporters. With the exception of Sergio I’m not sure the current squad has that relationship with the fans. Even KDB our best player and world class comes across as fed up whenever he is interviewed. Mendy is obviously a character, but sadly a bang average footballer.