Hard To Be Here

[jimharri]

Our squad cost is heading towards £1.5bn. CL qualification should be the least we expect.

Quick question; when the media mention how much our squad cost (Ian Darke, come on down!), this place goes absolutely ballistic. Is it different, then, when we do it?

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

Surely making the Champions League isn't that poor. Getting relegated, now that's poor.

What gets me is how fast some have turned on the players, and pep, just because things aren’t going exactly how they want. It’s like the last 9 years under pep haven’t happened, and he’s just a bad, lingering stench.

Football fans, some of them, are extremely fickle and in our case, borderline entitled. Raggish, if you will.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

The number of times Pep has been questioned in the last 10 years is amazing.

It’s human nature but one thing I’m sure of is that when the next manager takes over a lot will be begging for a season like the current one never mind the other nine.

As a FOC who first watched City in 1954, I am one of the luckiest supporters ever imo.

Firstly to have seen City win the FA Cup in 1956, then the great period of the Mercer/Allison alliance and then the take over by Sheik Mansoor and everything that has ensued.

So I can accept we cannot win everything year-on-year, and also that tactics and performances will fall below certain levels, accept the frustrations, and look forward to every game, knowing what a great club I support.

Hence the sanguine approach that riles and upsets so many on here, but who cares ?

Certainly not this happy clapper.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Quick question; when the media mention how much our squad cost (Ian Darke, come on down!), this place goes absolutely ballistic. Is it different, then, when we do it?

The difference is that the media do it very selectively. But it's a fact, and one we used to have a go at united over. There's a demonstrable correlation between squad cost/wages and success.

 

[Ban-jani]

What gets me is how fast some have turned on the players, and pep, just because things aren’t going exactly how they want. It’s like the last 9 years under pep haven’t happened, and he’s just a bad, lingering stench.

Football fans, some of them, are extremely fickle and in our case, borderline entitled. Raggish, if you will.

I agree that some have lost the plot because of our success, however it’s reasonable to critique his recent team selections and tactics. I’m perfectly happy with 2nd and going far in all cup competitions, as long as we win one, what I am not happy with is watching Haaland stink the place out every week and Cherki getting barely any minutes when he’s our best attacking threat.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Our squad cost is heading towards £1.5bn. CL qualification should be the least we expect.

How do the rags square that circle ?

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

I agree that some have lost the plot because of our success, however it’s reasonable to critique his recent team selections and tactics. I’m perfectly happy with 2nd and going far in all cup competitions, as long as we win one, what I am not happy with is watching Haaland stink the place out every week and Cherki getting barely any minutes when he’s our best attacking threat.

Very reasonable take.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Our squad cost is heading towards £1.5bn. CL qualification should be the least we expect.

Is the difference now that we expect, rather than hope for?

That’s entitlement, isn’t it?

 

[jimharri]

I agree that some have lost the plot because of our success, however it’s reasonable to critique his recent team selections and tactics. I’m perfectly happy with 2nd and going far in all cup competitions, as long as we win one, what I am not happy with is watching Haaland stink the place out every week and Cherki getting barely any minutes when he’s our best attacking threat.

Problem is, a lot of it is not "critique", it's outright abuse. Not just of Guardiola, by the way, but the whole squad. It's a matter of time before the tea ladies and programme sellers cop in for the same treatment. By all means, criticise them. They deserve it. But mindless abuse adds nothing to the conversation, in my opinion.

 

[eastmanc]

What gets me is how fast some have turned on the players, and pep, just because things aren’t going exactly how they want. It’s like the last 9 years under pep haven’t happened, and he’s just a bad, lingering stench.

Football fans, some of them, are extremely fickle and in our case, borderline entitled. Raggish, if you will.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[eastmanc]

Quick question; when the media mention how much our squad cost (Ian Darke, come on down!), this place goes absolutely ballistic. Is it different, then, when we do it?

Not spent anywhere near a few sides I could mention.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Is the difference now that we expect, rather than hope for?

That’s entitlement, isn’t it?

No. It's expectation. There will always be blips but over a season you'd expect us to at least get close to winning most of the trophies on offer.

 

[Ban-jani]

Problem is, a lot of it is not "critique", it's outright abuse. Not just of Guardiola, by the way, but the whole squad. It's a matter of time before the tea ladies and programme sellers cop in for the same treatment. By all means, criticise them. They deserve it. But mindless abuse adds nothing to the conversation, in my opinion.

I agree with you.

Although those tea ladies have been getting away with murder for too long.

 

[jimharri]

Not spent anywhere near a few sides I could mention.

Don’t be telling me; I didn't bring up the subject!

;-)

 

[Lord Blue]

Given where we are right now, I’d be very happy with beating Arsenal twice and CL qualification

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

What gets me is how fast some have turned on the players, and pep, just because things aren’t going exactly how they want. It’s like the last 9 years under pep haven’t happened, and he’s just a bad, lingering stench.

Football fans, some of them, are extremely fickle and in our case, borderline entitled. Raggish, if you will.

They have kidded themselves that exceptional period was the norm and therefore struggle to process reality.

We used to have the most resilient fans in football, but now we are collectively much more fragile. It’s arguably inevitable from some quarters, of course. It’s merely a function of the unparalleled success we have enjoyed, combined with some individuals’ mental weakness.

 

[jimharri]

Given where we are right now, I’d be very happy with beating Arsenal twice and CL qualification

Look; if we want common sense, we'll ask for it. Okay?

;-)

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

No. It's expectation. There will always be blips but over a season you'd expect us to at least get close to winning most of the trophies on offer.

I’m not there yet, happily. I’ll always hope for the best, rather than expect we pretty much win all the time.

Where’s the happiness where a win is expected and anything else is failure? Wins should be enjoyed and savoured.

If I was on the board, I’d expect more than hope for, but I’m not.

 

[jimharri]

For anyone who reckoned we were shit last night (and let's be honest, we weren't very good), try being a Spurs fan. They really are woeful.



Apart from twice in the season, obviously!

 

[Donmcfc]

Problem is, a lot of it is not "critique", it's outright abuse. Not just of Guardiola, by the way, but the whole squad. It's a matter of time before the tea ladies and programme sellers cop in for the same treatment. By all means, criticise them. They deserve it. But mindless abuse adds nothing to the conversation, in my opinion.

What's happened to the word criticism?