It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[Alexia_Ko]

Last year worked because players not in the starting eleven stepped up when they got their chance. Always thought that about Utd back in the day. It's what my dad spoke of about AC Milan in the 90s. How difficult it would be to keep the players in the stands happy.

Doing so, whilst maintaining that feat of having people step up, is incredibly difficult.

Players that have stepped up want assurances. They aren't forthcoming, because it would undermine the thing that makes it work. That is what is biting, right now.

There is no formula for making this whole thing work that I'm aware of. It's a player by player thing in the squad, so
I'm pretty open minded as to what we do in the market from here.

Having said that, we should certainly make sure we are strong enough to take the title, knowing it is still a very hard league.

And I do think we must take another shot at the CL, it is looking so inviting right now, the club will likely never have another period where a fairly average Real Madrid side are the biggest rivals.

Gomez, Philips and Palmer didn't step up. They were just there

 

[Fordyboy46]

What’s up with him in terms of development and where he stands as of now ? Is he looking to follow sancho’s path ?

Probably, I expect a European side will snap him up very soon

 

[RobinHood]

What about the ffp cheats?

Like it!!

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Lost Saliba, fell apart. Mentally weak squad.
Arsenal will be in a battle for top 4/5 regardless of who they sign.

Any team that finishes above City will win the league.

Maybe it’s true that anyone finishing above us will win it but if we do win I doubt it will be as easy as you suggest.
The Arse being mentally weak is just a lazy argument - they have a young team who suffered a bit from experience but don’t forget they were 1 game ( v City at home) away from making life very hard for us. That 3-1 win was a real turning point

 

[MadchesterCity]

With due respect, I don’t have the energy to discuss Sergio Gomez. The guy will not be staying, that is so fuc… obvious. I have met people who were fooled by players’ performances at World Cup but at Euros U21 is a bit much. But then you mention his performance in the FA Cup semifinal claiming many considered him MOTM when it was Mahrez who was widely regarded that for his hat-trick. That semifinal was against a second division side missing top players. Vinny can have him if he wants; a team just promoted may be closer to his level. City isn’t a Telethon, the standard required is high. I have no intention of writing about Sergio Gomez until the point of wishing him good luck at the next club in a month. See you then

I suspect you’ll be disappointed and we’ll see plenty of him this season

 

[Lavinda Past]

Maybe it’s true that anyone finishing above us will win it but if we do win I doubt it will be as easy as you suggest.
The Arse being mentally weak is just a lazy argument - they have a young team who suffered a bit from experience but don’t forget they were 1 game ( v City at home) away from making life very hard for us. That 3-1 win was a real turning point

They made it hard for themselves. If we're being honest, it was more a case of Arsenal losing the league than us winning it.
They got near the finishing post and started to panic when Saliba got injured. Liverpool did the same after Gerrard slipped. The rags did it after 93:20... Ferguson went into panic mode to win the league the next season and caused the hopefully irreparable damage to the squad that we've seen since then.

Thanks to Pep, City are the only current team with the ability and mentality to eat up a large points gap. Other teams genuinely fear City. That will be the case as long as Pep is at the club. What happens after Pep is anyone's guess, but as matters stand, only a fool would bet against City repeating the treble next season.

 

[Coatigan]

The yearly illusion of thinking the Academy kid or loanee will play a significant role. This summer it’s Bobb. I’d be surprised if he’s still in the squad in September. Another “highly rated” to go on loan in the second division. Better that than staying and not playing

There is of course that. But then, there is also Rico Lewis. And Phil Foden who has come through and is now a first team player.

Last year everyone was expecting Palmer to have a significant role in the team, and I was among those arguing that was far fetched. While he did not, he wasn't exactly unused either. Nobody saw Rico coming, and he played a big part. What's to say another won't this year.

I am not arguing the club won't sign top players based on expectations of the academy kids btw. Just that some do have a role, and impact a season.

 

[blueparrot]

They made it hard for themselves. If we're being honest, it was more a case of Arsenal losing the league than us winning it.
They got near the finishing post and started to panic when Saliba got injured. Liverpool did the same after Gerrard slipped. The rags did it after 93:20... Ferguson went into panic mode to win the league the next season and caused the hopefully irreparable damage to the squad that we've seen since then.

Thanks to Pep, City are the only current team with the ability and mentality to eat up a large points gap. Other teams genuinely fear City. That will be the case as long as Pep is at the club. What happens after Pep is anyone's guess, but as matters stand, only a fool would bet against City repeating the treble next season.

Think there is now a fear among other clubs that if they can’t get a lead of over 10 points going into the last 10 games or so we’ll chase them down that eats into their confidence.
I liken it to the 10,000 m when Mo Farrer was at his peak. No matter how far a runner was in front they were constantly waiting and tightening waiting to hear Mo behind them closing down and just waiting to cruise past on the last lap.

 

[BamberBridgeBlue]

Don’t be silly. They were a huge challenge last season.

No domestic cup run or Champions League at the end of the season to worry about. Just 2-3 months of pure Premier League and they collapsed like an old flan in the back of a kitchen cupboard. Some of the games they won they had to come from behind in. Zinchenko displayed his emotional immaturity for all to see when their backs were against the wall. Just the same Arsenal as towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure. Flatter to deceive until Easter.

 

[richards30]

Is the bell still broken? ;-)