Pep Guardiola - 2020/21 Performances

[Javi Garcia's Hairstylist]

The Garcia thing is what utterly does my head in.

So you have a choice of him versus Stones.

Garcia doesn't want to "be seduced" or even be here at all. And is shit.

Stones puts out that he wants to stay and fight. And maybe he is shit also, but even as recently as the domestic treble season we were thinking him + LaPorte had us set for a decade. What went wrong with Stones? Confidence has often been cited as a reason.

What does Pep do? Elevates Garcia who (IMO) has no business being on the pitch and no future value to us as a player or transfer. Over Stones who quite possibly could have had such value. Whilst also surely doing in whatever Stones had left in the confidence department.

Fucking brilliant.

 

[Mr HJ]

Do you seriously believe Pep would get praise in here should he do what you suggest and results don't go our way. Can you see posters saying, it's OK Pep, we can take defeat because you are transitioning towards a youthful set up. No, neither can I.

No but I believe there are many fans who understand that when you bring a group of younger players into a team you have to be patient and can't expect to have the sort of runs - 10 wins in a row - that we had 2 and 3 years ago. It's about creating a style of play and the results will come. For me we have a fantastic core of talented young players we need to add a top drawer striker which will cost a record amount - it's kind of a different strategy. Maybe the club were thinking of this with the pursuit of Messi?

I am optimistic we can still win the league this year but we have to play with more speed and get shut of players who make us so slow despite having lots of possession. It's far easier as a coach to set up a defence to nullify us when we play so slowly - time and speed is everything. We no longer have the Silva, Toure & Nasri three who would move the ball in triangles but would always then create a good chance to score at the end of it. That style of play left opposition breathing out of their arses trying to close them down. They are in the past and I don't see any of that with the likes of Mahrez in the team. It's only my opinion that we have to change something sharpish or we could find ourselves struggling to reach the top 4.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I sense this is his final season. :(

I've not been fussed about that for about a year now. Maybe part of that is that I never expected him to stay beyond three seasons anyway. It will be sad because he's been in charge for the most successful period in our history and our two title winning seasons were absolutely unreal.

But at the end of the day, I'm bored and frustrated most of the time when I watch us and those moments where we play incredible football are just getting further and further apart.

It's clearly not all down to him but I think rather than offering him the chance of rebuild, we should consider whether he's a part of the reason we need one. I'd like to see someone with fresh ideas and who can light a fire under everyone's arse again because I don't see that right now and haven't for quite a while.

You get one off games like Arsenal where he shows exactly why he is who he is but it's just not working as consistently as it needs to anymore.

 

[mosssideblue]

No but I believe there are many fans who understand that when you bring a group of younger players into a team you have to be patient and can't expect to have the sort of runs - 10 wins in a row - that we had 2 and 3 years ago. It's about creating a style of play and the results will come. For me we have a fantastic core of talented young players we need to add a top drawer striker which will cost a record amount - it's kind of a different strategy. Maybe the club were thinking of this with the pursuit of Messi?

I am optimistic we can still win the league this year but we have to play with more speed and get shut of players who make us so slow despite having lots of possession. It's far easier as a coach to set up a defence to nullify us when we play so slowly - time and speed is everything. We no longer have the Silva, Toure & Nasri three who would move the ball in triangles but would always then create a good chance to score at the end of it. That style of play left opposition breathing out of their arses trying to close them down. They are in the past and I don't see any of that with the likes of Mahrez in the team. It's only my opinion that we have to change something sharpish or we could find ourselves struggling to reach the top 4.

My post was implying that no matter what Pep and the players do, as soon as we have a bad patch, people revel in throwing their toys out. Criticism when constructive is fine, but we have far too many posting in here not capable of that. (not aimed at you btw), and it simply drags the forum down.

 

[Mr HJ]

My post was implying that no matter what Pep and the players do, as soon as we have a bad patch, people revel in throwing their toys out. Criticism when constructive is fine, but we have far too many posting in here not capable of that. (not aimed at you btw), and it simply drags the forum down.

I'd agree - when I see calls for Pep to go or Rodri is the worst player ever it's like many think we are entitled to win all the time. I just want a solution mainly using the players we already have. Torres looks very exciting, is young and raring to go yet didn't get on when we are a team desperately needing more threat - 8 goals in 5 games is a big drop off from the last few years. I guess it's about looking at posters who look for positives rather than those who just type "we are shit, get rid." We all know who those are ha!

 

[eastmanc]

The Garcia thing is what utterly does my head in.

So you have a choice of him versus Stones.

Garcia doesn't want to "be seduced" or even be here at all. And is shit.

Stones puts out that he wants to stay and fight. And maybe he is shit also, but even as recently as the domestic treble season we were thinking him + LaPorte had us set for a decade. What went wrong with Stones? Confidence has often been cited as a reason.

What does Pep do? Elevates Garcia who (IMO) has no business being on the pitch and no future value to us as a player or transfer. Over Stones who quite possibly could have had such value. Whilst also surely doing in whatever Stones had left in the confidence department.

Fucking brilliant.

Stones should be picked over Garcia every time, he’s more experienced, better footballer, he is taller and better in the air and a better defender in my humble opinion. Obviously Pep doesn’t agree with me. He also wants to play for Manchester City.

 

[Javi Garcia's Hairstylist]

Stones should be picked over Garcia every time, he’s more experienced, better footballer, he is taller and better in the air and a better defender in my humble opinion. Obviously Pep doesn’t agree with me. He also wants to play for Manchester City.

This point alone should be more or less the end of discussion - assuming Stones and Garcia were anywhere near of equivalent ability. Even were Garcia slightly better (which he is not) you should still be picking Stones.

I have been one of Pep's biggest fans up until now and this one issue has me absolutely raging. It is tantamount to malpractice as a manager and custodian of the club's valuable assets.

But I guess his thought process is that the lad is a Catlan, and after all, Barca must come first in the heart....

 

[mosssideblue]

Stones should be picked over Garcia every time, he’s more experienced, better footballer, he is taller and better in the air and a better defender in my humble opinion. Obviously Pep doesn’t agree with me. He also wants to play for Manchester City.

Mate, I want to play for Manchester City, but Pep never selects me.

 

[mosssideblue]

This point alone should be more or less the end of discussion - assuming Stones and Garcia were anywhere near of equivalent ability. Even were Garcia slightly better (which he is not) you should still be picking Stones.

I have been one of Pep's biggest fans up until now and this one issue has me absolutely raging. It is tantamount to malpractice as a manager and custodian of the club's valuable assets.

But I guess his thought process is that the lad is a Catlan, and after all, Barca must come first in the heart....

hat a load of nonsense.

Before you ask - all of it

 

[Javi Garcia's Hairstylist]

hat a load of nonsense.

Before you ask - all of it

If instead it was Eric Deveraux wanting to run down his contract and go back to PSG - you think he gets anywhere near the team?

Garcia is treated differently because of who he is and where he is from. For me it is nonsense to assert otherwise.

Look at how Sane (actually a good player) got frozen out when he made it evident he wasn't renewing.

 

[Shirley]

If instead it was Eric Deveraux wanting to run down his contract and go back to PSG - you think he gets anywhere near the team?

Garcia is treated differently because of who he is and where he is from. For me it is nonsense to assert otherwise.

Look at how Sane (actually a good player) got frozen out when he made it evident he wasn't renewing.

It does make one wonder if there has been a deal struck with Barca or its simply brown envelopes.

 

[domalino]

If instead it was Eric Deveraux wanting to run down his contract and go back to PSG - you think he gets anywhere near the team?

Garcia is treated differently because of who he is and where he is from. For me it is nonsense to assert otherwise.

Look at how Sane (actually a good player) got frozen out when he made it evident he wasn't renewing.

I thought it was absolutely outrageous that Pep didn't play Sané at all in his last season. Freezing him out like that was awful.

 

[Semper aggressus]

He's hindered by injuries and the number of games, but he does make some bizarre selections in my opinion.

I'm surprised he didn't think we needed another striker or given Delap more games. Sterling is not a striker.

Garcia is utter wank.

Rodri is like an old person on a stroll through a national trust garden.

Mahrez is a greedy twat.

But the real issue is not addressing those weaknesses in the transfer window. We need to stop being satisfied or "so so happy" and get more ambitious and aggressive both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Garcia is treated differently because of who he is and where he is from. For me it is nonsense to assert otherwise.

Is it possible that Pep actually thinks the team he is putting out is the best.
He hasn't bought too many Catalan/Spanish players.
He preferred to bring on Zinchenko to Torres yesterday.
I wouldn't have Garcia playing instead of Stones purely from a football perspective but Pep doesn't agree.
The Garcia selection is annoying and cannot be good for team morale if you have players informing the club that they want out at the end of their contract.
Mahrez in particular took this approach with Leicester and Sterling did also. They weren't too popular either with their old clubs.

Pep is stubborn but should be aware every club wants to see players wearing their heart on the sleeve.
I am surprised that someone hasn't whispered in his ear that Garcia should be gone by now.
Trifling over a small fee but still letting Adarabioyo go for about 2 million.

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

He's hindered by injuries and the number of games, but he does make some bizarre selections in my opinion.

I'm surprised he didn't think we needed another striker or given Delap more games. Sterling is not a striker.

Garcia is utter wank.

Rodri is like an old person on a stroll through a national trust garden.

Mahrez is a greedy twat.

But the real issue is not addressing those weaknesses in the transfer window. We need to stop being satisfied or "so so happy" and get more ambitious and aggressive both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

Top post semper

 

[Saddleworth2]

Is it possible that Pep actually thinks the team he is putting out is the best.
He hasn't bought too many Catalan/Spanish players.
He preferred to bring on Zinchenko to Torres yesterday.
I wouldn't have Garcia playing instead of Stones purely from a football perspective but Pep doesn't agree.
The Garcia selection is annoying and cannot be good for team morale if you have players informing the club that they want out at the end of their contract.
Mahrez in particular took this approach with Leicester and Sterling did also. They weren't too popular either with their old clubs.

Pep is stubborn but should be aware every club wants to see players wearing their heart on the sleeve.
I am surprised that someone hasn't whispered in his ear that Garcia should be gone by now.
Trifling over a small fee but still letting Adarabioyo go for about 2 million.

Letting a city loving lad like Toisin go who wasn't given a chance to show what he could do whilst continuing to pick a mediocre player who has constantly said they would rather be somewhere else is a little baffling. Its not like Adarabioya lacked talent.

 

[waspish]

Pep would come away from yesterday’s game as he got it right because he will think sterling take one of those 2 chances near the end of the game and we would of won that’s the mentality of a winner.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Letting a city loving lad like Toisin go who wasn't given a chance to show what he could do whilst continuing to pick a mediocre player who has constantly said they would rather be somewhere else is a little baffling. Its not like Adarabioya lacked talent.

You're right.
From both a commercial view and and youth morale it was more sensible to sell Garcia and keep Tosin.
2m for Tosin I believe.
Its just annoying that there is no one at the club that seems to see that the your average supporter would love to see up and coming talent be given a chance.
I am sure Tosin would have liked to play for City every bit as much as Garcia wants to play for Barcelona.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Pep would come away from yesterday’s game as he got it right because he will think sterling take one of those 2 chances near the end of the game and we would of won that’s the mentality of a winner.

If that was me or you we should come back thinking my boss is going to kick me up the hole as I have no attacker playing that can score a simple chance.

 

[purplenose]

Pep would come away from yesterday’s game as he got it right because he will think sterling take one of those 2 chances near the end of the game and we would of won that’s the mentality of a winner.

The problem is he has had plenty of time to realise that Sterling by and large needs more than a couple of chances and not half chances that need to be taken if you are to win the league or anything else for that matter.

Pep has been fantastic for us. Is he running out of ideas? Is he fatigued? Hardly time for calling for his head but I do think that the club and Pep are at a cross roads and both need to think very carefully about what they want from here.

Its clear that there is still someway to go rebuilding our team yet not so clear as to what the thinking is going forward. It was in my book very poor management from top to bottom to have not addressed the defensive problems prior to Kompany leaving. Only now over a year later do we seem to have made a decent effort to sort what was a bit of a shambles out.

The same thing now seems to be happening up front, when in truth its been clear for some time that Aguero is coming toward the end and cannot be relied on as our main striker even for one more season, Jesus is not the answer, knackered or otherwise, neither is Sterling. So we now have a team who not long ago would score 6 or 7 for fun looking pretty toothless up front. I cannot see where the goals to get us in the top 4 will come from? DeBruyne might get 10 for the season, Foden a few more perhaps, and thats in all competitions.