Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[Charlesfarsbar]

And replaced by whom, exactly?

Exactly , name names who would do a better job …

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Exactly. It's a simple idea: nobody can run as fast as a kicked ball.

There is an exception?

 

[Brewster's millions]

But how realistic is it to maintain that intensity, after many seasons, going deep in every competition (and international tournaments for most players)? I am not remotely surprised they are not fit. They are knackered.

I can understand why players like De Bruyne would be fatigued and why their intensity drops as a result, but even some of the players who have joined in the past couple of seasons seem to lack fitness compared to rival teams.

Kovacic for example always seems to be breathing out of his arse after an hour or so, and I doubt he’s played more football than other top players over the past few years.

We just seem to dismiss the idea of competing physically with sides these days. Guardiola’s answer seems to be that we should just play more passes, which I think just increases our vulnerability to counter attacks.

I would hope given what’s happened this season and with Viana coming in that they’ll be a thorough review of our injury and fitness record in the summer, because we can’t afford to put ourselves at such a disadvantage in terms of fitness levels if we want to get back on top.

 

[Dazzle84]

But how realistic is it to maintain that intensity, after many seasons, going deep in every competition (and international tournaments for most players)? I am not remotely surprised they are not fit. They are knackered.

I agree they're knackered, Silva is an absolute example of this. But any type of refresh in the last couple of years has been a huge fail cause we've bought shit midfielders. Hopefully Gonzales and another in the summer rectify this

 

[sir baconface]

He's had a bad run for the first time in 16 years and you're writing him off.

That is foolish.

Why don’t you fkn read?

Saying he’s currently doing badly isn’t the same as writing him off.

I’m still hoping he can turn things round, even though the signs aren’t good. Why? Because, as already stated, so much has changed and he has yet to adjust. Why not show me how he’s adapting instead of making shit up?

 

[Dobsy]

Why don’t you fkn read?

Saying he’s currently doing badly isn’t the same as writing him off.

I’m still hoping he can turn things round, even though the signs aren’t good. Why? Because, as already stated, so much has changed and he has yet to adjust. Why not show me how he’s adapting instead of making shit up?

The Chelsea win with the different formation gave me cause for optimism.

I also think it's fair to say the standard of the squad and the form of certain players has dropped significantly and that's not all on Pep alone. Just as when we won a lot of things came together to win the treble, a lot of things have unravelled now.

Finally I think the fact he might be struggling needs to be put in the context of his marriage ending after decades together. I would rather stick with Pep for another 2.5 seasons with the form as it is than see him walk. Nobody does it better and we will never have it as good again as we have under him. Nobody ever has.

 

[Ajm1985]

I wonder how Pep will set us up in the big games for the rest of the season. Personally, I'm hoping that we drop a midfielder to the back to help with build up and get width from the FBs - inverting the wingers and being more compact in the middle. The goals against Chelsea were aided by their high line/m2m, but after the initial wobbles, we managed to mitigate their midfield for most of the game by being compact.

When we play Liverpool, I wouldn’t even mind trying something like what Newcastle did against Arsenal

 

[BlueTG]

Time for you to walk.
Our support was built on supporting our team win, lose or draw.
Plenty of other teams you could choose to follow, should you so wish.

Doesn’t mean I can’t have an opinion.

 

[Fordyboy46]

I can understand why players like De Bruyne would be fatigued and why their intensity drops as a result, but even some of the players who have joined in the past couple of seasons seem to lack fitness compared to rival teams.

Kovacic for example always seems to be breathing out of his arse after an hour or so, and I doubt he’s played more football than other top players over the past few years.

We just seem to dismiss the idea of competing physically with sides these days. Guardiola’s answer seems to be that we should just play more passes, which I think just increases our vulnerability to counter attacks.

I would hope given what’s happened this season and with Viana coming in that they’ll be a thorough review of our injury and fitness record in the summer, because we can’t afford to put ourselves at such a disadvantage in terms of fitness levels if we want to get back on top.

Totally agree on our fitness levels, they've been so poor this season and like you say even the ones who haven't played a great deal seem to be struggling. Fitness is only part of the problem though unfortunately, love to know what else has happened

 

[Bluewonder]

Why don’t you fkn read?

Saying he’s currently doing badly isn’t the same as writing him off.

I’m still hoping he can turn things round, even though the signs aren’t good. Why? Because, as already stated, so much has changed and he has yet to adjust. Why not show me how he’s adapting instead of making shit up?

You said:

"Times have changed"
"The world has caught up"
"Everyone runs out of steam eventually"

I can fkn read and you're writing him off.