Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[alexmcity]

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?

We won the Treble 20 months ago, and 4 in a row 9 months ago. Just 5 months ago we were unbeaten in the CL for 26 games, which is an all-time record in Europe.

You seem to imply that football has changed so much over the last year or two that Pep might struggle to get back to the top. That might be the case, who knows?, but it looks like jumping to conclusions.

Our current problems have more to do with injuries, fatigue, and some players getting oldish than with Pep's tactics being surpassed by new developments.

Imo, the likely outcome is that Pep builds another great team over the next 2 seasons. Let's see what happens.

 

[sir baconface]

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.

I’m certainly writing you off.

 

[sir baconface]

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.

Thanks for a reasoned response.

Was Chelsea a real change of tactics or an opportunist response by the players to their suicidal high line and sloppy defending? Ironically, we exploited it the same way as many have cut through ours. Whatever, Arsenal brought us back down to Earth with a bump.

Fair comments about Pep’s private life possibly having a bearing.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

I watched an episode of that Amazon documentary on our 17/18 season the other day. If anyone has access to it on Prime, it’s well worth a watch to help judge where we are at the moment.

I know we were arguably in our pomp then, even if we failed to land the CL, but the difference in the speed of our play and the general fitness of the players between then and now is absolutely startling.

People tend to concentrate on the pace of Sterling and Sane in that side, but the speed and strength of running of the whole team was miles ahead of where we are now. Particularly notable was how much slimmer De Bruyne was back then - he must be a good stone, maybe even two stone heavier now.

Personally I think that a good chunk of our current problems simply relate to a lack of fitness, given our tendency to collapse in the second half. I’d love to know how much actual running and fitness work we do in training, because we simply haven’t looked fit at any stage of this season.

I actually can't bear to watch it anymore, or the Treble documentary. I have experienced real life grief on more than occasion, and I know it sounds very extreme, but the emotions I feel when I see those 'old Pep' teams is akin to a very strong feeling of loss.

I do have a life, but my beloved Blues are a huge part of it. They 'ruined' my life in summer 1983, and I felt very empty for a good few months after that Champs League final loss in 2021. I won't ever forgive Pep for that one, even though I 'love' him.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Thanks for a reasoned response.

Was Chelsea a real change of tactics or an opportunist response by the players to their suicidal high line and sloppy defending? Ironically, we exploited it the same way as many have cut through ours. Whatever, Arsenal brought us back down to Earth with a bump.

Fair comments about Pep’s private life possibly having a bearing.

The marriage break up after so long, whatever the reasons are going to have a huge mental and physical impact on Pep. I've been there decades ago and it takes time and affects all aspects of every day life for months- even if it was a wanted/ unwanted parting of ways.

 

[Dobsy]

Thanks for a reasoned response.

Was Chelsea a real change of tactics or an opportunist response by the players to their suicidal high line and sloppy defending? Ironically, we exploited it the same way as many have cut through ours. Whatever, Arsenal brought us back down to Earth with a bump.

Fair comments about Pep’s private life possibly having a bearing.

Oh I think to be fair with Chelsea I meant more the way he moved the full backs very high and then had Marmoush and Haaland dropping and running in behind alternately. Gvardiol was left back but he kept breaking behind their defensive line in the first half. Nunes actually put in a couple of good crosses from the right which isn't like him.

Agree their high line was suicidal but I gave Pep credit for adjusting to that in game cos we saw a noticeable adjustment in the second half. If that was just improvisation by the players then why didn't they do it in the first half?

They did fall to shit against Arsenal but you were originally asking for evidence of him trying to adjust so that's what I'm pointing out. I'm not saying he's solved it yet but I think it's not reasonable to say he's not showing signs of trying to fix the issues.

More generally I don't care if he doesn't fix it this season. One bad season in nine makes him easily the best City manager of my entire lifetime twice over.

 

[sir baconface]

Oh I think to be fair with Chelsea I meant more the way he moved the full backs very high and then had Marmoush and Haaland dropping and running in behind alternately. Gvardiol was left back but he kept breaking behind their defensive line in the first half. Nunes actually put in a couple of good crosses from the right which isn't like him.

Agree their high line was suicidal but I gave Pep credit for adjusting to that in game cos we saw a noticeable adjustment in the second half. If that was just improvisation by the players then why didn't they do it in the first half?

They did fall to shit against Arsenal but you were originally asking for evidence of him trying to adjust so that's what I'm pointing out. I'm not saying he's solved it yet but I think it's not reasonable to say he's not showing signs of trying to fix the issues.

More generally I don't care if he doesn't fix it this season. One bad season in nine makes him easily the best City manager of my entire lifetime twice over.

I don’t mind one bad season as long as there is evidence of a proper fix. If not, and the evidence so far is thin, I believe he will walk and we’ll have someone new next season. I can live with either although I’d be much happier if he does turn it round and stay longer.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

The marriage break up after so long, whatever the reasons are going to have a huge mental and physical impact on Pep. I've been there decades ago and it takes time and affects all aspects of every day life for months- even if it was a wanted/ unwanted parting of ways.

I'm sure it hit him hard but it won't be so hard as they were already living apart for years.

Think there's degrees of seriousness..

1. completely blindsided and crushed
2. yeah it was expected
3. umm whatever
4. yeah I think divorce is a good idea
5. fucking hooray.. I can move on with my life

A mate went through divorce and I was surprised by his reaction.. it was #4.. he had gotten tired of being bossed around and loves being alone.

The funniest thing was even his cat hated his wife.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

I think there is a stage

I'm sure it hit him hard but it won't be so hard as they were already living apart for years.

Think there's degrees of seriousness..

1. completely blindsided and crushed
2. yeah it was expected
3. umm whatever
4. yeah I think divorce is a good idea
5. fucking hooray.. I can move on with my life

A mate went through divorce and I was surprised by his reaction.. it was #4.. he had gotten tired of being bossed around and loves being alone.

The funniest thing was even his cat hated his wife.

I think there is a stage between 1 and 2. Knowing things aren't right, but trying and hoping to make it work, then at some point a realisation it's not going to. A half and half and still some tough soul searching decisions to be made

I am using this as an example where no third parties are involved providing ' comfort ' ( tabloid euphemism). I'm not speculating, it is their business, I just think there has been an impact. Last time I looked he was still wearing the wedding ring, quite what that means in these circumstances I know not what. I just hope both he and ex Missus find peace soon.

In the meantime I hope he can get to grips with getting his team out of this slump.

 

[blueparrot]

Bloody hell there’s some weird overthinking speculating in here. The team got old ,tired and injured . It needs refreshing, we’ve already started and will finish in the summer. Pep will build a new winning team. Chill.