Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

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simon23 said:
Its not just on him though...its on the DOF as well. I suspect the squad planning in terms of future is more on the DOF as well. Peo deals with the here and now...

The style of football in terms of slow build up, possession based etc is what has created that success
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All we know is what is out there, Pep has stated on record that HE decided we didn't need a rebuild. If you then want to believe otherwise that is up to you, I will stick with what we know. If Pep is dealing with the here and now then the here and now is really poor. It is a team without any heart, a team without any fight and a team completely lost for ideas every time they go behind. Of course we cannot always win and of course we will lose games, injuries haven't helped but it is really poor on his part that he has zero answers to these problems. He is the best around, as long as he has the best players to do what he asks.

That slow build up did create success, football evolves and teams are easily combatting it with quick, direct and physical play. We can keep the ball for 5 minutes, not create a chance, lose possession and within seconds the ball is in our net. It has been the story of the whole season yet we aren't adapting to it. We have next to no legs and instead of trusting the youngsters more, as they will bring them tireless, youthful legs, we persist with Gundog, Bernardo and KDB who all look like they are running with concrete boots on. That's the here and now and that's what Pep needs to fix and show some positive and encouraging signs that this can be the start of a turn around. This season doesn't need to be the complete write off everybody makes out, we can get top 4 and win the fa cup.
 
simon23 said:
Dated......after one bad season. Have you quickly forgotten yhe previous seasons? Pep literally changed football in this country...you don't think he has adapted as he has gone along...even this season he has changed, we have been way more direct in our attacking play at times.
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Dated might be a stretch but just as I pointed out to a previous poster, teams have found a way to combat it. Us looking nervy and not solid at the back won't help on them transitions but the decent teams are very powerful now, direct and pacey. That will always cause us trouble and if we are in a period where we cannot boss a game on the ball, which we can't and we are dull as dishwater to watch currently, then you need to adapt to what is going on around you. I'm not saying this is the end of Pep, far from it, but as mentioned by others that many managers decline, we can't rest on past glories.
 
simon23 said:
Dated......after one bad season. Have you quickly forgotten yhe previous seasons? Pep literally changed football in this country...you don't think he has adapted as he has gone along...even this season he has changed, we have been way more direct in our attacking play at times.
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Just my opinion, I appreciate that Pep changed football tactics in this country for the better but it seems to me that there’s a few teams out there who move the ball quicker and more direct.

All this backwards, sideways, backwards, sideways play is not entertaining to watch , we need to move the ball quicker to our forwards in the style that has won us many games and trophies.
 
thegoatsthegoat said:
Dated might be a stretch but just as I pointed out to a previous poster, teams have found a way to combat it. Us looking nervy and not solid at the back won't help on them transitions but the decent teams are very powerful now, direct and pacey. That will always cause us trouble and if we are in a period where we cannot boss a game on the ball, which we can't and we are dull as dishwater to watch currently, then you need to adapt to what is going on around you. I'm not saying this is the end of Pep, far from it, but as mentioned by others that many managers decline, we can't rest on past glories.
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1.000%
 
Might be wrong, but in 25 league games so far, I think we’ve only used the full compliment of 5 substitutes on 5 occasions, and often that has been with a flurry of changes, sometimes 3, after the 85th minute. Think Liverpool have used all 5 in 9 games. As we finish this season and move into next, I’d like to see us start using the bench both sooner and more often. Would help, of course, if the bench only included players who were fit enough to play and not there just for camaraderie.
 
thegoatsthegoat said:
All we know is what is out there, Pep has stated on record that HE decided we didn't need a rebuild. If you then want to believe otherwise that is up to you, I will stick with what we know. If Pep is dealing with the here and now then the here and now is really poor. It is a team without any heart, a team without any fight and a team completely lost for ideas every time they go behind. Of course we cannot always win and of course we will lose games, injuries haven't helped but it is really poor on his part that he has zero answers to these problems. He is the best around, as long as he has the best players to do what he asks.

That slow build up did create success, football evolves and teams are easily combatting it with quick, direct and physical play. We can keep the ball for 5 minutes, not create a chance, lose possession and within seconds the ball is in our net. It has been the story of the whole season yet we aren't adapting to it. We have next to no legs and instead of trusting the youngsters more, as they will bring them tireless, youthful legs, we persist with Gundog, Bernardo and KDB who all look like they are running with concrete boots on. That's the here and now and that's what Pep needs to fix and show some positive and encouraging signs that this can be the start of a turn around. This season doesn't need to be the complete write off everybody makes out, we can get top 4 and win the fa cup.
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Do you think that Pep makes any decisions single handedly? What would be the point of having a DOF if that was the case?
The here and now is poor...I agree -in comparrison to where we have been - btu look at other teams when they have dropped off -Chelsea ended up mid table - Scousers the same - they have both rebuilt with significant investment.
I dont agree on all this no fight no heart bullshit - its a deflection from the reality - which is the players are finished - too many people are emotionally attached (understandibly) to the players to see the bigger picture.

You tell me a team or a coach that could manage losing all in one go and
Rodri for nearly allt he season -
KDB for a significant part of it.... and not just losing him in terms of playing but also a significant drop off in levels
Most of his back 4 (and in paricular the stand out performers of Walker - who was pivotal to our back 4 set up and Stones again who was pivotal)
All of this happened at once while at the same time you have drop off levels in Bernardo as well - someone Pep rates so highly that he sasid at the time that Bernardo will "be at the club as long as I am."

KDB is not someone you just go out and replace - it takes significant planning and investment - the deal for a player to come in and replace him has to be worked on for years.

The DOF brought in Nunes and Phillips - no way were they Pep signings - right from the off you could see he wasnt sure on them - they didnt start games.

If you dont think hs style of play has evolved then you aint watching games - we have been way more direct in our attacking this year than previous years

How do you propose he adapts the team with the squad he has?

People want to see us sit deeper - well the issue there is that when we attack our midfield cannot either get up to support or get back to defend....yes we need physical players as you suggest but we cant get those just over night.....Look at the players we have just brought in - now do you think that hints at a potential change in style...Marmoush who literally can play both the short passing game but also wants to run in behind.... Khusonov a literal freight train of a defender who can run up and down all day and Nico who is way more mobile than people who are already giving him credit for -
Does Pep know he has made mistakes - yes undoubtedly - but are people so pathetic and thin skinned and unable to take losses that as soon as we have a bad season we start whinging about it?? Really?

The youngsters arent ready - look at Rico - he has really struggled this year - badly - last year in a functioning team he was able to fit in..this year not...do you think Pep wants to put that pressure on the likes of Nico OReilly - look at what has happened when he has been played - he has played him at full back as this is a common Pep tactic..play the young lads in a "safer position." he aint going to put Nico OReilly in central midfield against the likes of Liverpool or Real Madrid - he would get taken apart and long term that is no good for the lad.
Who else replaces those old guard you so rightlyfully point to are running with concrete boots on....Nunes? He has shown at every turn that he doesnt have the technical level to play in midfield...

People are way to ready to jump on someone who has been a significant part in bringing in unbridled success to the club - how do you change it mid season once Rodri goes down injured? - yes pre planning and getting a rodri back up in may have sorted some of the problems - but even though we have that now you can see the issue is way bigger than that.
We need a huge rebuild - that is going to take time - Id be suprised if we managed it even with this summer transfer window - this is where Viana has to step up and probably why we went pretty big with transfers in the winter.

Pep even "joked" about it whenhe was asked a couple of weeks ago how he solves the problem - he said the only way clubs can do it is to have a 40 man squad - this from a man who reportedly (and probably accurately) has always favoured a small squad of players....

Pep will adapt -but it takes time and people need to have that patience....

And for anyone wanting Pep out - someone tell me who replaces him??? Give me 2-3 names that is both viable and an improvement? Be careful what you wish for!!!
 
Dogtanian said:
So many players have let him down this season, it's supposed to be a steady decline for players not a cliff fall, this season will have hurt Pep and I bet he will put it right next season..treble again ole ole
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Pep or no Pep, I don’t expect to see a City treble again. Not in my lifetime…
 
simon23 said:
Anyone blaming Pep is literally the most fucking stupid or blind person with zero knowledge of football

It has been obvious all season that our midfield core that has taken us to the very top is finished -

KDB has been finished for 12 months - people need to not bury their heads in the sand about this. He cannot be relied upon - the amount of good performances this season can be counted on one hand....He cant run, cant tackle and cant/wont defend....Pep knows playing him leaves us down one man less defensively when we dont have the ball
Now you can say the same about Bernardo (to a slight lesser extent) and Gundo as well - that is the core of our midfield and without Rodri to add to it
There is literally no other options he has at this present moment of time.....
Grealish - Ive never rated him but that aint he point....there is something obviously going on with him (off the pitch probably) and at present he aint available one way or another.

Stones - is finished - he cant stay fit - we cant afford to have him int he squad anymore as he is never on the pitch....
Ake - as above with Stones.
Walker - gone and done -

Now thats the core of the defence as well

We dont have the physicality on the pitch anymore

Now someone tell everyone else how this changes without significant transfer investment - answer is it doesnt...

We are at the start of the rebuild....

NO manager in the world can change any of the above - its the end of an era....accept this - the signs were there last season.

Pep needs the chance to rebuild his team - now this is where the ONLY criticism of Pep can be levelled - did he refuse a rebuild in the summer - he has said he did but is this Pep protecting the club or is it true - if it is then yes there is criticism BUT its one mistake in a huge era of success. But then you also have to look at the people above him for that as well then including Khaldoon and Txixi - the whole set up dropped the ball in my opinion when we won the treble -that was the moment to start again.....and we laboured for another season and us winning the title last year papered over the significant obvious cracks - again KDB, Walker, Stones, Grealish - all poor in that last year

Pep deserves every ounce of support from EVERY fan - anything beyond this and those people need to fuck off - yes there is criticism of him (as pointed out by the potential refusal of rebuild) - but its one season in a decade of unparalleled success....IF there are fans saying that he should go you need to fucking grow up and stop acting like spoilt children - pathetic fucking losers.
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There are perfectly valid opinions other than your own so why don’t you fuck off back to Cornwall with your playground stuff?
 
simon23 said:
Do you think that Pep makes any decisions single handedly? What would be the point of having a DOF if that was the case?
The here and now is poor...I agree -in comparrison to where we have been - btu look at other teams when they have dropped off -Chelsea ended up mid table - Scousers the same - they have both rebuilt with significant investment.
I dont agree on all this no fight no heart bullshit - its a deflection from the reality - which is the players are finished - too many people are emotionally attached (understandibly) to the players to see the bigger picture.

You tell me a team or a coach that could manage losing all in one go and
Rodri for nearly allt he season -
KDB for a significant part of it.... and not just losing him in terms of playing but also a significant drop off in levels
Most of his back 4 (and in paricular the stand out performers of Walker - who was pivotal to our back 4 set up and Stones again who was pivotal)
All of this happened at once while at the same time you have drop off levels in Bernardo as well - someone Pep rates so highly that he sasid at the time that Bernardo will "be at the club as long as I am."

KDB is not someone you just go out and replace - it takes significant planning and investment - the deal for a player to come in and replace him has to be worked on for years.

The DOF brought in Nunes and Phillips - no way were they Pep signings - right from the off you could see he wasnt sure on them - they didnt start games.

If you dont think hs style of play has evolved then you aint watching games - we have been way more direct in our attacking this year than previous years

How do you propose he adapts the team with the squad he has?

People want to see us sit deeper - well the issue there is that when we attack our midfield cannot either get up to support or get back to defend....yes we need physical players as you suggest but we cant get those just over night.....Look at the players we have just brought in - now do you think that hints at a potential change in style...Marmoush who literally can play both the short passing game but also wants to run in behind.... Khusonov a literal freight train of a defender who can run up and down all day and Nico who is way more mobile than people who are already giving him credit for -
Does Pep know he has made mistakes - yes undoubtedly - but are people so pathetic and thin skinned and unable to take losses that as soon as we have a bad season we start whinging about it?? Really?

The youngsters arent ready - look at Rico - he has really struggled this year - badly - last year in a functioning team he was able to fit in..this year not...do you think Pep wants to put that pressure on the likes of Nico OReilly - look at what has happened when he has been played - he has played him at full back as this is a common Pep tactic..play the young lads in a "safer position." he aint going to put Nico OReilly in central midfield against the likes of Liverpool or Real Madrid - he would get taken apart and long term that is no good for the lad.
Who else replaces those old guard you so rightlyfully point to are running with concrete boots on....Nunes? He has shown at every turn that he doesnt have the technical level to play in midfield...

People are way to ready to jump on someone who has been a significant part in bringing in unbridled success to the club - how do you change it mid season once Rodri goes down injured? - yes pre planning and getting a rodri back up in may have sorted some of the problems - but even though we have that now you can see the issue is way bigger than that.
We need a huge rebuild - that is going to take time - Id be suprised if we managed it even with this summer transfer window - this is where Viana has to step up and probably why we went pretty big with transfers in the winter.

Pep even "joked" about it whenhe was asked a couple of weeks ago how he solves the problem - he said the only way clubs can do it is to have a 40 man squad - this from a man who reportedly (and probably accurately) has always favoured a small squad of players....

Pep will adapt -but it takes time and people need to have that patience....

And for anyone wanting Pep out - someone tell me who replaces him??? Give me 2-3 names that is both viable and an improvement? Be careful what you wish for!!!
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Great post.
 
thegoatsthegoat said:
Dated might be a stretch but just as I pointed out to a previous poster, teams have found a way to combat it. Us looking nervy and not solid at the back won't help on them transitions but the decent teams are very powerful now, direct and pacey. That will always cause us trouble and if we are in a period where we cannot boss a game on the ball, which we can't and we are dull as dishwater to watch currently, then you need to adapt to what is going on around you. I'm not saying this is the end of Pep, far from it, but as mentioned by others that many managers decline, we can't rest on past glories.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree to a certain extent - but its also not new -even with our very best teams at their peak of their powers teams that were quick in transition have always troubled us - remember getting an absolute smashing off of Leicester I think in one season - Scousers under Klopp always caused Pep problems as well - utd as bad as they have been when they played their quick forwards have caused us problems....Wolves as well!!! - this aint something new that we are seeing this year - its always been the case
The difference is that previously the players had the physicality to combat it for most of the time (not always cause nothing is perfect).
Teams havetnt found a way to combat us - its always been there -its just been exposed more by teams getting better at it but also the drop off in our players.

Now our players do not have the physicality anymore - but that is not something that Pep or the club can change even with one transfer window - it will take a number and people are going to have to get used to the fact that maybe for a season or 2 we are not going to be at the top (maybe more).

We aint dull to watch - anything but - most of our games are way too open....(which is where the problem lies). We are trying to attack quickly...Pep has adapted already and the new players being brought in suggests a change in tactical approach as well (Marmoush wanting to run in behind, Savihnio being way more direct than anyone else since Sterling and Sane).

Pep has continually adapted, inverted fullbacks, then to playing four centre halves, playing with a false 9 all season, playing with mor attacking fullbacks who want to go outside 9Gvardiol does both now)..walker started to do it - even Khusonov was on the right wing touch line at times vs Madrid. Our back four at times doesnt push as high (but I think this is a probem as it leaves too much space between them and the midfield which then leads to another problem.

Pep will adapt but he can only do that if the players have the physicality to do so - KDB, Bernardo cannot do it at this stage...John Stones would have been ideal this year to help with this but injuries have really blighted him - that aint on Pep....Walker falling off a cliff mentally (lets not pretend it wasnt what was going on in his personal life that affected his performanes as he has said it himself as much) as even Walker at 90% physically is still able to cope with the pace of the prem. The same with Foden - there were rumours at the start of the year that something was going on off field with Foden - in his personal life - these rumours were very quickly shut down and there has been nothing since BUT Id absolutely put money on it something is going on ...plus the reported sickness and injuries as well - how do you replace foden mid season ?- you cant plan for that drop off level in performance

Yes Pep has made mistakes - no coach doesnt. Gundo returning is probably as much on Pep as it is Txixi and that was a huge mistake...
The not wanting to add more players in the summer is on Pep...but also the DOF - he squad plans


The REAL question now is...how entitled have city fans become?

Have we forgotten who we are with all the success that we have been given over the last decade or so?
Are we still the club that can take anything that is thrown at us and bounce back with a smile and the self depreciating comment knowing that good times will come again or are we now like utd, arsenal, red scousers who whinge and bitch about not being top of the table demanding that they be there, entitled morons who have forgotten what competative sports are all about and that losing is a part of winning.
Are we the club that supports the manager through thick and thin or are we now about the impatience of society in general wanting instant gratification and success? Who are our fans now?

I know which side i sit on . Be careful what you wish!
 
sir baconface said:
There are perfectly valid opinions other than your own so why don’t you fuck off back to Cornwall with your playground stuff?
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Hahahaha....childish

Im from Manchester originally....went to Maine Road in the dark days of the 80's so I will express my opinions all I want...and there is zero you can do about it except put me on ignore....

BTW Cornwall is a truly beautiful place as well......
 
Talking of entertainment I thought the Pellegrini team with Negredo up front was full value.
 
simon23 said:
Do you think that Pep makes any decisions single handedly? What would be the point of having a DOF if that was the case?
The here and now is poor...I agree -in comparrison to where we have been - btu look at other teams when they have dropped off -Chelsea ended up mid table - Scousers the same - they have both rebuilt with significant investment.
I dont agree on all this no fight no heart bullshit - its a deflection from the reality - which is the players are finished - too many people are emotionally attached (understandibly) to the players to see the bigger picture.

You tell me a team or a coach that could manage losing all in one go and
Rodri for nearly allt he season -
KDB for a significant part of it.... and not just losing him in terms of playing but also a significant drop off in levels
Most of his back 4 (and in paricular the stand out performers of Walker - who was pivotal to our back 4 set up and Stones again who was pivotal)
All of this happened at once while at the same time you have drop off levels in Bernardo as well - someone Pep rates so highly that he sasid at the time that Bernardo will "be at the club as long as I am."

KDB is not someone you just go out and replace - it takes significant planning and investment - the deal for a player to come in and replace him has to be worked on for years.

The DOF brought in Nunes and Phillips - no way were they Pep signings - right from the off you could see he wasnt sure on them - they didnt start games.

If you dont think hs style of play has evolved then you aint watching games - we have been way more direct in our attacking this year than previous years

How do you propose he adapts the team with the squad he has?

People want to see us sit deeper - well the issue there is that when we attack our midfield cannot either get up to support or get back to defend....yes we need physical players as you suggest but we cant get those just over night.....Look at the players we have just brought in - now do you think that hints at a potential change in style...Marmoush who literally can play both the short passing game but also wants to run in behind.... Khusonov a literal freight train of a defender who can run up and down all day and Nico who is way more mobile than people who are already giving him credit for -
Does Pep know he has made mistakes - yes undoubtedly - but are people so pathetic and thin skinned and unable to take losses that as soon as we have a bad season we start whinging about it?? Really?

The youngsters arent ready - look at Rico - he has really struggled this year - badly - last year in a functioning team he was able to fit in..this year not...do you think Pep wants to put that pressure on the likes of Nico OReilly - look at what has happened when he has been played - he has played him at full back as this is a common Pep tactic..play the young lads in a "safer position." he aint going to put Nico OReilly in central midfield against the likes of Liverpool or Real Madrid - he would get taken apart and long term that is no good for the lad.
Who else replaces those old guard you so rightlyfully point to are running with concrete boots on....Nunes? He has shown at every turn that he doesnt have the technical level to play in midfield...

People are way to ready to jump on someone who has been a significant part in bringing in unbridled success to the club - how do you change it mid season once Rodri goes down injured? - yes pre planning and getting a rodri back up in may have sorted some of the problems - but even though we have that now you can see the issue is way bigger than that.
We need a huge rebuild - that is going to take time - Id be suprised if we managed it even with this summer transfer window - this is where Viana has to step up and probably why we went pretty big with transfers in the winter.

Pep even "joked" about it whenhe was asked a couple of weeks ago how he solves the problem - he said the only way clubs can do it is to have a 40 man squad - this from a man who reportedly (and probably accurately) has always favoured a small squad of players....

Pep will adapt -but it takes time and people need to have that patience....

And for anyone wanting Pep out - someone tell me who replaces him??? Give me 2-3 names that is both viable and an improvement? Be careful what you wish for!!!
Click to expand...

Some good points in there, quite a bit I don't agree with but that's what discussion is about. One thing I'm really unsure about, is how you think Pep doesn't make decisions single-handedly about not signing players but would have had little say in Nunes & Phillips coming in, blaming it on Txiki alone.
 
simon23 said:
Yes I agree to a certain extent - but its also not new -even with our very best teams at their peak of their powers teams that were quick in transition have always troubled us - remember getting an absolute smashing off of Leicester I think in one season - Scousers under Klopp always caused Pep problems as well - utd as bad as they have been when they played their quick forwards have caused us problems....Wolves as well!!! - this aint something new that we are seeing this year - its always been the case
The difference is that previously the players had the physicality to combat it for most of the time (not always cause nothing is perfect).
Teams havetnt found a way to combat us - its always been there -its just been exposed more by teams getting better at it but also the drop off in our players.

Now our players do not have the physicality anymore - but that is not something that Pep or the club can change even with one transfer window - it will take a number and people are going to have to get used to the fact that maybe for a season or 2 we are not going to be at the top (maybe more).

We aint dull to watch - anything but - most of our games are way too open....(which is where the problem lies). We are trying to attack quickly...Pep has adapted already and the new players being brought in suggests a change in tactical approach as well (Marmoush wanting to run in behind, Savihnio being way more direct than anyone else since Sterling and Sane).

Pep has continually adapted, inverted fullbacks, then to playing four centre halves, playing with a false 9 all season, playing with mor attacking fullbacks who want to go outside 9Gvardiol does both now)..walker started to do it - even Khusonov was on the right wing touch line at times vs Madrid. Our back four at times doesnt push as high (but I think this is a probem as it leaves too much space between them and the midfield which then leads to another problem.

Pep will adapt but he can only do that if the players have the physicality to do so - KDB, Bernardo cannot do it at this stage...John Stones would have been ideal this year to help with this but injuries have really blighted him - that aint on Pep....Walker falling off a cliff mentally (lets not pretend it wasnt what was going on in his personal life that affected his performanes as he has said it himself as much) as even Walker at 90% physically is still able to cope with the pace of the prem. The same with Foden - there were rumours at the start of the year that something was going on off field with Foden - in his personal life - these rumours were very quickly shut down and there has been nothing since BUT Id absolutely put money on it something is going on ...plus the reported sickness and injuries as well - how do you replace foden mid season ?- you cant plan for that drop off level in performance

Yes Pep has made mistakes - no coach doesnt. Gundo returning is probably as much on Pep as it is Txixi and that was a huge mistake...
The not wanting to add more players in the summer is on Pep...but also the DOF - he squad plans


The REAL question now is...how entitled have city fans become?

Have we forgotten who we are with all the success that we have been given over the last decade or so?
Are we still the club that can take anything that is thrown at us and bounce back with a smile and the self depreciating comment knowing that good times will come again or are we now like utd, arsenal, red scousers who whinge and bitch about not being top of the table demanding that they be there, entitled morons who have forgotten what competative sports are all about and that losing is a part of winning.
Are we the club that supports the manager through thick and thin or are we now about the impatience of society in general wanting instant gratification and success? Who are our fans now?

I know which side i sit on . Be careful what you wish!
Click to expand...
And BINGO, there we have it. Dare question someone underperforming in their role, and drastically underperforming and the entitled word comes out. You are proving my point that he seemingly can perform to a really poor standard and shouldn't be held accountable. I will support Pep through thick and thin, through treble wins and through him throwing our first CL final. I will support him as his name rings around the King Power, whilst still supporting him as he moans to the media about the fans, number of people who turn up or the noise that is made.

Our players not having the physicality is on Pep, he has overseen an ageing squad and publicly declared he made a mistake. HIM, nobody else. He holds the power at City. Walker and Foden off the field problems - where is the manager resolving them issues? Walker was a nightmare off the pitch and Pep was happy as larry with him being club captain. Pep deserves every praise when it goes well and equally should be held accountable when it doesn't. It works both ways. There has always been a feeling that little City should just be happy he is here, of course we are happy but he can be questioned when it's an absolute mess. This season has been a mess. Not winning the league or anything is not a problem in the slightest. Getting slapped regularly, only competing on one front mid Feb and repeating the same mistakes every game (Gundog) is rightfully being pulled up by match going, paying fans. The other night was embarrassing, not because of the scoreline but because of the very clear lack of fight or desire from us which comes from the top.
 
My major frustration this season (injuries aside) has just been that Pep hasn't been as good as he usually is in finding solutions, he's placed too much loyalty in players who aren't physically capable, has made odd squad decisions (keeping players in the squad he has no intention of playing...) and has been quite poor in changing the course of games with substitutions etc. This season more than any, we have had so many games that have been running away from us and nothing changes until the game is gone.

However, the frustration isn't to suggest that Pep is past it or needs to go - he is capable of much more than this season has shown and we all know how good he is. He's the best person to be in charge of the team moving forward Hopefully for the rest of the season he starts to utilise more of the squad, as they can't all be yarded in the summer.
 
Ajm1985 said:
Some good points in there, quite a bit I don't agree with but that's what discussion is about. One thing I'm really unsure about, is how you think Pep doesn't make decisions single-handedly about not signing players but would have had little say in Nunes & Phillips coming in, blaming it on Txiki alone.
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Oh i think its a joint decision on all players dont get me wrong....but if you look at time timing of both those players they were panick buys....last on the list so to speak....I think at that point Txixi has gone its either these two or nothing...

Of course Pep would agree to it...I dont think Txixi would still get players that pep said an absolute no to (not for the first team squad at very least) - there areprobably players bought that Pep has nothing to do with at all for instance when we are buying players for the EDS or to farm straight back out on loan etc.

But would either have been direct first choices - no way and Pep has recognised that very quickly with both...neither started games straight off...compare that to Nico, Marmoush, and Khusonov (though the last I admit may have been a little out of necessity)
 
This is just my opinion, probably wrong like, but here goes:

1. Pep wanted this to be his last season, knew Txiki was leaving with him and thought because we won the league last season and were the better team against Madrid in the semi finals and therefore probably the best team in Europe last year, he felt he had one last hurrah with this squad.

2. This was the reason he told Txiki he didn't need players in the summer, could hopefully leave on a high this season and hand over the rebuild to Viana and the new coach in the summer of 2025. I think the club were preparing at the start of this season for this to be Peps potentially last season with us but always were willing to offer him a contract if he wanted it.

3. I think the reason Pep took so long over deliberating over a new deal was because the FA convinced him to join up as the England manager, but after such a tumultuous start Pep knew he couldn't leave the club in the state it was currently in, especially around October/November.

Ultimately, his poor foresight in the summer that this squad was going to come crashing down all together is poor judgement on his part. I don't think injuries have helped him at all, but tactically there have been moments this season where he has shown himself to be lacking in adaptability when a certain profile and level of player isn't available.

I think he is correct in saying that football is changing and I do think next season we will see a slight move away from the total football approach. He is 100% the right man to take us forward and anyone thinking we need to move him on needs their head checking because we will never, ever get a better manager in our lifetimes than him.

A season to forget for everyone. We have become drunk on success, got a little complacent and this wakeup call will be a good reminder for everyone at the club that you cannot take anything for granted in football. It moves on too fast and you get left behind immensely fast if you are not constantly trying to evolve.

I can't wait for the season to end, but at the same time I can't wait to see what the summer has in store. Goodbye to the legends and hello to the next generation. Next season will the start of a great new ride hopefully.
 
simon23 said:
Oh i think its a joint decision on all players dont get me wrong....but if you look at time timing of both those players they were panick buys....last on the list so to speak....I think at that point Txixi has gone its either these two or nothing...

Of course Pep would agree to it...I dont think Txixi would still get players that pep said an absolute no to (not for the first team squad at very least) - there areprobably players bought that Pep has nothing to do with at all for instance when we are buying players for the EDS or to farm straight back out on loan etc.

But would either have been direct first choices - no way and Pep has recognised that very quickly with both...neither started games straight off...compare that to Nico, Marmoush, and Khusonov (though the last I admit may have been a little out of necessity)
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Nunes was definitely last on the list - and was reported that we were weighing up between a move for him or Eze for squad spaces, with Nunes being easier to sort (that they were 2 completely different types of players shows how much thought went into it).

For Phillips, it's not the case he was a panic buy - he was signed on the 4th of July, with 7 weeks of the window left, and I'm sure it was reported that Pep had the nod from Bielsa about him. I think the fact he's not been a great signing makes people think he was a panic buy but it's just one that didn't work out.

I vividly remember Pep saying that Doku was a Txiki signing at the time though - I wonder what his input was for him.

For any of them and others, It’s another thing I have found so odd about the squad building/planning. Why have players in the squad who you know you won't play - it makes a small squad even smaller.
 
simon23 said:
Anyone blaming Pep is literally the most fucking stupid or blind person with zero knowledge of football

It has been obvious all season that our midfield core that has taken us to the very top is finished -

KDB has been finished for 12 months - people need to not bury their heads in the sand about this. He cannot be relied upon - the amount of good performances this season can be counted on one hand....He cant run, cant tackle and cant/wont defend....Pep knows playing him leaves us down one man less defensively when we dont have the ball
Now you can say the same about Bernardo (to a slight lesser extent) and Gundo as well - that is the core of our midfield and without Rodri to add to it
There is literally no other options he has at this present moment of time.....
Grealish - Ive never rated him but that aint he point....there is something obviously going on with him (off the pitch probably) and at present he aint available one way or another.

Stones - is finished - he cant stay fit - we cant afford to have him int he squad anymore as he is never on the pitch....
Ake - as above with Stones.
Walker - gone and done -

Now thats the core of the defence as well

We dont have the physicality on the pitch anymore

Now someone tell everyone else how this changes without significant transfer investment - answer is it doesnt...

We are at the start of the rebuild....

NO manager in the world can change any of the above - its the end of an era....accept this - the signs were there last season.

Pep needs the chance to rebuild his team - now this is where the ONLY criticism of Pep can be levelled - did he refuse a rebuild in the summer - he has said he did but is this Pep protecting the club or is it true - if it is then yes there is criticism BUT its one mistake in a huge era of success. But then you also have to look at the people above him for that as well then including Khaldoon and Txixi - the whole set up dropped the ball in my opinion when we won the treble -that was the moment to start again.....and we laboured for another season and us winning the title last year papered over the significant obvious cracks - again KDB, Walker, Stones, Grealish - all poor in that last year

Pep deserves every ounce of support from EVERY fan - anything beyond this and those people need to fuck off - yes there is criticism of him (as pointed out by the potential refusal of rebuild) - but its one season in a decade of unparalleled success....IF there are fans saying that he should go you need to fucking grow up and stop acting like spoilt children - pathetic fucking losers.
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Did you laud pep when we won the treble and four in a row? I bet you did, we have attributed a lot of the success we've had down to him.

Therefore now the going has got tough it can't just suddenly all put on the players. If Pep was responsible for our successes he is also responsible for this slump/drop off/regression. Results always lay at the door of the manager, that's what they are employed to provide.

I really don't think you can argue that Pep is currently operating at the level he's capable of, whether that's due to his personal issues or not - ultimately both HIM and the players are underperforming. It's not being entitled to expect more from a manager who most consider the best of all time. And by more I don't mean winning every trophy every year, but at least seeing us compete for trophies unlike we have in the league or champions league this season - highlighted by the most feeble, limp performance on Wednesday I've seen from any city side in years.
 
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