Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[B\connellblue]

2nd top scorers in the league.

Scored most of them in a handful of games.

 

[Brewster's millions]

It means, we can all see this team is no longer capable of producing the football Pep wantat the level needed,and needs refreshing.Yet after all he's delivered they don't beleive he has what it takes or should be allowed the chance to rebuild the team and get back to those levels. They believe they are entitled to constant success at that level with any season of drop of or transition. Fortunately most of these people live on the internet were nobody takes much notice, not in the Etihad boardrooms and stands.

What an absolutely dreadful take about people feeling they’re entitled to constant success. Dreadful and tedious, to be frank.

Like many others on here I started watching City in the very early 80s, and so had to wait nearly 30 years and experience hundreds of truly terrible games before we lifted a trophy, and I’m eternally grateful that I was at Wembley that day to see it.

After the run we’ve had in the fifteen years since, I really couldn’t complain if we don’t win another trophy for years, but I sincerely don’t want that to happen.

I don’t think that wanting to see City continue to win and remain at the top makes anyone entitled. I think that’s a daft thing to say. The idea that people shouldn’t express their opinion or criticise the club and manager during what has been a very poor season is equally daft, but that’s what some posters on here appear to believe.

We all knew that at some point we would fail to win the league, fall below our usual standards and need to rebuild the squad, whether Guardiola was still here or not. Everybody knew that and everyone accepts it. But people can still express their opinion on why we’ve experienced such a downturn, the factors behind it and crucially what we need to do about it. And that doesn’t make them entitled.

 

[meeesh]

There's been about 15 -20 games since October that we could have and should have won. We didn't though and in plenty of them deservedly beaten. No indication that's what left will be any different. The team is full of non scorers which handicaps us from the first whistle. How the fuck we keep adding more of them is a shocking indictment of our recruitment. The defense will need to be our rock during the run in because we simply don't score enough goals.

Knew around October there was not enough goals in the team besides Haaland, scary really that it carried on like that all season, but the good thing is in Marmoush seems to have a good eye for goal, which is crucial considering what's happened to Haaland.

But I agree, the back line, where let's face it, that's been hurt the most with injuries, needs to stay solid, and same line up where possible in it.

Khusanov out of favour all of a sudden unless injured, fuck knows

 

[meeesh]

I think if we'd won yesterday it would have exerted pressure on Forest. As it is Newcastle with a trophy in the bag should get one if the 3 spots. It always helped us winning the LC.

Villa have a lot on their plate. So may be Chelsea and us battling for 5th.

Forest still have some toughies you know, I said on here last week the same, starting at Villa where I knew they'd get nothing

 

[wattle]

Please pick Khuzanov!!!! He doesn’t need over protecting. We desperately need his speed and physicality v Palace

 

[sir baconface]

You said in your original post that he had 5 world class players when he arrived at City, but now only has 3-4 so is uncharted territory? I’m sure he’ll be fine, but if not we’ll reassess at the end of next season. Do you think he should leave at the end of this season?!

He inherited a great spine in Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Yaya and Fernandinho. To be fair, though, he also had to move on a number of older or lesser players so there are similarities.

I think there are other differences, though. The club was arguably on a long term upward trajectory, despite any short term issues, with the feeling we could continue to grow bigger. The current mood music - to some of us at least - is that the best is behind us and that other teams, managers and tactics have caught up whilst we have stagnated.

Second, I don’t recall us being as dispirited as now. Conceding derby matches in those days was a hanging offence, let alone wasting leads and all the other stuff that’s gone on this year. Mojo is something that can be rebuilt but that’s difficult with the same incumbents in place who let it slip.

I’m not saying Pep should go, and certainly not be pushed, but do think a serious review is required all round at the end of this campaign. As I’ve said elsewhere, I believe Pep might walk if he’s not convinced he’s turning things round.

 

[blueparrot]

Scored most of them in a handful of games.

To be fair we haven't scored enough from other areas other than Haaland, but not scoring hasn't been our biggest problem it's been giving away breakaway goals.

 

[eversince 76]

If Pep has the motivation to build a new team and he sees it is possible to do so, its the best we can ask for.
If he is not or cant see it, he would have left or will do this summer.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

He's going to be under huge personal pressure to get back to winning ways next season.
If he fluffs it, then he'll be tainting his legacy.

 

[merz]

what really worries me is that he doesn’t seem to learn from our poor performances. how can you field that same midfield after everything we've seen.

 

[blueparrot]

What an absolutely dreadful take about people feeling they’re entitled to constant success. Dreadful and tedious, to be frank.

Like many others on here I started watching City in the very early 80s, and so had to wait nearly 30 years and experience hundreds of truly terrible games before we lifted a trophy, and I’m eternally grateful that I was at Wembley that day to see it.

After the run we’ve had in the fifteen years since, I really couldn’t complain if we don’t win another trophy for years, but I sincerely don’t want that to happen.

I don’t think that wanting to see City continue to win and remain at the top makes anyone entitled. I think that’s a daft thing to say. The idea that people shouldn’t express their opinion or criticise the club and manager during what has been a very poor season is equally daft, but that’s what some posters on here appear to believe.

We all knew that at some point we would fail to win the league, fall below our usual standards and need to rebuild the squad, whether Guardiola was still here or not. Everybody knew that and everyone accepts it. But people can still express their opinion on why we’ve experienced such a downturn, the factors behind it and crucially what we need to do about it. And that doesn’t make them entitled.

Except some understand the reasons,and there are many, and discuss them sensibly and discuss what they think we should do about the rebuild Fair enough. There are others in here that come out with stuff like Pep's lost it, been overtaken by others, and shouldn't be given any credit to rebuild another team, they are the entitled.

 

[mancboy]

He inherited a great spine in Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Yaya and Fernandinho. To be fair, though, he also had to move on a number of older or lesser players so there are similarities.

I think there are other differences, though. The club was arguably on a long term upward trajectory, despite any short term issues, with the feeling we could continue to grow bigger. The current mood music - to some of us at least - is that the best is behind us and that other teams, managers and tactics have caught up whilst we have stagnated.

Second, I don’t recall us being as dispirited as now. Conceding derby matches in those days was a hanging offence, let alone wasting leads and all the other stuff that’s gone on this year. Mojo is something that can be rebuilt but that’s difficult with the same incumbents in place who let it slip.

I’m not saying Pep should go, and certainly not be pushed, but do think a serious review is required all round at the end of this campaign. As I’ve said elsewhere, I believe Pep might walk if he’s not convinced he’s turning things round.

It was the first time yesterday that he admitted that he doesnt have the players to play within his system, he has also previously admitted that he has kept faith with players for too long out of loyalty, i think he will at least try and be part of the rebuild.

 

[sir baconface]

It was the first time yesterday that he admitted that he doesnt have the players to play within his system, he has also previously admitted that he has kept faith with players for too long out of loyalty, i think he will at least try and be part of the rebuild.

So, same system with better players or revamping the system too?

 

[blueparrot]

So, same system with better players or revamping the system too?

He changes sytems all the time, but it will always be based on keeping the ball and his basic principles.He isn't going to turn us into a counter attacking sort of team. Not so much better players after all it's players like KDB,Bernardo, Gundogan,Walker,Grealish maybe Stones we are mainly replacing but younger players with more energy.

 

[Damanino]

something strange going on with how players go out of favour than all of sudden back into favour.
look at Rico Lewis overplayed than out of the running since some time. same with Khusanov. same with Gundo after the horror shows he was benched quite a lot during Jan/February now back into the fold starting games.
Nunes also benched for long period now starting RB for the rest of the season?
Savinho came to life around December Pep praised him too, now kind of benched lot more.
Nico Gonzalez treatment is a bit odd too. Doku and Grealish same...

its like whatever Pep is trying doesnt work for more than 2/3 games and he keeps changing and chopping.

I think Pep is underperforming just as much some of our players.

really hope he can somehow deliver the top5 places in league and maybe the FA cup. sadly there is a chance we do neither we do need to play much better than yesterday against some better sides than rags to reach our targets.

 

[CΛL]

Except some understand the reasons,and there are many, and discuss them sensibly and discuss what they think we should do about the rebuild Fair enough. There are others in here that come out with stuff like Pep's lost it, been overtaken by others, and shouldn't be given any credit to rebuild another team, they are the entitled.

I think more than one thing can be true at a time, us being naff this season due to injuries, aging players and other circumstances is absolutely true.

However, at the same time, Peps team selections have been a mystery to anybody but him.

 

[mancboy]

So, same system with better players or revamping the system too?

whos to say tbf, could be either with pep

 

[mcfcphil]

He's going to be under huge personal pressure to get back to winning ways next season.
If he fluffs it, then he'll be tainting his legacy.

Not in my eyes.

His legacy is bulletproof regardless of success from now on.

 

[skillman]

The Nunes comments are just another in a long line of baffling shit from Pep this season. Doesn’t trust him in midfield but trusts Kovacic and Bernardo - the pivot which was forced to be broken up after such a shit run before Christmas - enough to play them. And without comment about their abilities or ineffectiveness!

He had the chance at the turn of the year to try something different. Bernardo, Kovacic, Gundogan, Kev, Grealish and Foden were all having torrid times (most still are) but instead of trying something new, he stuck with it.

I’m baffled at yesterday still. To send your team out in a derby with the purpose of controlling the game and not really trying to threaten in an attacking sense is criminal and shouldn’t be overlooked. To start with the pivot that strangled our season was another shocking decision - it’s almost as if he couldn’t help himself and thought we’d all forget because it’s been a few weeks since we saw it. A team full of players comfortable to take the ball and play it backwards, not one player in there - aside from Marmoush who he used as a glorified Dickov for his energy instead of playing to his feet - who demand the ball and try to make things happen with Doku and Savinho being the most notable but even Nico tries to pass forward and dominate the game, I’d argue that’s why he didn’t play which is ridiculous in itself.

Love the bloke. Adore him. He’s given us football from dreams and season after season of absolute domination but that doesn’t excuse some cowardly tactics he’s shown all season and doesn’t mean he can plod along for 6 months of a season using his favourites rather than anything new. An example, O’Reilly would be nowhere near the side if Akanji, Ake and Stones were fit. I doubt he’d even be on the bench. And that’s not a slant to NOR, it’s that Pep has his favourites and will only veer from them if he’s forced to.

Somebody above him (Viana) needs to take control of the squad and move a lot of them on because I highly doubt that Pep himself will change his preference to his favourites.

 

[Brewster's millions]

Except some understand the reasons,and there are many, and discuss them sensibly and discuss what they think we should do about the rebuild Fair enough. There are others in here that come out with stuff like Pep's lost it, been overtaken by others, and shouldn't be given any credit to rebuild another team, they are the entitled.

No, they’re not entitled, they just have a different opinion than yourself.

People can very plausibly believe that football has indeed evolved, that Pep has been out of sorts for many, many months and they can also plausibly question whether he is properly committed given his preference for 12 or 12+12 month contract extensions. Another angle is whether he’s going to be fully committed or indeed happy to be working with a new sporting director who he doesn’t really know from Adam.

All valid opinions even if you disagree with them.