Pep Guardiola - 2025/26

[skillman]

Hmmm. Those subs were questionable to say the least.

 

[pbueno16]

Needs to Man Up

Ahh yes a totally thoughtful response. Have a good evening.

 

[Gabriel]

He gets a very easy ride from the press, who admittedly waste half their time by phrasing questions in the most appalling English; a decade on and they still speak to him as if he’s Harry Redknapp.
He should be asked about Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Lewis, Trafford, and Bobb, and why he’s got such a big squad if he’s unable to rotate players.

 

[ninjamonkey]

This constant flirtation with implosion is on Pep. The players aren't charging after the ball in a 2 seconds too slow high press without being under specific instructions to do so.

Teams play through us the same way repeatedly, a single swift pass often takes 5-6 players out of the game and then we're in desperation 1v1 mode every other attack. The fundamentals are all wrong.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

At some point, he is going to have to realise that his squad is made up of a lot of shite. Not being able to trust them at 5-1, will hopefully be the wake up call.

 

[TonyBookEnd]

This constant flirtation with implosion is on Pep. The players aren't charging after the ball in a 2 seconds too slow high press without being under specific instructions to do so.

Teams play through us the same way repeatedly, a single swift pass often takes 5-6 players out of the game and then we're in desperation 1v1 mode every other attack. The fundamentals are all wrong.

Do the players themselves not shoulder some of the responsibility?

 

[Ajm1985]

This constant flirtation with implosion is on Pep. The players aren't charging after the ball in a 2 seconds too slow high press without being under specific instructions to do so.

Teams play through us the same way repeatedly, a single swift pass often takes 5-6 players out of the game and then we're in desperation 1v1 mode every other attack. The fundamentals are all wrong.

In the second half especially, the high press was abysmal. Should have either changed more of the players or do a hybrid press. Just bizarre from Pep to continue with it for so long, then take off our one effective midfielder

 

[ninjamonkey]

Do the players themselves not shoulder some of the responsibility?

Not when it comes to carrying out gameplans no. Pep is very insistent on how his teams play. He's asked for it so if a player decides not to launch themselves forward in another awful high press and sell themselves short, they're probably being subbed and wont be playing the next game. Don't think its on the players to disregard their managers instructions, that's losing the dressing room kind of talk imo.

 

[Chak19]

Because Haaland didn’t have a knock? There’s nothing bizarre about that decision at all.

I didn't think Nico had a knock, was it after he got hit with the ball in his midriff ?

 

[pbueno16]

I didn't think Nico had a knock, was it after he got hit with the ball in his midriff ?

He played for another 10-15 minutes after that iirc

 

[Goater=Legend]

There was a time in the run in last season where we had Kovacic and Gundogan in midfield and just killed games off, it may of been dull at times but after the first half of the season it was a must.

If Nico goes off we don't have the midfielders that can sit in and do that.

 

[Dax777]

In the second half especially, the high press was abysmal. Should have either changed more of the players or do a hybrid press. Just bizarre from Pep to continue with it for so long, then take off our one effective midfielder

If we are being honest he cant or isnt doing anything because the tip of the faulty press is Haaland. He isnt gonna sub him off for being a terrible presser. The 2nd worst is Doku and Cherki isn't far behind.

So your best scorer and player and 2 of your top 3 most creative players.

He os stuck with a shit press unless he can convince those 3 to do it properly and In sync. Then have the midfielders and defenders Press high and tight

 

[Gaz76]

At some point, he is going to have to realise that his squad is made up of a lot of shite. Not being able to trust them at 5-1, will hopefully be the wake up call.

I dunno maybe the fact that he has rarely played a changed starting 11 in the PREM this season, aside from rotating cheki and reindeer, might give us a clue that he's not that sold on the squad at his dispt

 

[Ajm1985]

If we are being honest he cant or isnt doing anything because the tip of the faulty press is Haaland. He isnt gonna sub him off for being a terrible presser. The 2nd worst is Doku and Cherki isn't far behind.

So your best scorer and player and 2 of your top 3 most creative players.

He os stuck with a shit press unless he can convince those 3 to do it properly and In sync. Then have the midfielders and defenders Press high and tight

There's no way that I believe Pep can't adapt the press - either in game or prior, to compensate. If the strategy is to play on counter and the press is shite - be more compact and don't press as high. What we were doing was half arsed. For a long time

 

[ctwrd]

He gets a very easy ride from the press, who admittedly waste half their time by phrasing questions in the most appalling English; a decade on and they still speak to him as if he’s Harry Redknapp.
He should be asked about Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Lewis, Trafford, and Bobb, and why he’s got such a big squad if he’s unable to rotate players.

They all played last week and tanked.

 

[Dax777]

There's no way that I believe Pep can't adapt the press - either in game or prior, to compensate. If the strategy is to play on counter and the press is shite - be more compact and don't press as high. What we were doing was half arsed. For a long time

I dont know what he sees, but Its clear as day that Erling and Doku destroy any semblance of a press a large % of the times :(

 

[pbueno16]

They all played last week and tanked.

That's not how you give your substitute minutes. He could've started half of them against Leverkusen, then subbed the rest on if we're winning by enough or played the rest against Leeds.

 

[lol yank]

They all played last week and tanked.

That’s a bit unfair given he rotated the entire squad sans Nico. He can, you know, only rotate a few of them in at a time.

 

[Gabriel]

They all played last week and tanked.

Which Guardiola admitted was his mistake. It’s a long season and we’re going to have to use them all if we hope to maintain our competitiveness.

 

[Cityfan]

Nico recently had 2 weeks off during international break. Sick of hearing about players who need a break

He's got three big games coming up next week he's our only non injured central midfielder who can defend. He needs rest. You should be able to see put a three goal lead with half an hour left.

The fault was not with the substitution it was with the players