The Title Race - 2023/24

[Dobsy]

I’m not sure about that. No-one had heard of Rodri when we signed him.

We have solid finances and this is already going to be another good year, so we have an opportunity to push the boat out a bit to secure some quality where it’s needed.

Be nice to see two solid squad players (at a minimum) brought in.

Also, don’t forget we can rejigger the squads after the January window and remove players we will be moving on, although that’s less likely.

"At a minimum" is such an entitled statement.

No-one had heard of Rodri when we signed him.

Rodri started for Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone in the era when they were competing for the Spanish league title and the European Cup. It's like if we now went out and signed Nico Barella. It also took him years to build up to what he is now, he was not a game changer in the short term.

The reason we're as competitive as we are is that we haven't made knee jerk signings for years. That's why Phillips is a huge outlier as the only flop in years.

We have a good squad, probably as good as last season and better than any in the league. All the fundamentals that have won us 3 league titles in a row and the Treble are still in place. Some people just need to accept that no matter how good the club gets, we will not be constantly winning everything all the time.

 

[the blue panther]

We remain in a decent position to attack in the second half of the season. More of the top 5/6 teams are able to take points off each other this season than in recent previous ones.
We've had significant injuries and suspensions. At full strength, we have the best 1st 11. 2 of the games we lost were to deflected single goals - Arsenal and Villa. Another one - Wolves - we lost after conceding 2 out of 2 chances, and were on the arse end of poor reffing decisions.
In the 2nd half of the season I expect us to rise above all these issues, just as we all know we are perfectly capable of doing - especially if we can get a strong replacement for Phillips. Taking our chances would help!
Liverpool and Arsenal still don't look strong enough to me. They both struggled at Luton. We should have beaten Liverpool comfortably at home.
When all's said and done, we've only looked good against United and for just a half of a few other games so far this season - far from top gear. Let's hope we can start to bring our 'A' game back into play this weekend.

 

[Alfie Budd]

We will need 90 points - 60 points from our remaining 23 games.

With us still to play at Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham and Brighton, that’s a huge ask.

Squandering 6 points against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham might prove costly. Champions tend to score late goals, not concede them.

I'll be shocked if 90 points are required this season. It's only ever happened twice in the PL era - our title wins in 2018-19 and 2021-22.
For the runners up to end up with 90 points, it needs to be a two horse race with third place a long way adrift. I can't see this season panning out like that at the moment.

 

[blueparrot]

I'll be shocked if 90 points are required this season. It's only ever happened twice in the PL era - our title wins in 2018-19 and 2021-22.
For the runners up to end up with 90 points, it needs to be a two horse race with third place a long way adrift. I can't see this season panning out like that at the moment.

Can’t see it being much more than 84 needed. Us Liverpool and Arsenal all capable of taking points of each other and all capable of dropping points against teams like Villa, spurs Newcastle,even united all scrapping for 4 th. Even Chelsea have shown they can give the better teams a game

 

[Newman123]

Shut up it’s getting tedious

Tedious? You won 3 in a row, the treble last season and are a few points behind us. Tedious is being 1st for 98% of the season and then losing the league. If what you guys are going through is tedious, then please give me tedious every day.

 

[MadchesterCity]

Tedious? You won 3 in a row, the treble last season and are a few points behind us. Tedious is being 1st for 98% of the season and then losing the league. If what you guys are going through is tedious, then please give me tedious every day.

No your comments and tempting of fate by bigging up City is tedious

 

[wolviedinho]

This is the start of our title tilt. Win every game now for the next month and I will believe it’s on.

Very much doable for this team. Villa result was needed imo. No more thinking we can just turn up. Time to get the sleeves rolled up and chase down every ball. Only then will we go up a notch. Defining moment coming up.

I am backing them to respond.

 

[tregyblue61]

Tedious? You won 3 in a row, the treble last season and are a few points behind us. Tedious is being 1st for 98% of the season and then losing the league. If what you guys are going through is tedious, then please give me tedious every day.

You didn't "lose the league," you lost a lead in the title race.

 

[Newman123]

You didn't "lose the league," you lost a lead in the title race.

We bottled it.

 

[Mancity1980]

It's mad to see this obvious point so rarely pointed out in favour of chat of "hunger" and "desire".

It’s not mad it’s anti-city propaganda.