The Title Race - 2023/24

[Gone for a Burton]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0. We had a 5 point lead but finished 4th all be it 1 point behind champions Derby County. Sometimes one game can define a whole season, suspect yesterday at Anfield was one of them.

The best performance by a visiting goal keeper I've ever seen at Maine Road.

A wet,skiddy, muddy pitch and Banks saved everything.

Ironic and costly as City had tried to sign Banks from Leicester but delayed at the last minute as Joe tried to chip 5 grand off the fee.

Twixt Stoke found out out and nipped in to sign him.

Malcolm went mad with Joe and some believe it was the start of the breakdown in their relationship.

Banks could've been in goal for us that day and history would've been very different.

 

[Coatigan]

jeezo, still 6 games to go!

What makes this year different is, there are now two teams that can overtake us the next time we fail to win a game, rather than just one. Or even if one doesn't, the other could. The stakes are higher, a proper 3 way race. But hopefully so is the desire and the nerve.

People talk about the hunger to win now we are on top and have it in our hands. What seems forgotten is that we will know we are chasing a never been done before 4 in a row. We have seen how good we can be when chasing records in sight, firsts and never been dones.

I love it.

 

[Newman123]

Yeah because our lads don't put any effort in do they? Your post is a bit disrespectful to our players and Pep many of whom have overcome massive challenges to be successful - e.g. Kompany's battles against injury, David Silva playing whilst his son was fighting for his life and Bernado's struggles against Seasonal Affective Disorder ;)

It was the opposite of disrespectful. I am saying just how good City are in contrast to us and Liverpool that you guys make it look so easy and make it so hard to take the title from you. Im an Arsenal fan but am in complete awe of City tbh. Definitely best teams in the prem and best manager to ever be in the prem.

Atleast the Utd fans cant go on about their treble team or Ferguson anymore.

 

[Coatigan]

Yeah because our lads don't put any effort in do they? Your post is a bit disrespectful to our players and Pep many of whom have overcome massive challenges to be successful - e.g. Kompany's battles against injury, David Silva playing whilst his son was fighting for his life and Bernado's struggles against Seasonal Affective Disorder ;)

I didn't read it as disrespectful. Or bitter etc. The guy is disheartened, and he is not alone, I get it. And it isn't the first time he has noted an expectation of us ultimately winning it, even when we were behind. Such is the aura Pep has built around this team, he absolutely has a point with that. I have no issue with it.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

Arsenal and Liverpool fans throwing the towel in with 6 games to go.
We were 8 points behind at this stage in 2012.

For some reason we never really talk about how much that United team did bottle it in the very real sense of the word that year.

Losing a game against Villa isn't really bottling it. Losing to Wigan, being 4-2 up against Everton but drawing the game, and then going to a rival and not having a shot on target? One of the all time great bottle jobs. Us nearly fucking it on the last day and Aguero's heroics overshadows an absolutely embarrassing penultimate season from old bacon face.

 

[jamesha]

I didn't read it as disrespectful. Or bitter etc. The guy is disheartened, and he is not alone, I get it. And it isn't the first time he has noted an expectation of us ultimately winning it, even when we were behind. Such is the aura Pep has built around this team, he absolutely has a point with that. I have no issue with it.

Neither do I - just wanted to do the Bernado SAD gag!

 

[MadchesterCity]

I'd love the last game to be a dead rubber and a trophy presentation.

I booked a hotel in town for the night a few months ago as I did last year as driving home to the coast after winning the league isn't the way forward when there'slots of beer to drink.

It first hotel I book every season as only match TV can’t change

 

[alexmcity]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0.

Palace could have scored 3 goals at Anfield, though. Liverpool missed many chances in the 2nd half, bit Palace were the better team in the 1st half and had 1-2 great chances in the 2nd half too.

 

[Newman123]

I still cant get over utd fans claiming Fergie is still the best ever manager. Pep has basically turned the prem into a farmers league against better opposition. Fergie lost out to us, Liverpool and Chelsea many times.

Our current Arsenal team or the Liverpool team would be slapping his teams about.

 

[bluenova]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0. We had a 5 point lead but finished 4th all be it 1 point behind champions Derby County. Sometimes one game can define a whole season, suspect yesterday at Anfield was one of them.

It was a much more even game - but as Palace scored early, and Liverpool didn't click till late, it makes it look more like Palace were a little lucky.

There were 7 big chances in the game, and Palace had 3 of them. Liverpool missed a lot of chances, but then Crystal Palace should probably have scored at least one more, and were the much better team in the first half.

 

[super_city_si]

Arsenal and Liverpool both play twice before our next prem game. We'll likely be playing catch up which is nothing new

 

[Newman123]

Arsenal and Liverpool both play twice before our next prem game. We'll likely be playing catch up which is nothing new

The only semblance of hope I have. As you want to always be infront of City and never behind. Though theres more questions on if we drop points likewise with Liverpool.

 

[meeesh]

I'd love to see Carragher and Merson together in a locked room, with a 12ft fucking alligator

 

[mike1923]

far too long to go to start celebrating yet

One draw and we are back to third

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Atleast the Utd fans cant go on about their treble team or Ferguson anymore.

yeah, but you people will still go on about being the Invincibles…

;-)

Arsenal fan I was fairly friendly with said the last ten games or so were nothing but torture. To be fair, it was a hell of an achievement, even with all the draws. I really don't see who will do it again.
Incidentally, you can thank us for keeping that record intact in 2018-19. Believe it, they would have gone on and on and on about it…

 

[goater1985]

Arsenal and Liverpool both play twice before our next prem game. We'll likely be playing catch up which is nothing new

I actually think (at this point) that will be a positive. Absolutely no concern about us playing catch up with games in hand as the pressure rarely, if ever, gets to us. Not saying we are guaranteed to win any games in hand but being behind wont be an issue for the players.

And the potential plus side is one or both could quite possibly drop points. I'd actually be surprised if both pick up 6 points from their 2 respective fixtures before we KO at Brighton.

 

[Mcfc1.9.8.0]

far too long to go to start celebrating yet

One draw and we are back to third

Only if Liverpool win 4-0

 

[mike1923]

Only if Liverpool win 4-0

Thought their goal difference was better than ours, but I’m glad to have been corrected!

 

[vmsuhail]

For some reason we never really talk about how much that United team did bottle it in the very real sense of the word that year.

Losing a game against Villa isn't really bottling it. Losing to Wigan, being 4-2 up against Everton but drawing the game, and then going to a rival and not having a shot on target? One of the all time great bottle jobs. Us nearly fucking it on the last day and Aguero's heroics overshadows an absolutely embarrassing penultimate season from old bacon face.

I've seen a video of Rio advising the kids who lost 9-0 to City, about how they were embarrassed 1-6 and bounced back and won the title afterwards. Them walking the title the year afterwards dampened the narrative on the bottlejob they did in 2011-12.

 

[Blue Elvis]

The best performance by a visiting goal keeper I've ever seen at Maine Road.

A wet,skiddy, muddy pitch and Banks saved everything.

Ironic and costly as City had tried to sign Banks from Leicester but delayed at the last minute as Joe tried to chip 5 grand off the fee.

Twixt Stoke found out out and nipped in to sign him.

Malcolm went mad with Joe and some believe it was the start of the breakdown in their relationship.

Banks could've been in goal for us that day and history would've been very different.

Was at that game and said exactly the same thing to my Dad about how brilliant Banks was ! Some saves were even better than the famous Pele one in the 1970 World Cup !!!

Wasn't it a Mike Doyle own goal which settled the result ?


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