The Title Race - 2024/25

[supercity88]

If we win the league this season without Rodri all season it will be Pep’s finest achievement. I was confident after the first 3 games but I don’t think we have played well since then. The way Brentford, Inter and Fulham have caused us problems is a bit concerning.

The only positive I take is that we have got the win in games we have been way off it for large periods like against Brentford and Fulham. In previous seasons we would have at best drawn those.

But Rodri missing is a huge issue and Kovacic and Gundo as a combination has a long way to go to do what Rodri can do on his own! International break comes at a good time in my opinion.

Plenty need to step up and we need to stop playing so gung ho at times, because it's playing into the opposition's hands. We have had long periods where we have been incapable of keeping the ball.

 

[SWPISHOME]

They either play attacking, high pressing football with inverting fullbacks or they can play a low block and hit on the counter as they know teams can't score against them.

Yeah City just scored the two against them, Leicester also scored the two against them along with Brighton and Southampton scoring against them.

 

[Coatigan]

Yeah City just scored the two against them, Leicester also scored the two against them along with Brighton and Southampton scoring against them.

They were playing attacking high pressing football in those moments ;)

 

[handsofstone]

The balance is currently off, yes Rodri is a (big) part of that but also the press and how easy it is to escape it

We adopted this slow, control, suffocating style to limit our physical weaknesses and help stop the counters, but atm it's not working

Not sure what the solution is, wouldn't mind seeing Akanji brought in at RB and Stones at CB, go back to the "four centrebacks" that made us solid

improving our press is however our bigger issue and that's something Pep has to figure out

 

[Withnail]

The only positive I take is that we have got the win in games we have been way off it for large periods like against Brentford and Fulham. In previous seasons we would have at best drawn those.

But Rodri missing is a huge issue and Kovacic and Gundo as a combination has a long way to go to do what Rodri can do on his own! International break comes at a good time in my opinion.

Plenty need to step up and we need to stop playing so gung ho at times, because it's playing into the opposition's hands. We have had long periods where we have been incapable of keeping the ball.

Pep knows we can't sustain a challenge playing like today. I think he will be looking to bring another dm in the January , possibly Wharton. The main concern was how easily Fulham ran through our midfield at will.

 

[Inter Me Nan]

If we win our next game at Wolves we'll be 2 points up on last season after the same amount of games.
Just saying.

 

[mancityscot]

Liverpool and Arsenal will not have a better chance to win it imo.

 

[Bluescholar]

We're in it, that's what counts, and when we're on it we could well win it!

 

[city2]

All the teams have improved and going under the radar apart from one, let’s not panic Pep has got this and even he will have off days. FFS we do have some fanny fans on here are we in 14 position oops that’s the team from Trafford

 

[bridgeno1]

I don't think anyone is looking top dollar at present. Liverpool have played cannon fodder so far, not a single decent side. City weren't great today but neither were Arsenal. Both won despite not being on song whereas Liverpool had to hang on vs Palace despite being at their best for most of that game.

Dippers fans I know say that Salah is not as good as previous seasons - he can still finish but he's lost his explosive turn of pace and power.

City never show their final form until late Feb anyway.

Suspect both City and Arsenal will get their players absolutely flogged by their national team managers again so rotation will be key. I can't stand the cheating Glaswegian who used to manage the Rags but one thing he did do very well was have his players come down with mysterious viruses right around the international breaks.