The Title Race - 2024/25

[alexmcity]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/14/manchester-city-results-pep-guardiola-analysis

Decent article for once in the guardian on data analysis. We’re not playing tooooo bad according to the data. Although the only numbers that count are on the scoreboard it’s a bit of much needed positivity

That's spot on.

This team is not finished. 3-4 wins plus 1-2 quality new players in January could make a big difference for the rest of the season.

The main reason why many don't see the good things in our game, e.g., vs Palace and Juventus, is the outcome bias: a bad result means a bad performance. Several bad results mean the team is finished, Pep is finished, Txiki did a poor job, etc. Sometimes shit happens, we are unlucky and the results are bad.

Pep's main mistake in the preparation for this season is relying on Stones and Ake to stay fit. Their injuries make it difficult for the other defenders, as these are overplayed and get injuries or lose form. We need a new CB.

 

[Inter Me Nan]

If we had Rodri it's definitely still on but we don't have Rodri!
That's how good he is.

 

[Bluearmy]

That's spot on.

This team is not finished. 3-4 wins plus 1-2 quality new players in January could make a big difference for the rest of the season.

The main reason why many don't see the good things in our game, e.g., vs Palace and Juventus, is the outcome bias: a bad result means a bad performance. Several bad results mean the team is finished, Pep is finished, Txiki did a poor job, etc. Sometimes shit happens, we are unlucky and the results are bad.

Pep's main mistake in the preparation for this season is relying on Stones and Ake to stay fit. Their injuries make it difficult for the other defenders, as these are overplayed and get injuries or lose form. We need a new CB.

I’d say we need a RB, LB, DM, AM, goal scoring winger and back up for Haaland before we buy a centre back with the folowing at the club already,

Dias
Gvardiol
Akanji
Ake
Stones
Wilson-Esbrand

Even if Stones goes, which is probably the right decision with his fitness issues, we’d still be ok with Gvardiol moving across to his actual position!!

 

[Bluewonder]

I’d say we need a RB, LB, DM, AM, goal scoring winger and back up for Haaland before we buy a centre back with the folowing at the club already,

Dias
Gvardiol
Akanji
Ake
Stones
Wilson-Esbrand

Even if Stones goes, which is probably the right decision with his fitness issues, we’d still be ok with Gvardiol moving across to his actual position!!

We need that over the next 18 months or so, but a high class DM/CM and the alleviation of our defensive injury crisis would solve a lot of problems right now.

 

[Bluearmy]

We need that over the next 18 months or so, but a high class DM/CM and the alleviation of our defensive injury crisis would solve a lot of problems right now.

Oh agreed. The DM is number 1 requirement clearly in Jan. Scandalous strategy we went into this season with no cover at DM (Kovacic is not a DM) or for Haaland.

 

[Leyland Blue]

Apologies if it has already been said but this time last year, when we were at our most vulnerable, the Tarquins failed to take advantage. This included, coincidentally, dropping points against Fulham.

We have such a psychological hold over the rest (see TAA’s comments this week), that “all” we need is a couple of wins on the bounce, starting with today, to strike fear into the rest.

I know it seems unlikely, but it did this time last year also. Admittedly, it does “feel” different this season, but we just need to start rolling….

 

[jimharri]

Clinton Morrison on SSN a few minutes ago. Re the title race, "don't rule out City". Never been a fan of his punditry, but he's gone up in my estimation.




Even if he is wrong.

:-(

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Apologies if it has already been said but this time last year, when we were at our most vulnerable, the Tarquins failed to take advantage. This included, coincidentally, dropping points against Fulham.

There are too many teams ahead and around us this season.
Looks like we may well be 6th going in to todays match.
If it was one team ahead if us, I could see us catching them but we are now depending on several teams going through a bad spell along with us going on a sustained winning run.
I think the results over the Xmas/ New Year will tell a lot on who are realistic challengers for the title.

 

[Sebi]

 

[malg]

View attachment 140663

Eh...??