Pep Guardiola - 2020/21 Performances

[M12Blue]

That doesn't fit the comments about players who want to play for the club. It would explain why Pep looked cross BEFORE the game though.

Aren’t players aware of team selection early in day? If and a big if sterling kicked off I’m not sure Pep be still looking pissed off in the evening. Could be anything, I’m sure we’ll see happy Pep at weekend

 

[dublinblue12]

Just a bit hangry I think

 

[M12Blue]

I would collect the cup , place it in the middle of the pitch and walk off.

Drop it off the bus during parade

 

[Boo or Boo-urns]

He's probably thinking that the Chumps is beyond his team in the knockout phases with the squad he has available to him.

- A GK that is useless at saving pens.
- A RB that has brain-dead moments creeping into his game.
- A RB that is more effective floating in MF.
- A CB that is now third choice and errors creeping into his game.
- One functioning LB without a reliable backup.
- A DM on his last legs.
- A RW who can blow hot or cold.
- A world class MF slowly being nursed into action.
- A world class striker slowly being nursed into action.
- An offside striker that is more effective on the left.
- A rookie as an emergency striker.
- A front man who's touch, goals and form has deserted him.

Other than that, its looking good for the PL title.

 

[supercity88]

I was of the opinion before his bad injury that Laporte doesn't read the game very well and is far too reactive to be a 'top' defender. His injury was largely self-inflicted, due to him trying to tackle with the wrong foot. Anyone who has played the game would have seen that - It wasn't the first time and it wasn't the last... He's all over the shop.

Dias and Stones (and in my opinion, Nathan Ake) read danger better and are more proactive (and therefore more reliable) defenders than Laporte.

It must be frustrating for any coach to see multi-million pound players making basic errors. He's not 'Mangala level' of bad, but Laporte is almost certainly at number four in our list of central defenders, and I can't see him being at City next season.

I think he just needs a continued run in the team. For me, he's still defending like there's half a pitch behind him and getting far too tight. In previous seasons that was our MO. Get tight, hold the player up, maybe give a free kick and then get back into position. This season we defend deeper, we allow the opposition to run with the ball whilst we get a shape together and runners come back and to avoid us being exposed.

He's rusty and he's making mistakes, but he's been out for a long time and is a class defender when on form. Definitely third best at the moment. Ake is no way ahead of him in the list.

 

[mcfcbill91]

I feel it was a combination of frustration with the VAR/referee and a 'dip' in our defending & build up play.

Pep mentioned about conceding from a throw in against West Ham, the United penalty coming from a throw in/Jesus panic on Sunday and then the penalty last night originating from that odd backheel from Walker. Teams haven't played through us to score - we've made small errors that have led to it.

Looking at the last few games, the Wolves goal was from a set piece and we had 5-10 shaky minutes afterward too.

Southampton did approach the first 30 minutes with an incredible intensity to the press, but we did look panicky and cheaply conceded the ball a few times in dangerous areas.

We've certainly given up some cheap goals and missed some key chances of late.

The 21 game run has put us in a position to win the league, with great progress in the cup competitions and a final in April. When it comes to converting that into trophies, the standard is raised even higher. Whilst the schedule has been unrelenting, to let it slip away would be immensely frustrating for us and Pep.

If the players want to win the CL in particular, there can be no concession of daft penalties and goals. Give away a cheap goal next Tuesday and BMG will think they have a chance.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Lol, Ake isn’t fit to carry Laporte’s boots. Very much a squad utility player

It's all about flexibility and ability to fit into different roles. Laporte is no more than a standard 'up and down' centre back who will work hard but is very lmited. No better than Jonny Evans imo.
I think we may well see Ake more involved before next season. He's quick, ideal as CB in a four or left side of a back three and can fit in as DM if needed. He's much more of a Pep-style player.

 

[LongsightM13]

It's all about flexibility and ability to fit into different roles. Laporte is no more than a standard 'up and down' centre back who will work hard but is very lmited. No better than Jonny Evans imo.
I think we may well see Ake more involved before next season. He's quick, ideal as CB in a four or left side of a back three and can fit in as DM if needed. He's much more of a Pep-style player.

We’ll have to agree to disagree

 

[waspish]

The solution to the whole VAR corruption facade is blindingly simple and obvious. Simply mic up the refs and VAR officials and have their conversations broadcast live. No time delay, no editing allowed. Live as it happens. Simple.

This would immediately stop any chance of decisions like last night being made.
It would level up the playing field and make the game a lot more fair and true.
It would also mean City would gain a plus 10 points advantage over their nearest rivals every season. We would have won the title last year and would be about to win 4 in a row as well as probably at least one champions League, possibly two.

That's why they won't do it.

Football is racist, corrupt, and bent.

so last night if mic up you hear fatty say player A pulled back player B penalty thicko in var box say yep can’t overturn that there was contact!

foden incident Fatty says player A got a touch of the ball just check that Bloke in box yeah gets a slight touch!

mic them up will change nowt.

 

[waspish]

Aren’t players aware of team selection early in day? If and a big if sterling kicked off I’m not sure Pep be still looking pissed off in the evening. Could be anything, I’m sure we’ll see happy Pep at weekend

Sterling is not the type to make a fuss he been on the bench a few times this season.