When is it time for a change?

[KS55]

I think we should start looking for Pep’s replacement now. When we find him, come to some arrangement with Pep under which he leaves with full battle honours as soon as his replacement is available. I’m thinking we might find the right guy some time next year and allow him to do at least the second half of the rebuild with the new DoF. Pep has to go sometime and it would be to the advantage of the rebuild for his replacement, sorry successor, to get to work.

 

[Chris Holmes]

Yes but when that’s yer modus operandi a point can be a lifeline! Roll on Leicester!

Modus Operandi sounds like the tough tackling, physical midfielder we need at the moment

 

[VOOMER]

So we are agreed we currently are playing like relegation fodder, I'm not sure you can make a positive case out of that.

Not if as expected there are no signings in January

 

[1961_vintage]

1.15

 

[flook]

I’m firmly in the academy kids camp. But not right at this stage to be blooding them in. Mine is definitely more of an observation over the last few seasons when we were absolutely dominant and the kids were used sparingly to say the least. Lots of opportunities at 3/4/5 up that weren’t used. Many have moved on and a lot to some impressive success.

I’ve said elsewhere but Viana needs to look at this with some serious long term planning to make sure we are fully utilising it for our squad as well as our bottom line. There will no doubt be kids in the academy capable of coming in and helping long term. Anyone with half a brain could see Lavia and Palmer were premier league level with a high ceiling of potential and all squads need that sort of potential. We were patient with Foden and should be doing that more often. For my money Rico is being overplayed ironically, but the squad balance is a million miles off it at the moment.

Agree completely, my comment was aimed at those who see the academy guys as the immediate solution to todays problems. I was surprised and disappointed that Lavia and Palmer were allowed to leave, and with hindsight I think it's clear that wasn't great. With Rico we're making the same mistake as the rags make with their "wonderkids", over-hyped and over-played too early. Mainoo is currently in danger there and Amad will be the next one. Both those have obvious talent, but putting them on the pedestal too early is a mistake the rags have made for years. We don't usually, but with Rico we may have done.

 

[flook]

McAtee???? Is he world class, no. But has he experience in the Prem, yes and he has ten times the legs of someone like Gundo. How he isn’t worth even a few mins at present is beyond me

Agreed, my point was, using the academy lads to solve todays problem isn't the answer. Yes they should be blooded in, and that isn't happening, but then ask yourself, is now the time to be doing it. Besides, when McAtee has played he's been no better than anyone else and less effective than most (acknowledging he hasn't had sufficient chance so I'm not judging)

 

[CityDean]

It's getting worrying. I want Pep to say but clear to see that some of these players are not playing for him. We have players pulling out with "illness" - and clearly there's something going on behind the scenes that we don't know. 3 or 4 new faces in January hopefully get the season back on track, and then give Pep a warchest for the summer. Make City great again because I'm tired of these shitshows and lack of effort.

 

[robbieh]

The idea that anyone sacks Pep is ludicrous. But if it carries on like this then he has to have the self awareness to walk away. Unlike many I don't think we have no good players. Haaland, Foden, Savinho, Kovacic, Bernardo, Ake, Gvardiol are all top class players. We are not playing well as a team and that usually has something to do with the manager.
It hasn't reached that point yet but I said before this game that 7 points from 4 relatively easy games against Everton, Leicester, West Ham and Brentford was probably all we could hope for, which in itself is how far we've fallen. Not a good start.

 

[eyalluvitt]

It's been two months out of eight years. Give Pep a chance to sort it out, he has earned that right. Once everyone is fit and a couple of players come in January, we then get a couple of results and the confidence will come flooding back.

That’s the best case scenario, it could also continue to be dreadful, game after game with a lost dressing room and Pep walks for the greater good of the club

 

[eastmanc]

That’s the best case scenario, it could also continue to be dreadful, game after game with a lost dressing room and Pep walks for the greater good of the club

Here's a question. Who do we get in if as you say Pep walks.