Pep Guardiola has thrown in the towel

[Tall Paul]

But you said the defence is crap because Kompany is injured.

[KRBFC]

But you said the defence is crap because Kompany is injured.

I don't think it's just defensive ability that Kompany offers.

[Tall Paul]

OK, so we shouldn't expect a team's defence to improve when the (genius) manager spends £50m on a new defender and brings in his favoured goalkeeper.

Fair enough.

[Sidney1st]

What I've said above are just facts. The wheels came off after Guardiola was announced after the Jan window. They were second when he was announced, and then had an awful run of games (winning 3 of next 11). Pellegrini has since come out and said it definitely affected the players and he regrets announcing it halfway through the season.

Similar to the first time Fergie announced he was going to retire and then changed his mind when UTD nearly collapsed in the title race.

[Sidney1st]

A teams defence isn't just the centre back pairing, surely us as Burnley fans know that? The protection from the midfield is a big part of a defensive framework and getting the balance correct is key. Stones cost £50M due to his potential not his current ability.

I said this earlier, about protection from the front.
They have the players, including bench players like Delph which I think it was you who scoffed at.

Pep just needs to drop the fancy crap and go with something else when his best players are out.

If Stones is going to keep having shockers, they might as well have kept Mangala, he can do that and he cost less.

[ecc]

"He didn't sign Zabaleta, Toure, Fernando, Navas, Sagna, Kolarov and the rest of the useless lot."

They weren't "rubbish" before because most of them have two PL medals. He knew how old they were way back when he was negotiating his contract. He knew all four full-backs were over 30. Did he sign one?

[claretdom]

When City won the first 6 games and were clear at the top the love in was in full flow about the genius.

Now it is excuses and all down to the players.

[KRBFC]

"He didn't sign Zabaleta, Toure, Fernando, Navas, Sagna, Kolarov and the rest of the useless lot."

They weren't "rubbish" before because most of them have two PL medals. He knew how old they were way back when he was negotiating his contract. He knew all four full-backs were over 30. Did he sign one?

I agree, some of them weren't rubbish 3 years ago, but 3 years is a long time in football. I honestly think he's in no rush, he's slowly building and laying foundations of a long term project. Whether he succeeds or not, we'll soon see but I certainly wouldn't be writing him off until he's got his targets in and got rid of the old guard who weren't good enough last year or the year before.

[KRBFC]

I said this earlier, about protection from the front.
They have the players, including bench players like Delph which I think it was you who scoffed at.

Pep just needs to drop the fancy crap and go with something else when his best players are out.

If Stones is going to keep having shockers, they might as well have kept Mangala, he can do that and he cost less.

Fabian Delph we're talking about Man City here not Burnley.
You mention they have Delph then you wonder why they aren't currently top of the league. Delph wouldn't get in any other top 6 side, he can't even get in the England squad.

[Sidney1st]

Delph is a steady player and right now they need that.

Yaya is only any good when he can be arsed to turn up, a lot of people don't rate Fernando, so what's wrong with playing Delph in the short term?

[Vintage Claret]

He'(Pep) is such a mard arse though, you do wonder if he has the stomach for the fight.

I think I'm starting to dislike him already, almost as much as the whinging Portugese git at the other side of Manchester.

[Sidney1st]

For those of you on FB, Paddy Power have a very funny video up ripping Pep.

I expect City fans to be getting mocked too, today when they get round to releasing their video.

[KRBFC]

Delph is a steady player and right now they need that.

Yaya is only any good when he can be arsed to turn up, a lot of people don't rate Fernando, so what's wrong with playing Delph in the short term?

Delph doesn't win you games, he's not good enough for a side many expect to be top of the league. People can't wait to judge him, he's been 6 months in the job and one blip already has people believing Pep's clueless. I thought they were excellent with Gundogan playing, Aguero and KDB on top form and Fernandinho running the show in midfield earlier in the season, injuries suspensions have set them back though. Even the game against Chelsea which sent the clubs in opposite directions was a game City should have won easily, if they win that game it could have been completely different.

[TheFamilyCat]

Can I just check I've understood this correctly?

A poster who will not give Sean Dyche any credit, despite sitting 10th in the league with the smallest budget is defending a manager who, despite the millions (billions?) at his disposal, has given up on winning the title.

That's what's happening, right?

[claretdom]

A poster who will not give Sean Dyche any credit, despite sitting 10th in the league with the smallest budget is defending a manager who, despite the millions (billions?) at his disposal, has given up on winning the title.

Yep, but if you asked 100 people which poster it was, I reckon at least 99% would recognise who and say the idiots name. The 1% is if saxo was asked in the 100 and he would claim it was himself who put it.

[Sidney1st]

Delph doesn't win you games, he's not good enough for a side many expect to be top of the league. People can't wait to judge him, he's been 6 months in the job and one blip already has people believing Pep's clueless. I thought they were excellent with Gundogan playing, Aguero and KDB on top form and Fernandinho running the show in midfield earlier in the season, injuries suspensions have set them back though. Even the game against Chelsea which sent the clubs in opposite directions was a game City should have won easily, if they win that game it could have been completely different.

I've already stated virtually the same as you, the midfield aren't doing their job of helping to protect the defence etc.
The framework isn't set up correctly.

Pep has taken the job because he wanted the challenge, but I suspect he didn't do his homework properly or was arrogant enough to assume he wouldn't need to worry as much.

That City squad hasn't turned rubbish overnight.
Yes they're a year older, but they're still head and shoulders above a large number of squads in overall quality.

Until he pulls his head out of his arse and chucks the attractive passing football in the bin for the rest of the season, they're going to keep on leaking goals.

People don't rate Milner either, but he's dependable and doing a job, virtually making himself undropable.

[KRBFC]

Can I just check I've understood this correctly?

A poster who will not give Sean Dyche any credit, despite sitting 10th in the league with the smallest budget is defending a manager who, despite the millions (billions?) at his disposal, has given up on winning the title.

That's what's happening, right?

I won't give Dyche credit?
I gave him credit for the way he has transformed the club since his arrival, our home form this season, his signings last and this season. The only thing I have criticised about Dyche is the hoofball football and his repetitive boring interviews.

[claretdom]

I am surprised you have an issue with someone being repetitive.

[TVC15]

Fernando and Fernandinho both played really well on the Turf this year - loads of City fans rate them both. Ya Ya is now an unnecessary luxury - he did nothing in both games against us and was embarrassed yesterday by an 18 year old kid. His legs have gone.

Pep playing Zabeletta in midfield is just crazy....especially knowing how energetic the Everton midfield are.

He picks a different side every game and often there is no justification for it - players do not like being rested for the sake of it.

When you see City play its not clear what he is trying to do - he wants them to keep the ball at all costs but it breaks down completely in the final third. The slow pace of their possession football just means that when they do finally get the ball in the final third there is no space. The only time they looked dangerous against us in the last game was when they broke on the counter - and they do have the players to catch teams on the counter with Aguero, KDB, Sterling, Navas etc. But he does not really play the Liverpool pressing and counter game.

Barcelona could play his possession style because of the players they had - the best midfield and forwards in the world. And they were playing against a totally different style of football in La Liga - most teams were already beaten before they walked on the pitch.

For Bayern Munich his record was no better than his predecessor - infact it was worse. Again they won the title at a canter because they have by far the best players in the league - the gap is just too big and again most teams in that league know they are beaten and do not even attempt to change their tactics to try and contain Bayern.

The Premier League is completely different - there are lots of teams who can cause problems for the top 6. Man City were not an especially dominant force in the league before Pep arrived. The players he has brought in have not worked so they are no better - and probably a bit worse / older than under Pelegrini.

Stones is getting a lot of stick but I think he is a good player who is having to take a lot in at the moment. Otamendi does not come in for half the stick as Stones - yet he cost £30m and he is older than Stones. He gets booked every game and gives away so many rash challenges in dangerous places. The full backs are nowhere near the quality of Spurs or Chelsea or even Southampton. Trippier and Ben Davies the reserve full backs for Spurs would both get into the City team.

The keeper is awful - his kicking is actually very good. But the rest of his game is rubbish. He punches everything and he makes very few saves that are in the bracket Tom Heaton, Jack Butland, Joe Hart, De Gey, Lloris, the lad Pickford at Sunderland etc make regularly. How many times this season have we seen Sky or BBC highlight a decent save made by Bravo ? I can`t think of one.

Peps only been at the club a few months and they won`t sack him so soon - he`ll be given another couple of hundred million to spend this year no doubt and eventually he might get it right. But I doubt that whatever happens City will run away with the Premier League like Barca or Bayern at any point in his tenure. Even if manages to get Messi at City - which actually I would not be surprised with.

[Quickenthetempo]

The great start he had has been a big downfall for him as it drove up expectations massively.

It's funny how Moanrinhio is getting plaudits at the moment but is still two points behind the hapless City.

[Claretto]

The great start he had has been a big downfall for him as it drove up expectations massively.

It's funny how Moanrinhio is getting plaudits at the moment but is still two points behind the hapless City.

Probably to do with them picking up 19 of their last 21 points !

[KRBFC]

Probably to do with them picking up 19 of their last 21 points !

I don't see the relevance at all, are you saying United are doing better than City because they've won more of their previous 7 games than City have? The season is more than 7 games old or do the previous games not matter? United are 2 points behind City. Some people hate on successful people, people hate to see others succeed, it's quite sad but that's life these days.

[Tall Paul]

I don't see the relevance at all, are you saying United are doing better than City because they've won more of their previous 7 games than City have? The season is more than 7 games old or do the previous games not matter? United are 2 points behind City. Some people hate on successful people, people hate to see others succeed, it's quite sad but that's life these days.

It's a bit like Dyche getting pelters for our away record as if the home games don't matter, isn't it?

[KRBFC]

It's a bit like Dyche getting pelters for our away record as if the home games don't matter, isn't it?

Yeah pretty much however I did show concern for our away form prior to us winning our previous 3 home games, I was premature in my criticism/concern. I just honestly didn't see us winning 3 home games in a row maybe I should be more optimistic and have more faith.

[Claretto]

I don't see the relevance at all, are you saying United are doing better than City because they've won more of their previous 7 games than City have? The season is more than 7 games old or do the previous games not matter? United are 2 points behind City. Some people hate on successful people, people hate to see others succeed, it's quite sad but that's life these days.

He had said:

"It's funny how Moanrinhio is getting plaudits at the moment"

Please try to keep up.

[IanMcL]

Mr G is struggling under the pressure. Easy managing a one horse or two horse race, where everything goes well. Not easy when even the worst can knock you over, any week. Pretty football not best in the Prem.