Premier League 2024/25

[Staff]

3 hours ago, Bert said:

With 0 points to show for it. 

Long may it continue 

[Supergray22]

10 hours ago, Haywood_6 said:

Morgan Rogers is an unbelievable player, pace, power strength. Jack Grealish on the other hand - absolutely useless.

Could start for England if he keeps up this form. 

[Wymsey]

Think Pep is being found out now.

 

Despite his trophy haul, don't believe that he's one of the best managers ever - he inherited very decent teams whereever he has managed, more-or-less.

[honeybradger]

4 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

Think Pep is being found out now.

 

Despite his trophy haul, don't believe that he's one of the best managers ever - he inherited very decent teams whereever he has managed, more-or-less.

Bit of a ridiculous statement, you can give some managers all the tools but still cant get the results. Any manager with two trebles at two different clubs and multiple 100 point seasons is one of the best ever, end of. 

[OntarioFox]

1 hour ago, Wymsey said:

Think Pep is being found out now.

 

Despite his trophy haul, don't believe that he's one of the best managers ever - he inherited very decent teams whereever he has managed, more-or-less.

Nah you can't fault his acheivements, expensive squad or not. If anything I'm actually more impressed that his philosophy has taken this long to start biting him on the arse, as unless levels are 100% at all times in a possession game it all falls apart incredibly easily - as we learned the hard way under Rodgers.

The way he's led the charge towards this wet fart possession football that's stunk up so many other clubs since is more of a problem. Football as a spectacle has absolutely suffered for teams trying to emulate "Pepball" with bang average squads, and the days of Tiki-Taka dominating leagues is long gone anyway - we were part of that shift. Watching Atletico Madrid carve through Barcelona for their winner yesterday with slick counter attacking footy was a beautiful thing to see, but also bittersweet knowing we used to play like that before the slow, steady march to turdgid shite from Claudio's second season right through to Enzoball.

 

Though it will never not be funny that Man City's form dropping into the abyss happened the moment he had the temerity to praise Russel Martin. 

Edited 22 December 2024 by OntarioFox

[Matt]

3 hours ago, OntarioFox said:

Nah you can't fault his acheivements, expensive squad or not. If anything I'm actually more impressed that his philosophy has taken this long to start biting him on the arse, as unless levels are 100% at all times in a possession game it all falls apart incredibly easily - as we learned the hard way under Rodgers.

The way he's led the charge towards this wet fart possession football that's stunk up so many other clubs since is more of a problem. Football as a spectacle has absolutely suffered for teams trying to emulate "Pepball" with bang average squads, and the days of Tiki-Taka dominating leagues is long gone anyway - we were part of that shift. Watching Atletico Madrid carve through Barcelona for their winner yesterday with slick counter attacking footy was a beautiful thing to see, but also bittersweet knowing we used to play like that before the slow, steady march to turdgid shite from Claudio's second season right through to Enzoball.

 

Though it will never not be funny that Man City's form dropping into the abyss happened the moment he had the temerity to praise Russel Martin. 

It kills me. Specifically your last point regarding Atletico and making the comparisons with ourselves.

 

As I said yesterday, I do feel a change is coming though, albeit slowly.

[cruzFOX]

No one style of play can dominate forever. Like all things in life it has to evolve and adapt to survive. The dynamics of football are ever changing. Also trying to play pep ball is incredibly difficult if you don’t have quality players playing at their best.

Southampton was proving this every week.

Watch them completely change their style now with the new guy in charge.

[winteriscoming]

Not dismissing Pep’s achievements but look at who he’s managed and not like he went into small struggling clubs. Barcelona, Bayern and Man City. It would be more difficult to fail than succeed imo. 
Give me managers like Ferguson, Klopp and more recently Alonso with where they started and what they build over Pep every time. 

[Lionator]

7 hours ago, Wymsey said:

Think Pep is being found out now.

 

Despite his trophy haul, don't believe that he's one of the best managers ever - he inherited very decent teams whereever he has managed, more-or-less.

There’s a few things happening at Man City which have basically led to a perfect storm. First the obvious one is Rodri being unfit, with Stones and De Bruyne too. Obviously one man doesn’t make a team but you don’t win ballon d’or unless you’re decent. And frankly his replacements are massive step downs.

 

Two, Foden was exceptional last season scoring in so many big moments. He looks tired and lacking confidence atm. 
 

Third, they’ve signed some absolute tripe. Gvardiol is a good example of this, I don’t really rate Doku and I didn’t see the point in bringing back an aging Gundogan. 
 

Fourth, players on the genuine decline. Walker is finished, Grealish is a shell of the player at his peak. 
 

All in all this is a good recipe for a crisis. The recruitment has simply not been as good as it has for the past decade. Pep seems manic at the moment and that doesn’t lend well to getting out of a crisis. He needs a holiday, maybe even to leave City and just rediscover his love for the game, as he looks strained. He is still a revolutionary and a top 3 GOAT manager. This happens to all teams. 

[Super_horns]

They clearly have lost motivation or confidence totally 

 

Cannot just be down to injuries .

[ian__marshall]

To be fair to Pep, PSR has come back to bite them on the backside.

 

Their net spend over the last 5 years has declined to the point that they're middle of the pack.

 

Look at the talent they've lost; Kompany, Mahrez, Palmer, Laporte, Jesus, Alvarez, Fernandinho, Sterling, Zinchenko. Then factor in the injury to Rodri, and aging stars, such as De Bruyne, Walker, Gundogan, Silva, etc. who are clearly on their last legs.

 

Contrast that against some of the players that have come in; Rico Lewis (talented but developing), Kovacic (squad player at best), Ake (wasn't good enough for Bournemouth let alone Man City), Doku (all style no end product), Savinho (talented but not currently hitting the levels needed). Of course they've brought in the likes of Haaland, and Gvardiol but these are the type of players you'd expect them to recruit at their peak to maintain their levels anyway. 

 

Look at yesterday's bench. Take De Bruyne and Walker out of the equation and I think most on here would be dissatisfied if those players were on our bench. It's certainly not a bench befitting a side competing in 4 competitions at the highest level. 

 

It really is no surprise that they are struggling, any team would. Furthermore if I remember correctly from a few years back someone posted an infographic demonstrating a strong correlation between net spend and finishing position, so again is it any surprise that they're starting to drop off?!? 

 

Pep is a genius, no doubt about that, his record speaks for itself. But his football is demanding and it needs competent footballers to achieve the levels he would expect, sadly a lot of the players that they've bought in simply aren't good enough, and with the number of games it's catching up with them. 

[Chelmofox]

41 minutes ago, ian__marshall said:

To be fair to Pep, PSR has come back to bite them on the backside.

This is sarcasm right?

[Pliskin]

10 hours ago, Wymsey said:

Think Pep is being found out now.

 

Despite his trophy haul, don't believe that he's one of the best managers ever - he inherited very decent teams whereever he has managed, more-or-less.

Got to be on the ‘wynd’ up……..

[Tielemans63]

I think the Man City players and staff know that their achievements are about to look a lot less impressive. 

[Fear Of The Fox]

2 hours ago, winteriscoming said:

Not dismissing Pep’s achievements but look at who he’s managed and not like he went into small struggling clubs. Barcelona, Bayern and Man City. It would be more difficult to fail than succeed imo. 
Give me managers like Ferguson, Klopp and more recently Alonso with where they started and what they build over Pep every time. 

There were managers that failed at Barca, Real Madrid and recently one at Bayern while they had the best squads in the world. Ancelotti is also struggling so far this season with a billion budget team. 

Man City has an ageing squad, Grealish isn't a world class player, he's a poor man's Mahrez, their defense is a joke like ours and certainly what's going on with the charges has affected all their players. Foden can't produce without top players next to him, Walker needs to retire for his own good. What's left there? The robot and 2 players nearly the age of Vardy trying to do everything, Gundogan and Silva. Kovasic shouldn't even start for a team aiming for a title. 

Are they worse than Forest? Ofc not but they're definitely worse than Villa. 

[Tielemans63]

Pep is obviously a great coach but I do think he has failed to develop Man City, in the sense that he hasn't got young players ready to fill the spots of those aging players - I'd argue that's something Ferguson did brilliantly at United. In fact, it could be argued that Guardiola has been a bit negligent in letting some fantastic young talent leave, players like Palmer, Delap and Rogers could be doing a job for them right now but they were sacrificed to keep older players. I get that youth players are highly profitable in terms of PSR, but perhaps Pep should have thought a bit further ahead.

 

They shouldn't be in a position where they're resigning Gundogan at 33. They've got too many players in key positions who are showing their age. As I say, Fergie was ruthless in this regard and players were moved on pretty much the moment they showed signs of slowing down.

[RowlattsFox]

Man City have to keep the outgoings going more than any of the other top clubs. So much young talent sold and some players whilst still in their best years.  Yes they have been able to spend to replace but it shows even Man City are  couple of poor transfer windows from being dragged down. 

I think it's underrated sometimes how Pep gets the best out of certain players. Some of them have now passed their best. I'm really surprised he signed a new contract, I thought it looked a good time for him to move on. 

[Fear Of The Fox]

35 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

Man City have to keep the outgoings going more than any of the other top clubs. So much young talent sold and some players whilst still in their best years.  Yes they have been able to spend to replace but it shows even Man City are  couple of poor transfer windows from being dragged down. 

I think it's underrated sometimes how Pep gets the best out of certain players. Some of them have now passed their best. I'm really surprised he signed a new contract, I thought it looked a good time for him to move on. 

Signing a new contract doesn't mean anything nowadays. He can leave whenever he wants. 

[SkidsFox]

4 hours ago, winteriscoming said:

Not dismissing Pep’s achievements but look at who he’s managed and not like he went into small struggling clubs. Barcelona, Bayern and Man City. It would be more difficult to fail than succeed imo. 
Give me managers like Ferguson, Klopp and more recently Alonso with where they started and what they build over Pep every time. 

Fair comment (although we've often seen managers flop at big-spending clubs like Chelsea and Man U).

It would be interesting to see Pep take charge of a club like Norwich or Plymouth for a couple of seasons. Of course it will never happen, he'll only ever go somewhere they could afford him.

[Samilktray]

Pep is the greatest manager of all time imho  

[blue army 1988]

Pep is a checkbook manager. He can't grow and nurture players.

He buys them in and ships them out. Easy peasy 

[Samilktray]

2 minutes ago, blue army 1988 said:

Pep is a checkbook manager. He can't grow and nurture players.

He buys them in and ships them out. Easy peasy 

Checkbook  

[PhillippaT]

3 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

Checkbook  

Chequemate.

[Wymsey]

6 minutes ago, PhillippaT said:

Chequemate.

[Torquay Gunner]

3 hours ago, ian__marshall said:

To be fair to Pep, PSR has come back to bite them on the backside.

 

Their net spend over the last 5 years has declined to the point that they're middle of the pack.

 

Look at the talent they've lost; Kompany, Mahrez, Palmer, Laporte, Jesus, Alvarez, Fernandinho, Sterling, Zinchenko. Then factor in the injury to Rodri, and aging stars, such as De Bruyne, Walker, Gundogan, Silva, etc. who are clearly on their last legs.

 

Contrast that against some of the players that have come in; Rico Lewis (talented but developing), Kovacic (squad player at best), Ake (wasn't good enough for Bournemouth let alone Man City), Doku (all style no end product), Savinho (talented but not currently hitting the levels needed). Of course they've brought in the likes of Haaland, and Gvardiol but these are the type of players you'd expect them to recruit at their peak to maintain their levels anyway. 

 

Look at yesterday's bench. Take De Bruyne and Walker out of the equation and I think most on here would be dissatisfied if those players were on our bench. It's certainly not a bench befitting a side competing in 4 competitions at the highest level. 

 

It really is no surprise that they are struggling, any team would. Furthermore if I remember correctly from a few years back someone posted an infographic demonstrating a strong correlation between net spend and finishing position, so again is it any surprise that they're starting to drop off?!? 

 

Pep is a genius, no doubt about that, his record speaks for itself. But his football is demanding and it needs competent footballers to achieve the levels he would expect, sadly a lot of the players that they've bought in simply aren't good enough, and with the number of games it's catching up with them. 

Nothing “sadly” about it. 🤣