14 Dec 2017 11:22:20
if one of (or both, be interesting to get as many opinions as possible) the Ed's are about, I would like to ask a question. Why is it, in your opinion, that Man City can break down defensive teams so well? The rest of the 'top' teams, have all succumbed to teams sitting deep and playing for a draw. It surely cannot just be because they have better players can it? Both Chelsea and LFC have some incredibly creative attackers but we seem to stumble a lot more. Is it down to tactics or belief? If so, what is different and if it is because of players, who and why?
Just curious to get your analysis and thought it would for an interesting topic. Thanks.

{Ed0333's Note - I think it’s because Man City attack you from all angles and are relentless. They have forged a reputation of being able to score at any moment. I think some of its psychological and most opposition think they are going to lose before they step onto the pitch. Also there’s the Pep factor. In my opinion hes carved a formidable reputation with what he’s achieved before and truth be told they have some fabulous football players in their squad. Furthermore I’ve not seen anyone really go for the jugular against them allowing them to rampage. Great question tho mate and I’d be interested in what others thought on the matter.


1.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 05:58:29
Quality and nothing else. In KDB and Silva they have the very best playmakers in the league! They have a fantastic front line who could score in abundance.
City’s main strength comes from their full backs. They offer so much going forward. Pep has taken them to another level and it is clearly seen. People who called him crap are eating their words now!

{Ed001's Note - again another of your fantasies. No one has called Pep crap, what they have said is that he only manages to win when he has by far and away the best players. As is being proven again, he is winning due to the quality of the players at his disposal rather than the quality of his management. Half a billion spent is why they are winning, not Pep Guardiola. It is the money which has taken them to another level.}


2.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 06:45:37
I think they have an excellent front three but then so do we. it’s because they have an incredible midfield and the fullbacks that everyone’s especially terrified of City IMO. De Bruyne, Silva can really hurt you, and together with decent delivery from out wide they have the capacity to unlock teams in multiple ways. Once you’re a goal down against them it’s incredibly hard.

That’s where we lack that killer touch in having Gini, Milner (and Coutinho a bit hit and miss) at the moment. Even our fullbacks have been a bit lacking in terms of quality of delivery, especially with Moreno out now. TAA made a good few chances vs. Westbrom, was just unlucky it didn’t stick.


3.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 06:24:36
To be fair ed city have always had the money, Pep's taken them to level above what any of their previous managers could.

{Ed001's Note - and done so by spending more money than previous managers, a lot more.}


4.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 07:10:57
Money could also give you a couple of Andy carroll’s, Charlie Adam’s and Christian Benteke’a. Money doesn’t alone win you title. UTD has been spending insane amount since earth was formed.
People called him the fake messaih. Turning out to be the only messiah in the league!
When City wins it’s all about money! When Leicester wins it’s about Squad!
Sorry not for any argument. Just saying!


5.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 07:21:33
Simple mate! We are built as counter pressing team. Once opposition parks the bus and gives us all possession we tend to struggle coz our attacking players have no space to run at opposition defenders.


6.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 07:57:37
Nailed it koptie 7. That’s the shortest way to describe our strength and weakness in one small para! No space, we pass sideways and backwards!


7.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 08:14:39
Yes City have spent money, just like United do and have done do over the years.

City play, quick, direct and incisive football, attacking teams not just through the middle but with width too, it’s as simple as that. All we can do is pass the ball sidewards against teams that sit deep. When we played WBA on weds night, after 10mins, I said to the bloke I sit next to at the match, this will end up a draw. I think we are far too predicable at times and we don’t have the ability to change the game through different tactics.

What City and Peo have done is address areas off the team that were weak un like us. Of course they still look a bit suspect at the back but they are more defensively sound than last season, their keeper in particular shows this. They’ve spent a lot but spent well in my opinion.

I think Pep has the team playing his way now and this really shows on the pitch in my opinion. At the moment, they also have a winning mentality and relentlessness to go and win the game.

I really enjoy watching City play, especially when you compare them to Mourhino’s dross.


8.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:06:03
I don’t think it’s all to do with money. you have to give some credit to pep for the way he’s making them play.


9.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 08:30:26
his team's always seem to be very well structured too. at least until the attacking third where they have license to thrill. I think that solid base aligned with having topquality players in the attacking third is a perfect blend for any league and especially in the premier league.


10.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 08:53:19
Some interesting points there, some different ones too. I find Ed0333's point a good one, saying no team has really gone at City, i think you may be right about teams being beaten before the game has even started. I think the next LFC v MC game should be intriguing as i can't see Klopp sitting back.


11.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:10:14
Agree pep has city playing lovely football and its great to watch. But as ed pointed out he has spent a hell of a lot of money in doing so. one of citys full backs costs the same as liverpools back 5.


12.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:36:12
Harry, the players you cited a la Charlie Adam and Carroll etc highlights the exact point your arguing against. City can afford to buy not only the best players in the world, but several of them in one window if they wished to. If Liverpool take an expensive punt on a Carrol it costs us big time. City spent £100m on their full backs in the summer plus a sizeable amount on Danilo and I read this morning he might be in for a left back in jan with Mendy being out (I appreciate that might be paper talk) .

They bought silva from Monaco who barely gets a start. No one is saying Pep is crap but I do think people can pose a justifiable question. could he do it at Porto or Dortmund for example. If he was Liverpool manager and Klopp the city manager would we be top of the league?


13.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:29:11
Take out their main 2 :KVD and Silva and they will be like arsenal.


14.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:42:31
If you have an owner giving a manager like Pep (already a great manager) half a billion (and counting) in the past two seasons, it is only normal and expected that the team will perform. Ed01 is correct, City is outspending everyone by a near 2 or even 3 to 1 margin if you are LFC and Spurs, so it is only normal that they are where they are as half a billion does GETS you the quality they have. If they win the PL, it is expected. If they don't win the CL after outspending everyone in Europe (even PSG) hen questions will be asked of Pep, for sure. It's that simple.


15.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 09:47:42
Kopite7, I don't believe that. We have scored more goals, won more games and created more chances vs these low block teams this season than we did last season at the same point so that part has been fixed. This is cos we are 100% focused mentally and don't let up when we attack them and probe them and thanks to Salah, we are doing much better.

However, the issue is that we seem to be standing in our own way due to defensive errors, lack of composure in front of goal and a like WBA, lack of movement. We are the ones in our own way as we are not converting as much as we should cos tho we did not play well vs WBA, we still carved out 4 clear chances to score. That was not happening last season and frankly, we'd have lost such games last season which we are not doing now. The low block is no longer an issue, IMO. It all depends on us.


16.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 10:03:27
Regardless of what money he’s spent pep has had what three transfer windows to fix what problems city had compared Klopps 5? And we’re still miles away for challenging the title. We’ve still got the same problem goal keeper and after buying bargain basement defenders still have defensive issues. Now I like klopp but if you can’t see how every other team seems to change managers and make it work you’ve either got blinkers on or you’re a fool! Mourinho has turned Man U around although they still have work to do but look a completely different outfit to before his reign, Conte one the league in his first season and will get champions league this season.


17.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 10:11:27
Totally agree with the Ed. Pep clearly is very good. But as you say he's had to buy big on top of the already goid/ expensive squad he had and to an extent struggled at times with last season. Thus needing to go spend £200+ in the summer rather than improve players he already had. Also not youngsters have come through as yet and city have spent fortune in this front and have some really good young players but are they going to get a chance when buying in 3,4 £50m players each summer?


18.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 10:17:44
To be fair United has spent just as much, if not more than City in recent years. Mourinho has a squad worth £750m, and he can't even come to Anfield and play for a win? It's embarrassing.

Pep Guardiola might only be able to win when he has the best resources, but at least he does it playing attractive football! His City team (regardless of whether it is good management or monies spent behind it) are changing English football. It used to be a case of win your home games, beat the lesser teams, take draws from your rivals, only lose 2-3 games, and you'll win the league. City have raised the bar. They've dropped 2 points in 17 games and they're on course to finish on around 110 points if they sustain this form. The Arsenal invincibles had 10 less points than City after 17 games. It's ridiculous.


19.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 10:42:56
Spot on MK regarding United. I listen to lots of their fans having a pop at City for their spending. Let’s not forget they’ve been doing it for years. Way back buying Pallister for a record signing, Further forward Rio for £30m in 2002.

I hate how money has changed the game.


20.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 10:50:07
Don't remember City leaving their quality players on the bench for the derby.


21.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 11:31:21
Except Sergio Aguero?


22.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 11:01:12
On to B'Mouth, Ron.


23.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 14:18:46
I said the same as ED, he needs money and the best players, but my friend pointed out that even though he had Messi, no one since has had the same level of success with Messi as Pep has had with Messi so that must count for something.

{Ed001's Note - who have they had since? Luis Enrique was a madman who was a joke before Barca but still won things there because of Messi. I can't even remember the rest, but the club was left in turmoil by over spending by presidents.}


24.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 14:47:25
Man City have much more movement up front, and they play the killer pass much more too,
yes, they have spent big, and they should win the Premiership with ease,
Man Utd have been spending big for years, but they won't get near City this season or the next .

{Ed001's Note - Utd have spent 2nd most and are sat 2nd.}


25.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 15:10:35
It's not going to happen BRover

The home derby is THE biggest recurring game of the season for me and most of my mates.


26.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 15:43:04
Pep may very well be a decent manager, but never seen him manage a mediocre team. As ED001 eluded to, spend spend spend, win win win, manager of the year? I don't think so. I'd love to see him manage a team with a low budget and see exactly what kind of manager he is.


27.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 18:56:23
Ron, I understand your pain for sure, man. For me, I'm over Everton and frankly, not bothered with them and never have. I see them now as a team we have to play to get 3 points cos like it or not, we have bigger fish to fry than the likes of Everton who are going nowhere fast. They have only beaten us 4 times since 1999 n no wins at Anfield. Nuff said!

Beating them for me now, is like beating a team for 3 points and nothing more. Why? I would be pissed off if we beat Everton and miss the CL. Would you want that? I would not. I respect every opponent and understand why you are down BUT take heart in the fact that we are improving and we are now back amongst the contenders for the CL. Beating Everton is only part of the journey and NOT the be all, end all IMO.

You got to look at the picture at times and btw, I disagree that we put out a weak team as we played a team that was fit enough to play as we needed fresh legs to go at them. Had they battered us then you would be correct. They did not and save for a dodgy pen and missed chances, this "weak" team would have won. That just shows how hapless their team actually is and have made my point for me. Take heart my friend.


28.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 22:06:26
Derby matches are the biggest games for me.

Always have been, always will be. Play your strongest team against your neighbours - no exceptions.


29.) 15 Dec 2017
15 Dec 2017 23:18:39
Well, if your players are carrying injuries, you play the best team available to you. Managers do that all the time so you may have to get over that, derby or not.


30.) 16 Dec 2017
16 Dec 2017 12:46:35
If you're injured, you miss the game and usually subsequent games.
You don't come on after 70 minutes, when the plan has gone tits up, to try and rescue something. You also don't usually start the next game.

Injuries, knocks etc are part of the game. I doubt there's one player who has never started a game with a knock.
Klopp gambled on the most important game of the season for many fans. If he doesn't know that, then he's not the man I thought he was. Worse still he won't admit it.