If we stand still

[Mors]

Does anyone think that City will repeat their performance of last season (and the season before) and we might fade away a bit? They were ridiculous in the 2nd half of last season after beating us, and we had a handful of lucky episodes, without really hitting top gear and blowing teams away by 4/5/6.

We're in a lucky position where we only need maybe one player for the first team, maybe 2. But it's our bench that's a bit shit and needs some money spending on it. We've got no real quality cover for the front 3, that are proven consistent goalscorers if we're chasing goals (can't rely on a Origi wonder goal if he's still here), and we're lacking creativity from midfield still. And we've no decent cover for the wingbacks that are a huge part of our game - If Robbo or Trent are injured or knackered, we have nothing on the bench to bring on in their place that is adequate. Gomez is a really good CB, but not that great at fullback.

We've got considerable funds available if we need them after the champions league runs, player sales, and increase of league revenue, so it's not like that's a factor.

City have on their bench to turn games - Gabriel Jesus, Sane, Mahrez, Silva, Danillo, Zinchenko, Foden. And they'll improve on that this summer most likely.

We have - Milner, Shaq, Lallana, Ox, Origi. That bench has got to be improved.

 

[Modo]

We have - Milner, Shaq, Lallana, Ox, Origi. That bench has got to be improved.

One from Keita, Fabinho, Wijnaldum and Henderson will also be on the bench.

 

[Markeh]

Pretty much full agreement on the original post, the problem for me is the attacking aspect of their squad, roughly:

Firmino = Aguero
Salah = B Silva
Mane = Sterling

Great so far...

Origi = Jesus
Shaqiri = Silva
? = Sane
? = Mahrez
Brewster = ?

I'm ignoring the likes of De Bruyne, Keita and Lallana as I see them as part of the midfield more than the attack. They've got two great wingers on the bench and that's massive. That's two viable options in case of injuries and loss of form, nevermind the competition that creates in those positions.

This is why we must have 1 more wide attacker.

 

[Modo]

Pretty much full agreement on the original post, the problem for me is the attacking aspect of their squad, roughly:

Firmino = Aguero
Salah = B Silva
Mane = Sterling

Great so far...

Origi = Jesus
Shaqiri = Silva
? = Sane
? = Mahrez
Brewster = ?

I'm ignoring the likes of De Bruyne, Keita and Lallana as I see them as part of the midfield more than the attack. They've got two great wingers on the bench and that's massive. That's two viable options in case of injuries and loss of form, nevermind the competition that creates in those positions.

This is why we must have 1 more wide attacker.

you're ignoring oxlade

 

[Markeh]

you're ignoring oxlade

Imo the problem depth in the wide forwards / strikers. You think we might play Ox wide next season?

 

[rubans]

Yes agreed, we do need quality cover and I’m sure the team are working on it.
Don’t agree in regards about the luck in the second half of the season though, this is the first time where we were competitive in both major trophies since 2009. After the Everton draw, I thought we were getting stronger and each performance after Spurs was pretty much really good. Some really tough away games sandwiches between huge champ league games. Thought we managed it well and the finish was amazing, 10 league wins in a row. Think this was a diff team to anything I have seen, hungry and skilled. Klopp transitioning from full metal to more measured reserved professional play but with still our unique hurricane kick footy as a special skill.
I hope we can continue to use what we finished with and grow it, we will be fine.
We have tons of games this year and some special completions which we haven’t been in a while to win, momentum is on...

 

[Modo]

Imo the problem depth in the wide forwards / strikers. You think we might play Ox wide next season?

Dunno, I think we'll shoehorn him somewhere. Too much competition in the midfield.

 

[Frogfish]

Does anyone think that City will repeat their performance of last season (and the season before) and we might fade away a bit? They were ridiculous in the 2nd half of last season after beating us, and we had a handful of lucky episodes, without really hitting top gear and blowing teams away by 4/5/6.

.........

I hate this revisionism. City got away with it in a number of games too. But somehow they were beyond brilliant whilst we were the lucky ones just to stay in touch. 🙄

 

[The Nomad]

I expect City to be in the 90s next year.

If we stand still I dont see us repeating.

 

[keniget]

I hate this revisionism. City got away with it in a number of games too. But somehow they were beyond brilliant whilst we were the lucky ones just to stay in touch. 🙄

City have done it for two seasons on the bounce.

That's what consistency and titles buy you.

 

[keniget]

Pretty much full agreement on the original post, the problem for me is the attacking aspect of their squad, roughly:

Firmino = Aguero
Salah = B Silva
Mane = Sterling

Great so far...

Origi = Jesus
Shaqiri = Silva
? = Sane
? = Mahrez
Brewster = ?

I'm ignoring the likes of De Bruyne, Keita and Lallana as I see them as part of the midfield more than the attack. They've got two great wingers on the bench and that's massive. That's two viable options in case of injuries and loss of form, nevermind the competition that creates in those positions.

This is why we must have 1 more wide attacker.

The foundation of their attack (team) is built on having world class attacking midfielders in B.Silva, D.Silva and De Bruyne. And they've got Foden coming up that'd probably getting regular game time anywhere else.

You can't just ignore that when making comparisons.

Our team is different. We have a workmanlike midfield and are more reliant on our front three and full backs to create.

As such, we have a real problem with depth. There is just no getting away from it.

 

[737Max]

City will not get as many points next year. VAR will see to it

 

[Ijg]

We HAVE to strengthen. I’m sick of finishing second and then we do fuck all and finish 6th.

 

[Squiggles]

I'm hopeful for a better season from Keita and an injury free season from the Chamberlain. That will certainly help. Gomez might well end up covering fullbacks for game time if Matips form improves. We do have a versatile squad which I think often gets lost when discussing our squad depth. Despite that, we surely need to bring in one quality striker/forward. We can't keep relying on the freakish fitness of Salah, Mane and Firmino forever.

 

[HC]

You just can't rely on the hope of front three dont miss weeks/months between them - origi cant fill the void and we dont have the squad to accomodate formation changes in one of the front three's absences - a decent number 10 and/or wing forward coming in would go some way to addressing that

 

[Farkmaster]

It's clearly a wage issue.

Klopp will know a lot more about Keitas development, aoc's real state post injury, and where lallana is hiding all the bodies.

So maybe we can make do in attack. Id rather we didn't cross our fingers.

Fullback though is just non negotiable for me. We looked a totally different team when our wings were clipped. And it really showed how deficient our midfield can be when they are asked to create in possession. Fix one of those problems and you are hoping on other fronts. Fix none of them and you'll find that the ageless milner isn't actually getting faster.

 

[Jack D Rips]

There's also the worrying fact that our front 3 still havn't got to their off season.

 

[StevieM]

There's also the worrying fact that our front 3 still havn't got to their off season.

This.

 

[Frogfish]

City have done it for two seasons on the bounce.

That's what consistency and titles buy you.

That's not the point though. And besides, finishing ONE point behind isn't consistent? Bet City wish they had won the CL 😉

 

[Dreambeliever]

I didn’t expect us to get anywhere near as close this season and I don’t expect us to get anywhere near as close next.

But who knows. I do think we rode our luck a fair bit last year and not sure it will work out as well again.

Normally we wouldn’t have to as 85 pts would win the league but City’s consistency is on another level

 

[MaBigTip]

I didn’t expect us to get anywhere near as close this season and I don’t expect us to get anywhere near as close next.

But who knows. I do think we rode our luck a fair bit last year and not sure it will work out as well again.

Normally we wouldn’t have to as 85 pts would win the league but City’s consistency is on another level

You need to change your username, dude.

Do you know that if VAR had been used to correct refereeing decisions this season Liverpool would have gained points but City would have lost.

 

[Dreambeliever]

You need to change your username, dude.

Do you know that if VAR had been used to correct refereeing decisions this season Liverpool would have gained points but City would have lost.

That opinion is as subjective as mine. VAR has proven time and time again that it’s decisions can be questionable.

My username was based being champions of Europe and existed long before 05 so it’s well vindicated thanks