I am sick of talking about the “I” word.

I’m sure Pep is too, of course.

Anyway, as the fixtures come thick ‘n’ fast, it’s another opportunity to attempt a clean sheet whilst discovering our attacking mojo once again.

v Leicester City

King Power Stadium

With the pre-match press conference being tagged onto the end, embargoed section of the Everton post-match presser, there is no way whatsoever of finding out if previously injured players will have recovered in time to be part of Sunday’s match-day squad; not unless some information gets released outside of a press conference setting.

Therefore, just for the hell of it and to make life easier on myself, I’m simply going to assume all who were injured for the last match remain so.

Why not, hey, but… 🤞

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Doku____________________________________Savinho

 

________De Bruyne_______________Foden__________

 

____________________Kovacic____________________

Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis

____________Ake_______________Akanji___________

 

 

_____________________Ortega____________________

Subs: Brits, Carson, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey, McAtee, Gundogan, O’Reilly, Silva and Mubama.

Stefan remains in net.

Nathan came off early last Thursday not with another injury, we were told, but rather fatigue; after being out for so much of the season. Therefore, assuming there’s been no after effects since that information was given, I’m going for the Dutch international to be part of a defence that contains Josko, Manuel and Rico once again. I think the defence looks so much better when Nathan is part of the back-4.

Mateo continues to be our ‘go to’ defensive midfielder in the absence of Rodders.

In my last pre-match blog posting, I suggested that Pep might give a much-needed rest to Bernardo Silva and I was wrong. So I’m going to have another go – I’m going for an attacking midfield partnership of Kevin and Phil, with Jeremy and Savinho either side once again.

Erling up front.

Two stoppers on the bench take the form of Spike and Scott; Max and Jahmai make up our defensive replacement options on another young-looking bench. James, who must be wondering how the HELL he’s not getting any game minutes, Ilkay, Nico and Bernardo are four midfield options from the side, while summer signing Divin gives us a rare striker option in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Ederson – Presumably still out with a leg injury.

-       Kyle Walker – Presumably still recovering from the flu virus.

-       John Stones – Presumably – and quite likely I would think – out with a reoccurrence of a troublesome foot injury.

-       Ruben Dias – Out with his second muscular injury of the season. Going off the initial assessment and information given, the Portuguese international has another 2 to 3 weeks recovery time.

-       Rodri – Out for the season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. Surgery was completed months ago and the slow road to recovery continues.

-       Matheus Nunes – Presumably still out with his second unknown / undisclosed injury of the season.

-       Jack Grealish – Presumably still out with a muscular issue.

-       Oscar Bobb – Still recovering from a fractured leg that he received in training last August. A likely return is still deemed to be January / February.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Errrmm……yeah.

I mean, if he’s fit enough then we definitely need the creative craft of Kevin; although I’m fully aware that what we might gain in invention we would lose in defensive legs…if there is such a thing in our current [available] squad that is.

If we do indeed still have eight first-team players out then there really is little room for options, especially on the flanks. I highlight that particular department because although briefly excited whenever I see either Doku or Savinho darting ‘this way ‘n’ that’ towards an opponent’s penalty area, I’m more often than not left sighing as they then run into brick walls and / or get dispossessed. I am eagerly awaiting Oscar Bobb’s returns and 🤞 he suffers no ill effects from his lengthy layoff.

·         Away from the wings, Nico O’Reilly is an advanced, attacking midfielder…perhaps give him a go?

·         James McAtee has legs; he’s more of a box-to-boxer and in a very much struggling Sheffield United side, he still managed 12-league goals in 67 outings. Time to give the England Under-21 international (16 games, 6 goals) ‘the nod’? Apparently, five clubs, three English and two overseas, are interested in talking to us in January about James’ availability and why wouldn’t the Salford-born midfielder consider a permanent move?

·         Or is it time to do what so many City fans and non-City fans alike are suggesting, which is to drop Erling Haaland in favour of an attacking midfielder (4-6-0 / 4-5-1-0)? That was something I suggested as a change of tack in my last blog posting and ALL of these – and more - are part of increasing chatter about what we / Pep can do to arrest this lengthy slump.

Injuries, INJURIES, INJURIES!

I don’t know about you but I’m sick of talkin’ about ‘em. I genuinely cannot wait until January where we can, hopefully, bring in at least three new players to, hopefully, slot right in and ease our plight.

Result?

The Foxes are in pretty dire form and that’s despite a change in manager on 29^th November. Ruud van Nistelrooy watched his first game as Manager (a defeat) from stands; having yet to train with his new players. Once on the training pitch, he orchestrated a win followed by a draw; scoring 5 and conceding 3 in those two fixtures.

Looking back, it does indeed now look like ‘new manager syndrome’ took effect because since that brief resurgence, 3 defeats and 10 goals conceded all followed. However, I read Leicester fans’ comments following their Boxing Day defeat at Anfield - a game they took the lead in before eventually losing 3-1 - and a lot noted improvement in their defending. Only an excellent attacking side packed with very threatening players, such as Liverpool have, eventually broke ‘em down. ‘Do we have that threat in us any longer?’ was the first thing that crossed my mind after reading their observations.

Leicester’s keeper, who was making his season league debut, had an excellent game too I noted when watching Match of the Day.

Make no mistake Blues, just as was the case against Everton; despite their troubles we are going to have to invent the s**t out of this one if we’re are to find the back of our host’s net. And at the other end, our continued fragile defence has to be concerned with a side who, since Ruud took to their training ground, have scored in 3 of their 5 matches; including against a side, in Liverpool, who have the second-best defensive record in the Prem.

Then there’s the Jamie Vardy factor.

The soon-to-be 38-year-old missed their last outing but his Manager appeared quite confident that the England international would recover from a few knocks in time to face us. That’s something we could do without in our delicate state because, I’m sure I don’t have to remind fellow City fans; he has been a proverbial thorn in our side over the years.

I thought our home crowd last Thursday was, for the most part, deafeningly quiet. With people full of Christmas Day excesses, Boxing Day fixtures can do that to some fans; especially the early kick-offs as ours was.

Our away fans are a completely different matter, however, and we’re gonna need those fans this afternoon because the King Power supporters usually do pack a vocal wallop to help push their side on.

I have been so wavering between a draw and a win I’ve felt quite dizzy at times. If Nathan and Manuel are both fit to start and can improve their fitness and sharpness further, if we can take that slight improvement from last Thursday’s first half performance and push on rather than stagnate or, worse, go backwards and if we can find our creative spark to unlock and hurt the opposition; this is a winnable game for sure and all before we have 6 days off ahead of a home-league match. Positive momentum is within our reach if the players are prepared to grab it.

I’m doing it! I’m going for an away win. 🤞

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Cold…but nice. Although it’ll be dipping in the sky by the time the referee blows his whistle to start the game (2:30pm GMT), the sun will be trying its hardest to make an appearance between light cloud. 8C will be the official temperature but the ‘feels like’ will be closer to 5 or 6 in a brisk, westerly wind that will certainly take the edge of any sunshine. A lovely crisp day to blow away any festive cobwebs and perfect conditions for the players. ⛅😎🧥🎅🧣🥧🍺⚽

Solidarity

 

Will we even score?!

WARNING:

This particular blog posting is not for the faint-hearted City fan!

Sorry to start on a dour note (I’m afraid that same tone continues) but we’re about to face a side who have most certainly got THEIR act together, at least, at the back.

On Boxing Day, we host a side who have not only been beaten just once in their last six outings but in that time have kept FIVE clean sheets (7 in 10, I heard without looking that up)…and two of those were Arsenal away and then Chelsea at home; Cole Palmer an’ all…

Post (mortem) Villa…

One Manchester publication used the word “limp” to describe our performance last Saturday; another Manchester City fan and journalist said that he thought it was our worst performance of the season, which is saying a lot considering. The same Journo later added that 2-1 to the home side flattered us. I would agree.

I think, generally speaking, we Blues all agree on the underlying issue that’s seen us stuck in this horrible slump and that is an aging squad with slow legs and an injury prone team at that; whether that’s to do with the huge amount of games they have to play for both club and country or whether it is indeed just an age thing. The latter should have been addressed slowly over the last couple of years and the fact that it hasn’t been has irritated many Blues, myself included it has to be said and despite the success those players have brought us.

Age and injuries aside, one fan, just before leaving Villa Park at the weekend, said that he believed strongly there is a problem in ‘the camp’…and then went one step further to suggest that some of the players have simply stopped playing for their manager. The latter is never a good sign and often signals the end of a relationship between manager and club. For me, if there’s any truth to that then get those players out of the door ASAP because Pep has MORE than enough ‘credit in the bank’ at MCFC. And, while they’re shipping ‘em out, start giving the likes of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly a go for flip’s sake! That’s not a desperation, ‘try anything’ comment from me but rather younger legs and, hopefully, keener, sharper minds.

The same fan really questioned the commitment of a lot of our players and the aforementioned journalist said that, at times, some of our players were walking around the Villa Park pitch. 😠 That is not what we want to see at Manchester City Football Club no matter who the manager might be and I hope Pep has taken note of who they were.

The fan being interviewed was scathing about Kyle Walker in particular – that wasn’t to single him out because, he was very keen to state, there are many players who are underperforming and have been for a while.

However, Kyle is our Club Captain and to walk straight off up the tunnel rather than go to applaud the Man of the Match travelling supporters last Saturday was a disgraceful act. I feel so peeved as I begin to write this very early on Sunday morning whilst wearing my 1960s replica red and black away top that I’d love to say never play him ever again and play Rico Lewis instead but do you know what? I’ve only ever praised Rico Lewis and had high hopes for him but he is way off being anywhere near good enough for a Pep Guardiola side in my opinion; whether that’s at right-wing back (his best position in my humble), left-wing back or some kind of midfield role. He’s far too lightweight / easily knocked off the ball and there are far too many poor performances from him generally. After having a near 10-day rest due to suspension, I really hoped he would have a performance in him last Saturday but, nope…

But that supporter was correct – this isn’t a time to single out individual players as it really is a collective failure. So many players – for whatever the reason(s) – are underperforming and so very badly.

If we are to finish in an all-too-important Champions League place come May then we need help in January.

We must attempt to get in, on loan or otherwise, a central defender with pace, a right-wing back who can defend and a robust defensive midfielder to plug the gaps at the very least. We have Claudio Echeverri coming in a weeks’ time to bolster the attacking / creative department; a player we purchased last summer and allowed him to stay at his selling club on loan. I know it’s easier said than done in the winter transfer window but these injuries - plus poor player form – just don’t seem to have an end to ‘em at the moment.

Yes, we’ve lost the best defensive midfielder in the world in Rodri and, yes also; I can’t recall a season in my City-supporting life where we’ve suffered SO many injuries to SO many players and for SO long. It’s like they’re on a treatment table rotation system!

But I think it would be naïve not to believe that there are other issues there too; whether that is dressing room unrest or something that was avoidable which a lot of Blues started to say two or even three seasons ago, which was:

1.    Stop selling so much young talent and then not replace them.

2.    Start to make moves in the market to find transitional replacements for the quality stars that have brought us so much success but who are now losing their physical powers. We should have been bringing in the next David Silva and the next Kevin De Bruyne AGES ago.

I never thought I’d been saying those last two points about our club that appears to be so very well run and when I think about point number two in particular; I can’t stop that little voice in my head that’s suggesting it’s something to do with the 115 charges that we’re waiting to hear the results of (I think that’s the first time I’ve ever mention the charges in my blog). Are the club waiting too before committing to player purchases? Are they perhaps more worried than they’ve been suggesting in public? 🤷‍♂️

v Everton

Etihad Stadium

Regarding player availability, our manager was yet to complete training on Tuesday before making a final decision on at least three players so, once again, there’s a little more guess work to be done…

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Doku____________________________________Savinho

 

________De Bruyne_______________Foden__________

 

____________________Kovacic____________________

Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis

____________Ake_______________Akanji___________

 

 

_____________________Ortega____________________

Subs: Ederson, Walker, Simpson-Pusey, McAtee, Gundogan, O’Reilly, Nunes, Silva and Grealish.

I’m going for Stefan to retain the gloves.

If all are fit to start, I’m going for a back-4, sometimes 3, of Josko, Nathan, Manuel and Rico.

Mateo continues in the deep-lying midfield role.

In a more advanced position, I think we’ll see Kevin and Phil in the middle with Jeremy and Savinho either side hoping to stretch the Everton midfield and defence. I can’t imagine there’ll be much room for the pair to run through, however, so I hope they’ve been practicing their crossing too…

Erling up front hoping to get the service.

Ederson could return to provide keeper insurance from the bench; defensive replacement options come in the shape of Kyle and Jahmai. James, Ilkay, Nico, Matheus and Bernardo make up the rather large contingent of midfielders in ‘the 9’ and I’ve put Silva on the bench as I just get the feeling Pep might use this match to give the Portuguese international a much-needed rest before we ‘go again’ away from home in three days’ time. Jack completes the bench as a midfield / wing option from the side.

Notable absences:

-       John Stones – There was no definitive answer from our manager but the signs are that John is to spend yet another period of time out with the same, troublesome foot injury.

-       Ruben Dias – Out with his second muscular injury of the season. The last one lasted a month and, similarly, this one is expected to be 2-½ to 3-½  weeks, going off the initial assessment and information given.

-       Rodri – Out for the season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. Surgery was completed months ago and the slow road to recovery continues.

-       Oscar Bobb – Still recovering from a fractured leg that he received in training last August. A likely return is still deemed to be January / February and I personally think that February is more likely of the two months quoted.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

If we’re looking to stretch wide a strong Everton defence but also have a little bit of creative, goalscoring threat to punch through the middle too then, yes; that’s looks like the side to do it. However, if our visitors pack the midfield with 6 in front of a straight back-4 then that predicted midfield of ours could get overrun.

There would be a good argument to include an additional attacking / creative midfielder in place of Haaland for this one; play 4-6-0 / 4-5-1-0, give Everton no specific player to mark and come at ‘em from all angles…

Result?

I’ve said all I want to say about the opposition in my subheading – I’m even starting to depress myself!

This one has 0-0 written ALL over it. However, cutting through all of that ‘doom and gloom’ - call it festive optimism, call it new year ‘fresh start’ come early; I’ve just got a feeling we’ll nick this one.

I believe it’s gonna be very, VERY tight for all the reasons mentioned but if the players can get their collective heads sorted and if they can do the basics right at the back and in midfield then with some patience and persistent-creativity, I think we might breach The Toffees’ defence and grab a very much needed 3 points. And, whisper it, going off their goalscoring record we might…just MIGHT keep a clean sheet too. 😲

Call me overly optimistic but I’m going for a City win.

On a final, positive note…

I was thinking this last Monday afternoon. I know we have the F.A. Cup yet to start but…would it be such a bad thing if we didn’t win anything this season?

A top-4 finish is absolutely essential now if we are going to recruit some top players in the summer and let’s not forget; Pep has just signed a new, 2-year contract to enable him to start the next chapter into our continued success.

A trophyless season might just been the cold splash of water in the face our club needs to move us forward once more and as long as we grab that top-4 place then I, for one, would be happy to finish this campaign with no additional silverware.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game).

Expected weather conditions during the game: After early morning mist, the afternoon continues in a similar vein and that’s a very still and very grey day. No breeze at all sees temperatures at 9C which, for late December, is really quite mild indeed. 🎄⚽🍺

Oh yeah...HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL!

Solidarity