How to fix Man City

[@hamidalbertoabudrussell9703]

It’s just not the same when Ayo Akinwolere doesn’t say his name at the beginning

[@tuomasvalta]

He's probably forgotten his own name

[@Perkelenaattori]

@@tuomasvalta How could he have since he's said it so many times for us.. He's the hardest working man in football. Someone should send him that old Soviet medal "Hero of Socialist Labour."

[@jonnyxification]

This is true,I miss it as well.

[@sibusisomahlangu398]

Start by taking walker's captaincy that guy isn't fit to be a captain

[@picnic5147]

The difference with a Ferguson, mourinho or ancelotti is they are prepared to play ugly if they need to and adapt to the circumstances. And so they don’t lose 8 out of 11. Pep has plan A and plan B is to try plan A again.

[@MorrisseyMuse]

Lol Pep evolves his tactics every season and everyone else copy him every time, he's about the only revolutionary manager left in the game lol

[@csolivais1979]

​@@MorrisseyMusewell, safe to say this evolution didn't work. And you know that your argument doesn't make him look good, right?

[@CarlinConnolly]

true but Pep's Plan A changes throughout a season and even more over the seasons - Ancelotti has fewer league titles in his career than Pep has won @ City alone.. the true test of any team and any manager. When was Mourinho ever happy to NOT play ugly? You are right about Fergie but again, he would play ugly @ home to Arsenal or away @ Anfield but remember what he said when 0-3 down at half time @ Spurs? "Lads, it's Tottenham" He did not adapt that day - Fergie was as wedded to playing your own game as Pep is- but that was more about attitude and approach rather than specific positional and passing structures.

[@-VForValhalla-]

Sam is personally invested in Cheaty. He should not be the one brought in to analyze them. But then again, it's nice to see him cry.

[@TheFormerkgbchief]

He's a United fan

[@makeorbreak881]

One off season after dominating for a decade, relax. Next year you will be crying once again

[@bonganisiziba6154]

Sam is the journalist assigned to cover City so he would have the better insight into the goings on and the details of the club. So now because he's not saying what you feel he should based on your view of the club without any insight into the goings on you think he's biased? It's fine to hate City as a rival but you're letting your prejudice taint the hard work of a journalist.

[@MorrisseyMuse]

You're not the sharpest knife in the draw are you, bitter..? lol

[@-VForValhalla-]

@@MorrisseyMuse Great English. Are you indian? lol

[@Donners329]

The amount of copium from Sam Lee pretty unlistenable this one

[@MorrisseyMuse]

Let's leave that word to the teenagers eh..

[@NJTRAF]

All comes down to Guardiola & City’s board room not doing their job properly at the end of the day… between Guardiola’s known preference to operate with a small squad of first team players leaving them short on numbers when injury and hectic schedules build up, and the Board Room not replacing players who have left like Alvarez, Joao Cancelo (I know they fell out but he was a versatile player who could play right or left back) and not making sure they had a backup for Rodri (even though I’m sure it was meant to be Kalvin Phillips, that experiment is a failure) … not to mention no actual natural left backs in the team at all… it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who was watching closely that this happened

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

Not a single mention of Pep’s continual refusal to adapt his core system this season which has proven to be an abject failure. No discussion on the major defensive issues stemming from inverting defender and playing a suicidally high backline with 3 in possession or how it is even more absurd to play that way when the MF is effectively not there. This was nothing more than a podcast discussing the extenuating circumstances around City’s poor form and not the main issue which all boils down to Pep. He must adapt his system like he did in the treble season or we shall just see more of the same.

[@akwilson1676]

Every game it's Rico Lewis inverting. And we've seen time and time again that exact space that he leaves behind is exploited. I know there are injury problems and what not but why is he keeps doing that exact same thing when it doesn't work every game? In previous years Pep never shied away from experimentation even in finals so why is he being stubborn now?

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

@@akwilson1676 No idea. The one thing I do know is that his refusal to adapt the defensive setup he’s been using is killing us. Yet he seems to either not care, can’t see it or his ego won’t allow him to change as it will be an acceptance that he was wrong

[@Drtruman]

Oh great, the grumpy Sam Lee. Takes City's losses personally.

[@jbown1989]

I know right. Guy sucks the life out of everything - takes issue with every question. Why come on Sam?

[@youngmoneylover6260]

he’s probably softened to the club, likely roots for them so i mean no real issue.

[@johncarveti8375]

@jimbojimbo6873honestly who really likes seeing a sourpuss face talking about entertainment like its an end of world scenario. Lighten up sam buddy. Mark ogden also has the same pained expression like he is always going through period cramps.

[@shomarinangwaya-walker8295]

​@jimbojimbo6873 but he is miserable and we watch things like this to see charismatic people who liven up things. Someone droll and dull makes you want to watch something else

[@ronb5714]

“You can say ‘Oh, Sir Alex Ferguson never finished tenth’.” My dude, I can remember when he finished 13th, five points above the relegation zone.

[@Heyhey7764-e8s]

17:03 Ruben Dias is out for 3-4 weeks it seems...

[@mohitoBhau5499]

The loss of both Dias and Stones has been really affected City it seems. They need CDM help in the January window, as Kovacic, Gundogan, Lewis aren't equipped to play that position.

[@super628k]

Why fix Man City? They are back to their natural state

[@thisisnightshop2037]

Their natural state is a bottom of the table relegation struggler

[@MorrisseyMuse]

You not watched football for the last decade huh..

[@super628k]

@@MorrisseyMuse That's the point of the "natural state" mate

[@colmlawlor7]

Sounds like that's all you've watched ​@@MorrisseyMuse

[@CarlinConnolly]

one specialist right back reliant on recovery pace who's pushing 35, one striker for a team that's not played with a proper false 9 for over 2 seasons... and only 1 candidate left in the squad who can play the role. No Left Backs! one defensive midfielder despite expecting to play 60+ club games this season. This feels like a season that City gambled and lost - he was no doubt told that recruitment would be light because they want a big budget for next summer - when Hugo Viana takes over. Unfortunately, an outgoing Sporting Director now has to sign a few players to keep the ship afloat.

[@ahhu.]

Which top player in their right mind would agree to join City in January when nobody knows what would happen to them as a verdict for the charges? Would a Zubemendi join in January and play next year in the Championship if this would ever happened? City needs to wait for the verdict and rebuild in the summer.

[@GreyZETT]

Pretty sure possible contract clauses can and often enough in the past of other players do prevent that while enjoying the chance to be celebrated as season saviour.

[@lakshmibhunia9087]

You will be waight for after january transfer window end and Then your felling

[@CarlinConnolly]

Paulinha? can't get a game @ Bayern

[@harrygonn934]

I think the January transfer window will be a great indication of the case. City definitely need reinforcements so if they spend a lot then they’re confident in winning the case and vice versa

[@CarlinConnolly]

the Pl now seems stocked with teams who can beat anyone during one of their sporadic purple patches in the season... Liverpool and Chelsea do seem to have met teams at more opportune times than Arsenal & City have but that is the sort of luck that evens out. Liverpool have to go away to West Ham, Forest, Spurs, Brentford, Man City, Villa, Chelsea & Brighton - add in the home games with Arsenal & Newcastle and that is plenty of games they can drop points in. They are a Virgil or Salah injury from being beatable.

[@mohitoBhau5499]

You are right. Virgil has probably been the most indispensable for Liverpool at this point. If it wasn't for him, Liverpool would probably have conceded more goals. Arsenal and Man city's schedules have been far tougher.

[@JamailvanWestering]

Why does Sam looks like he hasn’t slept for like a month

[@bonganisiziba6154]

He's been really ill for a week or so

[@CarlinConnolly]

Rory Smith - a sane voice in an insane world!

[@HumphreysTactico]

24:20 - The players coming in could probably just insert relegation clauses to allow themselves to leave easily

[@gentleken7864]

Match of the Day were on about their defence on Saturday being weak. The defence was Stones, Lewis, Gvardiol and Akanji (55.6 million euros, free, 90 million euros, 20 million). All internationals. They brought on Walker (60 million) for Stones. Another international. It's not like Pep was playing kids in defence.

[@BikenutGB]

Your missing the point of injuries. Stones fresh back from injury, lasted 45 minutes. Lewis can't defend to save his life, Gvardiol is young and lacking confidence plus playing out of his natural position. And the less said about Walker the better. Dias is out for 3 to 4 weeks, Akanji is injured. Not much of a defence left really.

[@walterogelo84]

The fans from rival teams are so salty, they want City must be charged and relegated😊 In the last 9 yrs City has always achived the purpose of any footbal team.For the current situation Pep will see City through.The 115 charges has been there for more than 5yrs,City still recruited quality players, Gradual, doku, Kovacic & Haaland.Eufa cleared City and FA will up hold the Eufa position.😂

[@gtr5973]

Uefa didn’t clear City at all.

[@BikenutGB]

@@gtr5973 No but CAS did.

[@CarlinConnolly]

City could sell 6 or 7 players and make a couple of hundred million... the likes of De Bruyne or Walker would attract MLS and Saudi bids, Silva, Grealish and Kovecic would still command decent fees and the rest of the squad is a good age to make a profit on. City can rebuild this summer - Pep just has to be more ruthless than he was anticipating. If his 2019 overhaul only stopped the juggernaut for one season why should this one take longer? Pep could have 7 or 8 new players and a full, no-tournament, pre-season to bed them in. Liverpool may win in another City Blip but if Pep stays i'd back them to be closer to the title next season than a Liverpool shorn of Trent & Salah.

[@MarknoblesAcidhouseparty]

dont worry pep guardiola , the boys from the athletic are here to fix things for you!

[@sickflag]

why fix them :D

[@MorrisseyMuse]

Bitter scouse lol

[@BikenutGB]

Why fix your roof?

[@EmanuelChris-y2i]

It is high time get players that are hungry and willing to wear the jessy . Rebuild this squad this guys have made history and name's for themselves period

[@mitchaelhollingsworth1698]

It honestly just takes good new signings. City have aged and been dominant for years. That doesnt last forever. They got good by making smart 40-60 million signings that fit the system. They havent had a good transfer window in years. Grealish was overpriced. Doku and savinho are young and havent made a consistant impact. The midfield needs refreshing, and right back.

[@BilIy123]

great stuff from rory defo have him on again that being said not happy with him suggesting dias might get injured and i get the news hes injured as im watching this

[@aakarmamtora3470]

The disrespect to ferguson is pathetic

[@CarlinConnolly]

what disrespect?

[@joesplatnumz]

There's nothing like tunning around things if injuries are on high position....this season for City I think it's over

[@CarlinConnolly]

Paulinha can't get a start @ Bayern - could City see if Vinny is OK for a 6 month loan?

[@joesplatnumz]

Every week new injury then how can they be strong to face the rest of the season?its unbelievable this season

[@kingflynxi9420]

Pundits mention Forest challenge, level: impossible

[@indexpictures]

their damage to the league's reputation needs fixing with retrospective points deductions back to 2012. 3 points a season minimum. losing one match out of 38 is a fairly soft punishment for shameless financial doping & false accounting. they'd keep some titles & lose others, which seems fair considering they would have won some post-UAE-takeover if they hadn't cheated, but they would have never won their tainted 'four in a row'. then take their domestic cup wins, strip them & award them to the beaten finalist. would give some small clubs trophies they were robbed of.

[@BikenutGB]

Prove City have cheated? Show us some evidence of this seeing has you are so convinced. Back to burning witches for you.

[@t2theizzo146]

They don't need to be fixed.City are regressing back to their natural state. The best thing for them now is start their rebuild in League 2 next season.

[@MorrisseyMuse]

UEFA cleared them of all charges, FA will do the same. If they charged City, at least 15 teams in the league would have to join them lol

[@Litts]

​@@MorrisseyMuseIf you read the emails you would not be saying that. Also, Uefa were time barred, the premier League charges aren't so they are considering all of the evidence, not excluding anything (like Uefa had to do).

[@joesplatnumz]

We need wingers who can run forward en delivers to haaland to do his job bt are not connected to striker also midfield is so poor same as defense system has no pace en physicality

[@alanponikvar3921]

I have been out on Pep ball since his Barcelona days. So, what do I know. But I believe that Pep ball has its origins in what Pep has never been able to figure out which is how to defend with defenders. So, he obsesses about always having the ball and never having to defend on a sustained basis. There is no dynamism in Pep ball. He just squeezes his opponent until they begin to lose focus. But players key to his ball control system are falling off a cliff. His attack has become passive. What was most noticeable in the Man U game was how much of the ball Man U had. I do not see any of this being fixed this season.

[@gonzaloolguin5980]

Don't get the hate on Sam, he's a narrative crusher. More journalist should be like him

[@jwheelie12]

“City being expelled is a very very distant possibility” 😂 bookmarked. The players and club clearly know what is coming

[@pahakuutti]

There is no universe in which City win the league from here. The problems and injuries are simply too big for one window to fix them. Also wouldn't bet on them winning the UCL in this one or the next season bc its a complete rebuild type of situation, with aging players and maybe even their game model is outdated now.

[@aakarmamtora3470]

How about punishing them for the 130 charges first

[@MorrisseyMuse]

1. No evidence 2. UEFA cleared City of all charges already

[@csolivais1979]

​@MorrisseyMuse lots of evidence,whatever UEFA investigation turned up has nothing to donwith the FA.

[@BikenutGB]

How about finding them guilty first?

[@aakarmamtora3470]

​@@MorrisseyMuseyeah the premier league have gone against city with 130 charges because there is no evidence...listen to yourself. Uefa didn't clear them city got lucky because of the statue of limitations. They paid a fine for a reason. An entity like the premier league doesn't take such a massive step if there's no smoke. But you can cope by being delusional go ahead

[@sibusisomahlangu398]

I don't think nunez is bad he had 9GA in 11 games until the man u game and he lost his head in the 85th min

[@isaacnewton3514]

Sam Lee has been scarred from all the Twitter battles with City detractors that it’s impossible for him to have an objective conversation about Football. Is he a Journalist or a Man City representative? Genuine question

[@dodgysmum8340]

He might as well be paid by the press office.

[@jonnyxification]

He’s a guy with a big Twitter account who supports Man City, he can write ok,he has many followers but so has my 11 year old nephew who posts videos of games he plays online.

[@BikenutGB]

He's actually a United fan.

[@acetrainer69]

Can we move Yangel Hererra back to Man City pls😊

[@kabs1710]

I am from the future 😂, they didn’t beat Everton, they got beat by Villa and play Leicester today. They are not easily getting top 4 too.

[@Senses-v7b]

what time did you guys record this? let sam lee sleep :P

[@iquid7494]

Confirmed: Dias out for 3/4 weeks

[@dc6521]

Delete this, don't do any tactical analysis, pep should be on his own here.

[@dodgysmum8340]

U put city fans on ur Man Utd shows - Id like to c the reverse to c if they hv any better insight..

[@sibusisomahlangu398]

Dais / ake / akanji are all injured our defense is cooked ... unfit stones josko and walker ...we not beating villa.

[@thierryhenry674]

Drop Haaland. Play a skillful, technical, creative, possession loving false 9 with silky and tekky touches and close control, who loves to drop deep and swap positions with midfielders and wingers creating overloads. Play the 17-20 Man City football. No more defensive, direct boring long cross long pass football.

[@thierryhenry674]

A goal hanger who can score 50 goals a season is rubsh if he is the reason his team can only score 70 in total because of his poor touches, passing, dribbling. A false 9 who can score 15 goals a season is world class if he is the reason his team can score 120 goals in total because of his great touches, passing, dribbling. What matters is to maximise the TOTAL number of goals your TEAM can score. A Ronaldinho with zero goals would still be so much better than a Walcott with 30 goals. You can do skill moves to dribble or tiki taka pass your way through an entire team including the keeper, and when you are 1 cm away from the goal, you pass to your league two level teammate, and your teammate pass to another league two level teammate and score. You would get zero goals or assists. And if you do it 10 times a match, your team would score 380 goals a season because of you. Now who is world class? You or the two 380 goals and assists teammates? You should never judge a player just by his stats. You have to actually watch and analyse the football.

[@thierryhenry674]

The season before Haaland joined Man City, they created 88.7 xG, scored 99 goals (scored 11 more goals than their xG). KDB was their top scorer, he scored 15 goals. The season Haaland joined Man City, they created 78.6 xG, scored 94 goals (scored 16 more goals than their xG). Haaland was their top scorer, he scored 36 goals. Haaland’s stats seem to look good, but he massively reduces his team’s xG. And he tries to use his great finishing to make up for it. Man City become more clinical, outperforming their xG by a larger amount, but they actually scored less in total with Haaland. It’s like when you think there is a big discount in the supermarket, but in reality, the price is marked up by a lot before the discount is made, so you are actually paying more. You think a 90% off discount is good, but it’s really not. Before he joins, if you look at their top scorer (15 goals), you might think that they are not clinical. If they had a clinical striker (over 30 goals), they will score a lot more. After he joins, they did become more clinical, but they score less in total.

[@thierryhenry674]

Benzema: “Football has become a game where players can play bad for 90 minutes and then score a goal and be called Man of the Match and get the spotlight. I don’t want to be that kind of a player.” “We no longer bother to look at what a guy does on the pitch, just who has scored. And the next day, we consider him the best. It’s happened to me: If I don’t play a good game but I score, then they see me as the best. I don’t really like this type of football, but it will be more and more like that.” “When I play, I try to respect football. For example, I can’t shoot if I don’t have an angle when there is an unmarked teammate. I’m going to pass the ball to him. I don’t think, Ah, but possibly I’m going to score.”

[@taylo2079]

They looked so much better this time last year when Alvarez was filling in while Haaland was out injured

[@adrianbennett3761]

No stand out performances. The City team looks like a B team. The players aren’t good enough to play Guardiola’s style of play

[@lalalandvintage]

Sam has to be there against his will

[@CaptDeadpool32]

They're gonna do what city and pep always do, throw money at the problem

[@jonnyxification]

Sam Lee .. comparing SAF with 115 .. ‘it’s irrelevant ‘ 😂

[@lukeginty3168]

Rory and Sam talking utter nonsense.. these players just aren't quality.. no way getting top 4 and I'm an optimistic city fan! Just be bold in your assessments guys!

[@Euclides287]

Bold of you to assume we want to see Man City fixed. Let this plastic club sink back to where they belong - *the Championship.*

[@irf2856]

>sees athetlic video posted >clicks >sees its the athletic podcast >clicks off

[@diego750]

I can think of 130 ways

[@NAT98989]

Zero youth policy at major EPL clubs

[@adrianbennett3761]

There’ll be no quick fix

[@jaisriram295]

Someone needs to check whether knows Citeh has an academy 😂

[@woodywood3388]

Don‘t fix Man City. They are cheats who had very limited support until a Sovereign Fund came along and played a game of financial doping. Most City phans are smug bandwagon jumpers who have little to no appreciation for the game. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[@lebinmhd]

I think city can actually win the UCL this season.

[@MikeL-7]

Spoiler Alert: throw loads of cash at problems.

[@Heyhey7764-e8s]

love you Sam , don't listen to the haters in the comments !!

[@tejaswakade9047]

When Josep was winning all were comparing him to Sir Alex now his wheels have fallen off after 8 seasons the comparison is irrelevant? Josep never did rebuilds when things get hard he puts his tail in between legs are runs.

[@kallekofot7240]

Very true

[@MAC_ABC]

Do not fix City… end of video.

[@CaptDeadpool32]

17:03, yeah, guess what. This is what every club has to deal with. Jesus christ

[@stevec5034]

Sorry when has Man City had the courage to play forward? Granted there was the cutting pass forward at points but they have always been possession first and that usually was done by going sideways and backwards

[@bigman5405]

spam report this video so pep cant get the answers!

[@dodgysmum8340]

The possible relegation of the team u r joining has not come up?!? You talk total shite Sam Lee.

[@supersox31]

Don’t give them tips!

[@forgetfulLlama31]

How to fix Man City: please don't

[@MorrisseyMuse]

Ok bitter..lol

[@backpackerbip7177]

Sam lee, not being grumpy, and answering the same questions over and over, explaining the huge injury crisis... I'd be bored too!

[@moze2324]

sam is depressed asf😆

[@Gulletboy]

Woop

[@misirnihat]

sa

[@NAT98989]

All excuses.

[@oliver556]

Do you ever talk about anything other than the Cartel Six?