**Official** English Football Season 2023/24

[Skipper Pup]

I’ve not seen a lot of them this season but my Kopite friends don’t think they’ve played that well that often this season. Whether that’s a good or bad thing for Arse/City and I guess Villa is up to your interpretation I guess. I agree they’re the most likely champs.

I don't know what to make of us yet. We're great going forward but defensively vulnerable. I'm not sure how much of that is down to Robertson, Alisson and Konate missing multiple games though. Our front three have actually been quite poor on the whole, Salah isn't influencing matches outside of his customary tap ins, Darwin and Diaz haven't scored in ages, Gakpo is struggling for rhythm.

Our biggest issue will as ever be injuries, we've just lost Matip for the foreseeable, on top of Jota, Thiago and Bajcetic who aren't options. Mac Allister picked up a knock too. We've got the squad now to deal with outs especially in midfield and attack, but with Salah going to AFCON there could be some issues in January if we don't have Jota back. We've just about done well enough with Tsimikas at LB but I would write us off if we're starting Gomez regularly now, largely cause it means we've probably lost TAA, Konate or Virgil.

Fortunately we don't have to worry about Europa for another 2 months and the cups we can give to fringe guys like Elliott, Gomez, Tsimikas etc.

We don't deserve to be favourites right now but the game against Arsenal at Anfield in a couple weeks could change my mind.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Villa been superb, dark horses for the title?

This is typical Emery. Take a fringe top 5 team and turn them into a beast of a side that can hurt you in any given moment. He builds the perfect underdog mentality at these sort of clubs and with Villa he's assembled a very solid squad.

They won't get near the title but they're going to cause chaos for the sides at the top, as witnessed just now haha.

 

[Kraken]

That’s a much needed win for Utd, but really they should’ve put the game to bed way earlier

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

City's fixtures look a lot easier over the next month so that can probably see them through to Janurary in touch.

I am hopefully wrong but I don't see the club spending in January.

 

[Skipper Pup]

I am hopefully wrong but I don't see the club spending in January.

Pep is smart enough to know they are a creative option short. Nunes and Kovacic were poor signings considering what they needed and Doku is still too raw. In hindsight letting Palmer go was a mistake but they probably thought they would get more out of Foden and Grealish.

Given the nature of KDB's injury and how long it may take to get him back to full fitness I'm not sure they can take the risk trusting it will all just sort itself out. I fully expect they go back in for Paqueta or take a look around Europe for another potential Mahrez replacement.

Everyone who's thinking City inevitably turn it around has to remember what happened in 19/20 where, with a better squad, they were out of the title race by Christmas. They just never got going and much of that was blamed on Laporte's injury and Liverpool just wanting it more. Last season they were in a similar situation to right now but it was actually the charges that galvanized that squad together and was the motivation Pep used to get them going. It's not immediately obvious what that spark will be this season and if they're still as motivated.

This next run of games gives them the chance to turn their form around but they have some serious issues with the balance of the squad and this current formation. That said I would never bet against Pep fixing it, he's a genius.

 

[Molehill]

City's biggest loss last night was Rodri, they're a completely different team without him. I've never seen them so dominated in midfield. This was the game where they needed an out and out midfielder in there to replace him, that Pep effectively chose Stones/Akanji over Kovacic shows what a ridiculous signing that was.

If they lose Rodri for a long period, then they will have absolutely no chance of winning the title.

 

[Himannv]

City's biggest loss last night was Rodri, they're a completely different team without him. I've never seen them so dominated in midfield. This was the game where they needed an out and out midfielder in there to replace him, that Pep effectively chose Stones/Akanji over Kovacic shows what a ridiculous signing that was.

If they lose Rodri for a long period, then they will have absolutely no chance of winning the title.

While I agree that Rodri is a critical player for them, Pep is a good enough coach that he will find suitable alternatives or makes a tactical tweak or two that balances things. Those are the benefits of having a top coach.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Lots of people who don't watch City play in here.

 

[sledger]

You can't really coach your way out of losing one of the best players in the world in a key position tbh (not all the time anyway).

 

[Furball]

I'm surprised Villa are where they are in the table, it feels like they drop points every time they leave Birmingham.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I'm surprised Villa are where they are in the table, it feels like they drop points every time they leave Birmingham.

Yeah but they have won 14 home games in a row. That helps.

 

[Molehill]

Lots of people who don't watch City play in here.

Are you suggesting Rodri isn't the most vital player in the City team?

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

I'm surprised Villa are where they are in the table, it feels like they drop points every time they leave Birmingham.

Won away at Spurs and Chelsea tbf, but yeah conceding too many away from home has definitely been our weakness so far.

Not complaining, like.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Are you suggesting Rodri isn't the most vital player in the City team?

He's there or thereabouts.

99.94% convinced the major contributing factor to yer Chavs beating them in the 21 CL final was Pep swallowing it and leaving him out for Gündoğan.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Are you suggesting Rodri isn't the most vital player in the City team?

No

 

[Skipper Pup]

You can't really coach your way out of losing one of the best players in the world in a key position tbh (not all the time anyway).

x3 with Rodri, Stones and KDB.

Watching them flood midfield with CBs and wings backs is very strange. They have no control whatsoever and can't hold the ball. Pep has his work cut out.

 

[Pothas]

If Mbuemo is seriously injured I declare this season over.

 

[Molehill]

No

The stats would kind of suggest otherwise.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

The stats would kind of suggest otherwise.

Are you stupid? I said I wasn't suggesting that.

 

[Molehill]

Are you stupid? I said I wasn't suggesting that.

Easy tiger!!