The idea that City’s battle on four fronts is hurting their title chances is a bit overblown. They have had the most favorable draws possible in both cups and the Champions League. They have an entire 2nd team of top players who need games. These cup games against easy opponents have served as extra training sessions and opportunities to give games to players who wouldn’t otherwise start. They have a large squad of players who are all remaining sharp and engaged. Schalke are a terrible team that made the last 16 of the Champions League. Despite a poor performance City is practically through after the first leg. We could have used some games against the likes of Burton. Maybe if Sturridge or Origi had got some games they wouldn’t have been so useless off the bench at Old Trafford. After starting the season with such promise Sturridge has become unusuable. That’s because every game we have played has been must win against top flight opposition, and we choose the same front 3 for every match.
Apparently Solskaer, who's been there and done it, told his team in no uncertain terms we'll not win the league as we're too one-dimensional and been have been sussed out by opponents such as his team being able comfortably to hold us to a drab draw despite all those injuries.
Don't let that spoil the narrative. Another one which heard this morning is that Watford played into Liverpool's hands by trying to play football unlike West Ham who frustrated City. Or Man U who contained Liverpool.
There is some truth to that. With very few exceptions, we will outgun any team that tries to come at us.
Aye, that be true. But that's Watford's style as is Bournemouth's etc. In fact Watford has some very good chances of pegging Liverpool back during that match at Anfield. As it previously did against City and other top 6 sides. I don't get this "you can't come out and play ..." nonsense spouted by the likes of Sam Allardyce.
Yes. 95% of the time when we are on. Bayern were like that too the last few years - we may have taken the primero type team of that type positio#1 from them (I was surprised at how much respect they were showing us)....
Well, if you don't know how to play, you certainly can't. Big Sam's Bolton used to often come out and play (back in the day) in spite of Big Sam!!
LFC vs Burnley [@ Bayern] @ Fulham vs Tottenham @ Southampton vs Chelsea @ Cardiff vs Huddersfield @ Newcastle vs Wolves Citeh vs Watford [vs Schalke] [@ Swansea] @ Fulham vs Cardiff @ Crystal Palace vs Tottenham @ Manure @ Burnley vs Leicester @ Brighton
Our run in looks a lot harder now. The only place I see city dropping points is in the CP-Tottenham-Manure run. Outside chance against Watford and Leicester. For us - there is resurgent soton, Newcastle and Chelski. Tottenham fighting for 4th. Wolves game might be meaningless all around.
The conservatism against West Ham, Leicester, Man U and Everton has taken its toll. That said, it may the kick that Klopp needs to abandon that so-unproductive belts and braces midfield.
My worry is that we need to likely win 8 and draw 1 for this to happen. Can we do it - sure. But it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on us.
Agreed but I think we have the "easier" run in. It basically all comes down to our offense. Our defense has only been "bad" in one game and that was Palace at home that we still won. Offense pulls their head out of their ass and we get a little more creative in midfield and we'll be fine.
City will definitely have an interesting April. If they can get through all of that without dropping points in the league, they deserve to win it. If they do drop points we need to take advantage. April 9/10: Spurs (a) April 14: Crystal Palace (a) April 16/17: Spurs (h) April 20: Spurs (h) April 24: Man Utd (a) April 28: Burnley (a)
How Liverpool are on course for their record points total EVER – and would win title in 17 of last 23 seasons https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/...and-would-win-title-in-17-of-last-23-seasons/
No - they wouldn't - because that doesn't allow for how well the best team would have also done in any of the last 23 seasons!! (particularly should there be only one team that could beat Liverpool!) it is interesting though........
I can't believe City haven't dropped more points since they beat LFC, I could have sworn somewhere along the way that they would have. With United, Burnley, Leicester still to play it's still possible... but the reality is City will likely win out, and unfortunately this should have been settled already. Cruel that this season really may hinge on that one LFC dry spell -- every other blip in LFC play has been fortunately placed in cup competitions or in CL, but that run of City-Leicester-West Ham was really just a couple dropped points too many. Fortunately this squad is locked down for a few years and there will be multiple runs at it. Open to a City slip! Not sure where it will come from at this point.
It will be beautifully poetic if (somehow) Manure take points off City because of pressure from losing to Everton. It would be delicious and so great but not holding my breath.