CITY STAR BERNARDO: WE MUST REGAIN CONTROL!
HE is not one for throwing teacups, Pep Guardiola. So, while there has been a great deal of head scratching at Manchester City this week, the manager has not made much fuss.
The Premier League champions are on their worst run for two years but Guardiola refuses to go overboard when admonishing his underperforming stars — despite defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester that have seen them slip below Tottenham, seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Guardiola’s approach is to push harder when they are winning and ease off when things go awry.
The latter is certainly the case now and he is left searching for answers before games against Southampton and Liverpool that could define their title defence.
Confidence looks shot and there is a fragility in a team used to steamrolling opposition. Rivals are finding ways to defend against City and catch them on the break.
‘We lost a little bit of control emotionally,’ said midfielder Bernardo Silva, reflecting on Leicester’s equaliser at the King Power Stadium. ‘I sensed the lads stopped a little bit because we weren’t expecting that goal.
‘For us to lose two games in a row is not good enough and it’s not normal. It’s all about character. We know things aren’t going as we want, but we have to show heart, improve and come back from this.’
This troubling spell is no bolt from the blue. Guardiola must have seen signs in narrow wins over Bournemouth and Watford, as well as the draw in Lyon.
Even so, it was a surprise that the squad were called in on Christmas Eve by a man who places emphasis on family.
Guardiola foresaw some of the problems City have had but even best-laid plans go wrong. Players were given an extra day off each week at the back end of last term to counter muscle fatigue in a World Cup year.
Yet several still suffered injuries, noticeably Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Benjamin Mendy.
Guardiola’s squad is stacked with quality but it is still thin in certain areas. Finding cover for 33-year-old Fernandinho is unlikely to be sorted in January.
They are short at full back and Ederson is the only senior goalkeeper in Claudio Bravo’s absence.
Fernandinho is a doubt for the game at Southampton on Sunday and they simply cannot be without him when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool roll into town next Thursday.
Who will start that match is not certain. There is disquiet in the squad about how many changes Guardiola makes. He has not put out the same starting XI for consecutive Premier League games, making 48 changes overall.
There will be no appeal against Fabian Delph’s red card at Leicester so Guardiola must decide on a left back in the coming days.
Mendy will not be available until February after a serious knee injury. He was fortunate not to make it worse when taking a tumble at the club’s Christmas Party last Wednesday.
City will hope this month is merely a trip rather than a fall.