Blues can’t bring the noise to the empty stadiums
MANCHESTER City may have raised many bars in the Premier League but they are unlikely to go down as one of the loudest teams in the division.
The absence of fans has left just the shouts of the two sets of players and staff on a matchday, and seemingly puts the Blues at more of a disadvantage away from home.
The first defeat for Pep Guardiola’s side in this new normal came at Chelsea, where Frank Lampard barked encouragement to his players all game and the home bench went a fraction of the way to recreating the Stamford Bridge crucible as they reacted dramatically to every decision. At Southampton, the next loss, Ralph Hasenhuttl was a one-man shouting machine as he peppered what felt like incessant instructions to help his team along.
City always knew they would face something similar at Watford. The build-up to the game for the hosts may have been chaotic with the departure of manager Nigel Pearson but the players went into the game knowing that a win and they would be all but mathematically safe for another season of the security of the Premier League.
Ben Foster, a league veteran who conceded eight goals in the reverse fixture in September, made sure he was heard above anyone else in his pursuit of a clean sheet. “DON’T DO THAT AGAIN” rang out across Vicarage Road after Watford let Joao Cancelo in on the left in the opening few minutes. “YOU GAVE HIM ******* THREE SECONDS!” was the exasperated warning when Rodri was allowed to get a shot off from distance. The noise level from the benches left no doubt as to the home team either, with City subs and coaches tacitly watching on while their counterparts made themselves heard.
City, however, found a way through with the help of their manager. Guardiola had said before the game that Watford sacking their manager meant there was no point in him putting together a plan based on past performances, leaving it down to the Blues that started on the night.
He was as busy as ever on the touchline though, just quieter than the home team.
From trusting Kyle Walker, the player nearest to him, to relay information to teammates to having a quiet word with the fourth official about infringements on his defenders to shouting where not to foul to gesticulating in that personalised sign language that must have been taught in training sessions and games, Guardiola was a hive of activity doing everything he could to protect his team; he even marched onto the pitch at the first drinks break when he suspected trouble brewing between Bernardo Silva and Troy Deeney.