Guardiola hoping to find a solution to City’s goal drought
Pep Guardiola is at a loss to explain Manchester City’s sudden lack of potency in front of goal.
The champions have scored 102 times in all competitions this season, but the goals have dried up in the last two games, despite the team continuing to create a multitude of chances.
City had 13 shots on goal to Manchester United’s six in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and 19 efforts to Tottenham’s three in their Premier League game in north London last week. Remarkably, they lost both matches. City boss Guardiola said: “I don’t know. I would like to find the explanation. In every single game we concede less chances and create more.
“I don’t have any energy, any power or knowledge to say something wrong about my players. I know they want to score goals, score the penalties.
“Honestly, we concede few against the big clubs and we create a lot, but we miss a lot of chances. They arrive once or twice and score. We have to improve on that.
“Putting the ball in the net is the most difficult thing in football and we are going to try to improve. We scored so many goals and now we don’t. I don’t have an explanation.”
Given City’s past record and their continuing ability to dominate games, Guardiola is not overly concerned, but he accepts “something is missing”.
He said: “I don’t see in the last games that the people dropped or gave up. I don’t have that feeling.”
Guardiola, whose side host struggling West Ham this afternoon, said: “It’s not about concern, I’m just sad for my players. I suffer for them because I know they want to do it.
“I don’t see in the last games that the people dropped or gave up. I don’t have that feeling.
“I see the training sessions and the rhythm that we’ve had in the past years. We got one point from two games against Spurs but played really well. The way I play, I like it. Not playing the way I want would be a problem.
“But the business is winning and if you don’t we have a problem. We have Liverpool 22 points ahead and that means something is missing and something is not good.”
Guardiola still rates his team highly despite their failure to keep pace with Liverpool in a disappointing title defence this season.
He said: “I think we are a good team. I like the way we’ve played this season, but we cannot deny it’s big – 22 points.
“We didn’t expect it, but that’s the reality, we have to accept it and learn.
“But I like my team. I don’t have not many bad opinions about our performance.”
David Moyes hopes the return of Kevin
Nolan to West Ham will inspire their survival bid. For mer Hammers captain Nolan, who led the club to promotion in 2012, has joined Moyes’ coaching staff alongside No.2 Alan Irvine and another new face, ex-norwich and Brighton coach Paul Nevin.
Moyes’ back- room team now has a distinctly British feel to it following the departure of previous boss Manuel Pellegrini and his staff.
“I hope both new staff members have something they can add,” said Moyes. “I want people who can add something. I want to hear what they have to say.
“I wanted people different in personality to me and Alan. Kevin’s well known around these parts, he knows the club, so I’m hoping he can guide us in certain parts.
“He is young, not that long out of playing, and he has been a manager. I like my staff members to have been in management. .
“Paul’s come in with an understanding of different clubs, a background I felt we needed. I hope both can do as well as the likes of Stuart Pearce did for me when I was here last time.”
Nolan, 37, spent five years with West Ham and played a pivotal role as they established themselves back in the top flight. No stranger to scrapping near the foot of the table, he arrives at a Hammers side currently lying in the drop zone.
Nevertheless, Nolan said: “It feels incredible to be back. I’m delighted, proud and just really looking forward to the rest of the season.
“I can’t wait to get stuck into it, and the gaffer has been absolutely fantastic, getting me right involved straight away and 24 hours later it’s all hands to the deck and let’s look forward to hopefully what’s going to be a good weekend.
“I’ve seen enough from the lads in training, but they know the task ahead, and we know the task ahead.
“We all know what’s needed and we’re very confident we can get there.”