52 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

We should have won more in that era. I did a quick google to check what happen in that 3rd season. We signed Sheva. 

Partly that, also in Jose's third season, surprised it wasn't more damaging now looking back.

Pep will pack it up after 5 titles in a row ( assume he gets the 4th this week), whoever replace him won't find easy, just ask the guys who tried to do Fergi's job

About Guardiola, I’m not bothered really. I don’t remember them stopping us from winning the league, and they stopped Liverpool winning multiple titles and now Arsenal hopefully.

I think by the time we’re ready to compete for league title, Guardiola most likely will be gone by then.

I think it’s all worked out great for us really… Can you imagine Liverpool winning the league 3 seasons in a row and Arsenal? No one really cares about City.

47 minutes ago, icecoolguy22 said:

Partly that, also in Jose's third season, surprised it wasn't more damaging now looking back.

Pep will pack it up after 5 titles in a row ( assume he gets the 4th this week), whoever replace him won't find easy, just ask the guys who tried to do Fergi's job

I think it will be difficult for anyone to repeat what pep has done but if city continue pouring the 🤑🤑🤑 they will still be very good

I know the league is different to what it was a few years ago and is probably generally stronger than it was, but I was shocked to see the points totals that City have won the league with. The media make them out to be a machine like we have never seen the likes of, reaching points totals that no one else could dream of becuase all they do is win, but heres a breakdown; 

This year (if they win sunday): 91

22/23: 89

21/22: 93

20/21: 86

18/19: 98

17/18: 100

Obviously the 18/19 and 17/18 are freak seasons that fit the above narrative, those points totals leave no room for anyone else (even if liverpool almost did get them). But the others are, as far as I am concerned, standard title winning points totals. For reference we got 93 under Conte (even with our awful start) and 87 with Mourinho the second time around which are in and around what City are achieving. 

The fact that Arsenal, who are a very good side don't get me wrong, have been able to push them as close as they have both this season and last after some pretty poor showings under Arteta is evidence that City can be matched. 

Of course they are a brilliant team and the fact they have hit these points totals consistantly for the last 5/6 years is crazy, but Chelsea and Liverpool have all shown that if a side can put together a season worthy of winning a title, you'll win the title. The only exceptions will be Arsenal this year and Liverpool when they got 99 in 17/18. 

1 minute ago, Niall1905 said:

I know the league is different to what it was a few years ago and is probably generally stronger than it was, but I was shocked to see the points totals that City have won the league with. The media make them out to be a machine like we have never seen the likes of, reaching points totals that no one else could dream of becuase all they do is win, but heres a breakdown; 

This year (if they win sunday): 91

22/23: 89

21/22: 93

20/21: 86

18/19: 98

17/18: 100

Obviously the 18/19 and 17/18 are freak seasons that fit the above narrative, those points totals leave no room for anyone else (even if liverpool almost did get them). But the others are, as far as I am concerned, standard title winning points totals. For reference we got 93 under Conte (even with our awful start) and 87 with Mourinho the second time around which are in and around what City are achieving. 

The fact that Arsenal, who are a very good side don't get me wrong, have been able to push them as close as they have both this season and last after some pretty poor showings under Arteta is evidence that City can be matched. 

Of course they are a brilliant team and the fact they have hit these points totals consistantly for the last 5/6 years is crazy, but Chelsea and Liverpool have all shown that if a side can put together a season worthy of winning a title, you'll win the title. The only exceptions will be Arsenal this year and Liverpool when they got 99 in 17/18. 

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

1 minute ago, Victor90 said:

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

They are more beatable than ever because they have clearly put a brake on their spending. 

 

 

Just now, Bob stark said:

They are more beatable than ever because they have clearly put a brake on their spending. 

 

 

while Peps there, Arsenal won't win the PL UNLESS City suffer a points deduction, in fact i think we will win the PL before Arsenal

39 minutes ago, Victor90 said:

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

I reckon Foden is the heir apparent. Won’t be surprised if Pep goes back for Paqueta in the summer, and they retain an interest in Guimaraes.

It's cyclical. Some cycles last longer than others.

City are just going to take Alonso when Pep's contract expires and continue dominating, aren't they?

There is a decent possibility that they lose KDB to Saudi and Silva to PSG or Barca at the end of the season.

i think their dominance is coming to an end and I can’t see Guardiola staying past next season. A new manager will likely change their way of playing and I highly doubt it will be nearly as successful as Pep

It's not just about the spending. If that were true than Pep's rant the other night may have some substance. 

City's current infrastructure has been in the making since 2008. With Txiki being appointed as Sporting Director and City Group being established with their multi club model, they have had enough time to create an effective operation in place. Books were definitely cooked but at the same time the sustainability they have seen during the past decade and a half is down to their current model. Rarely do their signings fail and if they do, they are gone in 2 years max. Pep's coaching has simply created more sustainability on the football pitch. I think they are too far gone for a club to catch them unless they experience a burnout. Even then, as we saw with Liverpool, City can lose out on the title and win the next 3-4. 

Clearlake have been trying to copy the same model and Liverpool, despite the moral high ground their fans continue to take, are now trying to implement the same model with Edwards as CEO. They too want a multi club system with an effective scouting network. 

 

Arsenal are in prime position to dominate. City have been at their peak for 4 years and I think it will now come to an end. Arsenal are almost at their peak and will be formidable for the next 4-6 years. We need to be ready after the next 2 seasons.

14 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Arsenal are in prime position to dominate. City have been at their peak for 4 years and I think it will now come to an end. Arsenal are almost at their peak and will be formidable for the next 4-6 years. We need to be ready after the next 2 seasons.

It is not that easy. As you get better your wage bill start ballooning. They have paid big salary to get Rice and Kai. Soon Saka and saliba will demand one of the best player in the league salary. 

At the same time you need to continue signing player, it is hard to motivate the same player. 

18 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

City are just going to take Alonso when Pep's contract expires and continue dominating, aren't they?

Doubt it. He's an ex Real player so I can see him waiting to take over from Ancelotti 

17 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

It's not just about the spending. If that were true than Pep's rant the other night may have some substance. 

City's current infrastructure has been in the making since 2008. With Txiki being appointed as Sporting Director and City Group being established with their multi club model, they have had enough time to create an effective operation in place. Books were definitely cooked but at the same time the sustainability they have seen during the past decade and a half is down to their current model. Rarely do their signings fail and if they do, they are gone in 2 years max. Pep's coaching has simply created more sustainability on the football pitch. I think they are too far gone for a club to catch them unless they experience a burnout. Even then, as we saw with Liverpool, City can lose out on the title and win the next 3-4. 

Clearlake have been trying to copy the same model and Liverpool, despite the moral high ground their fans continue to take, are now trying to implement the same model with Edwards as CEO. They too want a multi club system with an effective scouting network. 

 

Multi club system is not city secret, I don't think city has signed any important player form their feeder club. 

City secret is their ability to keep spending even when they are winning. 

We won the league under Mou, next season mou wanted stones and he got djilobodji. We won the league with Conte, he said he wanted Lukaku, vvd, etc2. Of course the club won't give him those player,no money. 

City's recruitment is of course very good but you can't do recruitment if you don't have the money. 

 

Edited May 16, 20242 yr by Bob stark

3 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Multi club system is not city secret, I don't think city has signed any important player form their feeder club. 

City secret is their ability to keep spending even when they are winning. 

We won the league under Mou, next season mou wanted stones and he got djilobodji. We won the league with Conte, he said he wanted Lukaku, vvd, etc2. Of course the club won't give him those player,no money. 

City's recruitment is of course very good but you can't do recruitment if you don't have the money. 

 

Didn't we spend 260m the year after Conte won the league? We spend just as much, if not more than City. We just spend it on sh*te (usually).

A lot is made of City spending obscene amounts of money and there's no denying they did that to establish themselves as a big club but you can't fault them now. 

23/24: -130M net spend

22/23: +7M net spend

21/22: -45M net spend

This isn't crazy spending by a club. Go compare it to Arsenal / Chelsea / Utd etc. 

City are simply a better ran club with a hierarchy that works in unison with their management staff. 

7 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Multi club system is not city secret, I don't think city has signed any important player form their feeder club. 

City secret is their ability to keep spending even when they are winning. 

We won the league under Mou, next season mou wanted stones and he got djilobodji. We won the league with Conte, he said he wanted Lukaku, vvd, etc2. Of course the club won't give him those player,no money. 

City's recruitment is of course very good but you can't do recruitment if you don't have the money. 

 

It also helps that City had a stadium built for them which they pay the council £3 million per annum. 

I honestly remember a City mate of mine in 2013 told me that Pep would be joining City and I laughed at him. He said that everything was being built for him to come and Txiki was the man putting everything in place. 

Like I said, their operation and infrastructure was a decade in the making. It made it all the more easier that during that period, United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and ourselves were all basket cases in how they operated. 

Edited May 16, 20242 yr by Sconnie Blue

Ornstein suggests next season may be Pep’s final season. 
 

Coincidence? 

On 15/05/2024 at 15:05, KonaKai Blue said:

Arsenal are in prime position to dominate. City have been at their peak for 4 years and I think it will now come to an end. Arsenal are almost at their peak and will be formidable for the next 4-6 years. We need to be ready after the next 2 seasons.

Arsenal might have reached their peak already and couldn't win the league, I believe it all goes south for them from this point on, it was hard enough to keep this level for this long let alone to further push up.

Newcastle has been unlucky so far, they built a good squad that will only get better but the amount of the injuries they had were almost as bad as ours and then the Tonali situation impacted them as well. I predict Newcastle making better decisions in the future than Arsenal for example.

 

Good chance for us to finish 3rd next season. 

 

- City and Arsenal I think will be firmly 1-2. 

- Too many question marks over Liverpool. Think there will be a drastic fall off. 

- United are deep in the sh*t. 

- Villa will suffer the going up the table too quickly syndrome next season. 

- We are better than Newcastle. 

 

 

Edited May 17, 20242 yr by Sconnie Blue

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

Arsenal might have reached their peak already and couldn't win the league, I believe it all goes south for them from this point on, it was hard enough to keep this level for this long let alone to further push up.

Newcastle has been unlucky so far, they built a good squad that will only get better but the amount of the injuries they had were almost as bad as ours and then the Tonali situation impacted them as well. I predict Newcastle making better decisions in the future than Arsenal for example.

 

No chance have Arsenal peaked. They are a couple of signings away from maintaining or going up a level. Similar to Halaand going to City. This is Rice's first season. If they can find a great striker, they are going go be hard to stop.  Newcastle and Villa will yoyo up and down. I wish you were right but you are incredibly wrong.

7 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

No chance have Arsenal peaked. They are a couple of signings away from maintaining or going up a level. 

This is the key. Can they continue spending? 

When you are winning and start signing player like rice and Kai, your salary will go higher and higher every season. 

 

 

18 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

No chance have Arsenal peaked. They are a couple of signings away from maintaining or going up a level. Similar to Halaand going to City. This is Rice's first season. If they can find a great striker, they are going go be hard to stop.  Newcastle and Villa will yoyo up and down. I wish you were right but you are incredibly wrong.

If they win their last match this season, Arsenal will end up with 28/38 wins, 89 points and 60+ goal difference.

Anyone that believes that Arsenal can do better than that is sus