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Episode 43: Brighton Post Match Review
13 Plays1 month ago
Daily Manchester City - Jools and Lewis dissect City's 2-1 loss, trying to pinpoint where its gone wrong on this 4 game loss streak and how to rectify the situation
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Transcript
Introduction: City's Recent Form
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to Daily Manchester City on the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Jules Jordan-Probat and I'm joined by Lewis Royal. Hi Lewis.
00:00:18
Lewis
hi jewelles yeah it's not It's not as great to beer as per usual your but nevertheless always happy to happy to join you on the pod.
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, part part of sport is winning unlosing and and I think part of the fun can be analysing why teams win and lose, you know.
Analyzing City's Consecutive Losses
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway this is episode 43 of the podcast and today we are reviewing cities excruciating loss to Brighton on Saturday which of course as I'm sure everyone is aware is the sky blues fourth loss in a row and many are claiming crisis after club.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was truly a match of two halves in the first, City looked composed, keeping the ball well, stifling Brighton's counter-attacks effectively, alongside looking dangerous in the final third, especially with a hungry-looking Earl in Harland getting on the score sheet as City went into the break one their lap.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It all changed in the second though as Brighton came out a lot more aggressive and caused city problems throughout getting their rewards and a famous win courtesy of substitutes Joe Pedro and Matt O'Reilly turning the game around.
Pep Guardiola's Career Challenges
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's four losses in a row, only the second time ever for PEP if you count losing in on penalties ah to Dortmund with Bayern in 2015 as a loss.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Otherwise, it's his first time he's ever lost four in a row. Definitely first with City either the way. So it's a great time for an international break so Pep can gather the players and his own thoughts and plan to emerge from the quicksand of the season.
City's Standings Amidst Injuries
00:01:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a difficult situation to comment on with balance. The City are still second.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four points clear of Chelsea, Arsenal, Forest and Brighton, still in a strong position in the Champions League, and losing and being knocked out in the Carabao Cup isn't the end of the world.
00:01:48
Lewis
Bye.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, in a span of just 11 days, it seems like cities, world has come crashing down. Four consecutive losses at a football club, which is only 18 months removed from winning third treble, has won six of the last seven Premier Leagues, and that as the best manager and a collection of the best players in the world is just simply not good enough.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
The team doesn't rack up those type of accolades and accomplishments without the standards at the club being impeccably high.
Squad Depth Discussion
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it would be unjust to not look at injuries as a key factor at play here. Any team without a multiple of the best players is going to be weaker than usual, missing the literal best player in the world in Rodry, while one of the others in Kevin De Bruyne is only just coming back from injury, and especially when you consider the importance of ah of a midfield to a pep team. And saying in that, the choice for a small squad is exactly that, a choice.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And being caught short due to injuries is always a possibility. And in many ways, the club and path might only have themselves to blame.
Upcoming Game Challenges for City
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
The importance of this fixture couldn't be overstated, particularly with the challenge in runner games coming up. Spurs next, then final of the Champions League, but then a trip to Anfield in what could be the biggest game of the season. Then High Flying Forest at home.
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then a way to Palace, which is normally a bogie fixture for City over the years.
Performance Critique
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then Juventus away, the Manchester Derby and then a trip to Villa Park before the busy Christmas period.
00:03:06
Lewis
That's it.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a tough old run. Especially when you consider the only team City of Beaton since the 14th of September, a Watford, Slovan Bratislava, Fulham, Wolves, Sparta, Prague and Southampton.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's Fulham, the two bottom teams in the league, a championship side and two of the worst teams in the Champions League in the last 13 games. So this loss has really put City season at a crossroads. When you put it like that, Lewis, it sounds bad, doesn't it?
In-depth Brighton Match Analysis
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And regarding regarding the match itself, I'm sure we're all in agreement the City were good first half.
00:03:35
Lewis
Yeah, it does.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So firstly, what did you like from City's perspective in the first 45 and what do you think the difference was from the team in the second?
00:03:49
Lewis
Yeah, well, we've been known for four in a row for the right reasons and now it's ultimately the the complete wrong reasons. We've gone from four middles to four losses in a row and it's not great for pep, for city funds, it's not nice to see. Obviously, we're so used to especially people, fans a bit younger than me as well. We're not used to it. It's unseen nature for for us fans to see this many losses in there. The bad performances, like like I've been saying, we've been scraping wins against them teams you just mentioned who obviously aren't great. It's quite embarrassing to be fair that they are the only teams we can beat, but we've got to start stepping up in these big games. And like you said, yeah, the first 45 was, I thought it was fantastic. I thought it was one of
00:04:33
Lewis
We speak of bad performances, but scraping wins like I just said, but the first half was, I went away at half time thinking that's a really good performance, away to a bright inside there. I've not been at the very best this season, but they are still in and around the European spots. They're still in good form and
Player Performance: Kovacic and Haaland
00:04:49
Lewis
they've still got players that can hurt teams and damage them, especially especially on the flanks, which is what we were worried about. But the way we controlled the ball was not like I've seen, I don't think I'm not actually sure if they had a shot on target in the first half bright and I think they might have had three shots or something like that. Barely any possession and I was really liking what I was seeing. I thought Mateo Kovacic controlled the game like like we've seen when he's in his prime at his best at Chelsea and ah and at Madrid even going that far back. I thought his three ball for Highland's goal was superb the way he's threaded it through. It's the perfect way to pass and people will say it's quite lucky but I do think that the determination from Highland to
00:05:31
Lewis
to to keep going obviously the the the initial shot was saved which is quite unlike him to be fair when he's in front of goal and a one on one but then he's eager, he's eagerness and he didn't give up, he didn't give up on the ball and he's the ball's ended up in the back of the net a goal's a goal
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, eight he looked like no one was beating him to
Youth and Defense Issues
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
that rebound, didn't he? He looked fierce when he was going for that.
00:05:50
Lewis
yeah yeah he did, his wingspan of his legs is is unbelievable he's like a human hawk if you like but
00:06:01
Lewis
Yeah, just like you said, the change, we've gone from starting off games poorly, conceding first and and being on the back foot and chasing the game, and now it's gone to starting off the game superbly, being in control of the game, and then I think it's just a lack of concentration. Like you said, the second half, we've moved we've moved on from a great first half to giving the ball away, being on the back foot, obviously brightening and a chasing the game, that's expected. But from a city side that we've just seen in the first half to then be the complete opposite second half getting dominated, not controlling the game in parts after we have been on the back foot for 10 minutes or so is what is definitely what I wanted to see. But like you said, the thin squad, the changes that that were made, obviously the the young centre-back Pousey and the team is is is a bit of a sticky situation, but yeah, I did think that there was definitely a big difference in halves.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you mentioned Jermaine Simpson-Poussé, and he got his first Premier League start, so that's definitely a positive and congratulations to him. ah In the main, he was fine, especially in the first half, albeit with a few wayward passes. My worry was in the second half, he didn't seem like he could sniff the danger out, like you want from a top centre back, you know, like the scramble with Joe Pedro. and not be like that he it was his area really when Matt O'Reilly broke through and things like that you know but he's still so young he's still so wet behind the ears he'd be wrong to crucify just him especially when the whole defense was makeshift and he had Walker an 18-year-old in Simpson-Pusey Gavardio was not played at center back all season and Enrico Lewis who was not played at left back all season altogether
00:07:37
Lewis
Yeah.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in the second half, that defense just couldn't handle Brighton, and especially Matoma, in my opinion. I know there was potential injury concerns with Aki and Akanji, but a lot there was a lot of whispers they were fit to start. Do you think Pep made a mistake with that selection, especially in defense?
Squad Fatigue and Injuries
00:07:55
Lewis
I think in terms of Akkei, I definitely would have wanted to see Akkei starting. Left back obviously was spoke at the minute. Rico Lewis is currently having to endure pre-pod but I do think he he maybe deserved a rest. Obviously he was arrested in the, I think it was the Champions League he was arrested or the FA caught one of them.
00:08:15
Lewis
but you can just see look he looks leggy, he didn't look as sharp as you normally he normally does, he's normally quick, he's normally first to every ball on the turn and nippy, but he just looked like, not a completely different player, but he didn't look like he was up to it, he wasn't up to scratch.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just look tired, you'd look tired of me like hot, like but just running at 50%.
00:08:30
Lewis
yeah
00:08:34
Lewis
Yeah, which is expected as he's a young player, he's still developing, his his body's still developing, he's what, 19, is he now? I mean, for me, that's quite a lot of game time.
00:08:45
Lewis
I mean, we've seen it before with the likes of Pedri at Barcelona and then he suffered injuries going forward into the into the next seasons after playing so many minutes in that midfield book.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think you i think you have I think you have to play Lewis though, don't you? like With all the injuries, and and to be fair, it's only the last few games he's been quite poor in. At the start of the season, we could not stop raving about him. There's no way he could get dropped. We thought he he would not get dropped and Walker wouldn't play, but somehow they've both managed to be in the same defence.
00:09:13
Lewis
Yeah, now to be fair, there's the argument about him being leggy and wrestling him, but I mean, if we look at who's there instead of him, it's Kyle Walker. And he again, if we want to touch on Kyle Walker, he was an absolutely shambolic performance, in my opinion. I think even the first half when the rest of the team's playing well and there's just sloppy moments, again, lacks of concentration. I mean, at one point he just passed the ball out. He went for a down the line pass and he just passed it to the like the the managers in the technical area. And I was thinking,
00:09:43
Lewis
It's a 10 yard pass. He's just like, he's just gone downhill. I don't know what's happened with him. I just think his his pace as well, again, like Lewis, he looks sluggish and we can't blame that on game time. Like we can, but like we can for Rico because he's not been getting as much game time and he's, he didn't play the first five or six games starting anyway um this season. So I do think that.
00:10:06
Lewis
I would, you've cut yeah, we're in a predicament with the injuries and I think Akangi did come out and say, or Pep, said about Akangi that he was injured and he he couldn't stand up on the morning of it or something, but...
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's weird you'd still put him on the bench then,
End of Part 1
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
isn't it? Do you know what I mean?
00:10:20
Lewis
Yeah, that's so umm so that's what I was thinking, yeah, obviously, is the squad that thin, that you have to have injured players on the bench just just to fill the bench, I mean...
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not the lot not the first time he's done that either, is it to be fair, as a pep.
00:10:32
Lewis
No. Yeah, no, I know, yeah, it's just...
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you'd think it's by his design. But anyway, thats that's enough for part one. We'll get into all the squad building and some more reasons why we think City have been doing this run.
Haaland's Milestones Celebration
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to Daily Manchester City podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm here with Lewis, we're reviewing Man City's 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday. and We mentioned Earl in Holland, that was a positive and just to keep the spirits up even for another minute or so. That makes him the fastest ever player to 75 goals in the Premier League. That's 15 in 16 this season and 105 in 140 games for City overall.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mentioned in the crossover that the key to victory would be providing an adequate service for the big man and that did not happen and City did not
De Bruyne's Influence on Team Dynamics
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
win. The first half it was happening and it looked like City were going to ah go on to cruise in the game really but didn't happen that way. How do we solve the problem of getting getting service into him?
00:12:07
Lewis
Yeah, well I think now, obviously we've seen two little cameos from Kevin De Bruyne, one was about 10 minutes of added time, this one was 20, we're getting in there, it's getting he's getting more minutes under his belt, hopefully getting back to full fitness and the the amazing Kevin De Bruyne that we know, but I think that is definitely a big factor in feeding Harland. Obviously we know many times that them two have combined for a goal, but even whether it's Harland to De Bruyne as well, we've seen, but obviously the main combination being KDB up to Harlan, whether it's with his head, the outside of his foot, his heel, he always just seems to get there.
00:12:39
Lewis
So hopefully I do think moving forward that De Bruyne can definitely stay injury free because at the minute we look like we just can't feed him.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:12:49
Lewis
I mean, personally for me, I do feel Harlan had one of his better games in possession of the ball.
00:12:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:12:54
Lewis
Obviously we know he never gets that many touches. I think he averages about nine or 10 per game, which is obviously one of the lowest in the league. But I do think his hold up play looked better. He did look more assured on the ball. He wasn't given away as many passes. He wasn't being dispossessed as much. I don't know whether that was because he suited the ah the Brighton style of play, their defenders, obviously Van Hacker and I can't remember who else was actually at the centre back. But yeah, I don't know whether that was the reason, but I do feel that with Kovacic and Gundogan in midfield.
00:13:25
Lewis
i mean gundowa's obviously seen not he The Gundogan slander is is quite bad because he's he's a city legend really but I do feel that just moving forward there was ah there was a ball he tried to get through to Harlem right near the start and it's just it's it's not it's not there.
00:13:39
Lewis
it's It's very close but it's ultimately not there and I do feel that the introduction of De Bruyne back into the squad is there.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:46
Lewis
His passes are there and I do think it'll be very beneficial.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was ah good to see him come off the bench. He got five minutes against sporting, um got 20 minutes here. I actually think a in terms of performance, he was terrible, but he was trying everything, right?
00:14:02
Lewis
Yeah.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was flicking it around the corner. He was trying to make those passes that he's known for. And even on a good day, his pass completion is not going to be that high because he's a guy that makes stuff happen. But he did look a but little bit um whatever the opposite of the word shop is, I guess.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as it expected, he's just coming back from an injury layoff.
00:14:18
Lewis
yeah
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I agree with you. yo He could single-handedly be the difference, really, couldn't he? Because when, like I said earlier in the podcast, when Citi don't win, It's Harland that looks like the most isolated player, and Kev is the one who fixes that.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
The midfield has been a problem all season, and and the final the link between the lines, between the forwards and the midfield, there's never been anywhere now. It's where the wingers get so much of the ball, and they're not quite ready for that responsibility.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Kev being in the team just offers a completely different dynamic for the for the
00:14:47
Lewis
Yeah.
Midfield and Formation Challenges
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
attack, and we know how good he is.
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even if he's at 70% or 80%, that could be enough, really, couldn't it? Because he's so goddamn good. Speaking of midfield, Kovacic's first half was was excellent and definitely worth mentioning as a positive.
00:14:59
Lewis
yeah
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
You mentioned how good the assist was. Yeah, it was absolutely amazing. and That type of interception and a gorgeous little slip pass with perfect weight on. Excellent midfield play. But then in the second half,
00:15:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
we seem to have reverted to another, I don't know, another ghost, another ghost performance, because it felt like Brighton were just swarm after swarm of attacking from that midfield area, getting and then getting it out wide. And that's exactly what the single pivot of Kavacic is not, what is not have is not stopping right now for City. We know Pep is pretty rigid with his ah formations, and but surely there needs to be some sort of alteration in the middle right now.
00:15:47
Lewis
Yeah, no, I definitely think that it's needed. Like I said, obviously, Kev does come back in, but it's too flat for me. It has been all season. it's It doesn't look, it doesn't firm with confidence. When we're going forward in midfield and we're we're in transition, and we're obviously not known as ah as ah as a major counter-attack inside,
00:16:07
Lewis
We saw a glimpse of it against, I think it was Sparta Prague with that goal ah where Akanji drove out and then it's gone to Nunez or whoever brought it out before Nunez and then it's Fedhan and he's scored and that is what that is what we we need to see and that's what we used to see and especially on the counter against, like you said, that's against the weaker side.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:25
Lewis
We've got to learn to adapt to do that against a better side. But like you said, it's completely different performances from the midfield. that was like It's not even the same game, the two it's a game it's literally a game with two halves.
00:16:37
Lewis
which were completely different i mean i just there's just no it's not lively doesn't it doesn't it doesn't excite me and like we've said gundawan his three balls aren't there and cover stitch obviously like you said cover stitch um yeah i honestly don't know
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you change formation? Would you change, that's kind of what I'm getting at. We know he likes his 4-3-3, but Carver Chitchin, that loan pivot doesn't work for me personally. not not Not defensively at least, not defensively at least, you know.
00:17:03
Lewis
Yeah, you can tell he's not the sole hole in the midfielder. Just the way he drives with the ball, the way he gets out of tight situations at times is fantastic. But I honestly don't know what I'd do with the absence of Roger. He's so vile to the team. But yeah, I don't know how I'd change it. We've just got to keep our fingers and toes crossed that Kevin De Bruyne gets back in the squad as soon as possible.
Pressing and Defensive Cohesion
00:17:28
Lewis
I don't know who four. Maybe, obviously, you can maybe try Bernardo in there.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gundwan swap for Kev, I think, right?
00:17:36
Lewis
Yeah, yeah, either a straight swap or that or just try things. I mean, really, she's coming back now as well and to replace Nunes and then Nunes can be a rotational midfielder, which is obviously where he likes to play.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Box midfield again, maybe we need to go back to the box midfield, because that that that that worked for a while for controlling games.
00:17:50
Lewis
Obviously, he's been playing on the left.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe you have Bernardo on the right and then hit coming back in and then the three centre-mids, because Kovacic needs more help in the middle.
00:17:59
Lewis
Yeah.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
like he just He seems so isolated for me so often throughout throughout games.
00:18:08
Lewis
Yeah, no, he definitely does, yeah.
00:18:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
even even Even the game city have won this season, I felt like that.
00:18:13
Lewis
yeah
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
another
00:18:14
Lewis
Obviously, you've got a phone as well.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
sorry
00:18:17
Lewis
It's just fitting everyone in, isn't it? it's just Obviously, we've not got that many players fit, but the players that this starting 11 is just fitting in, making it work, really.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean Nunez is doing quite ah well. The stars have aligned for him to get about five stars in a row, that's all I'll say. Another kind another and another aspect about this midfield i is the defending, which I think is iss completely deserted city in terms of the press, which is all over the place at the moment.
00:18:36
Lewis
yeah ah
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Teams are just gliding through and that's never been the case. City have been known and Pep has been known to have expertly positioned teams, all pressing as a coherent unit, always aggressive.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But teams are just playing through it.
00:19:00
Lewis
Yeah, definitely.
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're just not used to seeing this as avid city watchers. And it seems like a difficult question. But how is that structure regained? Is it a personnel and performance issue? Or does PEP need to come up with like a new scheme, a new triggers, or just try something new in general?
00:19:16
Lewis
It does seem like as the season goes on now and we're after this international break I think we're really kicking into gear the Premier League obviously we're past that you can't really go at the start now there's no there's no cobwebs that still should be there from obviously the the summer the euros and players getting back into the swing of things maybe not playing in the auros but obviously harlan didn't go but it's just it's a case of what i think is teams are slowly slowly starting to figure out the pet way of of playing obviously with a lot of teams obviously utilizing that fullback coming inside from defense
00:19:50
Lewis
and then playing as an extra man in midfield, but if if that is being opposed by our opposition, it sort of evens out and it doesn't give us that but advantage that we need, especially when we haven't got the players like Roger who are that comfortable in the ball and can almost like surge your bus squats in his prime, dragging players in and then playing off and then obviously moving forward with the ball. But without that, that's the solidity in the midfield. I don't think that it works, especially when we lose the ball, like you said, in transition.
00:20:20
Lewis
it's it's not like what we used to see over previous seasons and it always looks like or we could be in here to concede, whereas it never used to be that. I mean, two clean sheets a season, it's it's a real rarity for such a good manchester city Manchester City club. So yeah, hopefully the defense and the midfield can sort themselves out, start feeding Harland and hopefully plenty of more goals. Plenty more goals will be on the way, surely.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the best form of defense is attack, right? And if you're getting your press wrong, it means you're not able to sustain these attacks that City like that city like to do where they just swarm you and get you get you stuck in your own 18-yard box out for attack after attack. If you're not pressing, right, and teams break free, that doesn't happen. So you can't sustain pressure and effectively control a game. And we haven't really seen City dominate for 90 minutes.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not many times this season, maybe a couple of the games I mentioned there in the Champions League. But other than that, it's not i think this I think this press and this rest defense is so key to, yeah, like I say, keep
Break Announcement
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
that pressure on. But without the midfielders to do it, it's not happening. um we We'll have a short outbreak. And when we come back, we'll address why. and So many people are complaining about the injuries at City. And could City have done anything to build a squad better?
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back
Recruitment Strategies Critique
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
to Daily Manchester City on the Global Sports Podcast Network. So, it's obviously easy to be negative and you sweep in statements in a moment like this, especially when there are so many injuries. But are there players you believe that just aren't up to the required level for Man City? And if so, who?
00:22:33
Lewis
yeah Obviously, we've spoken before about Mateus Nuna not quite being at that first team level and obviously he's still only young, early 20s, but it's just the the consistency of performances is is not up there.
00:22:44
Lewis
He's had a good little spell, but obviously we've mentioned the teams are playing. It's expected for for someone that Pep's looked at from Wolves and and signed him. it Obviously, it's a big statement to to be wanted by Pep Guardiola, but yeah, it's just because
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
for £50 million pounds as well.
00:23:02
Lewis
Yeah, it's just the consistency of ah his performances. But, I mean, we look at a bench, just a list of a few of the names. I mean, Josh Wilson, Esbrand, Jacob Wright, Nico O'Reilly, and obviously see James McAtee. It's basically a whole academy bench at this point. And obviously that's that is mainly down but is mainly due sorry to to all the injuries. but
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what should should or could the club have done anything in terms of recruitment or team building to prevent this possibility of being so short?
00:23:32
Lewis
I think we maybe could have looked at a few backup midfielders. Obviously, we're going to be interested in January and find that hold in the fielder and probably strengthen in the squad. But we've been slated in the past for not having that Academy development and that Academy growth. And now we've got it and it's almost it's almost like bittersweet that it's now hurting us and it's come to to be punishing us because of ah because of our squad depth. But I think Pep obviously likes he likes his squad thing. We spoke about it before. He likes the quality there and the small quality. And it obviously, it's the opposite to Chelsea.
00:24:01
Lewis
where they just have an immense amount of quality, but not everyone can fit in. So I don't know which I'd rather. Obviously we have put the mastermind of the of the whole thing. We've got to trust the the master plan, if you like. But yeah, I'm not too sure who we who we could assign because you can't expect that many injuries. Obviously with the amount of
Impact of Fixture Congestion
00:24:21
Lewis
the amount of minutes that players are playing now, for me, in my opinion, it's ridiculous. I mean, we're on our third international break at the start of November already.
00:24:29
Lewis
the nation's league has been introduced in the last the last few years. I don't agree with it. I think it's a wasted competition. It's not taken as far as seriously as obviously the Euros or the World Cup. And obviously now the new Champions League scheme as well is just minutes it on legs, tired legs, and it's obviously going to lead to injuries. And it's not just City, of and we're going to suffer from that throughout the season. It it will be other teams soon to come, I'm sure.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But City seemed to be suffering the most. And they would have known going into this season there was going to be three international breaks and eight Champions League games.
00:25:00
Lewis
Yeah.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So only having 19 senior players going into the season, and da
00:25:10
Lewis
Yeah.
January Transfer Window Speculations
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
that that's a choice.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know I feel like that's a choice. And the recruitment team at City have opened themselves up to a situation like this by not by not sight well barely anyone over the last season or two really, Carver Church, Savio, that are actually playing.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So you mentioned the January transfer window um and a holding midfielder. ah Luckily, football has two opportunities a year to sort out a squad. What do you think City are going to do in January? Do you think they'd definitely go and buy some players now or is it a case of just waiting for the injuries to come back and see and see and where we're at?
00:25:52
Lewis
Yeah, I definitely think it's a case of of getting people in. i mean Obviously, we know we know there's a few coming back from injury. We've got Dokku to come back, Grealish, De Bruyne. Obviously, it's our defense. maybe we get
Comparing City and Liverpool
00:26:03
Lewis
another Obviously, we've bought a lot of defenders in the last five years or so, but maybe it's a case of getting another and the defender, just as there' a backup. Obviously, we've got Akake, Vardy, Ola, Kanji, Diaz, Stones, all these amazing defenders. Obviously, Rico, Lewis, and Walker's still there for the for the squad depth and the rotation.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another left back, I reckon, because then you get Guardiola's cover for centre back as well.
00:26:19
Lewis
but to be
00:26:21
Lewis
yeah
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another left-footed left back, I think, would be good balance for the squad, personally.
00:26:27
Lewis
yeah in hindsight it would have been nice to have like a as in chenko there or something or something like that just to just to utilize in in the defense yeah well well yeah you never know you never know but yeah i'm not i'm not a big fan of him myself but it just it's that left footed left footed fullback but it's just again more sporadic and more more opportunity to to stay stable at the back and
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's rubbish. so Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:26:56
Lewis
and not be not be as cautious constantly looking at injuries, but I think we've definitely got a look at Zubin Mendy, obviously he's been mentioned, to also fill in that that central defensive role, because obviously Roger's out for the whole season, but I think in terms of attackers, I mean it would have been nice to have Liam Delappe looking at his former Ipswich this season, I mean another goal on assist today in in an emphatic win for Ipswich, first Premier League win against Spurs, which I thought was superb, but
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He's been great this year, to be honest, even to lap lips, which would be they'd be stuffed without him.
00:27:29
Lewis
Yeah, every game I see, I'm seeing notifications and it's the lap goal, the lap goal, and I'm like, fair enough, honestly, like, you never know what these players are gonna blemish into. I mean, you never know if some of our youngsters now even went alone and we saw them flourish and it's just, you never know how it's gonna go, but if Harlan gets injured...
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could make hell of a team with a City Academy graduate and that are out playing over the last five years.
00:27:50
Lewis
Yeah, oh, definitely.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:27:55
Lewis
Yeah, but if Harlan gets injured, for example, then... I would be getting really, really quite worried for our title hopes. But as far as we're going, we've got to stay positive and we've got to look above the horizon and and hope that we can still challenge for the title. Only five points behind still, you you've got to have hope.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think you've just taken one of my last questions away from me. I was going to ask, ultimately, have you still got the faith? Because if anyone has owned it, of course that beautiful bald man has. But all cycles do come to an end, especially with Cheeky leaving and Pep openly flirting with the idea of leaving City in a foreseeable future. Do you expect everything to be turned around, which of course means titles? Or do you think we're witness witnessing the beginning of the end for this formidable era? but I suppose you've already answered that, but elaborate a bit.
00:28:42
Lewis
Yeah, I definitely don't think it's the beginning of the end. I mean, it's sort of ironic.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've i've seen i've I've seen some people say it, so I have to ask.
00:28:49
Lewis
Yeah, it's sort of ironic because obviously 10 Arganis interview said that all areas have to come to an end talking about City and Arsenal, Liverpool, whoever he was talking about, which is very annoying.
00:29:01
Lewis
It's very frustrating that it's now sort of going that way, but We've seen it before, we we have had a strong start to the season, especially compared to like the first in in terms of results, the first 7 Premier League games, I think it is, i mean we were unbeaten, so it's a strong start compared to what I'm usually used to seeing, but then it's after Christmas and in the rundown to the end of the season,
00:29:25
Lewis
um I have faith that we can we can kick in again like we normally do and and go on a run at the end of the season. Not as much as recent seasons but five in a row would be a massive ask but it would be absolutely incredible and I'd love to see it.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
if you take the whole If you take the season as a whole, it's not been a terrible start. Liverpool have just made an ah an even better one. The city have won seven, drawn two and lost two if there are 11 Premier League games.
00:29:47
Lewis
you
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not terrible by any means. It's like fifth in the Champions League group as well, I think. So if you take it like that, it's fine. It's just because it's all happened within a space of two weeks. It seems probably a lot more, um, a lot more devastating than it would be in isolation. But I suppose Liverpool are the ones that look like the main challenges now. Five points clear
Liverpool's Tactical Flexibility
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
after beating Aston Villa, 2-0 yesterday, Salah and Leverkusen 4-0 and top the Champions League Group 2. So how good do you think they are? And what have Liverpool got that City don't in this moment?
00:30:27
Lewis
I think they've got a new manager bounce coming in from Klopp, it's a lot to live up to, but the players are obviously going to respect that Arnie Slott's come in and he's he's playing his type of way. I mean I saw an analysis by Jamie Carragher saying that he doesn't he doesn't like to press Arnie and then Arnie's come out and said in an interview that and he does like that and he likes to change his tactics in for who he's playing and he likes to vary it up, which I think is Obviously all all teams try to do that, but he is excelling in it and and getting like in the depths of the information of what teams have got. I mean, for example, when they played United and they won 3-0, his analysis after the game I thought it was brilliant, like analyzing United's midfield last season and and the way they're receiving the ball, like how the defense are playing out and how United are pressing.
00:31:18
Lewis
and he's compared the two and then he wasn't here last season and I think it's brilliant that he's he's been able to capitalise on that ah from weaknesses from different teams but in terms of players obviously their attack is fantastic.
00:31:33
Lewis
One of the best players in the league, he's still the longevity of him, Mohamed Salah, obviously these you don't need to explain his talent, yeah he's he's an unbelievable player and he still provides week in week out and I'm gutted I took him out of my fantasy team to be honest because ever since I have he's been scoring every week which is just sod's law but
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Phenomenal, phenomenal player.
00:31:52
Lewis
I do think that, defensively as well, Canata, Van Dijk, Trent and and Robertson, even Simicast, when Simicast has been coming on, is an extremely solid defence. I mean, probably the best centre back in the league, arguably the best right back in the league, I think, probably.
00:32:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Canata is up there. i For the last 18 months, I think he's been as good as Van Dyck, personally.
00:32:09
Lewis
Yeah.
00:32:13
Lewis
Yeah, no, he's definitely been showing his worth anyway as as a Liverpool player, not not so much in recent seasons. But then we're looking to midfield as well. Alexis McAllister for me is a fantastic player.
00:32:24
Lewis
I'm a massive fan of his, even when he was at Brighton, watching him in the World Cup in 2022 as well with Argentina.
00:32:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:30
Lewis
ah thought he I thought he's fantastic. And but every time we're watching for Liverpool, his control of the game, the way he controls that midfield and Alongside Graven Burch who's also coming out of his shell this season, I think that Liverpool have caught a very strong squad and so far so good for injuries, fingers crossed that maybe doesn't stay so free flowing and nice for them and hopefully they get a bit of what ah bit of what we've been getting.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they've got a little bit more depth, haven't they? um And because of Slott's flexibility in terms of, like you said, he changes based on the opponent and he's happy to switch it up in terms of the personnel.
00:33:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think if
Brighton's Victory and Scouting Success
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
they got one or two injuries, I think they'd probably find a way to cope with it, you know? And I just want to add on Alexis McCallister, it really reminds me of Paul Scholes.
00:33:13
Lewis
Yeah.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know when when he was a bit When he was a bit younger, he was playing as a number 10 and he always had a good shot on him, but moving him back has been a masterstroke because he's such got such a good range of passing and his vision.
00:33:18
Lewis
Yeah, it does.
00:33:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you want him on the ball as much as possible because he influences games, even if he doesn't show up on the stat sheet sometimes. I think it would be rude if we didn't give Brighton some credit too before we finished. They're a serious team. It's Hertzler's first season so it seems to be the start of an exciting project but they already look good and they're full of talented players. So who impressed you on Saturday and what do you think this Brighton site could achieve?
00:33:56
Lewis
Yeah I think that we know from from previous seasons the the scouting of the south coast side is is impeccable, it's second to none. I mean obviously Mattoma, I can't remember where they got him from but it's an impeccable signing from the form that he's been in the recent seasons and he's slowly getting back to it but yeah ah the strength
00:34:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
They got him from bel Belgium,
00:34:22
Lewis
yeah you Yeah, you have a little Google. Yeah, but I just think it's the strength on the wings, like like we did speak about with the Brighton lads on Friday or whenever it was. It's the strength in depth on the wings as well.
00:34:34
Lewis
I mean, was it a dingra started um against us on the weekend?
00:34:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Belgium,
00:34:38
Lewis
And then obviously we've got Cadioglu scored in the in the previous game against Liverpool. And then obviously Minty as well, um just with that pace on the wing, they're so're so fast at the wing. What a great bit of scouting that was.
00:34:50
Lewis
and I do think there's a lot of promise for him but in terms of on the weekend doing press me I think I think Danny Wilbert was quite quiet and compared to recent weeks but when he gets on the ball obviously Brighton didn't really have it the first half we can't really comment in on the first half I thought that they they were just outclassed by City, City were one of the best they've been this season but second half obviously we've got to speak of Joe Pedro coming on as a sub, goal and assist in what 10 minutes I thought he was superb
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could have scored another one as well.
00:35:18
Lewis
Yeah, I thought he was superb, but he he always looks like, he he looks like gangly for me and he looks a bit sort of like Cole Power. He never looks like he's going to like, oh yeah, Joe Pedro's on the ball. Look at this.
00:35:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:28
Lewis
And then, but he just, it's annoying because he came out and did that, that little free ball and the goal where he's just like hit it into the ground. It's, it's gone over Edison. It's just annoying. It was so frustrating to see them break through so easy.
00:35:41
Lewis
Like you said, with our, with our defense, just obviously we've got a lack of experience in in the center about roles there, but Yeah, i was I was impressed with Brighton in the second half, especially to come back against it is is a big ah it's a big task, and they did it well in my opinion.
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know the exact number, but and there was a Sky Sports graphic that went up during the game. I might be wrong, but I think City haven't lost ah while leading at half-time for something like 40 games, maybe longer than that.
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, bright Brighton have proper beat the odds, only their second ever Premier League victory against City in their 15th attempt.
00:36:10
Lewis
Yeah.
00:36:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah,
Conclusion and Future Episodes
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
congrats to Brighton, we say through gritted teeth. Next up next step for City after the international break is the side who started this tumultuous run and passed a call through Spurs. as ah As Lewis mentioned, they're also going to be reeling and desperate to put and put things right from their own disappointing result losing 2-1 at home to Ipswich.
00:36:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So and they're going to be just as angry and one and a win too. um And that's before that awful run I mentioned as well. But we'll have previews and reviews for every city match and lots of fun in between coming up on the Daily Manchester City podcast. So make sure you stay tuned in for all of that. Thanks again to Lewis and thanks to you for listening. I've been Jules Jordan-Probert. We've been Daily Manchester City for the Global Sports Podcast Network. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.