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I was a major critic of Pep last season, and I feel it was with good reason. It’s fair to say that I was not alone dishing out the criticism. The football was turgid, lazy, uninspiring and immovable. When things were going badly there was no plan B. It was like watching exactly the same game over and over again. However, we finished third, got to a cup final and the vast majority of teams in the league would consider that achievement a major success. We had more than our fair share of significant injuries which obviously had a detrimental effect.

I was not looking forward to anything. Fast forward two weeks and all of a sudden I’m really looking forward to the Club World Cup, the three main players we have signed appear to be the real deal. Align that with the return of Rodri, Bobb and the other new players Khusanov, Reis , Escheveri and Nico along with a hopefully rejuvenated Foden and we have what looks like a stellar, young squad again. So now it’s over to Pep, he’s been provided with what appear to be the tools to be extremely successful again. Can he do it ? Let’s hope so.

Pretty much sums my feelings up. Got to be happy with our business and I'd be surprised if we did not get the rb that is required in the next window - maybe we do the juve Deal at the CWC?
Over to you Pep, youve been given the raw materials lets see what you do with them

Sparklehorse wrote:I was a major critic of Pep last season, and I feel it was with good reason. It’s fair to say that I was not alone dishing out the criticism. The football was turgid, lazy, uninspiring and immovable. When things were going badly there was no plan B. It was like watching exactly the same game over and over again. However, we finished third, got to a cup final and the vast majority of teams in the league would consider that achievement a major success. We had more than our fair share of significant injuries which obviously had a detrimental effect.

I was not looking forward to anything. Fast forward two weeks and all of a sudden I’m really looking forward to the Club World Cup, the three main players we have signed appear to be the real deal. Align that with the return of Rodri, Bobb and the other new players Khusanov, Reis , Escheveri and Nico along with a hopefully rejuvenated Foden and we have what looks like a stellar, young squad again. So now it’s over to Pep, he’s been provided with what appear to be the tools to be extremely successful again. Can he do it ? Let’s hope so.

Can't disagree with that. Good summary

The club seem to have done a very good job getting some solid signings in, which is following on from the January activity showing they recognised that as a club they made some mistakes last summer, and are rectifying them quickly, but in a balanced way.

Whether some / all will have an issue with 'Guardiola first season syndrome' is my big concern - this is a lot of players to integrate at once, but the squad is now what appears to be a very nice balance of old heads who still have a good few years ahead of them, and talented younger players.

If even half of these signings work out, the PL should be very concerned - as the criticism of just short of 300m we've spent in 2025 could well be sufficient for another 3-4 years now. We also just recouped 25m on Couto, with more exits to come to balance the books.

Reis - 19
Echeverri - 19
O'Reilly - 20
Lewis - 20
Cherki - 21
Savinho - 21
Bobb - 21
McAtee - 22
Doku - 23
Nico - 23
Gvardiol - 23
Haaland - 24
Ait Nouri - 24
Foden - 25 (how the fuck did that happen)
Reindeers - 26
Marmoush - 26
Nunes -26
Dias - 28
Rodri - 29
Silva - 30
Kovacic - 31
Stones - 31
Ederson - 31
Ortega - 32
Gundogan - 34

That is a very young squad. And it's better for it

nottsblue wrote:That is a very young squad. And it's better for it

When you consider that excluding goalkeepers and assuming Stones is gone, we have Gundo at 34, Kovacic at 31 and Silva at 30 - every other outfield player in the squad is quite significantly below 30, it's a mad transformation we've seen in a single year.

If you look at the spine of this side now, and look at who will fit in around this core as nailed on starters, i'm as excited as I think I've been in a very long time.

Ederson
Dias, Guardiol
Silva Rodri, Reindeers
Haaland, Marmoush, Foden

If Guardiola can pull this off and get back to winning ways in the league and CL, it puts all his detractors to bed. I'm ready for Pep to leave based on HIS mistakes last season - but if he lets these players PLAY with only a sprinkling of tactical restriction or some fresh ideas from the new coaching team, it may just be his crowning glory.

There are plenty of reasons to be cheerful, optimistic. I thought last November / December in the low of the slump that the squad needed needed seven new players, and we have done that bar a right back, which I think will follow before September.
If we get a RB we will be in good shape for next season, then add to that the changes in coaching staff should freshen it up.

Im_Spartacus wrote:The club seem to have done a very good job getting some solid signings in, which is following on from the January activity showing they recognised that as a club they made some mistakes last summer, and are rectifying them quickly, but in a balanced way.

Whether some / all will have an issue with 'Guardiola first season syndrome' is my big concern - this is a lot of players to integrate at once, but the squad is now what appears to be a very nice balance of old heads who still have a good few years ahead of them, and talented younger players.

If even half of these signings work out, the PL should be very concerned - as the criticism of just short of 300m we've spent in 2025 could well be sufficient for another 3-4 years now. We also just recouped 25m on Couto, with more exits to come to balance the books.

Reis - 19
Echeverri - 19
O'Reilly - 20
Lewis - 20
Cherki - 21
Savinho - 21
Bobb - 21
McAtee - 22
Doku - 23
Nico - 23
Gvardiol - 23
Haaland - 24
Ait Nouri - 24
Foden - 25 (how the fuck did that happen)
Reindeers - 26
Marmoush - 26
Nunes -26
Dias - 28
Rodri - 29
Silva - 30
Kovacic - 31
Stones - 31
Ederson - 31
Ortega - 32
Gundogan - 34

Khusanov ?? Akanji ??

Squad announced and no grealish.

Dont get it?? Drives down his price?

zuricity wrote:

Im_Spartacus wrote:The club seem to have done a very good job getting some solid signings in, which is following on from the January activity showing they recognised that as a club they made some mistakes last summer, and are rectifying them quickly, but in a balanced way.

Whether some / all will have an issue with 'Guardiola first season syndrome' is my big concern - this is a lot of players to integrate at once, but the squad is now what appears to be a very nice balance of old heads who still have a good few years ahead of them, and talented younger players.

If even half of these signings work out, the PL should be very concerned - as the criticism of just short of 300m we've spent in 2025 could well be sufficient for another 3-4 years now. We also just recouped 25m on Couto, with more exits to come to balance the books.

Reis - 19
Echeverri - 19
O'Reilly - 20
Lewis - 20
Cherki - 21
Savinho - 21
Bobb - 21
McAtee - 22
Doku - 23
Nico - 23
Gvardiol - 23
Haaland - 24
Ait Nouri - 24
Foden - 25 (how the fuck did that happen)
Reindeers - 26
Marmoush - 26
Nunes -26
Dias - 28
Rodri - 29
Silva - 30
Kovacic - 31
Stones - 31
Ederson - 31
Ortega - 32
Gundogan - 34

Khusanov ?? Akanji ??

I sold them!

Yeah, pretty much sums up my feelings too. I will make no apology for wanting Pep gone during last season, the football was turgid and stale and nothing looked as if it was going to change. The decision to freshen up the back room staff is the first sign that things are maybe on the correct path. The three main signings so far all have something about them, I've been asking for Ait-Nouri for 3 years. Now I can't wait for the new season to start.

From wanting the season to end in February, i'm actually excited for the new season to begin now

Im_Spartacus wrote:

zuricity wrote:

Im_Spartacus wrote:The club seem to have done a very good job getting some solid signings in, which is following on from the January activity showing they recognised that as a club they made some mistakes last summer, and are rectifying them quickly, but in a balanced way.

Whether some / all will have an issue with 'Guardiola first season syndrome' is my big concern - this is a lot of players to integrate at once, but the squad is now what appears to be a very nice balance of old heads who still have a good few years ahead of them, and talented younger players.

If even half of these signings work out, the PL should be very concerned - as the criticism of just short of 300m we've spent in 2025 could well be sufficient for another 3-4 years now. We also just recouped 25m on Couto, with more exits to come to balance the books.

Reis - 19
Echeverri - 19
O'Reilly - 20
Lewis - 20
Cherki - 21
Savinho - 21
Bobb - 21
McAtee - 22
Doku - 23
Nico - 23
Gvardiol - 23
Haaland - 24
Ait Nouri - 24
Foden - 25 (how the fuck did that happen)
Reindeers - 26
Marmoush - 26
Nunes -26
Dias - 28
Rodri - 29
Silva - 30
Kovacic - 31
Stones - 31
Ederson - 31
Ortega - 32
Gundogan - 34

Khusanov ?? Akanji ??

I sold them!

I am amazed you found a buyer ! How did his guide dog react ?

Mase wrote:From wanting the season to end in February, i'm actually excited for the new season to begin now

100% me too

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:

Mase wrote:From wanting the season to end in February, i'm actually excited for the new season to begin now

100% me too

I am drifting into this camp. Ive had very little interest in the CWC but with the 3 new signings I will take a look to see how they get on, if played. But I see one of the games against someone ive never heard of is at 2 am, so will be giving that a miss.

Bloody topic title.

Keep singing that dreadful ian dury song.

Honestly, I just don’t see Pep changing his ways — and until I see a real shift in how he sets us up, I’ve got very little reason to feel optimistic.
Sure, we’re signing exciting players. But what’s the point if he keeps playing them out of position? He does this constantly, and nothing so far suggests he’ll do things differently next season.
So, am I feeling cheerful? No — not even close.

There is good news regarding ticket prices , so I would expect a full house in every single home game from now on.

'Man City have taken the extraordinary step of reducing match day ticket prices by up to 43 per cent after lengthy negotiations with the club’s fan advisory board'

zuricity wrote:Bloody topic title.

Keep singing that dreadful ian dury song.

You mean “What a Waste”.

carl_feedthegoat wrote:There is good news regarding ticket prices , so I would expect a full house in every single home game from now on.

'Man City have taken the extraordinary step of reducing match day ticket prices by up to 43 per cent after lengthy negotiations with the club’s fan advisory board'

Magnificent statement