What Manchester City Fans Would Like for Christmas
By David Crook
Manchester City have had a fantastic 2018
Pep Guardiola has managed to get his side working and playing a style of football of his design, which has been unprecedented in British football. The pundits even said it could not be done, but our high pressing attacking possession based football blew away almost every side in 2018 and we finished last season in record breaking form.
There were some upsets and disappointments along the way too. The capitulation against the Manchester rivals which denied us the opportunity to clinch the title. The tactical disaster class against Liverpool in the Champions League which allowed us to be out powered.
The concern both of these things indicated was that despite our beautiful football, there was a soft centre that somehow lurked within. That the ruthlessness we need to become a truly great side may be missing.
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Numerous times we have witnessed Manchester City dismantling other sides and racing into a lead, but then it seems as though Guardiola almost calls off the dogs and Manchester City drop down a couple of gears before managing out the game. What we have not seen is a ruthless destruction of a side, where we absolutely batter the opponents and score a hatful.
My wife always urges us to stop scoring when we get to 5 goals in the belief it is just cruel. But that is exactly the missing element I can see in our fantastic team.
So when we talking about what Santa needs to bring to us as Manchester City fans, it is probably best not to think about another left back or another defensive midfielder. It is probably best not to wish for Tanguy Ndombele, or even Frenkie De Jong, or even Mendy. Guardiola has been fairly definite so far that Manchester City will not be entering the transfer market in January!
I think that what City fans want to see is a return to ruthlessness. The willingness to put teams completely to the sword. We do not need to keep energy in reserve, we need to develop a cruel streak to see out the season and truly seize the opportunity to grab trophies in 2019.