Things We Learnt From Watching the Draw Against Palace

There is no escaping the fact that at the end of the game, the Manchester City draw at home to Crystal Palace felt like a defeat.

There were long periods in the match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace when I would have settled for a draw. Going behind to a cheap Cenk Tosun goal from a header at a corner was almost expected, so random have the home performances become this season.

Playing a flat footed 4-3-3 system against a tightly packed team with a loose and ready winger, lurking as an escape route, has become our de facto system. And so far despite a number of attempts has rendered few positive experiences in 2019/20.

There are times in the recent past when we have managed to undo the stacked opposition but during those times, two things were abundant. Firstly, we were more solid at the back and did not possess a defence made of smoke. Secondly, we altered our approach through the application of pace – these were the types of games where we relied upon Leroy to run in behind at pace.

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I feel nostalgic for those simpler times already. Watching our current inconsistent City displays is a chastening experience. For every step forward, we can take a step backwards.

Invincibility to Fallibility

I have written before how sometimes the difference between marginal improvements in performance is belief, and I do not want to rehash that again here. Yet, there is an interesting view that maybe City players are content.

I guess what I mean by that, is that they are replete with prior success and without a doubt hungry for more, but maybe that hunger is like after already eating at Burger King you pass a Mcdonalds. The smell of the burgers may lure you in, but are you really hungry enough to be bothered to queue?

Good sides don’t concede every shot on target. Good sides prevent those chances occuring by throwing themselves at anything that moves. I am not seeing many players sacrificing themselves for the team.

Our lurch into fallibility has been sudden as it is unwelcome. What was inspiring before has become predictable and slow. Every poor showing seems to feature Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva. Is that coincidence or part of the problem?

Sentiment

It is unusual for Pep Guardiola to espouse or demonstrate sentiment. In so many ways, in public at least, he gives off an aura of analysis and coolness. Emotional decision making is absent, although like many of the best leaders he still feels empathy.

But this season his willing reliance upon some players – despite poor form – feels almost sentimental.

Shaking off lethargy requires some ruthlessness and players have to earn their spot through current- not historic – performances. Players in poor runs of form have to address that elsewhere, not in the first team.

If you select players based on form then you also help address another issue which is getting in the way – rotation.

Too Many Changes

If players are performing well then let them perform. They can rest when they are retired and reminiscing about their playing days. Right now they are young and fit athletes.

Players who get deselected don’t often turn up for their next game in top form. Sharpness diminishes just as much through tiredness as rest.

The frequent changes disrupt our rhythm of play. They stop individuals building momentum and performing to their highest level.

It also begs the question – what are we saving players for? Parties with Instagram models?

Just play our best side – made of individuals performing to their peak. If they are performing at 60% then drop them.

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