Was 18/19 a fluke too then? Last season was just a continuation of 18/19 where they took Man City right down to the wire by getting close to 100 points themselves.Sorry couldn’t disagree more. Liverpool have had their fluke seasons and that’s that for a while I imagine. Lucky decisions, wins by small margins. Yes they were very good, but I’d still argue City played the better football last season. Liverpool were just more consistent and more fortunate.
Liverpool don’t have the depth to come back again to compete properly with City. They’re way off. They’ve had their moment and it’s gone for many years to come.They’ll still be top four for most seasons for some time though (not this season).
Perhaps I’m just deluded.
But no way are Liverpool splitting the titles and winning them for the “foreseeable”.
Another boring one horse race
- Thread starter Schmeichel's Cartwheel
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Bearded One
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This has been said about the premier league multiple times in the past but somehow has failed to materialize so I’ll take that view with little seriousness.League is dead. League Cup is dead. English football unrecognisable
Borys
Statistics Wizard
The best squad? Yes. But which of those players are really extraordinary? Do you think Gundogan, Rodri, Cancelo, Jesus And Mahrez would be that hard to replace?Ederson, Dias, Cancelo, Gundogan and Foden have all been world-class this season.
Then add in the usual suspects like Aguero, Sterling, Fernandinho and De Bruyne to a team that already has Laporte, Rodri, Mahrez, Bernardo, Jesus etc. as squad players.
It’s an extraordinary squad.
A vacuous club funded entirely by oil money but objectively an extraordinary squad.
A few years back I thought Pep was lucky to manage prime Barca. So many world class players, in almost every position. I didn't rate him high as a coach.
Watching this City side, which has won quite comfortably last 20 games without a proper striker, I've changed my mind. This team is more than sum of its parts and credit to Pep.
Okey
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This! I think Liverpool are already past their cycle. I don't think they'll be back to what they were even when they all return. Citeh too will cycle. I'm amazed they didn't drop any points this month. Insane form. But things will change, like they always do. We're the ones on the up. Down to us to keep the foot on the gas.Did people say this after we’d won 3 in a row in 2001? Or when we won the league by 18 points in 2000? Or after we did 3 in a row again in 2009?
Yeah they’ve got money, but football is cyclical. We need to raise our game and sort our own problems out before moaning about them spending.
owlo
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City have arguably the best manager in the world and a highly efficient back room setup designed to support him.
We have a buffoon as manager and Del Boy as our ceo.
These may not be popular facts, but I know which team I’d rather have running the club.
We have a buffoon as manager and Del Boy as our ceo.
These may not be popular facts, but I know which team I’d rather have running the club.
DomesticTadpole
Doom-monger obsessed with Herrera & the M.E.N.
It's a weird one really. The idea of letting Ole finish his project, which I do not object to at all and understand. However it is difficult when the likes of City still strengthen, so it might mean in the end our project's objective is just to stand still. We need to finish second, because if not what progress have we made, if we do not get to a final then no progress has been made has it? He has to turn this squad into winners. I would take anything at this point, otherwise we will just get a losers reputation.They also move like a clockwork. Thi
The best squad? Yes. But which of those players are really extraordinary? Do you think Gundogan, Rodri, Cancelo, Jesus And Mahrez would be that hard to replace?
A few years back I thought Pep was lucky to manage prime Barca. So many world class players, in almost every position. I didn't rate him high as a coach.
Watching this City side, which has won quite comfortably last 20 games without a proper striker, I've changed my mind. This team is more than sum of its parts and credit to Pep.
Dr. StrangeHate
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Let's not go there, our second forward line is James, Martial, Greenwood. City's is Foden, Jesus, Mahrez. Let's not even pretend they are of same level.I don't think we have inferior squad. Not by much. Pep is the difference.
Dr. StrangeHate
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They have won 3 of the last 4 PL and league cups.This has been said about the premier league multiple times in the past but somehow has failed to materialize so I’ll take that view with little seriousness.
Adisa
likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Not going to turn this thread into a discussion about the manager but banging on about money is an easy and lame excuse.City have arguably the best manager in the world and a highly efficient back room setup designed to support him.
We have a buffoon as manager and Del Boy as our ceo.
These may not be popular facts, but I know which team I’d rather have running the club.
In the last 8 years, both clubs have spent similar amounts of money.
AgentSmith
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No I don’t think they’re individually extraordinary but as a collective they are.The best squad? Yes. But which of those players are really extraordinary? Do you think Gundogan, Rodri, Cancelo, Jesus And Mahrez would be that hard to replace?
A few years back I thought Pep was lucky to manage prime Barca. So many world class players, in almost every position. I didn't rate him high as a coach.
Watching this City side, which has won quite comfortably last 20 games without a proper striker, I've changed my mind. This team is more than sum of its parts and credit to Pep.
Most of the players you mentioned are their squad options; our comparatives are Matic, Daniel James and Martial.
Pep is undoubtedly a brilliant manager with a style of football that is as attractive as it is dominant. But it’s obvious the advantage he has over the rest of the managers in the league. Especially in a season as draining as this one.
Cloud7
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YepNot going to turn this thread into a discussion about the manager but banging on about money is an easy and lame excuse.
In the last 8 years, both clubs have spent similar amounts of money.
Mibabalou
Full Member
It was all over the day City got taken over, it took them 4 years to take a lower mid table team and have some fantastic players.
Now they simply have 2/3 elite players at each position. B. Silva Mahrez would walk into 99% of teams and have been nailed starters for times at City but never the entire time.
If someone is having an off day they can turn to their bench and have another 50+ plus player at any spot.
It's all just so hollow and pointless but in the end serves it's point as expressing soft political power in the west.
Now they simply have 2/3 elite players at each position. B. Silva Mahrez would walk into 99% of teams and have been nailed starters for times at City but never the entire time.
If someone is having an off day they can turn to their bench and have another 50+ plus player at any spot.
It's all just so hollow and pointless but in the end serves it's point as expressing soft political power in the west.
croadyman
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Quite frankly I wish City would piss off and join a European Super League with the other dominant forces and leave everyone else to fight it out for a fair contest. I have been doing a lot of zoom quizzing during lockdown and become good mates with a guy who used to support then but have much respect for him because the minute they got money he walked away from Football.
Borys
Statistics Wizard
Why not?Let's not go there, our second forward line is James, Martial, Greenwood. City's is Foden, Jesus, Mahrez. Let's not even pretend they are of same level.
Foden vs Greenwood
Jesus vs Cavani
Mahrez vs Rashford
de Bruyne vs Bruno
James, Martial and Aguero not included as they are not influential this season.
To be honest I'm shocked if people think that is a big difference between us and City in attack line. That is why I think Pep would have us on top on the league.
Well exactly. Something we lack.No I don’t think they’re individually extraordinary but as a collective they are.
Most of the players you mentioned are their squad options; our comparatives are Matic, Daniel James and Martial.
Pep is undoubtedly a brilliant manager with a style of football that is as attractive as it is dominant. But it’s obvious the advantage he has over the rest of the managers in the league. Especially in a season as draining as this one.
Leftback99
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They would be hard to replace for any other team than City with unlimited funds. £300m easily.The best squad? Yes. But which of those players are really extraordinary? Do you think Gundogan, Rodri, Cancelo, Jesus And Mahrez would be that hard to replace?
A few years back I thought Pep was lucky to manage prime Barca. So many world class players, in almost every position. I didn't rate him high as a coach.
Watching this City side, which has won quite comfortably last 20 games without a proper striker, I've changed my mind. This team is more than sum of its parts and credit to Pep.
croadyman
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Remember that Mahrez is a creative winger rather than an inverted wide forwardWhy not?
Foden vs Greenwood
Jesus vs Cavani
Mahrez vs Rashford
de Bruyne vs Bruno
James, Martial and Aguero not included as they are not influential this season.
To be honest I'm shocked if people think that is a big difference between us and City in attack line. That is why I think Pep would have us on top on the league.
BusbyMalone
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They're in that mode at the moment where you look at them and think "who's actually going to stop these feckers"
Borys
Statistics Wizard
Let's not get picky about those small role differences. Rashford has a better assist/90' ratio anyway.Remember that Mahrez is a creative winger rather than an inverted wide forward
owlo
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We can ignore the manager part for a moment. (OGS is who he is and neither he or we can change that. But strategising the manager position is the clubs job). In the end it’s that simple come 2021: They have overall great decision making, whilst ours is turd.Not going to turn this thread into a discussion about the manager but banging on about money is an easy and lame excuse.
In the last 8 years, both clubs have spent similar amounts of money.
They planned it in depth too. You can dislike their owners all you like and cry foul, but they’ve clearly had a strategic plan which has moved on from buying the likes of Robinho for name recognition and building a huge sports complex to correctly staffing their upper and lower decision making positions and are reaping the rewards in terms of both reputational boost and on field success.
In contrast our owners have let our decision makers bumble around doing nothing for 10+ years. (I do suspect City spent vastly more money when you include infrastructure but they will probably make more back too..)
Indeed. How I support or do not support the club strongly impacts our decision makers decision making. In fact, it’s all the fault of fans like me. If we prayed to jesus more it’d all be ok.Idiots like you as fans, too.
SER19
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Hes definitely a brilliant manager. But they'd won 2 in 4 before him now 3 in 5 after him. Their success will continue, if not so dominantYou can argue their manager is a sporting freak. His win percentage in over a decade of football is over 70% if not close. That's ridiculous at the highest level.
I don't think they will be as dominant under another manager.
SER19
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Has it?This has been said about the premier league multiple times in the past but somehow has failed to materialize so I’ll take that view with little seriousness.
Adisa
likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good but not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.They would be hard to replace for any other team than City with unlimited funds. £300m easily.
How many of these players were the caf dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players imo.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
DomesticTadpole
Doom-monger obsessed with Herrera & the M.E.N.
You mean like SAF?The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good bit not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.
How many of these players were the can dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
croadyman
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Yeah they do but it has definitely ruined the league as a contest in the last few years, well Liverpool apart in 18/19The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good bit not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.
How many of these players were the can dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
Murder on Zidane's Floor
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Don't enjoy the idea of watching bang average players being bought for £90m and paid half a million a week.You want entertainment? Find a way to get 20 billionaires to own 20 PL teams.
FrankDrebin
Don't call me Shirley
Greatest league in the world yet has just as many one sided horse races than the more harshly ridiculed European leagues.
croadyman
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Wish they would go and join one as it would do us all a favour thenGreatest league in the world yet has just as many one sided horse races than the more harshly ridiculed European leagues.
Adisa
likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Exactly.You mean like SAF?
My fear is as long as we give money as an excuse for City's success, we will constantly give the club an excuse for failure.
Yes City have money but lets not kid ourselves. They are where they are because of a lot more than money.
We have spent a shit ton ourselves.
Bearded One
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There is no league in the universe where 10 of 20 teams are getting close to winning the title year on year. The closest is the premier league. Liverpool dusted City clean an clear last season. If SAF had the mindset of many of our fans, we would fold when he began to get competition from sugar daddy clubs.Has it?
When you compare the happenings in the premier league to other leagues in Europe, it’s clear as day that no one easily dominates for long spells. Nobody will be able to match SAF’s 3 in a row soon, hopefully.
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croadyman
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Yeah we have but it doesn't help that our strategy has changed four times since Fergie leftExactly.
My fear is as long as we give money as an excuse for City's success, we will constantly give the club am excuse for failure.
Yes City have money but lets not kid ourselves. They are where they are because of a lot more than money.
We have spent a shit ton ourselves.
Bearded One
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Exactly mate. Manchester United fans becoming the bitters. Where is the pride?The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good but not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.
How many of these players were the caf dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players imo.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
If we got Dias, Stones, Gundogan, Cancelo and Mahrez before City started their unbeaten run, this forum would be loathe at the owners of the club for buying average players. The moment they begin to turn out world class performances because they have a bloody coach, we begin to get jealous.
I ask again, where is the pride?
DomesticTadpole
Doom-monger obsessed with Herrera & the M.E.N.
Agree. We have wasted money left, right and centre. Chosen wrong managers. To be honest we should never have let SAF choose his successor, no other competently run organisation would let that happen. We should have got a DOF in and gone for the best out there. Instead we got Moyes and his useless coaches. The players did not help by thinking they knew better than the manager either. A world class manager would have made them sit up and listen. Instead they did not listen and it went downhill from there.Exactly.
My fear is as long as we give money as an excuse for City's success, we will constantly give the club am excuse for failure.
Yes City have money but lets not kid ourselves. They are where they are because of a lot more than money.
We have spent a shit ton ourselves.
croadyman
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Yeah you are bang on that we made a monumental mistake by not appointing a DOF before Fergie retiredAgree. We have wasted money left, right and centre. Chosen wrong managers. To be honest we should never have let SAF choose his successor, no other competently run organisation would let that happen. We should have got a DOF in and gone for the best out there. Instead we got Moyes and his useless coaches. The players did not help by thinking they knew better than the manager either. A world class manager would have made them sit up and listen. Instead they did not listen and it went downhill from there.
Leftback99
Might have a bedwetting fetish.
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Personally I wanted us to sign Gundogan and Mahrez long before City did (there are probably posts on here). Same with Bernardo Silva. The others I didn't know much about but it's not like they were cheap unknowns. Our transfer business could not have been much worse from 2013-2019 when City have bought these quality technical players.The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good but not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.
How many of these players were the caf dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players imo.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
owlo
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Mahrez and Gundogan are great players to be fair. But again, it’s the clubs foresight to buy players that suit the manager, and the managers ability to know the kind of players he needs.The reason you think they are hard to replace is because their manager has a knack of getting good but not fantastic players playing at their absolute maximum.
How many of these players were the caf dying for us to sign before they went to City?
The biggest difference between the two clubs is that more signings have a way of turning into great buys at City then United. We sign a player and soon after we think we need an improvement because they soon produce question marks. New signings at City go into an already established way of playing and system. Of course they are likely to be more successful.
I am pretty sure if Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri, Jesus came here, they wouldn't perform at the level they currently are.
City have very few fantastic players imo.
What they do have is brilliant manager and a deep squad.
An example would be stones Walker and gundogan vs maguire awb and dvb. Might not be entirely fair, but I think they were bought as similar profiles. Stones was a record signing who we rightfully made fun of for ages, but he’s slotted in eventually as a trusted player who fits the team. Walker was another expensive signing who in my opinion has done fine there. And gundogan was a cheap is hot backup who’s finally got over his injuries and looks great. I won’t performance analyse our marquee maguire, our expensive full back , or cheapish backup midfielder, but I think it’s fair to say at least 2 of them don’t fit with our managers intended style.
Again, fragmented and poor decision making that results from being run by the aforementioned, compared to the professional decision making of city.
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ZolaWasMagic
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Thatd be my answers. Rashford over Mahrez for me all day, and KDB over Bruno all day. Prefer Foden to Greenwood, and I think Cavani has better striker instinct than Jesus, but Jesus a better "player".Why not?
Foden vs Greenwood
Jesus vs Cavani - tough one
Mahrez vs Rashford
de Bruyne vs Bruno
James, Martial and Aguero not included as they are not influential this season.
To be honest I'm shocked if people think that is a big difference between us and City in attack line. That is why I think Pep would have us on top on the league.
Well exactly. Something we lack.
Adisa
likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
A lot of the players we signed have been popular signings at the time of arrival. People always look at these things in hindsight.Personally I wanted us to sign Gundogan and Mahrez long before City did (there are probably posts on here). Same with Bernardo Silva. The others I didn't know much about but it's not like they were cheap unknowns. Our transfer business could not have been much worse from 2013-2019 when City have bought these quality technical players.
City just have a better record of getting it right.
Ayush_reddevil
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Wait till city get Sancho in the summer
SER19
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Time will tell but as of now it looks like city will win a third in 4 years with over 90 points. If you allow for winning 4 in a row being incredibly rare and a non city winner now and then, I don't think that's competitive. Very few teams will get more than 90pts, Ferguson did it once.There is no league in the universe where 10 of 20 teams are getting close to winning the title year on year. The closest is the premier league. Liverpool dusted City clean an clear last season. If SAF had the mindset of many of our fans, we would fold when he began to get competition from sugar daddy clubs.
When you compare the happenings in the premier league to other leagues in Europe, it’s clear as day that no one easily dominates for long spells. Nobody will be able to match SAF’s 3 in a row soon, hopefully.
The league Cup may as well be disbanded.
English football is not more competitive for having city's money. Its more competitive because Ferguson retired.
SadlerMUFC
Thinks for himself
In the last 10 years United, City, Leicester, Chelsea and Liverpool have won the league. Tell me again which other league has had 4 winners in the past 10 years? As for salary cap, thta's just stilly. All that's going to do is put more money in the owners pockets and give them even more reason not to spend...This will be 6 times in 7 years one team has run away with the league. What a painfully boring league the PL has become.
Should introduce a salary cap of some sort to stop the dominance we’ve seen from the 2 oil clubs over the last 10 years or so.