I half expected a 'different' season this year, particularly with the World Cup.
I still think the double whammy of losing the league by a point and Champions League Final within a week at the end of the longest possible season/shortest close season is having an effect. Previously, when losing out similarly in consecutive seasons we went on to win the Champions League and then the Prem the following seasons.
The side has been allowed to age together, with not enough new blood added from a position of power, as each season has passed. Now whether this is reticence on owners FSG's part (our overall spend has been pretty small compared to most other top flight clubs) or Jurgen's choice is open to debate (it's been said he prefers to work with smaller, tight knit squads).
The large injury list is beginning to clear a bit now, great to see Kelleher, Konate and Ramsay on the bench last night for the first time this season. We don't seem to do 1-2 week injuries, generally they're 4-6 weeks at least...don't get me started on the perenially crocked Ox and Keita, both should have been shipped out in the summer to save on wages.
I wasn't surprised by Brighton's performance at the weekend, a really good side and brilliantly-run club 👏 In the same fixture last season, they fought back from 2-0 down and battered us on the way to drawing (that 2 points dropped would have secured us the title).
Let's not forget City also conceded 3 goals at home to a team much poorer than the Seagulls 😉 (I'll admit that could be the most desperate case of clutching at straws 😂)
I still think the double whammy of losing the league by a point and Champions League Final within a week at the end of the longest possible season/shortest close season is having an effect. Previously, when losing out similarly in consecutive seasons we went on to win the Champions League and then the Prem the following seasons.
The side has been allowed to age together, with not enough new blood added from a position of power, as each season has passed. Now whether this is reticence on owners FSG's part (our overall spend has been pretty small compared to most other top flight clubs) or Jurgen's choice is open to debate (it's been said he prefers to work with smaller, tight knit squads).
The large injury list is beginning to clear a bit now, great to see Kelleher, Konate and Ramsay on the bench last night for the first time this season. We don't seem to do 1-2 week injuries, generally they're 4-6 weeks at least...don't get me started on the perenially crocked Ox and Keita, both should have been shipped out in the summer to save on wages.
I wasn't surprised by Brighton's performance at the weekend, a really good side and brilliantly-run club 👏 In the same fixture last season, they fought back from 2-0 down and battered us on the way to drawing (that 2 points dropped would have secured us the title).
Let's not forget City also conceded 3 goals at home to a team much poorer than the Seagulls 😉 (I'll admit that could be the most desperate case of clutching at straws 😂)