Just four days previously, the late turnaround at Watford was heralded as a potential turning point for a season desperately needing a spark. A season that has a growing air of negativity clouding it, surrounded by inevitable rumours. A season that is in danger of petering out in anticipation of what might be to come in the very near future, after starting with such promise.
Last night’s latest setback, this time at the hands of Everton, followed a familiar script. If a 90-minute snapshot of Manchester City away matches since September was needed, this would fit the bill perfectly.
A decent spell in the first half that produced little, led to ongoing Everton pressure, predictably seeing City fall behind. Perhaps most galling of all was that it was Everton’s first clear legal opportunity of the match.
The second half began in much the same vein. Barkley was Everton’s brightest attacking outlet, testing Caballero from distance on multiple occasions. Deulofeu also had a reasonable amount of joy on the right-hand side. The common theme in all of this was the amount of space City allowed them on the ball. Seemingly reluctant to engage the ball early, City were perhaps fortunate Everton didn’t create too many threatening openings.
Eventually, chances did come for the Blues, sporting the fluorescent green change strip, to get back in the game. Kevin De Bruyne forced Robles into a smart save from 20 yards, and Agüero snatched uncharacteristically at a glorious opportunity from 8 yards out, slicing it well wide. He, like so many, is still some way short of his best form. It was Agüero who created the equaliser, though, with a magnificently weighted through ball to the onrushing Navas, finishing adeptly for his first goal in over 60 appearances.
Parity was short-lived.
A little over two minutes later, former Blue Gareth Barry was given the freedom of Goodison Park to whip in a sumptuous cross, with which Romelu Lukaku made no mistake. No pressure and no marking. All too easy for an Everton side that is somewhat less prolific than perhaps it should be.
Another underwhelming away performance, incorporating entirely the same issues as the last few away games.
The problems are clear. Easily identifiable. Less clear though is why they continue. There are numerous theories, many probably accurate, although the truth may be some way from coming to light. For what it’s worth, here is my take on the issues damaging City at present:
The injury crisis is improving, although many are not back to their best. Lack of form, though part of the story, is only a small part. What seems to be a major issue, or certainly becoming one, is something external – rumours. Primarily rumours concerning a Spanish gentleman presently living and working in Germany, who goes by the name of Pep.
Exactly what effect it is having on Pellegrini, his backroom staff, the players, the board etc. is chiefly known to them and them only. The apparent effect, displayed on the pitch, is far from positive at this juncture. It appears that this is a team losing faith in Pellegrini’s ideas, heads turned by the prospect of Football’s most coveted coach bringing his ideas to East Manchester.
They began the season as a group that wanted to prove a point. A group that wanted to put a bad second half of the season behind them. Yet, as these rumours have grown, things have only got worse. It feels awfully similar to the end of Mancini. It is of course wholly possible that Pellegrini’s reign has just run its course. Three years may be about right for the Club’s plans. A change may be needed, Guardiola or not. Guardiola and anything else, however, shouldn’t prevent these players from giving their all until the end of the season, when these rumours will become something concrete.
This theory, along with every other, is totally hypothetical at this point. The squad may finally galvanise themselves and string a number of strong performances together in the way we know they can. What is irrefutable, though, is that if they don’t, City will be in a virtually permanent state of flux from now until June. Pellegrini has been criticised for some of his decisions over the course of this season, but it isn’t all on him. The players must harbour some of the criticism too. They are the ones who can prevent their positive start from being consigned to the history books as a missed opportunity. They have the ability, are a still well placed to do it. Now is the time for their actions to speak louder than any words.
