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Genuine question.

Our defence was the most criticised part of the team but IMHO that is not where we lost the title - Our inability to break down defences was it.

And all I've heard of Pep's philosophy is about pressing (defending) and rigid style of play from the back where in the first 2/3 parts of the field players must do as told... but after that the players have freedom.
Am I wrong there?

If I am then no worries I guess but if not, how will Pep help us here? It's not like we had any difficulties going forward the first 2/3 of the field, it's after that where we had the problems.

Sergios fitness is anyone's guess. Then we have Pony. And third is still somewhat of a question mark after all (VERY promising but hardly Sergio's level yet is he).
Will Silva/KDB/Nasri/£ add more goals? Maybe, but if you are so sure why they Will, why are you so sure? They weren't able to break down parked buses last season either.

So, drunken posting and worrying for nothing? Or is there really cause for concern? Discuss

Mooncesteri, agree about the lack of goals being a big problem.
Where I hope Pep helps is;
1: bring in players that won't give away possession as easily as we did under pressure last season.
2: When we do lose possession we will have a culture of winning it back within the 5 or 7 seconds or whatever he is famed for preaching.

These two things alone would help our final third, because I think teams found us too much an easy touch. If you find yourself without the ball and chasing shadows for 80% of the time in a game, eventually you tire and make mistakes.
We've seen Pep teams do this to opposition so many times.
We've seen City do this to teams in title winning seasons.
I think our intensity has not been there for the last couple of seasons, whatever the whys or wherefores. I'm hoping what Pep brings will mean this is no longer tolerated from anyone.

Improved tactics and man management will be a start.

He's said in his interviews that we will be looking to get the ball forward quickly - so we're going to be more direct than under Pellegrini (and I don't mean playing long balls over the midfield to an 'English' centre forward - I mean looking for a forward pass as a first option). In theory it should open teams up since they're essentially out of position and playing catchup when we go on the attack and more likely to give us chances.
I get the feeling he's done more of his homework already than he's letting on.

PrezIke wrote:tactics will be a start.

Fixed :)

I hope and pray that will come from corners.

Penalties, lots and LOTS of penalties.

Surely he's going to bring one forward in. I think nolito squad wise will take bony's spot but I think we were one light last year anyway.

Did we not score the most PL goals last season again?

I have little doubt we will be amongst the top scorers yet again. A different manager with a different outlook and emphasis will provide the boost we need to avoid going stale. Plus, KDB has had a season under his belt and he will be pivotal to us this season. The talk of passing the ball forward early is what his game is all about. Iheanacho will also score a lot this season.

Nothing to be alarmed about IMO

Not playing two defensive midfielders

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Surely he's going to bring one forward in. I think nolito squad wise will take bony's spot but I think we were one light last year anyway.

We were only 1 light because Bony never came up to expectations

Pep's philosophy isn't about defending it's about controlling the ball and the game. Pressing obviously is a part of it but that is about getting the ball back when we lose it and then going forward again. I doubt if Pep yet is certain on his plans for playing premier league football as he isn't yet certain of the squad he will have.

However I would say we have plenty of goalscoring options already. Kun will get 20+, Kelechi 15, KDB 10+, Sterling 10 ( could be more if Pep makes a real player out of him. That's 60 before you throw in Nolito and the various other midfield players who will play and I would hope a number from defenders.

Going to be a great season even tho I don't see everything falling into place straightaway. I hope we start off well though so the pressure isn't ramped up too quickly.

Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

Yes. Navas.

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

On the basis you can throw anyone in how about Suarez,Pogba and Messi

fucking pep, still hasn't done enough yet IMO.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

On the basis you can throw anyone in how about Suarez,Pogba and Messi

I dunno, I could just assume that every player we currently have is going to do the exact same as they did last season.

sheblue wrote:

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

Yes. Navas.

Very droll

john@staustell wrote:

sheblue wrote:

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

Yes. Navas.

Very droll

Never heard of him.

sheblue wrote:

john@staustell wrote:

sheblue wrote:

Slim wrote:Sane, Kroos, Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya, Nolito, Iheanacho, Fernandinho....Griezmann :)

Have I missed anyone?

Yes. Navas.

Very droll

Never heard of him.

jesus!