I love this time of the season. I know the majority of Blues are nervous and strange enough so are Liverpool fans. Saw them fret against Watford and I am surprised they haven't started lining up the streets as yet. But with Liverpool fans, the nerves come from expectations. I have always said the easiest thing in football is to be an underdog. People now expect them to dominate, obliterate teams, and that in itself comes with pressure.
I enjoy these moments. It's a win-win situation in my opinion because We are expected to win things so say we win the Treble, we won't get the credit. We fail to win any competition we just get double the abuse but we reset and go again hopefully with a striker next season. I personally just enjoy the journey.
My biggest worry this season unlike in 2018-19 is back then we had Aguero. Now we don't even have a striker or a focal point. Just false 9's and 8's which means we have to be patient and make fewer mistakes. The second thing is we dont have as many leaders. Always felt Bernardo is our only leader in these big moments. Back then we had Kompany and the 2 Silva's. I think our leaders saw us through that season.
I was concerned who would step up this season but I am seeing a few guys put their hand up mainly KDB, Gundagun and Sterling.
We have Dias to come who hasn't had his best season defensively but is a natural leader.
We have won 2/2 games in April. We haven't spanked anyone but we don't need to. It's a hard period but the beauty of it is when you come out of it, the adrenalin and the energy will give the team and the fans is so important. Not bothered about the FA Cup to be honest. If we win on Sunday and Qualify for the Semis in the CL we have had a great April provided we dont drop points in the following PL games.
Crucially we are just defending well and rarely make mistakes anymore. Our xGA (xG allowed) is ridiculous. We will probably break records this season as Ederson has virtually been a spectator this season.
Less exciting to watch but a necessary compromise as we sort out the striker situation in the summer.
Think we will be okay. Won't be pretty but just like Covid football last season we will come out of April well placed for at least 2 trophies.
Bit between the Teeth
posted on 6/4/22
I'm genuinely not nervous. There's nothing to be nervous about, even if we end up with nothing more than carabao cup then I'd be a bit disappointed but it's still infinitely more enjoyable than watching Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen play for Liverpool!
We've got a fantastic manager and team. So have City. If you can't enjoy this as a fan then what's the point.
posted on 6/4/22
It’s a funny situation. A close title race should have a sense of occasion and grandeur but because City and Liverpool are both 2nd tier clubs, it just doesn’t feel big.
Thinking back to those halcyon days of Arsenal-United, Utd-Chelsea and Arsenal-Chelsea in 2015, those title races had a ‘big fight’ feel. Each game was must-see TV. Now the interest level and ratings are so low.
Also those teams were loaded with big stars, whereas City and LFC are more workmanlike.
posted on 6/4/22
comment by #LiquidGenius (U20571)
posted 7 seconds ago
It’s a funny situation. A close title race should have a sense of occasion and grandeur but because City and Liverpool are both 2nd tier clubs, it just doesn’t feel big.
Thinking back to those halcyon days of Arsenal-United, Utd-Chelsea and Arsenal-Chelsea in 2015, those title races had a ‘big fight’ feel. Each game was must-see TV. Now the interest level and ratings are so low.
Also those teams were loaded with big stars, whereas City and LFC are more workmanlike.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here, have some attention.
posted on 6/4/22
comment by Luke Combs (U3979)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Sorry OP I just need to clarify one point you've made in your weird comment about Liverpool.
How on earth are you the underdog here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You used to be. 2018 CL Ties, and even in the last few league campaigns. Now its even hence the pressure of expectation is starting to show.
The fear of failure if I can put it differently
posted on 6/4/22
comment by Luke Combs (U3979)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by #LiquidGenius (U20571)
posted 7 seconds ago
It’s a funny situation. A close title race should have a sense of occasion and grandeur but because City and Liverpool are both 2nd tier clubs, it just doesn’t feel big.
Thinking back to those halcyon days of Arsenal-United, Utd-Chelsea and Arsenal-Chelsea in 2015, those title races had a ‘big fight’ feel. Each game was must-see TV. Now the interest level and ratings are so low.
Also those teams were loaded with big stars, whereas City and LFC are more workmanlike.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here, have some attention.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks
posted on 6/4/22
comment by Sky-blue (U22529)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Luke Combs (U3979)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Sorry OP I just need to clarify one point you've made in your weird comment about Liverpool.
How on earth are you the underdog here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You used to be. 2018 CL Ties, and even in the last few league campaigns. Now its even hence the pressure of expectation is starting to show.
The fear of failure if I can put it differently
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's no failure here. Our season has been amazing, even if we don't win the competitions we remain in.
To even be toe to toe with a club that can blow us out the water in the transfer market is an achievement in itself. No other club has been able to compete even closely with City domestically.
City are a phenomenal team, with a phenomenal coach and a club that knows what its doing just as well as ours does.
If you beat us on Sunday and the following weekend, I'll raise my hat to you but it's not failure.
posted on 6/4/22
On sundays game, the crowd will have to be patient. Liverpool will go at us and hopefully, we will hold them of then dominate possession, tire them out, and nick it at the end.
=====
Tire Liverpool out? Don't be ridiculous. You'll have to beat us by sheer quality, it won't be down to something like tiredness.
posted on 6/4/22
comment by #LiquidGenius (U20571)
posted 50 minutes ago
It’s a funny situation. A close title race should have a sense of occasion and grandeur but because City and Liverpool are both 2nd tier clubs, it just doesn’t feel big.
Thinking back to those halcyon days of Arsenal-United, Utd-Chelsea and Arsenal-Chelsea in 2015, those title races had a ‘big fight’ feel. Each game was must-see TV. Now the interest level and ratings are so low.
Also those teams were loaded with big stars, whereas City and LFC are more workmanlike.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What the actual f...
posted on 6/4/22
comment by #LiquidGenius (U20571)
posted 6 hours, 33 minutes ago
It’s a funny situation. A close title race should have a sense of occasion and grandeur but because City and Liverpool are both 2nd tier clubs, it just doesn’t feel big.
Thinking back to those halcyon days of Arsenal-United, Utd-Chelsea and Arsenal-Chelsea in 2015, those title races had a ‘big fight’ feel. Each game was must-see TV. Now the interest level and ratings are so low.
Also those teams were loaded with big stars, whereas City and LFC are more workmanlike.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 7/4/22
comment by Luke Combs (U3979)
posted 12 hours, 12 minutes ago
Sorry OP I just need to clarify one point you've made in your weird comment about Liverpool.
How on earth are you the underdog here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I make Liverpool slight favourites.
There isn't that much to separate you. You're both ultra-winning teams, but I think Liverpool are slightly more resilient in high pressure situations and in better form too.