Will Citeh finish in the top 4?

[The Fack]

City finishing outside the top 4 and Villa and maybe Norwich going down aside, all my pre-season predictions have gone to pot.

Looking vulnerable right now with key players missing and three or four sides breathing down their necks.

 

[Stevencc]

Probably, but it would be absolutely hilarious if they failed to.

Pellegrini to Pep on handover day - "Over to you, hotshot".

 

[Art Morte]

It's in the balance, but voted no coz I'd prefer that.

 

[The Iron]

I don't think they have been good enough to finish in the top 4 this season.

I'd love to see West Ham pinch 4th place on the final day.

 

[Christian Slater]

It'll be a failure given the money they've spent but I don't think it'll matter too much. They'll offer wages above market rates and spend big again. If you look at the seasons when City have missed out on the top 4 or at the league you'll see these are the times where they got bananas with spending money.

I don't think they'll miss out anyway. We have too many tough fixtures and we're the last team that will go on a good run. We're the Kings of false dawns. I'd say West Ham have a better chance, hopefully they can keep their nerve.

 

[ThePenaltyKing]

It'll be a shock with how much they've spent if they don't get top four.
In all honesty its a shock that they've not really been involved in the title race over the last few months. All the talk about Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal, City look to be happy to skate through this season.
Probably just relying on a Pep revival next season...

 

[Stevencc]

And to think MisterMagic declared City as the champions early on in the season.

 

[The Fack]

It'll be a failure given the money they've spent but I don't think it'll matter too much. They'll offer wages above market rates and spend big again. If you look at the seasons when City have missed out on the top 4 or at the league you'll see these are the times where they got bananas with spending money.

I don't think they'll miss out anyway. We have too many tough fixtures and we're the last team that will go on a good run. We're the Kings of false dawns. I'd say West Ham have a better chance, hopefully they can keep their nerve.

In contrast to when they won title, they stood still, hardly strengthened. That's why they're not contenders for the title.

 

[AtaturkOzgutson]

I still think they'll do it. As good a story as West Ham doing it would be, I just don't think they'll do enough. Not sure I fancy Manchester United enough for it either, so City to just stumble over.

 

[On_The_Piss_My_Lord]

Can't see it personally, on paper City have the best team in the league, but have been woeful during their last six games. Losing to a poor United side last weekend shows how poor they've been, thats no dig to United fans when i say that, but its the truth.

They've gone about their business all wrong though, coming out saying Pep was coming in as manager during the summer should of been under wraps until then, insane move coming out before, City say it hasnt affected the manager or players, i beg to differ.

 

[Christian Slater]

Can't see it personally, on paper City have the best team in the league, but have been woeful during their last six games. Losing to a poor United side last weekend shows how poor they've been, thats no dig to United fans when i say that, but its the truth.

They've gone about their business all wrong though, coming out saying Pep was coming in as manager during the summer should of been under wraps until then, insane move coming out before, City say it hasnt affected the manager or players, i beg to differ.

None taken, we know.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Whitechapel]

Can't see it personally, on paper City have the best team in the league, but have been woeful during their last six games. Losing to a poor United side last weekend shows how poor they've been, thats no dig to United fans when i say that, but its the truth.

They've gone about their business all wrong though, coming out saying Pep was coming in as manager during the summer should of been under wraps until then, insane move coming out before, City say it hasnt affected the manager or players, i beg to differ.

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

Secondly...WHAT? They have the best striker in the league, but every other position is fillable by a better player from another Premier League team (And where Navas is concerned, Vanarama League team)

For example...

Ozil > Payet > Silva.

Silva is "on paper" one of the best CAM's in the world, but his position at the moment is filled by 2 players who would be above him, by some distance I might add, in a TOTS.

 

[The Fack]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

Secondly...WHAT? They have the best striker in the league, but every other position is fillable by a better player from another Premier League team (And where Navas is concerned, Vanarama League team)

For example...

Ozil > Payet > Silva.

Silva is "on paper" one of the best CAM's in the world, but his position at the moment is filled by 2 players who would be above him, by some distance I might add, in a TOTS.

In Demichelis' case, a one-legged turtle.

 

[Stocky]

Easily I reckon. United are far too inconsistent against the sides near the bottom to take advantage. West Ham could maybe pip them, they've been great this year but I'd be surprised if City didn't go on a bit of a run now, they have a lot of teams who will have nothing to play for in their run in.

Problem for City is, I think they'll be worse next year. Ageing team. Guardiola has had a shocker with his timing I reckon, I don't think he realises what he's got on his plate there and here in England in general. He's had it spoon fed to him in his managerial career so far. They'll finish outside the top four next season but not this.

 

[Jarv]

They'll finish outside the top four next season but not this.

Now that's a big claim. Josep will have what ever he wants to spend and he's a big draw as a coach and the clubs finances are a big draw. They'll strengthen enough to comfortably make top 4 next season. That's not to say that i don't agree he's had it easy so far in his career. Inherited 3 of the top 5 footballers in the world at Barcelona and has largely failed at Bayern

I reckon they will finish top 4 this season. as much as i'd find it funny for them to not. I can't see United or West ham going unbeaten the rest of the season and City will win all their remaining league games apart from at Chelsea.

 

[mistermagic]

I don't think they'll miss out anyway. We have too many tough fixtures and we're the last team that will go on a good run. We're the Kings of false dawns. I'd say West Ham have a better chance, hopefully they can keep their nerve.

I reckon that the general consensus is that, if Man City don't get top 4, it'll be due to West Ham finishing higher than them. Not United. United finishing 4th would really take the piss given how shit they've been.

And to think MisterMagic declared City as the champions early on in the season.

They let me down. Chelsea's summer rendered their mediocre season predictable while no one else was supposed to challenge. I mean who seriously though Leicester would be top with 7 games to go after being in the relegation places more often than not last season? Same goes with Spurs, they have always had a good squad but what were the chances of them being consistent for the first time in 20-odd years?
After winning their opening 5 games - in which they scored 11 and conceded none - I thought it was theirs to lose. They lost it.

I now refer you to my sig to mock another member.

 

[Stevencc]

Hey, it could be worse. Just before the start of the season I predicted Chelsea would win the league easily.

 

[Christian Slater]

I believe Thespus and I predicted that City would finish out of the top 4. Granted I thought that was due to other teams being good rather than everyone being shit.

 

[silkyman]

I wouldn't be surprised if they do finish outside the top four. The wheels seem to have come off, big time.

Hopefully this international break has come at a good time (unlike earlier in the season when they popped up just as players were getting fit and they got injured on international duty instead!)

Sterling is out for six weeks, but it should give Hart time to recover and De Bruyne should be back for Bournemouth and Delph isn't far away by then either.

There are some more winnable games coming up and if they can get a head of steam before the tough matches against Arsenal and Chelsea when they might limp over the line. But I'm not expecting it.