1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:15,947 Speaker 2: Let's talk some more football here on News Talk ZB. 4 00:00:16,027 --> 00:00:21,227 Speaker 2: Manchester City on a diabolical run of form at the moment, 5 00:00:21,307 --> 00:00:24,187 Speaker 2: quite unbelievable, the run that the four time champions of 6 00:00:24,227 --> 00:00:26,627 Speaker 2: England are currently on. This will be the most high 7 00:00:26,707 --> 00:00:31,427 Speaker 2: catching scoreline right across Europe this weekend. And it's five, yes, 8 00:00:31,627 --> 00:00:36,147 Speaker 2: five consecutive defeats for the champions and that three all 9 00:00:36,227 --> 00:00:38,507 Speaker 2: draw against Fire and would after being three nil up 10 00:00:38,547 --> 00:00:41,547 Speaker 2: as well. To add into the mixed lead's heat across 11 00:00:41,587 --> 00:00:46,667 Speaker 2: to Manchester. BBC radio football commentator and a reporter for 12 00:00:46,747 --> 00:00:50,187 Speaker 2: Manchester City is Mike mcname and he joins us now 13 00:00:50,267 --> 00:00:53,427 Speaker 2: on News Talk ZB. Mike thinks, so much for joining us, 14 00:00:53,507 --> 00:00:56,227 Speaker 2: No problem, well, broad question, what on earth has gone 15 00:00:56,267 --> 00:00:57,627 Speaker 2: wrong with Manchester City? 16 00:00:58,907 --> 00:00:59,867 Speaker 1: Start worry if you like? 17 00:01:00,947 --> 00:01:04,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, how long did your show? Do you know? 18 00:01:05,027 --> 00:01:05,147 Speaker 1: What? 19 00:01:05,627 --> 00:01:09,707 Speaker 3: There are men many factors behind this, I think, but slowly, 20 00:01:09,747 --> 00:01:13,627 Speaker 3: week by week we are kind of learning which factors 21 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:16,827 Speaker 3: are our most important. So the one that will go 22 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,427 Speaker 3: over the whole season is rodri and Rodger's injury. I 23 00:01:19,507 --> 00:01:24,507 Speaker 3: think he is obviously a crucial player. The argument for 24 00:01:24,587 --> 00:01:26,827 Speaker 3: him being the ball on door winner, which he was, 25 00:01:26,827 --> 00:01:30,627 Speaker 3: was simply I think with all the other contenders, somebody 26 00:01:30,627 --> 00:01:33,227 Speaker 3: else could do their job to a better ability or 27 00:01:33,267 --> 00:01:36,587 Speaker 3: the similar ability. So you know Vinicius Junior for example, 28 00:01:36,587 --> 00:01:39,427 Speaker 3: where you could there are other wide wingers in Bappe 29 00:01:39,547 --> 00:01:42,547 Speaker 3: for example, who could possibly do a similar job. Arling 30 00:01:42,587 --> 00:01:45,147 Speaker 3: Harland was in the contention. You can find other goalscorers. 31 00:01:45,347 --> 00:01:48,987 Speaker 3: And with Roderi, nobody can do Roger's job better than 32 00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:52,587 Speaker 3: Roderi and nobody, you know, there's not a team in 33 00:01:52,627 --> 00:01:55,107 Speaker 3: the world that Rodri doesn't walk into. So I think 34 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:57,387 Speaker 3: that's that's one big factor missing him. But that shouldn't 35 00:01:57,387 --> 00:01:59,867 Speaker 3: be the only factor. That shouldn't be an excuse not 36 00:01:59,987 --> 00:02:03,947 Speaker 3: to win another game ever again. So I think within 37 00:02:04,027 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 3: that they you then look at a number of injuries 38 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:09,307 Speaker 3: and I think this is quite crucial. At one point, 39 00:02:09,347 --> 00:02:16,387 Speaker 3: Manchester City we're missing Rodery, Walker, Stones, Diaz, Docu, Grealish, 40 00:02:16,747 --> 00:02:19,747 Speaker 3: I've missed a Kokovacic if you if you look at that, 41 00:02:20,707 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 3: I think there's there's an obvious you know, any team 42 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:26,707 Speaker 3: that's missing eight first team members would would struggle, and 43 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:29,267 Speaker 3: that has happened to Manchester City. They are getting some 44 00:02:29,267 --> 00:02:31,667 Speaker 3: of those backs. So when I said that, we're learning, 45 00:02:32,387 --> 00:02:34,427 Speaker 3: you know, perhaps how important each factor is. If we're 46 00:02:34,467 --> 00:02:36,907 Speaker 3: gonna look at injuries, we're starting to learn just how 47 00:02:36,947 --> 00:02:40,267 Speaker 3: important that's been. If results pick up when injuries come back, 48 00:02:40,347 --> 00:02:42,987 Speaker 3: then then we can say that is ultimately the biggest factor. 49 00:02:43,267 --> 00:02:45,227 Speaker 3: I think one of them was Pep Guardiola's contract, but 50 00:02:45,267 --> 00:02:47,027 Speaker 3: that's now been sorted. We know he's got two more 51 00:02:47,107 --> 00:02:49,707 Speaker 3: years and they're still losing, so maybe it isn't the 52 00:02:50,347 --> 00:02:54,707 Speaker 3: biggest factor. And finally is I think the other one 53 00:02:54,787 --> 00:02:57,867 Speaker 3: to look at is possibly an aging squad. So you've 54 00:02:57,867 --> 00:03:00,707 Speaker 3: got Ilkai Gunda and his back after a year out, 55 00:03:00,827 --> 00:03:03,387 Speaker 3: and it's amazing almost what a year out can do. 56 00:03:03,547 --> 00:03:06,587 Speaker 3: I think he doesn't quite look as on it or 57 00:03:06,627 --> 00:03:10,827 Speaker 3: as sharp as he did in twenty twenty three when 58 00:03:10,827 --> 00:03:12,707 Speaker 3: he left as the trouble winning captain. I think the 59 00:03:12,707 --> 00:03:14,747 Speaker 3: other ones keep an eye on is Kyle Walker, who 60 00:03:14,907 --> 00:03:17,267 Speaker 3: used to be able to give attackers ten yards and 61 00:03:17,307 --> 00:03:19,947 Speaker 3: still make that back when defending. I don't think he's 62 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:21,747 Speaker 3: quite got that now. I think he's lost a little 63 00:03:21,747 --> 00:03:23,587 Speaker 3: bit of that pace, whether he accepts it or not. 64 00:03:23,707 --> 00:03:27,107 Speaker 3: So I think overall, very long winded answer. I appreciate 65 00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:30,867 Speaker 3: when you combine all those factors, there is an issue 66 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:35,227 Speaker 3: in Manchester City that they're all combining together. And confidence 67 00:03:35,307 --> 00:03:37,267 Speaker 3: is such a fragile thing. So when one of those 68 00:03:37,267 --> 00:03:39,747 Speaker 3: things starts to go wrong and the results start to turn, 69 00:03:40,307 --> 00:03:41,987 Speaker 3: then it starts to have a knock on effects and 70 00:03:42,027 --> 00:03:44,947 Speaker 3: we've seen that with the five straight defeats. I think 71 00:03:44,947 --> 00:03:47,547 Speaker 3: we saw it in midweek against Fine Ord in the 72 00:03:47,627 --> 00:03:50,867 Speaker 3: Champions League in that from three nil up City a 73 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:52,987 Speaker 3: year ago would not have thrown that away. And people 74 00:03:52,987 --> 00:03:55,227 Speaker 3: have looked at the changes Pep Guardiola made that night 75 00:03:55,947 --> 00:03:58,027 Speaker 3: and he'd have made those changes a year ago and 76 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:01,547 Speaker 3: it wouldn't have It wouldn't have had an impact and 77 00:04:01,587 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 3: they'd have won the game three nil. They might not 78 00:04:03,027 --> 00:04:04,547 Speaker 3: have got a fourth, but they'd have won three nil. 79 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:06,747 Speaker 3: But I think soon as that goal went in, you 80 00:04:06,867 --> 00:04:10,507 Speaker 3: had a slightly put together side, a tired side, put 81 00:04:10,507 --> 00:04:14,227 Speaker 3: an inexperienced side in some of the positions, and you 82 00:04:14,467 --> 00:04:16,347 Speaker 3: just for the first time in a long time, felt 83 00:04:16,387 --> 00:04:18,787 Speaker 3: that actually three to one meant the game wasn't done, 84 00:04:18,987 --> 00:04:22,107 Speaker 3: and ultimately, as it wasn't, it wasn't done. So yeah, 85 00:04:22,147 --> 00:04:25,347 Speaker 3: a lot of factors. It's certainly made it an interesting 86 00:04:25,427 --> 00:04:27,667 Speaker 3: talking point for a club that actually over the past 87 00:04:27,667 --> 00:04:30,347 Speaker 3: few years have been pretty boring to talk about because 88 00:04:30,347 --> 00:04:32,787 Speaker 3: they're winning all the time. So now we've got something 89 00:04:32,827 --> 00:04:33,707 Speaker 3: new to talk about. 90 00:04:33,867 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 2: Certainly, how is pitp Guardile handling this run of defeats 91 00:04:39,067 --> 00:04:41,867 Speaker 2: or six games without a win, because he wouldn't have 92 00:04:42,027 --> 00:04:45,907 Speaker 2: had this in his entire managerial cariger to this point, 93 00:04:45,907 --> 00:04:50,427 Speaker 2: as you mentioned Manchester, he accustomed two sixties. But some 94 00:04:50,467 --> 00:04:53,987 Speaker 2: of those issues you mentioned there are compelling factors behind it. 95 00:04:54,067 --> 00:04:56,227 Speaker 2: But how's pit Guardy handling all. 96 00:04:56,187 --> 00:05:01,547 Speaker 3: This with steely determination? He is now repeating a lot 97 00:05:01,587 --> 00:05:04,107 Speaker 3: in his press conferences that he's here, that he wants 98 00:05:04,147 --> 00:05:08,307 Speaker 3: the challenge, that he he's up for the fight. He 99 00:05:08,387 --> 00:05:10,627 Speaker 3: you know, he wants to find new ways. That is 100 00:05:10,667 --> 00:05:14,667 Speaker 3: his job. He realizes that he keeps sometimes referencing twenty 101 00:05:14,707 --> 00:05:19,027 Speaker 3: sixteen in that when he first came to the club, 102 00:05:19,227 --> 00:05:22,747 Speaker 3: he was written off in the first season was a failure? 103 00:05:22,747 --> 00:05:24,987 Speaker 3: Could he crack the Premier League? And he's certainly in 104 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:27,707 Speaker 3: the other seven years eight years he's been here, has 105 00:05:27,747 --> 00:05:31,747 Speaker 3: shown as that he most perfectly can can't you know, 106 00:05:31,827 --> 00:05:34,187 Speaker 3: find the solutions? And he keeps changing his tactics. It's 107 00:05:34,227 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: not the same Manchester City style that was there in 108 00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:38,707 Speaker 3: twenty seventeen. The core basics are the same, but there's 109 00:05:38,707 --> 00:05:42,987 Speaker 3: other little methods around it and intricacies that he's worked on. 110 00:05:43,027 --> 00:05:45,747 Speaker 3: So this is just the latest challenging. He has said 111 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:47,747 Speaker 3: that he said to the board with his contracting up 112 00:05:47,787 --> 00:05:50,907 Speaker 3: that give me the chance, let me turn this around, 113 00:05:50,987 --> 00:05:53,707 Speaker 3: let me find the next solution. So he's yeah, he's 114 00:05:53,707 --> 00:05:54,787 Speaker 3: certainly ready for the fight. 115 00:05:55,187 --> 00:05:59,387 Speaker 2: The fan base his we attached on have hid some succeies. 116 00:05:59,467 --> 00:06:03,027 Speaker 2: They often coming for criticism. The Manchester City fan base 117 00:06:03,387 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 2: in the one that sort of swelled in recent times. 118 00:06:05,547 --> 00:06:08,907 Speaker 2: There's the success gone on, but you know what, they're 119 00:06:08,907 --> 00:06:11,147 Speaker 2: not banging for blood of pick Guardiola, are they? 120 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:17,067 Speaker 3: No? Not yet. I think that there is a portion 121 00:06:17,107 --> 00:06:19,307 Speaker 3: of the fans base that have only known success or 122 00:06:19,747 --> 00:06:21,507 Speaker 3: I think there are some that have sadly just got 123 00:06:21,587 --> 00:06:25,307 Speaker 3: used to the success. So any dipping standards. You know, 124 00:06:25,507 --> 00:06:27,907 Speaker 3: no side is going to win every title every year forever, 125 00:06:28,067 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 3: and I think anything below first place in Manchester City 126 00:06:31,667 --> 00:06:36,907 Speaker 3: is a disappointment. But the a lot of a patient 127 00:06:36,907 --> 00:06:38,907 Speaker 3: and a lot of appreciate what they've done. For Premier 128 00:06:38,947 --> 00:06:41,187 Speaker 3: League titles in a row, something that no other side 129 00:06:41,187 --> 00:06:44,267 Speaker 3: has done before. So I think, yeah, he's got a 130 00:06:44,267 --> 00:06:46,867 Speaker 3: lot of credit in the bank. Pep Guardiola. There was 131 00:06:46,907 --> 00:06:48,987 Speaker 3: a joke going around our office the other day just 132 00:06:49,147 --> 00:06:51,147 Speaker 3: how many more would they have to lose before he 133 00:06:51,667 --> 00:06:54,507 Speaker 3: before he lost his job, But the conclusion was still 134 00:06:54,787 --> 00:06:58,027 Speaker 3: they are, you know, a long way off even contemplating that. 135 00:06:58,107 --> 00:07:00,427 Speaker 2: Well, it doesn't get any easy. At five am tomorrow morning, 136 00:07:00,507 --> 00:07:04,027 Speaker 2: New Zealand time Liverpool at Enfield, and then you've got 137 00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:07,667 Speaker 2: Nottingham Forest featuring New Zealand goal scoring machine Chris would 138 00:07:07,667 --> 00:07:10,307 Speaker 2: to face off against later in the week. So look 139 00:07:10,347 --> 00:07:13,787 Speaker 2: a couple of trickier fears for Manchester City to navigate 140 00:07:13,787 --> 00:07:15,947 Speaker 2: over the coming days as well. Really tough ass when 141 00:07:15,987 --> 00:07:17,987 Speaker 2: you haven't won any in the last. 142 00:07:17,747 --> 00:07:22,307 Speaker 3: Six Yeah, well, let's quickly just touch on Forrest at home. 143 00:07:22,307 --> 00:07:25,027 Speaker 3: You had backed Manchester City to win the game and 144 00:07:25,307 --> 00:07:28,467 Speaker 3: Forest wouldn't have been in contention. However, with Spurs winning 145 00:07:28,747 --> 00:07:30,307 Speaker 3: at the he had the first team to do so 146 00:07:30,347 --> 00:07:33,587 Speaker 3: in two years. Then suddenly that changes things and as 147 00:07:33,627 --> 00:07:36,147 Speaker 3: you say, yeah, Chris Wood is certainly going to be handful. 148 00:07:36,347 --> 00:07:38,707 Speaker 3: It'll be interesting to see what defenders are around then 149 00:07:38,787 --> 00:07:43,107 Speaker 3: to handle. Chris Wood bought the bigger game, the most 150 00:07:43,147 --> 00:07:46,827 Speaker 3: important game. Let's not beat around the bush. Let's call 151 00:07:46,867 --> 00:07:50,067 Speaker 3: it a title deciding game or title race deciding to 152 00:07:50,067 --> 00:07:52,227 Speaker 3: see if Manchester City are perhaps still in the races. 153 00:07:52,827 --> 00:07:56,667 Speaker 3: Is it Liverpool? It's an Anfield, a ground that Manchester 154 00:07:56,747 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 3: City notoriously struggle out. They've had two wins there since 155 00:08:01,507 --> 00:08:03,867 Speaker 3: two thousand and three. One of those was behind closed 156 00:08:03,907 --> 00:08:06,067 Speaker 3: doors in COVID that the other victory in two thousand 157 00:08:06,107 --> 00:08:08,307 Speaker 3: and three. He was the last time City won there. 158 00:08:08,307 --> 00:08:11,627 Speaker 3: With fans, they don't particularly enjoy going to Anfield. They've 159 00:08:11,627 --> 00:08:14,187 Speaker 3: had some really rough experiences there. They've got to draw 160 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 3: there last year. Johnstone's open the score in McAllister equalize. 161 00:08:17,307 --> 00:08:21,147 Speaker 3: But this is a Liverpool side that, despite the questions 162 00:08:21,187 --> 00:08:24,107 Speaker 3: over him with Jurgen Klop departing, actually have had the 163 00:08:24,187 --> 00:08:27,547 Speaker 3: second best start in Premier League history. They are They're 164 00:08:27,547 --> 00:08:30,307 Speaker 3: a roothless machine at the minute. They beat the European 165 00:08:30,387 --> 00:08:34,147 Speaker 3: champions Real Madrid on Wednesday night at Anfield as well. 166 00:08:34,307 --> 00:08:37,827 Speaker 3: So I think most important for Manchester City is to 167 00:08:37,827 --> 00:08:40,227 Speaker 3: get the first goal. If Liverpool get the first goal, 168 00:08:40,427 --> 00:08:44,347 Speaker 3: I fear where cities heads will be at Anfield, will 169 00:08:44,347 --> 00:08:47,027 Speaker 3: be baying for blood and the as a danger. I 170 00:08:47,027 --> 00:08:49,627 Speaker 3: think that you know, Liverpool could could run away with it. 171 00:08:50,027 --> 00:08:52,867 Speaker 3: Eleven points if Liverpool win is the gap. I think 172 00:08:52,907 --> 00:08:55,547 Speaker 3: that's too insurmountable for Manchester City, even at this early 173 00:08:55,547 --> 00:08:56,347 Speaker 3: point in the season. 174 00:08:56,827 --> 00:08:58,627 Speaker 2: Thank you very much, Mike Mana. Great to check with 175 00:08:58,707 --> 00:09:02,107 Speaker 2: you on News Talk ZIB this afternoon BBC Radio Manchester 176 00:09:02,187 --> 00:09:06,267 Speaker 2: commentator and reporter. You say again five a him tomorrow morning. 177 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:10,467 Speaker 2: We have Manchester City gone wrong. I left the country 178 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:13,867 Speaker 2: for five weeks and returned and they hadn't won a 179 00:09:13,907 --> 00:09:17,987 Speaker 2: single game in that time. Liverpool fans you must be 180 00:09:18,027 --> 00:09:23,267 Speaker 2: absolutely licking your lips at the prospect of facing Manchester 181 00:09:23,347 --> 00:09:27,347 Speaker 2: City at Anfield and the lines Dean tomorrow morning. 182 00:09:28,227 --> 00:09:31,387 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 183 00:09:31,507 --> 00:09:34,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk Sat B weekends from midday or follow 184 00:09:34,827 --> 00:09:36,427 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.