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The Blues, despite the shambolic display at Southampton and the many like it this season, could yet qualify for the Champions League final. Even so, the squad is in a state
Whether it was Pablo Zabaleta falling over or Aleksandar Kolarov producing a comical header (both in the first 60 seconds); Nicolas Otamendi's brain-dead defending for Southampton's opener; or Manuel Pellegrini bringing on Martin Demichelis in midfield, there were plenty of reminders of the frustrating state in whichManchester City finds itself.
This was City's 10th Premier League defeat of the season, and at least their sixth hammering. In 15 games against the top nine this season, they have won just twice: against Southampton back in November and Stoke City a week ago. They have taken a grand total of three points from games against the top seven - three draws away from home against United, Leicester City and West Ham. Two of those were goalless.
The Blues started the season with five wins on the bounce, not conceding a single goal in the process. They were said to have the best squad in the league at that point but anybody still labouring under that illusion will know better after watching this shower meander around St Mary's in Manuel Pellegrini's 4-4-2.
The vast majority will not be playing in the next match, and there will be no 4-4-2. On Wednesday, City will play perhaps the biggest game in their history, a Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeu. Anybody with just a passing interest in City's fortunes will be amazed at how this side, so incapable of putting up a fight against any half-decent English club, have got to the final four of Europe's most challenging club competition.
For City fans, though, this was nothing new. If they have not quite come to accept it, they are certainly familiar with this club's foibles. As one first-teamer admitted earlier this season, they have not been at the races unless the stakes are do-or-die. Sevilla away? No problem. Stoke away? Disaster.
It is a mentality that means they can look absolutely hopeless in one game and like world-beaters the next. It is, frankly, unacceptable for a top side, but it has got them this far, and it could be enough to eliminate Madrid on their own turf.
Thanks to United's own meagre season, City will likely finish in the top four regardless of their league form. That will count as some consolation, but it is a case of getting the season finished, moving on and not looking back.
This was City's 10th Premier League defeat of the season, and at least their sixth hammering. In 15 games against the top nine this season, they have won just twice: against Southampton back in November and Stoke City a week ago. They have taken a grand total of three points from games against the top seven - three draws away from home against United, Leicester City and West Ham. Two of those were goalless.The Blues started the season with five wins on the bounce, not conceding a single goal in the process. They were said to have the best squad in the league at that point but anybody still labouring under that illusion will know better after watching this shower meander around St Mary's in Manuel Pellegrini's 4-4-2.
The vast majority will not be playing in the next match, and there will be no 4-4-2. On Wednesday, City will play perhaps the biggest game in their history, a Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeu. Anybody with just a passing interest in City's fortunes will be amazed at how this side, so incapable of putting up a fight against any half-decent English club, have got to the final four of Europe's most challenging club competition.
For City fans, though, this was nothing new. If they have not quite come to accept it, they are certainly familiar with this club's foibles. As one first-teamer admitted earlier this season, they have not been at the races unless the stakes are do-or-die. Sevilla away? No problem. Stoke away? Disaster.
It is a mentality that means they can look absolutely hopeless in one game and like world-beaters the next. It is, frankly, unacceptable for a top side, but it has got them this far, and it could be enough to eliminate Madrid on their own turf.
Thanks to United's own meagre season, City will likely finish in the top four regardless of their league form. That will count as some consolation, but it is a case of getting the season finished, moving on and not looking back.
Source: goal.com
It does not say much for the work done at the top of the club over the past few seasons that the overriding positive factor on yet another grim afternoon for City is that Pep Guardiola will arrive in the summer. He will turn the club on its head, even if it is crowned the best in Europe at the end of this month.
It does not say much for the work done at the top of the club over the past few seasons that the overriding positive factor on yet another grim afternoon for City is that Pep Guardiola will arrive in the summer. He will turn the club on its head, even if it is crowned the best in Europe at the end of this month.
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