With eight games played in the Premier League, Manchester City have work to do after falling right points behind Liverpool in the title race following shock defeats to Norwich City at Wolves.
Defensive woes following the long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte and Vincent Kompany's departure in the summer have left Pep Guardiola with problems to resolve during the coming months.
Fortunately, City will be optimistic of building a stable run of form after the international break with games against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Southampton, before a huge clash with Liverpool in November.
One potential cause for concern is the risk of players earning a suspension if they reach five yellow cards for the season, although City do not currently have anyone close to that tally.
Premier League regulations state that any player who picks up five bookings in the first 19 Premier League matches of the season will have to serve a one-match ban, which only applies to league matches.
Rodri, Nicolas Otamendi, Ederson, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker have all been booked twice this term, which means they would only face missing the clash with Liverpool if they were to be booked in each of their next three league appearances.
Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo, Angelino, Ilkay Gundogan, Laporte and Fernandinho have all been booked once in the opening eight fixtures of the season.
At Liverpool, the situation is different as Fabinho has been booked three times this season and the Brazilian could therefore miss the clash with City next month if he is booked in two of the three matches prior to that clash.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been booked twice, while James Milner and Adrian have had their name taken by referees once so far this season.
In order for any Premier League player to avoid earning a one-match ban for picking up five yellow cards, they must earn their fifth after the cut off point on December 31st.
However, players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches up to and including their team's 32nd fixture of the season will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.
Odayalkaabi
0
When someone gives you a respective, detailed, unbiased analysis of your team and your response is a childish shutup. Haha, It's going to stay at 7 titles too. Children are supposed to be seen not heard. Shh
Agree. My regards
Puodelnz
0
Guardiola tactics is very risky. He pushes the whole team very high on the pitch and that's leaves the back uncovered. That's why he needs a player like Fernandinho (Bosquets in Barcelona) who has Zero wrong pass possibility. That's also make Guardiola's instructions is to stop any sudden dangerous lost of possession by tactical fouls if its not possible to cut the ball legally. Guardiola even smart by distributing the fouls between the players "see the MC number of players that got yellow cards last season"... Stons and Laporte played with Tottenham and Norwich City but the M City lost 5 points. Teams now know that they have to press the central player and Rodri couldn't do what Fernandinho can do when Wolves forced him to miss passing and they won the game. That's why I think that the City will lose more points with teams play like Wolves style
When someone gives you a respective, detailed, unbiased analysis of your team and your response is a childish shutup. Haha, It's going to stay at 7 titles too. Children are supposed to be seen not heard. Shh
Odayalkaabi
0
did you teaching him🙄.....shut up dude .....with these tactics we won 7 titles 😂
With all respect.. I wanted to say that it's not a bad tactic.. M City is implementing the plan very well.. But they will suffer with any very good defense and speedy counter attack. The proof.. Guardiola always suffer against Kloop
albertaguero
0
Guardiola tactics is very risky. He pushes the whole team very high on the pitch and that's leaves the back uncovered. That's why he needs a player like Fernandinho (Bosquets in Barcelona) who has Zero wrong pass possibility. That's also make Guardiola's instructions is to stop any sudden dangerous lost of possession by tactical fouls if its not possible to cut the ball legally. Guardiola even smart by distributing the fouls between the players "see the MC number of players that got yellow cards last season"... Stons and Laporte played with Tottenham and Norwich City but the M City lost 5 points. Teams now know that they have to press the central player and Rodri couldn't do what Fernandinho can do when Wolves forced him to miss passing and they won the game. That's why I think that the City will lose more points with teams play like Wolves style
did you teaching him🙄.....shut up dude .....with these tactics we won 7 titles 😂
Odayalkaabi
8
Guardiola tactics is very risky. He pushes the whole team very high on the pitch and that's leaves the back uncovered. That's why he needs a player like Fernandinho (Bosquets in Barcelona) who has Zero wrong pass possibility. That's also make Guardiola's instructions is to stop any sudden dangerous lost of possession by tactical fouls if its not possible to cut the ball legally. Guardiola even smart by distributing the fouls between the players "see the MC number of players that got yellow cards last season"... Stons and Laporte played with Tottenham and Norwich City but the M City lost 5 points. Teams now know that they have to press the central player and Rodri couldn't do what Fernandinho can do when Wolves forced him to miss passing and they won the game. That's why I think that the City will lose more points with teams play like Wolves style
442patzo
3
ask Barcelona if you think liverpool care about who will play the next match
Spartacus_Aye419
0
city is wide ,with many players ,and many good substitutes , I don't think missing of larpote bring big problem for city.
so why did Wolves and Norwich defeated them
Zere8
3
no matter who they play or who we play, we shouldnt estimate each other. each side should have substitutes to play in similar tactic, so we shouldnt prepare for player-wise but for tactically instead
Yahklmnsty
0
Manchester City is the only team in England who doesn't have what it takes to stop Liverpool. No John Stones, No LaPorte, No Kompany, and Otamendi is three Bookings away from missing the Clash with Liverpool. God is really working
city is wide ,with many players ,and many good substitutes , I don't think missing of larpote bring big problem for city.
Spartacus_Aye419
3
Manchester City is the only team in England who doesn't have what it takes to stop Liverpool. No John Stones, No LaPorte, No Kompany, and Otamendi is three Bookings away from missing the Clash with Liverpool. God is really working
DEJI22
3
This is a nonsense post, seems AF just need article
JamesWalker
1
Ref this days needs popularity