Manchester City find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they have entered the international break on the back of losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time since 2006 and for the first time ever under manager Pep Guardiola.
The reigning Premier League champions were beaten 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, which followed losses to Sporting Lisbon, Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur over a 10-day period.
Not only have the Citizens crashed out of the EFL Cup and suffered a slight setback in the Champions League during this run, but they have also fallen five points behind Premier League rivals Liverpool at the top of the table.
Guardiola highlighted the impact that injuries were having on his team's run of form after the loss at Brighton, admitting that his jaded players "are not able to do 90 minutes" and maintain the required intensity for a full match.
The Catalan coach has been working with a depleted squad for several weeks; both Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake were all not fit to feature against Brighton. Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker have also had their fitness issues.
Man City's injury crisis "has been coming"
In each of Man City's last four defeats, opposing teams have taken advantage of their fitness woes and their weaknesses in defence, particularly down the right channel, while City's aging midfield - missing the presence of key lynchpin Rodri - has often been overran by an energetic opposition.
Their problems have not only been evident at the back. Indeed, Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that 'there is a lack of focus from City in both boxes', with Guardiola's side "struggling" to see off games when going ahead, as they did against Brighton.
"It's not like City have been diabolical in every game. That isn't the case, [but being] wasteful in front of goal and switching off in the second half of the games has been the main problem," McInerney added.
In addition, McInerney feels that a Man City injury crisis "has been coming" with Guardiola's squad both aging and shrinking in size over time - Guardiola is known to like working with a small squad and he entered this season with a 21-man senior side, but many will now argue that this decision has backfired.
November's international break seems to have come at a suitable time for Guardiola, who will use the next week or two to reflect on how his team can improve, as he relishes the challenge of finding the right formula to get City's season back on track.
Will Guardiola fix Man City's problems amidst uncertainty over his own future?
McInerney feels that Guardiola 'likes discomfort' and he has backed the Catalan to "fix" Man City's problems, as he endeavours to find solutions for his team's on-field issues during a period of off-field uncertainty, too.
Indeed, not only is Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad Stadium up in the air, with his contract expiring next summer, but City's own future is uncertain amidst the club's ongoing hearing into the 115 financial charges levelled at them by the Premier League - a verdict on that could emerge early next year.
With all this in mind, Sports Mole senior reporter Oliver Thomas has spoken to McInerney about whether Guardiola is facing his greatest challenge yet as Man City manager in his ninth season - and potentially last - at the club.
McInerney has said that it will be "interesting to see" how this challenge that Guardiola is faced with will affect his future, and has shared his views on whether the prospect of turning the club's fortunes around during a time of adversity could enhance his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the game.
Some small quarters of the football community believe that Guardiola has only ever been blessed with money and working with the best players on the planet during his successful coaching career.
He still is working with a talented squad at City, but it is certainly not the strongest he has worked with - one that currently includes a number of academy starlets who have stepped up - so if he were to steer the Citizens to Premier League glory and silverware in other competitions, then that could potentially change the opinions some have of Guardiola.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion. body check tags ::
