SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 11 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews

Pep Guardiola dismisses talk of 'rebuilding' Manchester City's attack

:Headline: Pep Guardiola dismisses talk of 'rebuilding' Manchester City's attack: ID:427176: from db_amp
Pep Guardiola's side have scored only 18 goals from their opening 12 Premier League games of the season.

Pep Guardiola has rejected suggestions Manchester City's struggles in front of goal require a major rebuilding project.

City have laboured through the first part of the season, able to keep clean sheets at the back but still dropping points due to an uncharacteristic shyness at the other end of the pitch.

After Tuesday's frustrating 1-1 draw with West Brom, they have only 18 goals from their first 12 Premier League games, barely half the 35 they had at the same stage of last season.

Since the end of last season City have lost David Silva and Leroy Sane, while the long-term future of Sergio Aguero, who has missed much of the season so far through injury, is unclear as he enters the final months of his contract.

Guardiola admitted the problems amounted to a new challenge for him in his distinguished coaching career but denied it was comparable to the task he faced when he first arrived in Manchester in 2016.

"We cannot compare it to the first season," he said. "The first season was new, there were a million things we should do and step by step we tried to do it.

"Last season, even losing the Premier League title we scored the most goals. Unfortunately we lost Leroy and Sergio was out, but Sergio has not been there again either, so we are the same people.

"Ferran (Torres) has good numbers for the minutes he played, he can play as a striker or a winger, so we are the same.

Sergio Aguero has been limited to just six appearances this season (Clive Brunskill/PA)

"We have to refresh some things to help us play better. We know we still have an incredible season ahead, we know we can do it. Many, many players are here for a long time and they know exactly what we have to do."

Guardiola had said there was no easy answer for the lack of goals, but insisted the solution would only come through the team working harder and being more aggressive in creating chances.

He said: "It's not about one single player. That would be easy. What is the reason we don't score goals? This guy? OK, put another one in. But it's not about this. Everyone has played a lot of minutes.

"But with this schedule, the lack of preparation, everyone is involved. It would be a mistake to think the reason why we don't score is one or two players, and that one or two players are the reason why we concede few.

"Football is a total and everyone is important."

With City already eight points off champions Liverpool, answers are needed soon, starting away to third-placed Southampton on Saturday.

"We know we have to start to win games," Guardiola said. "If not (the title) will not be possible. We know it. It's not news. It's not about what Liverpool are able to do or Tottenham or Southampton. There are eight teams in front of us.

"Yes, we have a game in hand but we have to win it. We have to start to win games to be there at the end."

amp_article__427176 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-12-18 22:41:09:
html db last update - 2020-12-18 22:41:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .