Pep Guardiola was far from happy with how Manchester City played against West Ham | OneFootball

On the surface, Manchester City picked up a routine 3-nil win over West Ham at the Etihad last Saturday. In the first half of Saturday’s match, City dominated the game and didn’t allow West Ham to have a single shot on goal. In the second-half, West Ham had their moments, although it must be said that City never really felt like they got out of second gear. Any 3-nil win in the Premier League will be gleefully accepted. Speaking after his team’s win over West Ham, Pep Guardiola was far from pleased with his team’s display. Pep Guardiola’s comments are on the money as there is so much more to come from City this season.

Pep Guardiola was far from happy with how Manchester City played against West Ham.

It was clear after Manchester City’s win that Pep Guardiola was far from pleased with his team’s performance against West Ham. Although Manchester City took a 2-nil lead into halftime, his team had dominated West Ham and really should have been out of sight by halftime. But while City were comfortable in, and dominated, possession in the first half, they didn’t really create a host of chances after Erling Haaland’s 5th-minute goal. City played in first or second gear and didn’t press for another goal. This wasn’t lost on Pep Guardiola as explained to Sky Sports post-match: “With the ball, we are not good. So we give away many things because we are not in the right spots to break the lines and make the next steps.” 

“Because the players are not courageous to do that action. But we will improve it because we are so open. The group is amazing, we will try to do it.” 

“I’m happy, I cannot deny, but the way we play with the ball we have to improve or it will not be enough in March or April to be a contender to win the league.”

“I said to my players: ‘Merry Christmas for everyone but it will not be enough if we do not improve.”

“With the positions we have to be brave. We were not there. How many chances did they have first half? Zero, none. But even with that we were not in the right places to create, to be more solid. We didn’t do the right process to be more consistent. Gigi [Donnarumma] saved us.”

“If they follow me we will be there, but we have to improve. I know the level in this league, I know Arsenal, I know how tough they are. It’s not enough. The spirit is there. But many, many things we must do better.”

Pep Guardiola will not stand for his team to be passive as they were in the first half against West Ham.

It is easy to see that Pep Guardiola is playing for keeps this season. The Manchester City manager wants his team to challenge for this season’s Premier League title and perhaps more. He also wants to see his team improve. That seems a ridiculous notion to dig into after a 3-nil win but Pep Guardiola’s point does stand up. Playing consistently like they did against West Ham will likely see City fall short of their goal of winning the Premier League title this season. So improvement is needed from Pep Guardiola’s side. Premier League tickets can be found at the following link to see if Pep Guardiola’s call for his players to improve comes to life in the coming weeks.

It is easy to see what annoyed Pep Guardiola on Saturday. West Ham offered nothing during the first half of Saturday’s match. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side barely offered a threat. But the City players sat back and didn’t seize the initiative after scoring an early goal. They were possibly lulled into a false sense of security. The City players weren’t brave enough in possession in the first half and didn’t have the movement Pep Guardiola demands of his team to put West Ham away after taking an early lead. It would seem that is what set Pep Guardiola off after his team’s win and it will be interesting to see if this City side goes up a gear after Christmas.

Summary.

Pep Guardiola has spelt out what he wasn’t happy with after his team’s win  over West Ham. Manchester City’s possession and positional play has to improve to see this City side go up a gear. You do sense that the improvement is coming, but Pep Guardiola wants to see it in Manchester City’s next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground on December 27.