Paul Lake column: Delight for O’Reilly, Academy progress and congratulations Pep | OneFootball

Today, one of the most talented players of his generation - City cult hero Paul Lake - starts a new monthly column on mancity.com and our official app.

Lake, now a committee member of City’s relaunched former players association ‘Once a Blue’, will offer his thoughts on sky blue matters and we welcome him to our content team.

What a week

It’s been a fascinating week for Manchester City, one that’s witnessed so many different elements to our game. We went from a comprehensive Premier League victory over Burnley onto a frustrating Champions League tie in Monaco before finishing with a gritty, ground-out victory over Brentford. Life’s never dull being a Blue...

In terms of the last week, City gave a solid performance against Monaco that was hampered by some questionable refereeing decisions - the penalty given for their late equaliser being an example.

I thought the overall display was encouraging, particularly the way we opened up the opposition and created opportunities from different areas of the pitch. Josko Gvardiol’s sublime pass to Erling Haaland for our opening goal was a case in point.

I took away a lot of positives afterwards, bearing in mind that this season’s team is still finding its feet and its rhythm, and hasn’t been able to fully benefit from the talismanic Rodri, who’s still not quite physically ready to play his natural game. In time, I’m sure he’ll get back to his old self.

It’s rarely straightforward when you play Champions League ties away from home, and no team can be underestimated, so in the scheme of things a draw wasn’t a bad result.

As for our trip to Brentford on Sunday, it was fantastic to see Gvardiol and Haaland interlinking again to such great effect, with the latter’s pace and power securing his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

I thought this match was in total contrast to last week’s mauling of Burnley. The Gtech Community Stadium is a tough ground to get a result in and Brentford’s physical prowess, compact set-up and adept set-pieces are hard to combat.

City needed to be resilient, and had to defend throw-ins, free-kicks and corners and did so with aplomb.

We managed to dominate the first half, creating numerous chances which culminated in that fabulous goal from the unstoppable Haaland.

Brentford showed more intention in the second half but, thanks to some robust defending - especially from Ruben Dias and Nico O’Reilly - we were able to weather the storm.

And let’s not forget the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma patrolling our goalmouth, who clearly craves clean sheets. Like Joe Hart said on Match of the Day, our new keeper has a special aura.

Congrats, Nico!

I was so pleased to hear that Nico O'Reilly had received a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the friendly game versus Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

His mature performances for City have been a joy to watch and there is so much more to come from this supremely talented left-back.

The fact that he’s ‘one of our own’ – a Manchester-born product of our fantastic Academy – is music to the ears for the wider City family.

Being a home-grown player who came through the ranks myself, back in the 1980s, I know how proud Nico will be feeling.

I’m sure he’ll enjoy the England experience.

Carabao Cup call-ups

On the subject of the Academy, I was delighted to see Pep handing three of City’s Under-21 players their debuts in last week’s Carabao Cup tie at Huddersfield Town.

What a special moment for the lads and their loved ones.

Divine Mukasa acquitted himself really well, linking up nicely with Phil Foden who opened the scoring with a great strike, and the Heskey brothers – Jaden and Reigan – were brought on in the latter stages.

Being in this elite environment will do wonders for these aspiring young players.

By observing their more experienced team-mates, and by listening to their advice, they’ll soon realise what it takes to meet Pep’s standards and to make his squad.

It’s a brilliant chance for this talented trio to learn, to develop, and to showcase their skills.

They have to grasp that opportunity, bring their A-game to training, and keep impressing in the Under-21s. Who knows, we might be seeing more of them as the season progresses.

Pep hits his 250

Huge congratulations to the one-and-only Pep Guardiola for becoming the fastest manager in Premier League history to reach 250 wins, and doing so 55 matches quicker than Sir Alex Ferguson.

Achieving a staggering 18 major honours in his nine full seasons, Pep is surely one of the greatest managers of all time.

As well as transforming the whole football infrastructure at Manchester City, he has inspired players and managers alike by raising the technical capabilities for everyone in the game.

How I’d have loved to have starred in one of Pep’s sides.

As a versatile player, I’d have relished the opportunity, wherever Pep wanted to play me. Alongside Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, perhaps?

Former Players’ Club Relaunched

I’m so excited about the relaunch of Manchester City’s Former Players’ Club, which is now known as ‘Once A Blue.’

I’m a proud member of the new Executive Committee – alongside my former team-mates David White, Ian Brightwell, David Brightwell and local businessman Dan Ackerley – and we’re working with our President Joe Corrigan MBE to create the best former players’ club in football.

Our core values are ‘Connect, Support and Celebrate’, and we aim to bring our ex-Blues together, whether they’ve played one game or 600 games.

As well as regular social gatherings, we’ll be organising fundraising events - some linked with City supporters' clubs - and will be inviting former players to the Etihad Stadium as VIP guests.

We’ll also be offering practical and emotional support to any ex-Blue who requires it. Retiring from football can bring various challenges, as I know only too well myself.

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