Manchester City

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The reality for Manchester City is that they have lost great players to the ravages of time and their efforts to replace them seem less inspired than days gone by.

Other than Erling Haaland, who was a blindingly obvious acquisition that every football fan on the planet knew about, and maybe Phil Foden who was not bought, the players coming in lately have tended to be good or even very good, but not necessarily great.

The spending of nearly £200m in January should have given them an uplift, but it has been marginal at best. Compare that with the improvement at Aston Villa, in January they traded Jhon Duran out for £50m and acquired Marco Asensio (loan), Marcus Rashford (loan) and Donyell Malen (£21m), to find themselves immediately stronger and also in profit.

City are clearly buying for the long term, but can they match their previous ability to get excellent value for money. Kevin de Bruyne cost £55m for 10 years of brilliance. That's a measly £5.5m per season! David Silva at £43m also lasted 10 years, so £4.3m per season for that little genius. A long list of others were also cheap at the price considering their successful years.

Do we think that Jack Grealish (£100m) will be considered the same great value when he finally leaves? Will the likes of the youthful Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Savinho (two goals in 37 games so far), eventually be as good value, deliver as many trophies, dominate the game and show that they are as rounded players as their illustrious predecessors? It is a big ask.

You never know, that slippage from the acquisitions team might recover, but the problem is that others have caught up and City can no longer blow everyone out of the water financially due to PSR.

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Manchester City are out of the Champions League and in a battle to qualify for the tournament again next season, but hopes of silverware this term remain, with Pep Guardiola's side in the last eight of the FA Cup.

And there is no doubt plenty more going on that you know far more about than we do.

So tell us, what's one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about at City but really should be?

Let us know here

Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal would be Viktor Gyokeres' preferred destination if the 26-year-old Sweden striker leaves Sporting this summer. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Leeds have a verbal agreement to re-sign 29-year-old England midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, subject to the Whites earning promotion to the Premier League. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

There is no other way of saying it: Saturday's loss at Nottingham Forest was a huge blow.

Not only does it once again bring the squad back down in terms of confidence, but it also damages hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

It was the same flaws in performance that have hurt the club throughout the campaign, albeit this time there was an element of defensive strength, perhaps largely thanks to the added impetus of Abdukodir Khusanov.

However, City found themselves severely lackingcreativity in central areas and struggled to provide service to Erling Haaland, with the Norway striker isolated for the most part.

It is no coincidence that Bernardo Silva's inclusion in the starting line-up has caused problems too. Once an engine with relentless energy, the 30-year-old is now slow in recycling possession, moving the ball high up the pitch or getting it out to wide men, all while offering little to nothing in an attacking sense.

Questions also need to be raised around Phil Foden. Last season's Premier League player of the season is light years away from his best. At a time when Pep Guardiola and his colleagues will be eyeing long-term replacements for Kevin de Bruyne, now is exactly the time a player of his experience and ability must step up.

But after another defeat in the Premier League, this time at the hands of a direct top-four rival, how long before City fans should start getting concerned over the chances of the club qualifying for Europe's premier club competition?

On paper, a largely favourable fixture list awaits after the international break but, given the uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding Manchester City at the moment, no game is a guarantee.

Guardiola needs to start getting results - and fast. But he knows that and nobody will be working harder to get the best out of those available to him.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Manchester City are actively monitoring Real Madrid's France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 22. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Manchester City's former England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 29, could return to Leeds this summer after spending this term on loan at Ipswich. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Nottingham Forest's Premier League game against Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

James: We were lucky to win that. Not denying the goal, it was amazing from MGW, but the rest was pretty uneventful. But a win is a win, and it helps our chances of Champions League.

Becca: Disciplined and cultured from Forest. This was a game where nerves could've got the better of us, but we never looked in danger of conceding thanks to another excellent display from (arguably) the best full-back pairing in the League! What a season this is turning out to be! The assist from MGW wasn't bad either! COYR

Pete: People moaning about a dull game miss the point. A team costing a fraction of the amount of another team played to their strengths. Sometimes it has to be like chess. Don't like it - go shopping instead.

Man City fans

Simon: Another toothless display from City, which sums up the whole season. Loads of possession and no end product. One of the greatest strikers ever and we rarely get the ball to him.

Jeff: I feel this was the worst performance of our season so far. We fielded a strong XI who had no need to recover from Champion's League fatigue due to earlier capitulations. Forest were there for the taking but our well paid senior pros failed to deliver once again.

AB: The current City team reminds me a lot of the 2018 World Cup Spanish team - toothless, outdated tiki-taka and aimless passing.

Manchester City are speaking to the representatives of Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz, as they eye a potential summer deal for the 21-year-old. (Football Insider), external

But Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Wirtz, who is likely to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Manchester City are considering making a summer bid for 21-year-old Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

• Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are used to challenging for Premier League and Champions League honours at this stage of the season, but there is a very real danger of Pep Guardiola's side missing out on a place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

They dominated possession at the City Ground and created the only opportunities of a drab first half, but neither Erling Haaland nor Nico Gonzalez were able to find a way past Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Guardiola was growing increasingly frustrated with his team's lack of guile in the final third, but there was little improvement from the visitors in the second half and the closest they came to scoring was through Mateo Kovacic in added time - eight minutes after Callum Hudson-Odoi had squeezed a shot past Ederson to win the game for Forest.

City can have few complaints with the outcome as they slipped to a ninth league defeat of a tumultuous season - their joint-most in a single campaign under Guardiola.

This was also the fifth time City have failed to score in a top-flight game this season - their worst tally under Guardiola since 2016-17.

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Manchester City's defeat against Nottingham Forest: "Tight game, we controlled the long balls to [Chris] Wood and second balls in transition. But in second half we lost once in transition and Callum Hudson-Odoi finished it really well.

"It is not easy to play against them. That is why they are where they are. We had three or four chances in the first half. Second half it was a bit more tight. We concede one chance in the near post, so in the end the balance was for them."

On the pace of City's play in the second half, Guardiola added: "Yes it was slow. We struggled to break the lines and find spaces."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Forest's performance

What did you make of City's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)

• Liverpool v Southampton - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Brighton v Fulham

• Brentford v Aston Villa (17:30) full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton (20:00)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This is a big game in the race for the Champions League places, and a tough one to call.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola rested a few players for last weekend's FA Cup win over Plymouth and Erling Haaland is fit again.

Nottingham Forest are at home, but their fans don't mind them sitting in and hitting teams on the break, which is what they will do here.

It wasn't so long ago people were lauding Forest, but they have not won in the Premier League since beating Brighton 7-0 on 1 February.

I don't think there is too much wrong with Nuno Espirito Santo's team, though. They are still in the FA Cup and, in the league, they have lost narrowly away to Fulham and Newcastle and then they drew with Arsenal, which seemed a decent result to me.

I had a look at Forest's remaining 11 league games and, in the reverse fixtures this season, they have won nine, drawn one and lost one.

That shows that if they keep their squad fit and available then they have got a great chance of a top-five finish, which will probably get them in the Champions League.

Their one defeat in that sequence above actually came when they were well beaten by Manchester City at the start of December.

It will be much closer this time but, although I hate to go against my boyhood club, I still fancy City to nick the points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

This is an unusual end to the season for Manchester City.

Normally at this time, they would be juggling Premier League title and Champions League demands, usually with an FA Cup campaign thrown in as well.

This season, they are still in the FA Cup but have just had a blank midweek due to their European defeat by Real Madrid and are in a reasonably positive position when it comes to qualifying for next season's Champions League, especially as five English teams are almost certain to qualify.

There is still the Club World Cup to come in June and July but now it seems we are on a slow run to the end of the season.

Manager Pep Guardiola doesn't quite see it that way.

"Pressure is always there at big clubs," he said. "You do your best, it doesn't matter what you are playing for.

"We accept the reality to try to finish in the top four."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Nathan Ake is expected to be side lined after his foot surgery for 10-11 weeks. Guardiola added: "When you have surgery it's serious. He has struggled a lot this season with the problems in his feet."

• He confirmed a "central defender form the academy has come to train with us" because of the ongoing injury crisis to the back line.

• He said they have "had more time to rest and train more" in their seven day game absence, which is "absolutely" beneficial for his team.

• On Jack Grealish catching attention again this week at a social club: "He's so famous. People follow him. I have nothing to comment."

• He said the pressure on him and the team "is different" now to any in the previous seasons but that is because pressure is always there in big clubs.

• Guardiola added: "You have to pressure yourself to do your best no matter what you're playing for."

• On opponents Forest: "It is quite simple. When you're third in the table with 11 games left it is because you have done really, really well. It's impressive. They defend really well, are compact and aggressive."

• When asked how big of a threat they are to a top four finish: "There are many different clubs fighting for this target. Everyone wants to be in the Champions League next season for many reasons. If it doesn't happen then it's because we haven't been good enough and the other teams deserve it."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news