People need a villain. Someone to blame, name and shame. It's increasingly becoming part of our nature. Just whose fault exactly is it, and what can be done to make them suffer for their mistake, so we can all feel vindicated? In football, the accusations are usually spat at a manager's door. This is not surprising, considering they are the face of the club. They face the media, pick the team and decide on the tactics. And lo, ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby against United, the mob are circling on City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
There is no middle ground -- we deal in the realms of genius or buffoon. That the mild-mannered Pellegrini, whose captivatingly craggy face's arrival to England in 2013 was greeted by scepticism from some quarters, has not come out swinging in the wake of the criticism of his side's latest failing has left him seemingly in a position of weakness. Just how come the Chilean is not roaring on the touchline, or better still throwing off his armless jacket and then embracing a mascot? Instead, speaking after Monday's 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace, he said: "I'm not concerned about my job. That is one thing I am never concerned with."
That could be construed as naivety, or instead a mindset of the wider picture. He'll do the job to the best of his ability and what will be, will be. He was of course sacked by Real Madrid for failing to win a trophy in the 2009-10 season after all. Alas in this climate, being philosophical will only stoke the flames. Another theory is that Pellegrini has had assurances from his superiors that we are understandably not privy to. He is confident in his methods and maybe so are they. Remember -- City won the Premier League title last season. Doing so is surely proof enough Pellegrini warrants more time to right the wrongs he has made.
Indeed, he has not been blame-free in City's disappointing campaign that sees them in fourth place, nine points behind a Chelsea side smug in the knowledge they also have a game in hand. It is Pellegrini's job to get the best out of his players, most of whom are far better than their peers in the division. Too often the team has been a self-destructive cocktail of slapstick defending cut with a dearth of creativity at the other end. A lack of variation, a stubbornness akin to Arsenal's Arsene Wenger on his worst days, has done for title holders on occasions.
This is not the first time City have put up a pitiful title defence, so questions should be asked of the players as well as Pellegrini, for some of them have been constants in both success and failure. Players such as Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure have let themselves, the manager and the fans down this campaign. But as they are a collective, it is easier (lazier) for the blame culture to decide where to focus its efforts, and that simplistic process means such factors as the recruitment process, as detailed here, escapes the same level of wrath.
Remarkably, considering the state of United when they met in November, City travel to Old Trafford with their rivals as favourites. Compared to City's four wins from their last 14 matches in all competitions, United have been victorious in 10 of theirs. The pair find themselves duking it out for not only local bragging rights but also assurance of automatic qualification for the Champions League. After this match, Pellegrini's team have a relatively winnable run-in, their trip to Tottenham aside. Meanwhile, for a Louis van Gaal side now playing with style as well as substance, it is both Chelsea then Everton away next up. In a 2014-15 finale set to be light on drama, this weekend's tense derby is welcome fare, the Pellegrini hysteria aside.
Under Pressure: Steve Bruce
Hull City are in serious trouble. A 3-1 loss at Swansea last time out sees them a place and two points above the relegation zone. At a glance, Hull have seven matches to save their top-flight status. But in effect, they have two-and-a-half. After giving them a generous 50 percent chance against a tiring Southampton this weekend, thereafter they have all their hopes resting on a trip to Crystal Palace on April 25 and then a home meeting with Burnley on May 9. Their other games are against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.
Therefore, Hull boss Bruce is under a growing pressure, one that has remained since the dire run of form in the second half of the 2013-14 season, their FA Cup run aside. Criticism would not be so fierce had the club not spent so heavily last summer, with little in evidence gained from that outlay. Considering the investment, they are currently nine points from their overall total of last term, which does not speak of progress in a division not currently abundant with quality. With Bruce choosing to hang the blame of defeat on the referee in Wales after what was a pretty obvious red card, his words were those of a man running out of excuses and solutions.
Finding form: Crystal Palace
Look at Alan Pardew go, look at him soar. Boy, does he do victory well, so admirably self-satisfied. Speaking after the 2-1 win over Manchester City, he said to the media: "When I get back in my office I shall be having a nice, quiet beer, thank you very much, and you can come and join me and I'll smile at you." When Pardew left Newcastle for Selhurst Park in January, Palace were in the relegation zone. Now, after 22 points out of a possible 33, they are 11th, two places above the Magpies. Life must taste sweet to Alan right now, as he prepares for a trip back north-east, to face Sunderland.
Statistically speaking (via @PCarrESPN)
- Manchester City have won four straight league games against Manchester United for the first time since 1969-70. City have never won five straight in the league series.
- Man City have struggled recently away from Etihad Stadium, losing their past three away Premier League games. City haven't lost four straight away league games in a single season since dropping seven in a row from January to April in 2006.
- City's struggles have been in part because of poor finishing, or perhaps bad luck. City lost only three of their first 26 games this season, scoring on 13 percent of shots and exceeding their expected goal total by more than five goals. In losing three of five games since then, City have scored on only six percent of shots, resulting in seven goals, nearly five fewer than expected based on the shots taken.
- With four goals in his past five league games, Wayne Rooney continues to climb several career scoring lists. He now has 185 Premier League goals, two behind Andy Cole for second-most all time. And 170 of those league goals have been scored with Man United, leaving Rooney one shy of Denis Law for third-most league goals by a Man United player.
- Sergio Aguero hasn't scored in five straight league games, matching his longest such drought this season. He has six goals in seven career matches against Man United, including the winner in City's 1-0 win in November. Aguero needs two goals to become the 16th player with 100 goals for Man City, and he's certain to be the fastest to the century mark. Sunday will be Aguero's 158th appearance for City, and Tommy Browell is currently the fastest player to 100 goals for City, reaching the mark in 1927 in his 183rd game.
Click here for complete Soccer Power Index projections of the Premier League season.
Any other business: Everton
Roberto Martinez can sleep a little easier, with his side's three straight Premier League victories -- the first time they have managed that this season -- surely enough to ensure the unthinkable nightmare of relegation does not become a reality. This season has reiterated that Martinez is still a developing, albeit promising, coach. It has also exposed an Everton squad requiring some surgery. That aforementioned release of anxiety gives Martinez the opportunity to experiment in the final seven fixtures, meaning he can assess who stays, goes and comes in during the summer. They travel to Garry Monk's impressive Swansea on Saturday lunchtime.
