Worried Pep Guardiola makes THREE appeals to Man City fans to rally behind the squad as he laments his side’s inability to train ahead of Newcastle United showdown where they will miss John Stones and Bernardo silva
- Pep Guardiola lamented Man City’s crowded schedule ahead of Newcastle clash
- City lifted their first trophy of the season on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup
- WATCH: “It All Begins” – Episode 1 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
Pep Guardiola can sense serious danger ahead of facing Newcastle United and has called on Manchester City fans to raise the roof in a bid to wake up his jaded side.
City did not train on the eve of hosting the Magpies, instead spending time in the pool and on the treatment table, with Guardiola lamenting a lack of rest since winning the Super Cup in midweek.
John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are all missing for the weekend – the latter due to undergo surgery for a hamstring injury – and City are scouring the market to sign a new central midfielder as a deal for Lucas Paqueta hits the pads.
“We are not at our best, or at our peak,” Guardiola said. ‘It’s normal and we’ve adjusted a few things but the spirit is there. Kevin will be out for four or five months, Ilkay (Gundogan) isn’t here… we need time to settle some things.
“The important players are not there. John is out, Bernardo is out. Rubén (Dias) I don’t know. Josko (Gvardiol) arrives from the first minute and needs to know the principles.
Pep Guardiola called on Man City fans to show their support as his side hosted Newcastle on Saturday
The Man City boss has revealed his side have not had a chance to train since winning the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday
Guardiola also hailed Eddie Howe for creating an ‘amazing’ squad at Newcastle
‘We need time. We need to build more points. We are really happy with the titles we have won, we only need one to come full circle, then the Club World Cup to win all the titles. It is a joy, a pleasure.
“Tomorrow we need the Etihad Stadium to be full, please stay with us, we are not in our best moment.” Stay there in bad times. We need their support.
Guardiola referred to the fans three times during his press conference and used it to challenge his players to solve problems.
“Everybody wants to beat us and we’re struggling for a lot of reasons, a lot of big injuries, the schedule,” he added.
“It’s still a challenge, to see if we can take a step forward. If you want to win, you need it. It’s a step to see the team try to do it again. In football there are always problems, it’s how you overcome them that defines whether you are a good team or not.
“We need our people more than ever this season. We can’t be at the Etihad just looking at how good we are, because of what we’ve done. We need the supporters from the first minute against an extraordinary team.
“Eddie Howe has created a fantastic team, in transitions and in possession – everything – it will be a huge test for us.”
