Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he got the reaction he was looking for after last week’s defeat away to Norwich when Manchester City thrashed Watford 8-0.
“They were sad, they didn’t laugh.” said Guardiola who perhaps knew that a reaction was coming in the dressing room after the game and on the way home.
Shakhtar Donetsk were swept aside on Wednesday and then Watford were annihilated on Saturday.
Ever the perfectionist, Guardiola said that the reaction wasn’t completely perfect.
Despite going 1-0 up within a minute to David Silva, City could have been 2-1 down to Watford quite quickly after giving away early shooting opportunities to the Hornets.
Fortunately for City, the game was rendered moot very quickly.
“Five shots on target, five goals, is not normal.” Guardiola said of his team being 5-0 up after just 18 minutes.
“I could have played after that. But that isn’t the point.” said Guardiola of how City reacted in ‘bad moments’ being good for the development of the team.
Guardiola was glad that City didn’t let standards slip – according ‘respect’ to Watford – and scoring three more in the second half.
Two years ago the title race was a procession, but last season Liverpool’s title challenge saw them push City all the way, and Guardiola appreciated the challenge presented by Jurgen Klopp’s team.
And after the Norwich reality check they’ll be ready and waiting in case Liverpool slip up.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis to train with the first team
Guardiola has declared that 17-year-old EDS defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis will train with the first team with City short of cover in central defence.
He hasn’t confirmed if he would start against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.
Given that his team mate Eric Garcia, himself only 18, will probably start against Preston on Tuesday in order that Fernandinho or Nicolas Otamendi can get a rest the academy youngster could get a seat on bench.