Blame City slump on me...not my_players

GUARDIOLA IS BAFFLED BY ALARMING DECLINE

- Dave Craven

PEP GUARDIOLA may be a master tactician, but he is stumped as he tries to work out why he cannot lift his Manchester City players.

They host West Ham today looking to secure back-to-back wins something which became commonplace for a side that bagged four Premier League titles in a row.

But Sunday's 2-0 win against Leicester was only a second victory in 14 games, a sign of how far they have tumbled.

Guardiola hopes it is a turning point, but he is not naive.

Amid City's alarming fall from grace, the Spaniard has had to make big calls on gilded players such as Kevin De Bruyne, right, and Kyle Walker, who have helped him secure astonishing 18 trophies at the Etihad.