THERE is no one, barring a few Red Devils and maybe a handful of Scousers, who would wish on another team the bad run of form that Manchester City are going through right now.
The champions of England have somehow managed to implode in such astonishing fashion that the great Pep Guardiola himself was prodded to field a question about the possibility of him getting the sack.
It seems that with every passing game, it is mentioned that this is Guardiola’s worst sequence of form as a manager – meaning it’s just getting worse and worse.
Many have Man City down to get thumped again, this time at Aston Villa.
For a team that has lost eight and drawn two of their last 11 games, you’d expect there to be no support forthcoming – that’s just the nature of the sport and what history has taught us along the way.
But we also know, and believe, that these things, however nasty, do come to an end eventually – and for some, City’s time is now.
If the Citizens can only leave all the disquiet and unease that has dogged them these past few weeks in the dressing room before they run onto Villa Park for the early kick-off today, they could well emerge with something to show for their visit south.
Guardiola’s squad is loaded with exceptional talent. We all know this, and we’ve all seen how sleek they can be when in full flight.
They showed it in the 3-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, a gritty side that is fourth in the Premier League and by no means pushovers. But can they come good against a Villa outfit that themselves have not done too shabbily this term?
If there’s one criticism about Unai Emery’s Villains, who were up there in the Champions League spots not so long ago, then it’s that they are too erratic.
And this may well be the opportunity for City to seize and right their ship – a gigantic ocean trawler that appears rudderless right now – but one that could yet come back in a blink, roaring at full steam.
This blue half of Manchester is too big, too strong and too talent-laden to not bounce back with some fine form – and show just who they really are.
