Paul Merson has questioned Manchester City’s title credentials and suggested that Pep Guardiola’s side ‘don’t really know what they are doing’ at the moment.
The former Arsenal midfielder believes an expensively-assembled squad at the Etihad Stadium may even struggle to finish in the top four if they fail to beat Watford on Wednesday.
Pep: If I fail I'll say 'Ok Stan Collymore'
City will be looking to get back to winning ways in midweek, having suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.
They were downed 3-1 by rivals for the top-flight crown, Chelsea, before being humbled 4-2 by reigning champions Leicester City last time out.
Guardiola’s side are now fourth in the table, seven points adrift of the leaders.
Merson believes they are entering a make-or-break stage of the season, with Guardiola still having plenty to prove and a number of his players – such as goalkeeper Claudio Bravo – yet to convince.
Pep: I must learn but I won't change
He wrote in a column for Sky Sports: “I just don't know with Man City. I expect them to win every game but they don't really know what they are doing.
“For too many years the manager has put teams out there - like Barcelona with Messi and Bayern having just won the treble - and not had to do much. He comes here and it's difficult.
“I would expect them to beat Watford. They have to win. If Man City don't win this game they are struggling to be in the top four let alone win the league.
“At the moment they just don't look anywhere near. They have a goalkeeper who can't make a save.”
City have conceded seven times in successive top-flight defeats and have kept just five clean sheets in all competitions this season.
Only the three sides above them in the Premier League table have scored more goals in 2016-17, but they have now lost more games than those around them – and as many as Manchester United in sixth.
> ..... - Goal