Pulis: Maresca must demand a siege mentality from Man City players
Former manager Tony Pulis says Enzo Maresca must demand a siege mentality from his Manchester City players after the club were found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules. Pulis insists City must fight on, starting with Sunday's away trip to Liverpool at Anfield.
- Fixture: Liverpool vs Manchester City, Sunday, Anfield
- Competition: Premier League
- Context: City found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules
- Key message: Pulis says Maresca must instil a siege mentality
- Stakes: City players face hostile away crowds and media scrutiny
What was said
"If I was manager of Manchester City now, after they were found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules, my whole psychology with my group of players this week would encompass one major point:"
"No-one is going to like us, but we won't care."
"I loved being the underdog and I loved to prove people wrong, and that is what I would demand now - a siege mentality from my squad and supporters alike to prove to people that, irrespective of what is happening off the pitch, on the field and the terraces we respect our club and we are going to fight on."
"City will be vilified by everyone else but their players have a great opportunity to show unity and togetherness, starting on Sunday away to Liverpool."
Pulis's words cut to the heart of the challenge facing Maresca. The City boss must first reassure his players that the club will defend its position, then demand total focus on winning games. With players returning from international duty straight into a media frenzy, the psychological test at Anfield may prove as significant as the tactical one.
Why Maresca must build a bunker mentality
Enzo Maresca has inherited a squad that has dominated the Premier League for over a decade, yet now faces an off-field fight that has turned into a media frenzy. Pulis's prescription is clear: reassure the players the club will not step back from defending itself, then demand they concentrate on what they are paid to do — win football matches.
The trip to Anfield is a brutal first assignment. Liverpool will sense blood, and the away support will be baying for City's blood according to Pulis. Maresca's players must understand that every away ground will now provide an opportunity for critics to attack them. The only shield is unity and results.
Tactically, Maresca cannot afford distraction. No excuses about off-field matters can be tolerated. The message must be simple: the pitch is the only place where City can answer their critics, and a performance at Anfield would speak louder than any statement.
Pulis questions the fairness of FFP rules
Beyond the immediate fixture, Pulis raises broader concerns about Financial Fair Play. If the verdict is upheld, it will come at a heavy cost to City's reputation and finances. But Pulis argues there needs to be more attention paid to the fairness of rules in a game dominated by massive financial investment.
He points to transfer spending, noting it is not unusual for around a billion pounds to be exchanged between clubs in England and worldwide during each transfer window. Individual players at the top level are bought and sold for more than £100m, while smaller academies are plundered by bigger clubs who hoover up the best young players for much smaller compensation fees, polish them up and sell them on for much more — without any FFP rules to regulate how much they profit.
Pulis asks whether that is for the good of the game or the players involved. He notes that over many years of Premier League governance, clubs have broken FFP rules. Some have not been caught yet, he is sure, but others have been caught and punished. It keeps happening, so are the current rules right? Do we need to change them, or are we taking a bigger risk by leading clubs to find different ways — or loopholes — to break the financial shackles?
The money in the game today is extraordinary. Massive corporations, billionaires and even countries are buying clubs and want to invest more and more into the product but are not able to. Gone are the days of local business owners buying their local clubs. In the Premier League, Tony Bloom at Brighton and Matthew Benham at Brentford are the last men standing. In the Championship, the Coates family at Stoke City and Steve Gibson at Middlesbrough are among the few to have had a taste of the top flight.
Pulis always sees the top clubs having the financial power to remain at the top, but it is important there is a way for smart guys at clubs without the big bucks or big histories to play a leading role in the top league in world football. At the moment all the negative media attention is on what Manchester City have done wrong, but the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford have achieved success by being smart, without the 'big club' tag. It is great to see, but surely the rules need to reward all clubs for being smart. Doing the right thing should give everyone the chance to compete at the highest level.
Talking points
- Should Maresca publicly adopt Pulis's siege mentality, or would that risk making City look defensive and guilty before appeals are heard?
- Is Anfield the worst possible place for City to start their post-verdict campaign, or the perfect stage to prove unity?
- Pulis says some clubs have not been caught for FFP breaches — do you agree the rules are arbitrary and unfair?
- If smaller clubs like Brighton and Brentford are rewarded for being smart, should FFP be scrapped entirely?
What happens next
Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first Premier League match since being found guilty of breaking financial rules. The result and performance will be scrutinised as much for City's psychological response as for the points. Maresca's team selection and body language will reveal whether Pulis's siege mentality has taken hold. With the club denying all charges, every away ground will now be a hostile environment.
Frequently asked questions
What did Tony Pulis say Manchester City need?
Pulis said Maresca must demand a siege mentality, telling his players: "No-one is going to like us, but we won't care." He wants City to fight on and prove people wrong.
When do Manchester City play Liverpool?
City travel to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League, their first match after being found guilty of breaking financial rules.
Are the FFP rules fair according to Pulis?
Pulis questioned whether the current FFP rules are right, noting that some clubs have not been caught, others punished, and that smaller academies are plundered without regulation.
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