Manchester City searching for short-term fix to Etihad Stadium pitch after issues in recent home games as Pep Guardiola says surfaces at Anfield, Old Trafford and the Emirates are better
- State of the Etihad Stadium playing surface has become an issue of late
- Pep Guardiola said ‘the grass is not good’ as Man City search for quick solution
- Pitch appeared a visible problem during recent 4-1 home win over Wolves
- Despite issues, City have won 22 of last 23 games, including 10 at the Etihad
- They can move 17 points clear if they win at Fulham on Saturday evening
Manchester City are attempting to rectify problems with an Etihad Stadium surface that Pep Guardiola believes has hampered his side in recent weeks.
The pitch appeared a visible problem during the 4-1 victory over Wolves last week and Guardiola revealed he has held talks with the club to find a short-term measure.
City are not the only Premier League side to encounter difficulties, with Leeds United installing a new £300,000 pitch in January.
Manchester City have struggled with the state of the Etihad Stadium pitch in recent matches
The surface was cutting up especially badly during City’s recent 4-1 victory over Wolves
‘They are working a lot to find a solution, but the grass isn’t good,’ Guardiola said. ‘All the players know how good the grass is and sometimes it is not.
‘There are stadiums where the grass is good. Arsenal, Anfield, Old Trafford – even Budapest, the grass is better, incredible, like a carpet. Our grass is not good.’
City have still managed to win 22 of their last 23 matches in all competitions, with 10 of those coming at home.
They can go 17 points clear of rivals Manchester United if they beat Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening.
City manager Pep Guardiola said the Etihad surface is inferior to those of their rivals
City are trying to find a short-term solution to the pitch issue as the busy season continues
Guardiola praised Scott Parker’s tactical gumption as Fulham continue to rally in their quest for top-flight survival.
‘What I’ve seen lately with young managers is they have the courage,’ the City boss added. ‘Maybe they don’t have to defend like before but they have courage.
‘They say maybe we will lose but why do you have to defend 90 minutes? Go to play football. There are many cases where the guy Is saying to their players you can go and try to win the game.
‘All the managers believe theirs is the best way – and other managers think we cannot compete and we’ll sit back and try to punish them.’