This time last year, optimism was running high around the Joie Stadium. City were top of the WSL and all indications were that the Blues were on course to end Chelsea’s dominance and wrench the title from the Londoner’s grasp.
City pushed the champions all the way to the final day, but it just wasn’t to be, yet the Blues entered the new season as the team who would take on Chelsea. After an opening day draw at Arsenal, the Blues went on an unbeaten run that saw them breeze through [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league) qualification.
The run was, predictably, ended by a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea but one defeat wasn’t the end of a promising season. Subsequent losses to [Everton](https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com), then successive home defeats to United and Arsenal effectively ended any hopes of the Blues producing a title charge.
Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea side were already rampant and it would take a monumental collapse from them, as well as United and Arsenal dropping points, for City to stand any chance of taking the title.
Out of the title race, City dismissed manager Gareth Taylor, much to the relief of many of the faithful who saw the former striker as the main reason for City’s failures. The arrival of Nick Cushing, who led the City girls to their most successful era to date, revitalised the side and, despite losing the League Cup final, produced an incredible attacking display to give City the advantage in their Champions League tie.
But injuries, and the old issue of failing to perform against Chelsea, raised its head once more and the Blues simply had no answer as they were demolished in the first half. Chelsea stormed into the semi-final and could have had so many more to boot.
So what has gone wrong? How did City drop from title contenders to failing once again to qualify for Europe?
Injuries
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All teams have their injury problems throughout the season, but they have been very costly for the Blues. At Chelsea on Thursday, the Blues had six first-team starters out and doubts over two others. Going into a huge Champions League match, that is clearly not ideal. Chelsea also had their injury worries also, so what was the difference?
Squad depth.
Unfortunately, City had no one to call on from the bench who could change the game and that is one of the big differences between the Blues and Chelsea. City had just four substitutes to call upon, with Jess Park, Naomi Layzell and Laura Coombs and a substitute keeper to call upon. Chelsea made just two changes yet still had six options from the bench remaining.
The shows that the Blues have a real problem with squad strength and is something the manager, whether that be Cushing or a new person, will need to address this summer.
The Taylor Effect
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Gareth Taylor was clearly a problem and the only surprise was that he had lasted for so long. When his teams were winning, they didn’t really have to do much, but when they were behind, that’s when the problems began.
Taylor didn’t have the tactical knowledge to change a game in City’s favour and it should in the matches against Arsenal and United when City were behind. It’s a mentality that will have to change.
The former boss also, by some accounts, wasn’t great with the players. He allowed many to leave the club, bringing in sub-standard replacements. he would often play top players out of position, strikers at full-back of midfielders in defence when other options were available.
Unable to see his own failings, Taylor pressed on rather than change his style which ultimately led to his dismissal and now City have to pick up the pieces. Nick Cushing must have wondered what on earth happened to his legacy.
Whoever come in will have a lot of work to do to get City’s winning mentality back.
All is not lost though and the Blues do have the makings of a good side and need a good manager to bring out the best in them. Maybe testing them against a team as strong as Chelsea isn’t a fair measurement and the next few weeks will tell us if the Blues can start to once again head in the right direction.