That's it for City. Stick a fork in 'em. They're done like dinner.
You couldn't even detect the faintest whiff of despair watching them play at Norwich. It was smothered by an overpowering reek of resignation.
They're not winning the league and they know it. I can think of two reasons why they now can't be arsed to put themselves about properly.
One, because they were built to win. They've won the league twice now, but now, in a season when their nearest rivals have all spanked them, when they know they won't be winning anything significant, they aren't much bothered about consolation prizes and become a much softer touch.
Two, because it's a whole new ball game anyway next year when Pep takes over. Some don't want to play for him, some know they'll never be capable of playing for him. Either way, everyone's position is no longer secure.
Now? It's all about going home handsome. Avoiding any calamitous knocks that might disrupt the possibility of a smooth, swift transfer. No one should actually believe that, with Aguero saying he's off at the end of his contract in 2019, it means he'll actually be at City until then? He's merely served notice that he'd like to leave now.
Pussy willow.