City are quickly heading towards the unwanted statistic of conceding an average of two goals a games.

https://infogr.am/ncfc-806601751522

That is relegation form – have no doubt about it. What particularly concerns me is the number being leaked late on in games.

A total of 13 have come in the final quarter of an hour. Those conceded at West Ham, Man City and at home to Liverpool have cost five points – how vital will they be?

If you look at the final half an hour, the total of goals let in rises to 22 – yes, virtually half of them.

I know there are times when teams ship a late one when they are pressing for a winner or leveller. But that isn't often the case for City,

It is more to do with switching off and players not doing their jobs,

Is this malaise to do with fitness?

If you take Tuesday for example, Spurs – who had been in cup action at the weekend – looked strong and fit to the end, while the Canaries were flagging badly, despite a 10-day lay-off. If fitness is an issue, that has to be dealt with – and quickly.

There seems no doubt that the season will go to the very end and so endurance will be key – both in individual games and the campaign itself.