CAUGHT OFF GUARD

Perplexed Pep admits he wasn't prepared for slump

- DAVE CRAVEN

MASTER tactician Pep Guardiola admits he is stumped trying to work out why he cannot lift his Manchester City players.

They host West Ham today looking to secure the rarity of back-to-back wins, which seems absurd for a side that has bagged four Premier League titles in a row.

But Sunday's 2-0 victory over Leicester was only a second win in 14 games, a sign of just how far they have tumbled.

City boss Guardiola hopes it is a turning point after their shambolic run. But he is not naive either.

Amid their alarming fall from grace, the Spaniard has had to make some big calls on gilded, loyal players, such as Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker, who have helped him secure an astonishing 18 trophies.

But Guardiola said: "It's not now that I realised. The call is on me first.