Manchester City supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with Enzo Maresca after another disappointing Premier League result left the club facing serious questions about its direction.

City’s 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground was their third consecutive league loss, following earlier setbacks against Aston Villa and Brighton.

The result represents a remarkable turnaround for a team that started the 2026/27 campaign with seven successive Premier League victories.

However, the biggest talking point after the Forest defeat was not simply the result. It was Maresca’s explanation of City’s recent form and his suggestion that the team needed to find balance after experiencing both winning and losing streaks.

Speaking after the match, the Italian admitted that he remained concerned even when City were winning.

He also explained that the international break would provide an opportunity to understand what needed to improve before the team returned to action.

Unfortunately for the manager, his comments did not convince everyone.

Following a City Xtra post on X, Manchester City supporters delivered several critical reactions. Some questioned Maresca’s understanding of the team’s problems, while others demanded changes to his starting eleven.

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s involvement, Enzo Fernandez’s performances and the balance of City’s midfield were among the biggest talking points.

The growing frustration suggests that Maresca is facing an important moment in his Manchester City career.

‘This Guy Is So Delusional’ – Maresca’s Comments Frustrate Supporters

One of the strongest themes emerging from the reactions was dissatisfaction with Maresca’s post-match explanation.

The manager’s reference to finding balance between seven consecutive victories and three consecutive defeats became a particular source of criticism.

Some supporters interpreted his comments as an attempt to remain positive rather than directly address the problems affecting the team.

One fan expressed that frustration by suggesting:

“This guy is so delusional.”

Another supporter sarcastically questioned the manager’s reference to balance.

The fan wrote:

“Balance? So we’d balance the 7 wins with 7 losses in a row. What a time to be alive.”

It was a sarcastic response, but it highlighted an important concern.

Manchester City supporters do not want the manager to treat the current losing streak as a natural counterbalance to the team’s impressive start.

They want immediate improvements.

Winning seven consecutive matches should have provided a strong foundation for the season. Instead, City have allowed their momentum to disappear through three disappointing performances.

Maresca’s responsibility is to identify why that happened.

The supporters’ frustration is understandable because the club has ambitions of competing for major trophies.

At Manchester City, three consecutive Premier League defeats inevitably attract serious attention.

The manager must now demonstrate that his comments about balance are supported by meaningful improvements on the pitch.

‘At This Stage We Are Supposed to Be Better, Not Worse’

Perhaps the most interesting criticism concerned the quality of City’s performances even during their winning run.

One supporter argued that the team was already struggling to convince before the defeats began.

The fan explained:

“At this stage we are suppose to be better not worse, we’ve been winning with big difficulties and Haaland was carrying the team, now it’s shambolic.”

This reaction raises an important question about the true quality of City’s opening seven victories.

Although the results were excellent, some supporters believe the performances were not as convincing as the league position suggested.

There is a difference between winning matches and consistently controlling them.

City occasionally relied on individual quality, particularly from Erling Haaland, to secure important victories.

That dependence has become more noticeable as results have deteriorated.

Against Nottingham Forest, City struggled to contain their opponents during the opening stages.

Jair Cunha scored after six minutes, while former City striker Liam Delap doubled Forest’s advantage before the 20-minute mark.

Rayan Cherki produced a brilliant second-half finish to offer hope, but Delap scored again to complete his brace.

The performance exposed defensive weaknesses and a lack of midfield control.

For some supporters, these problems were already visible during the winning streak.

The difference was that positive results made the weaknesses easier to overlook.

Now that City are losing, those concerns have become much louder.

Ayyoub Bouaddi Emerges as a Popular Solution to City’s Midfield Problems

Another major talking point was the demand for Ayyoub Bouaddi to receive more opportunities.

Several supporters believe the young midfielder could help solve City’s balance problems.

One fan specifically questioned whether Bouaddi should replace Enzo Fernandez in the starting eleven.

The supporter wrote:

“What did you think of using Bouaddi instead of Enzo when the only thing he wants to do is attack?”

This criticism reflects a wider debate about City’s midfield structure.

Maresca wants his team to dominate possession, create attacking opportunities and maintain control of matches.

However, achieving that balance requires players who can protect the defence as well as contribute going forward.

Bouaddi’s potential involvement has therefore become an interesting subject among supporters.

Some believe his presence could provide greater defensive discipline and allow other midfielders to operate with more freedom.

The argument is not necessarily that Fernandez should never play again.

Instead, supporters want Maresca to consider whether the current combination provides enough protection when City lose possession.

With three consecutive defeats, experimenting with different midfield partnerships could become increasingly important.

‘Just Drop Enzo’ – Fernandez Faces Growing Questions

Enzo Fernandez was another player singled out in the supporters’ reactions.

One fan delivered a particularly direct assessment:

“Enzo Fernandez is yet to have a good game!!”

The supporter went on to suggest that Cherki’s inclusion should be balanced by having Bouaddi operating in a deeper midfield position.

The argument was that Bouaddi could remain disciplined at defensive midfield, allowing Elliot Anderson to contribute more effectively as a box-to-box player.

The same supporter also questioned what Fernandez currently brings to the team.

This is an interesting tactical discussion because City need different midfield qualities depending on their attacking selections.

Cherki provides creativity and technical quality in advanced positions. However, his attacking freedom must be supported by teammates capable of covering defensive spaces.

If the midfield becomes too attack-minded, opponents can exploit the gaps when possession changes hands.

That was a recurring problem against Nottingham Forest.

Fernandez has the technical ability to contribute to City’s possession game, but supporters want to see greater consistency and a clearer influence on matches.

Maresca must decide whether continuing with the same midfield selection is the right approach.

Sometimes a change of personnel can help a struggling team rediscover its rhythm.

‘Won Seven in a Row, Now We Lose Seven in a Row?’

Another supporter responded to Maresca’s comments with a humorous interpretation of his balance argument.

The fan wrote:

“Won 7 in a row and want to lose 7 in a row to make it balance. I understand now, let’s lose the remaining 4 games to start our winning streak.”

Although sarcastic, the reaction captured the growing disbelief among sections of the fanbase.

City supporters understand that football involves difficult periods.

However, they do not expect a club competing for the Premier League title to accept consecutive defeats as an inevitable part of the process.

The current situation is particularly concerning because Arsenal have taken advantage of City’s problems.

The Gunners are now six points ahead of Manchester City.

That gap places additional pressure on Maresca to find solutions quickly.

City still have time to recover, but every additional dropped point could make the title challenge more difficult.

Supporters want the manager to show urgency rather than simply asking for patience.

‘The Solution Is Visible for All to See’ – Fans Want Maresca to Make Changes

Another supporter suggested that Maresca should already know what needs to change.

The fan wrote:

“The solution is visible for all to see.”

Although the comment did not identify a specific tactical adjustment, it reflected the belief that City’s problems are not particularly difficult to recognise.

The midfield needs better protection. The defence must become more organised, and the attacking players need to contribute more consistently.

There is also a question about Maresca’s willingness to change his preferred starting eleven.

When results are positive, maintaining a consistent selection can be beneficial. However, three consecutive defeats suggest that something different may be required.

Bouaddi’s potential involvement is one possibility.

Another option would be adjusting the responsibilities of Anderson and Fernandez to create a better balance between attacking and defensive duties.

Maresca has several decisions to make.

The important thing is that he must demonstrate a willingness to adapt rather than continue repeating an approach that is currently producing disappointing results.

‘Same Old, Same Old’ – Supporters Want a Different Manchester City

Not every reaction focused on individual players.

Some supporters were simply disappointed with the overall direction of the team.

One fan summarised their frustration with three words:

“Same old same old.”

It was a short reaction, but it reflected the feeling that City have repeatedly failed to address their weaknesses.

The Nottingham Forest defeat was particularly concerning because of the manner in which the opposition exploited City’s defensive structure.

Forest scored twice within the opening 18 minutes.

City improved after the interval, with Cherki producing a spectacular goal, but their defensive problems remained.

Delap’s second strike eventually ended any realistic hopes of a comeback.

Maresca also confirmed that Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol had requested substitutions at half-time because of injuries.

Those setbacks added another complication to an already difficult afternoon.

However, the manager cannot use injuries as the only explanation for the defeat.

City must improve collectively, regardless of which players are available.

Maresca’s International Break Could Be a Defining Moment

Maresca has indicated that Manchester City will use the international break to examine their performances and identify areas requiring improvement.

This could be an important opportunity.

The manager needs to analyse why City have gone from seven consecutive league victories to three consecutive defeats.

He must also consider whether his midfield selections are providing enough defensive protection.

Bouaddi’s potential role deserves attention, particularly if Maresca wants Cherki to operate with greater attacking freedom.

Fernandez also needs to demonstrate greater consistency.

Meanwhile, Anderson must be given a role that allows him to influence matches without leaving the defensive midfield area exposed.

The international break should provide time to consider these adjustments.

However, supporters will ultimately judge Maresca by what happens when competitive football returns.

Positive explanations will not be enough.

The team must produce better performances and start collecting points again.

Final Verdict: Manchester City Fans Want Action, Not Excuses

The reactions to City Xtra’s post reveal growing frustration with Enzo Maresca.

Supporters are questioning his comments about balance, criticising the midfield selection and demanding opportunities for Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Enzo Fernandez has also become a major talking point, with some fans questioning his contribution to the team.

Perhaps the most significant concern is that some supporters believe Manchester City were not performing convincingly even during their seven-match winning streak.

That criticism deserves attention.

Results can sometimes hide problems, and City’s recent collapse has brought several weaknesses into focus.

Maresca still has an opportunity to turn things around.

He inherited the responsibility of maintaining Manchester City’s standards following Guardiola’s departure in June 2026. The opening seven victories suggested that his project was progressing positively.

Three consecutive defeats have changed the atmosphere considerably.

The Italian must now demonstrate that he can recognise problems, make difficult selection decisions and restore confidence within the squad.

The international break offers an opportunity to reset.

However, Manchester City supporters will expect immediate improvements when the team returns.

The message from the fanbase is becoming increasingly clear: City need tactical changes, stronger performances and a manager capable of finding solutions before the Premier League title race moves beyond their reach.