JACK GAUGHAN: Tight title race and Premier League charges hanging over them have left Man City fans edgy and angry… but their frustration can help Pep Guardiola’s team

A few days ago a man in his fifties looked towards the boardroom when the time was called for Manchester City’s draw against Chelsea. He used words to the effect of ‘figure it out’. Again and again.

City were 15 unbeaten in all competitions at the time, 16 now after the win over Brentford, and still very much in their final title race. There is general discomfort at performances among the fanbase, but it seemed notable that any anger would be projected onto those above.

But this one supporter – and it was only one – thought it was necessary and that resulted in an interesting scenario.

Soiled? An easy conclusion to make, but it’s hard to reconcile as he presumably had an eye on them before the takeover and there isn’t a match fan I’ve ever come across who possesses these traits.

Pent-up fear of what is around them, an unbridled Liverpool and Arsenal, might be a better description.

Pep Guardiola has previously criticized the lack of vocal support at the Etihad

The Spaniard called on City fans to make their voices heard against Liverpool in November

In pubs from Didsbury to Denton they’re talking about enjoying the ride while it lasts – some even suggesting they wouldn’t mind taking the harshest possible punishment from this Premier League charge hanging over them and a European tour for one from the EFL.

You can imagine that CEO Ferran Soriano has a slightly different view on this.

Whatever the guy’s problem is on Saturday, maybe that’s what the Etihad Stadium needs right now. A bit of an uncomfortable bite.

It’s a place often maligned, usually unfairly, and why City ironically sing about ’empty seats at home’.

In recent weeks, social media has hosted an image of one end, which was edited to appear sparse. There was a video of players arriving from their team bus to see hundreds rather than thousands of supporters outside the main gate in the pouring rain used to mock the club.

Rivals are constantly beating the ‘plastic’ drum.

And while that’s nonsense – the Etihad is no different to any other Premier League ground, with its various problems at the hands of modern football – there is something in the way the die-hards have reacted to all the silverware.

They’ve never really liked criticism, not en masse. Pep Guardiola has brought a style never seen before, the trophies are pouring in and there is gratitude for that.

When City have failed to click in the past, the response has been muted rather than critical. The attitude in the stands has always been one of caution and condemnation.

Even with some questionable team selections, they trust Pep. After all this time, how can you not? History tells them this is for the best.

That started to change on Tuesday after an early nervousness – on the grass and on terraces – that threatened to engulf the entire evening.

Brentford were strong and created decent chances themselves, and City’s rhythm was not smooth, as it had not been during periods against Chelsea. Squeaky bums on blue chairs, to change an old saying from around town.

Howls met Ederson when he refused to launch a counter with a quick throw. Guardiola theatrically called for the crowd to calm down for an extended period, pointing out that he wanted to settle the match.

City took the lead again on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 win over Brentford

Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the match as City closed the gap with leaders Liverpool to one point

That in itself didn’t get things moving, but the pattern eventually did. Guardiola, who has had some awkward moments with the fans in his time, responded positively to some annoyance in the second half and ramped it up even further to make it louder.

Deep-seated frustration doesn’t seem to do any real harm, as long as it doesn’t take over. It helped the champions spring into action against Brentford, with Guardiola appearing stimulated by the response.

“Our people, we appreciate that, the crowd was full again,” said the Catalan.

‘When we suffered, they stood behind us. I felt like every time we were here, our crowd knew we were at the end of the season, and the next games here now are (Manchester) United, Copenhagen and Arsenal.

“So I’m pretty sure they’ll be there to make the contribution we need.”

Guardiola expects Etihad to be loudest when City play Manchester United and Arsenal next month

In it he refers to what the place looked like this time last year and moments on Tuesday brought back memories of that. The Etihad was filthy, a bear pit, while Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich all cowered. They all went for threes and fours.

Real’s Federico Valverde was recently asked to choose the most difficult stadium he has ever played in, and the stadium that was regularly mocked was his choice. “The fans, the way City play,” he replied.

And he has seen them all. Last year was an Etihad like you’ve never seen before.

Guardiola knows that even a side as excellent as his will need 53,000 others as they battle on three fronts once again. The really big nights are just around the corner and a bit of antagonism could be the trick to helping City find their feet before they arrive.