Enzo Maresca’s key call: Pulis wants City siege mentality at Anfield

Tony Pulis, BBC Sport columnist, argues that Enzo Maresca should drive a “siege mentality” at Manchester City this week after the club was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. His point is that City must stick together and prove on the pitch—and in the stands—that they respect their identity regardless of what happens off it.

Pulis adds that even though the players themselves haven’t been linked to the allegations, they must expect hostile atmospheres at away games. With the spotlight on Anfield this weekend, he expects supporters and media to pile pressure on the squad. For that reason, the former focus is first to reassure the group the club won’t back down—then to remove distractions and concentrate strictly on winning.

Beyond the case, Pulis questions the fairness of current FFP rules, pointing to the scale of transfer spending and the power of major investors. He cites examples such as Tony Bloom at Brighton and Matthew Benham at Brentford as proof that clubs without the biggest budgets can still compete if the rules properly reward smart decision-making.