Manchester City's slide in results continues, but Pep Guardiola has continued to rely on the same core of players in his efforts to return to winning ways - and Manchester Evening News readers in our comments section reckon that it's time to switch things up and "get brutal" with underperformers.

City face Everton and Leicester City over the next week, and will be eager to enter the January transfer window with some winning momentum behind them again. Tired legs have impacted City's performances as Pep admits he needs a bigger squad, and injuries have limited his options to switch things up and rest players who aren't showing their best.

There are younger options at City who could show Pep something different - the promising midfielder James McAtee has racked up just two Premier League minutes so far this season, and defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has not featured for the senior team since the Feyenoord draw last month.

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Some readers think that existing options at the club should be tried out - just to see what they can offer, if nothing else. Commenter Tangledupinblue2 writes: “There is no guarantee the current first team players can turn performance and results around. Why not add some younger players to add some pace and legs into the team? They may make mistakes, but any more than the established players?”

Solidor agrees: “Kids were not at fault for the Feyenoord come back. Angrier by the day with Pep and his blind spot with kids, and he suppose to be a top coach...”

Reader Bluefan says: “As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Pep is delusional if he thinks the current group are miraculously going to turn things around. We need two or three hungry youngsters on the pitch to have a go and make their mark.”

HaalandGoat writes: “Let’s get some pace into this team. If I see Rico and Gundogan in that starting line up on Thursday, I’m jumping on the next tram back into the city centre. Seriously.”

Jm2972 says: “Pep has to get brutal and rip that team apart. The damage is done. So I think he needs to pull it apart & start again.”

Some readers say that jumping to conclusions in the fight to arrest City's poor form would be bad. Bluesince1955 says: "It's easy to criticise lack of playing time for youngsters and having a small squad when we've had 6 weeks of poor form, whilst forgetting how those same choices have led to 8 years of unrivalled success.

"I'm not saying I don't agree with some of what you say. I think City have been negligent in the transfer market since the Treble by not signing players to supplement the likes of Rodri and Walker, or having an alternative to Haaland, but let's not forget that success we've had in winning multiple titles."

Have your say! Is it time to give the City youth a chance to prove themselves? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.