Pep Guardiola has always been a smart guy who knows how to play the mind game a lot, right now he's trying to sound modest, maybe that's his own way of handling the pressure that is coming from the press and the fans, but on the other hand I think he's just trying to divert everyone's attention and perhaps try to make some adjustments in the team that would restore his image and that of the entire team. For strategy I am unsure about Gardiola not knowing when to change his strategy, it's just a challenging period for City and I believe they will recover and take back their place.
Pep is seriously in a hard time, and I think he is confused at this time because currently nobody was expecting City to reach this extent. They are not really doing well this season, and they are even lagging behind. However, for now I don’t think there is anything Pep Guardiola will do this season to get them back like other seasons. I think this is kind of the conditions that other clubs normally face, and if it happens in football, Pep Guardiola has to bear with this. Maybe he should prepare this club ahead of the next with any strategy he will try to adapt, but as of now I don’t really think they will get their performance back.