Pep Guardiola hasn't picked the same starting XI consecutively this season

Guardiola has also chopped and changed formations since Mikel Arteta's exit

Senior players have concerns over Guardiola's fiddling with tactics and line-up

Manchester City players asked Pep Guardiola to temper his tinkering during their 45-minute lock-in at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sportsmail can reveal.

Guardiola has not picked the same starting XI in consecutive matches all season and has chopped and changed formations since the departure of assistant manager Mikel Arteta in December.

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Sportsmail understands senior players have concerns over Guardiola fiddling with tactics and personnel, and some aired their views during the dressing-room inquest after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Man City players told Pep Guardiola to stop rotating his team after defeat by Tottenham

(L-R) Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho react during Sunday's sixth defeat of the season

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Guardiola opened the subject to the floor, asking for suggestions as to where they can improve following a defeat that left the champions 22 points adrift of Liverpool.

City had an even more heated half-hour showdown last season after a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle in January.

That dressing down at St James’ Park, also revealed by Sportsmail, kick-started City’s run to the league title as they won their remaining 14 matches.

Players are growing frustrated with Guardiola's rotation of tactics and personnel in each game

Guardiola will hope Sunday’s debrief has a similar impact before they face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League this month.

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City have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals under the Catalan and the players are worried that inconsistency in selection could hamper their chances this season.

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The City boss has made 76 changes to his team in the Premier League this season. That is more than any other manager, with Frank Lampard at Chelsea second with 60. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made 46 changes and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers 44. Chris Wilder at Sheffield United has made the fewest changes with 30.