I can understand why Pellegrini was reluctant to make changes on Wednesday. We were poor in the first half, but the longer the second half went on the more dangerous we looked. Relplacing De Bruyne, who was having an off night, with Silva was a fairly obvious change but apart from that it didn't look as if we needed to completely change the shape of the team by bringing on a second striker.
Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16
- Thread starter Danamy
- Start date
- Status
I can understand why Pellegrini was reluctant to make changes on Wednesday. We were poor in the first half, but the longer the second half went on the more dangerous we looked. Relplacing De Bruyne, who was having an off night, with Silva was a fairly obvious change but apart from that it didn't look as if we needed to completely change the shape of the team by bringing on a second striker.
Dribble
Well-Known Member
Albeit we've had FFP to deal with, Mancini always advocated quality over quantity and I get your point that some of our acquisitions in the last 4 years have left more than a lot to be desired.
Ultimately history proved Mancini correct because not one player bought during that damaging 2012 window remains at the club. This speaks volumes because in hindsight I don't think anyone will disagree that we should have bought two quality players during that window instead of the 4 pieces of dross we had to endure for the £55m we spent.
I leave Nastasic out of the 5 because under Mancini he had the makings of a star, but under Manuel he looked like a donkey whenever he was given a rare chance to play. We won the league that season so perhaps Manuel proved his point, but I've never got my head around Nastasic's meteoric rise to glory and back again in the space of 18 months.
The recruitment policy has to change as you find the right balance of players who can succeed at home and abroad which is where will go next to.
I have little doubt if Pep comes in will target and be successful in bringing some of those players and even if we don't we will change the policy.
Its obvious that if Hart, Silva, Kun, VK , Zabba , Yaya if all fit form 6 of our starting line up still when they were the spine of the first title all those years ago and yes 10 windows is a long time in football these days with all them bar Kun at the club before then in some case for a number of years it stands to reason that age , injury and the willingness to climb the premiership mountain a third time in the era of speed , agility and physicality that cracks will appear and be harder to cover.
I suspect we will be more competitive in Europe in years to come when we play Chumps League and find it harder to win a title every two years or so.
I have little doubt if Pep comes in will target and be successful in bringing some of those players and even if we don't we will change the policy.
Its obvious that if Hart, Silva, Kun, VK , Zabba , Yaya if all fit form 6 of our starting line up still when they were the spine of the first title all those years ago and yes 10 windows is a long time in football these days with all them bar Kun at the club before then in some case for a number of years it stands to reason that age , injury and the willingness to climb the premiership mountain a third time in the era of speed , agility and physicality that cracks will appear and be harder to cover.
I suspect we will be more competitive in Europe in years to come when we play Chumps League and find it harder to win a title every two years or so.
Strongest spine of team
Hart
Vk
Yaya
Silva
Aguero
This season
Hart
Vk mostly injured
A poor yaya generally
Silva mostly injured
Aguero mistly injured
Something tells me the above may have something to do with our inconsistencies. Yes back up players in the spine have some quality but will never be as good otherwise wouldn't be back up players.
Vk will hopefully lead again, injury free.
Silva, has legs but time for some succession planning with youth hopefully
Aguero as per silva.
Now yaya, he needs to become a back up player, if he stays. We need pogba, regardless of how much, to replace yaya.
If I was spending the money, and they would come, got to be pogba, stones, lukaku. The spine would be strengthen, the rest via academy.
Pep would struggle with what we're relying on currently. MP deserves some credit for keeping us in touch with the injuries and number of games.
Hart
Vk
Yaya
Silva
Aguero
This season
Hart
Vk mostly injured
A poor yaya generally
Silva mostly injured
Aguero mistly injured
Something tells me the above may have something to do with our inconsistencies. Yes back up players in the spine have some quality but will never be as good otherwise wouldn't be back up players.
Vk will hopefully lead again, injury free.
Silva, has legs but time for some succession planning with youth hopefully
Aguero as per silva.
Now yaya, he needs to become a back up player, if he stays. We need pogba, regardless of how much, to replace yaya.
If I was spending the money, and they would come, got to be pogba, stones, lukaku. The spine would be strengthen, the rest via academy.
Pep would struggle with what we're relying on currently. MP deserves some credit for keeping us in touch with the injuries and number of games.
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
Quite pleased with him today. Provided Zaba is fit & IF it isn't working, he makes an early change. Fair play to him though. He's trying something & trying to keep players fit.
Even if it doesn't work at least we can see there is a plan behind it.
Even if it doesn't work at least we can see there is a plan behind it.
Aussie!
Well-Known Member
Finally a good decision. Kelechi up front :)
Centurions
Well-Known Member
Damn, I only came in to see what silliness was being posted since Saturday and Ric went and got there first.
City_Sean
Well-Known Member
Three clean sheets a row. Defence looking solid.
Onwards and upwards.
Onwards and upwards.
Lancet Fluke
Well-Known Member
It was good to see the manager give Yaya a bit of a rest for a league match (and bring him on at the right time). Hopefully he is beginning to see that despite his obvious quality on the ball starting with Yaya for every single match has been causing us problems. Decent confidence building result/performance and a whole week off for a change, we have to kick on now IMO if we are going to win the league.
- Status