Discuss Pellegrini (Pt 4)

[cleavers]

100% spot on with his line up today so a huge pat on the back mr pellegrini.
Now please can we sort it away from home starting a week on wednesday.
Why garcia for aguero???why not give guidetti a run out.
Anyway a great performance all round.

keep a clean sheet? might be another season decided on goal differential. Sub made sense to me at least. Don't think you'll be seeing much of Guidetti this season. Destine for a loan in jan

I don't think it was particularly about keeping a clean sheet, more an experiment in formation, for a future game, whilst Garcia gets stick every time he pulls a shirt on, he can do a job in more difficult games, yesterday we ended the game with Yaya up front, I don't think that was by accident. Its been said he does change formations/tactics in some games, and I think given we were 5-0 up at 58 minutes it allowed him to experiment a bit, and its far better to experiment with a formation/tactic in a real game, against one of the better sides in the division, than it is in a training ground match against lesser players.

 

[BlueAnorak]

From the Telegraph:

There are no regrets at Manchester City at sacking Roberto Mancini and hiring Manuel Pellegrini.

Ninth in the Premier League table, yes; four defeats away from home, yes; and uncertainty as to just where this campaign is heading, yes.

There are also doubts as to what their best team is and whether the balance of the squad is right – surely they could have bought better than Martin Demichelis? – as they veer from a 7-0 thumping of Norwich City to losing away against Sunderland.

In a season where consistency – that key to league success – is lacking and uncertainty reigns, the trend is being felt most sharply at City.

And yet for all that wider uncertainty, the club’s faith in Pellegrini is unshaken.

Even more so, there is a belief at City that they would be in a worse space – if not necessarily a worse place in the table – had Mancini remained: that if Italian had somehow survived the club would have continued in a downward spiral.

Mancini had to go. That is the consensus at City and, certainly, he would not have saved himself had he won the FA Cup last season. The decision to dismiss him had already been taken and did not hinge on City’s drab performance that day at Wembley.

Whether Pellegrini is the answer remains to be seen and City are candid enough about that. Why shouldn’t they be?

This is a club with extreme wealth and ambition – a tour around the vast training ground that is being built a short stroll from the Etihad Stadium is further confirmation of that – and one that intends to be here to stay as a European force.

League form is a worry, but there is no panic. City have negotiated themselves into the knock-out stages of the Champions League, something that Mancini had failed to do, even if he endured more difficult groups, and that has already been a cause of quiet celebration at the club.

The Chilean’s work is, sensibly, being looked at as a whole. It is not just about the first 11 league games of the season and City were serious when they talked about a desire for a “holistic” approach with a manager interested in every aspect of the club and creating a more positive environment.

There are other indicators. The sense at City was that individually and collectively the team slumped last season.

The performances of Yaya Touré, David Silva and Sergio Agüero were a cause for concern as was their unease. Even such exemplary professionals as James Milner were suffering. And it was noticed. Pablo Zabaleta was player of the year and as fine a right-back, and a character, as he is it was more a sign of how others had underperformed.

Now the reviews are raving for Agüero and Touré and City can also point to the injuries suffered to their two other key players – Silva and, in particular, captain Vincent Kompany, as being key factors. It is not far from clicking.

Finding a strong central defender has to be a priority in the January window along with an experienced goalkeeper, although City are now playing down the latter suggestion.

Nevertheless, the stats look harsh on Pellegrini. City have 19 points and a goal difference of plus 16, having scored 28 goals.

At the same stage last season City had yet to lose a league game and had earned 25 points, scoring 20 goals. The season before, when they won the league, is even starker – City had again yet to lose a league match and had already collected 29 points, 10 more than they currently have, having scored 37 goals.

However, Mancini already had a season and a half at the club before then and Pellegrini is charged not just with bringing success and making the team competitive – although there are no specific targets of silverware for this campaign – but crucially changing the playing style.

It was a theme he returned to on Friday as he prepared for Sunday's encounter at home to Tottenham Hotspur, another club deeply into transition. Pellegrini spent the international break reviewing City’s matches so far and came to the same conclusion.

“I am absolutely sure,” was the phrase that punctuated his speech as he was peppered with questions on Joe Hart, defensive weaknesses and the title race. “If we play with 10 players at the back then it is very difficult for other teams to score a goal against us,” Pellegrini said.

“I’m not talking about [the way City played in] other seasons but there are different ways to play and maybe at the moment I am trying to have a [different] style for the club.

“I am absolutely sure that if we went to play against Cardiff or against Sunderland and waited in our own box, 10 players waiting for Sunderland, then I am absolutely sure that we don’t lose the game. But I am also absolutely sure that we don’t improve as a team.”

Lose on Sunday and that sense of certainty will be tested further. But City remain absolutely sure of one thing: they had to move on Mancini.

They remain hopeful that Pellegrini is the answer.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/10469948/Manchester-City-manager-Manuel-Pellegrini-need-not-worry-about-a-lack-of-support-from-clubs-hierarchy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... archy.html</a>

Historically, articles like the one above are rolled out by clubs when there ARE concerns. They normally happen about 2-3 weeks before the vote of confidence and 5 weeks before the sacking.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

From the Telegraph:

There are no regrets at Manchester City at sacking Roberto Mancini and hiring Manuel Pellegrini.

Ninth in the Premier League table, yes; four defeats away from home, yes; and uncertainty as to just where this campaign is heading, yes.

There are also doubts as to what their best team is and whether the balance of the squad is right – surely they could have bought better than Martin Demichelis? – as they veer from a 7-0 thumping of Norwich City to losing away against Sunderland.

In a season where consistency – that key to league success – is lacking and uncertainty reigns, the trend is being felt most sharply at City.

And yet for all that wider uncertainty, the club’s faith in Pellegrini is unshaken.

Even more so, there is a belief at City that they would be in a worse space – if not necessarily a worse place in the table – had Mancini remained: that if Italian had somehow survived the club would have continued in a downward spiral.

Mancini had to go. That is the consensus at City and, certainly, he would not have saved himself had he won the FA Cup last season. The decision to dismiss him had already been taken and did not hinge on City’s drab performance that day at Wembley.

Whether Pellegrini is the answer remains to be seen and City are candid enough about that. Why shouldn’t they be?

This is a club with extreme wealth and ambition – a tour around the vast training ground that is being built a short stroll from the Etihad Stadium is further confirmation of that – and one that intends to be here to stay as a European force.

League form is a worry, but there is no panic. City have negotiated themselves into the knock-out stages of the Champions League, something that Mancini had failed to do, even if he endured more difficult groups, and that has already been a cause of quiet celebration at the club.

The Chilean’s work is, sensibly, being looked at as a whole. It is not just about the first 11 league games of the season and City were serious when they talked about a desire for a “holistic” approach with a manager interested in every aspect of the club and creating a more positive environment.

There are other indicators. The sense at City was that individually and collectively the team slumped last season.

The performances of Yaya Touré, David Silva and Sergio Agüero were a cause for concern as was their unease. Even such exemplary professionals as James Milner were suffering. And it was noticed. Pablo Zabaleta was player of the year and as fine a right-back, and a character, as he is it was more a sign of how others had underperformed.

Now the reviews are raving for Agüero and Touré and City can also point to the injuries suffered to their two other key players – Silva and, in particular, captain Vincent Kompany, as being key factors. It is not far from clicking.

Finding a strong central defender has to be a priority in the January window along with an experienced goalkeeper, although City are now playing down the latter suggestion.

Nevertheless, the stats look harsh on Pellegrini. City have 19 points and a goal difference of plus 16, having scored 28 goals.

At the same stage last season City had yet to lose a league game and had earned 25 points, scoring 20 goals. The season before, when they won the league, is even starker – City had again yet to lose a league match and had already collected 29 points, 10 more than they currently have, having scored 37 goals.

However, Mancini already had a season and a half at the club before then and Pellegrini is charged not just with bringing success and making the team competitive – although there are no specific targets of silverware for this campaign – but crucially changing the playing style.

It was a theme he returned to on Friday as he prepared for Sunday's encounter at home to Tottenham Hotspur, another club deeply into transition. Pellegrini spent the international break reviewing City’s matches so far and came to the same conclusion.

“I am absolutely sure,” was the phrase that punctuated his speech as he was peppered with questions on Joe Hart, defensive weaknesses and the title race. “If we play with 10 players at the back then it is very difficult for other teams to score a goal against us,” Pellegrini said.

“I’m not talking about [the way City played in] other seasons but there are different ways to play and maybe at the moment I am trying to have a [different] style for the club.

“I am absolutely sure that if we went to play against Cardiff or against Sunderland and waited in our own box, 10 players waiting for Sunderland, then I am absolutely sure that we don’t lose the game. But I am also absolutely sure that we don’t improve as a team.”

Lose on Sunday and that sense of certainty will be tested further. But City remain absolutely sure of one thing: they had to move on Mancini.

They remain hopeful that Pellegrini is the answer.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/10469948/Manchester-City-manager-Manuel-Pellegrini-need-not-worry-about-a-lack-of-support-from-clubs-hierarchy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... archy.html</a>

Historically, articles like the one above are rolled out by clubs when there ARE concerns. They normally happen about 2-3 weeks before the vote of confidence and 5 weeks before the sacking.

He ain't getting sacked.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Loved the game yesterday. I thought we would struggle but Spurs decided to go toe to toe with us and were blown away as a result - indeed Aguero is probably the worlds best striker on his current form. Navas came through yesterday as well - which is good as I was starting to worry about him.

But its away from home were leagues are won and Pellers is making a right dogs breakfast of that. The comment on the Chillian KK is just about spot on. Great to watch but ultimately it is a fail. He has to win at WBA and Southampton and both of those teams will defend properly.

 

[cleavers]

If Manchester City v Spurs was must win for Pellegrini, as some "City" fans claimed, does it follow that the loser of Spurs v Man Utd should be sacked?

Very happy blue here, and I hope that this is a turning point for our season.

I wont really be truly confident of City until Kompany is back in the team - when that happens we will be a force home and away.

Those blaming Pellegrini for the away defeats are way off the mark, although I understand the frustration

The away results are hugely frustrating because we have shown yet again today that we can do what few, if any other, teams in the division can do.

Does anyone really think we won't turn the away form round ? If we can destroy a team like Spurs at home, then we can win the majority of our away games.

It will click, and when it does, we are going to be very very hard to keep up with, the deficit to Arsenal is still only 6, and we have the game in 3 weeks to reduce that to 3, even if they keep up their current form in the meantime.

 

[without a dream]

I'm not getting sucked into this daft thread again but I just have to comment on all these "have to admit MP got it bang on today" comments. He did nothing different today than he's been doing all season. The team picked itself. The formation and gameplan was exactly what it always is. If I'm really honest I didn't think we played as well as we have in some games, we were just clinical and no one made any silly errors.

Everything is going fine and dandy. Silverware beckons this season.

I don't think that's true Dave. The defensive approach was different to what we've seen so far. It seemed like we sat quite a bit deeper and were much more selective about when to press and when we were happy to be sit in 2 banks of 4 and ask Spurs to try and play through us. I actually think that's very encouraging in terms of improving away from home.

 

[Skashion]

I don't think that's true Dave. The defensive approach was different to what we've seen so far. It seemed like we sat quite a bit deeper and were much more selective about when to press and when we were happy to be sit in 2 banks of 4 and ask Spurs to try and play through us. I actually think that's very encouraging in terms of improving away from home.

I agree, I said within the first ten minutes that Clichy wasn't pushing forward. That's a plus for me, no point in Clichy being used in attack. I also think the stats reflect that we sat back more today playing a lower line with Spurs actually having slightly more possession in our half than we did in theirs. Virtually all of the goals were based on quick counters and not possession and territory domination. It allowed the pace of Navas and passing abilities of Nasri, Negredo, Aguero and Yaya to come to the fore. I'd say this is much more likely to work away than the constant higher line and employment of wing-backs - especially Clichy who adds nothing going forwards, It allows our best qualities to be maximised and our biggest weakness to be minimised. I liked it a lot, it addressed two of my three main criticisms at the moment; too much space behind, too few players defending that space. Bayern would still steam roller it with dominance in midfield, so would Barcelona, and it won't work against parked buses, but I'm confident it could work against most sides who come at us away from home. I think yesterday boded very well for us.

 

[Cobwebcat]

I'm not getting sucked into this daft thread again but I just have to comment on all these "have to admit MP got it bang on today" comments. He did nothing different today than he's been doing all season. The team picked itself. The formation and gameplan was exactly what it always is. If I'm really honest I didn't think we played as well as we have in some games, we were just clinical and no one made any silly errors.

Everything is going fine and dandy. Silverware beckons this season.

I don't think that's true Dave. The defensive approach was different to what we've seen so far. It seemed like we sat quite a bit deeper and were much more selective about when to press and when we were happy to be sit in 2 banks of 4 and ask Spurs to try and play through us. I actually think that's very encouraging in terms of improving away from home.

Definitely different though I'm not sure whether that was on purpose or because of how Spurs played.

 

[blueinsa]

From the Telegraph:

There are no regrets at Manchester City at sacking Roberto Mancini and hiring Manuel Pellegrini.

Ninth in the Premier League table, yes; four defeats away from home, yes; and uncertainty as to just where this campaign is heading, yes.

There are also doubts as to what their best team is and whether the balance of the squad is right – surely they could have bought better than Martin Demichelis? – as they veer from a 7-0 thumping of Norwich City to losing away against Sunderland.

In a season where consistency – that key to league success – is lacking and uncertainty reigns, the trend is being felt most sharply at City.

And yet for all that wider uncertainty, the club’s faith in Pellegrini is unshaken.

Even more so, there is a belief at City that they would be in a worse space – if not necessarily a worse place in the table – had Mancini remained: that if Italian had somehow survived the club would have continued in a downward spiral.

Mancini had to go. That is the consensus at City and, certainly, he would not have saved himself had he won the FA Cup last season. The decision to dismiss him had already been taken and did not hinge on City’s drab performance that day at Wembley.

Whether Pellegrini is the answer remains to be seen and City are candid enough about that. Why shouldn’t they be?

This is a club with extreme wealth and ambition – a tour around the vast training ground that is being built a short stroll from the Etihad Stadium is further confirmation of that – and one that intends to be here to stay as a European force.

League form is a worry, but there is no panic. City have negotiated themselves into the knock-out stages of the Champions League, something that Mancini had failed to do, even if he endured more difficult groups, and that has already been a cause of quiet celebration at the club.

The Chilean’s work is, sensibly, being looked at as a whole. It is not just about the first 11 league games of the season and City were serious when they talked about a desire for a “holistic” approach with a manager interested in every aspect of the club and creating a more positive environment.

There are other indicators. The sense at City was that individually and collectively the team slumped last season.

The performances of Yaya Touré, David Silva and Sergio Agüero were a cause for concern as was their unease. Even such exemplary professionals as James Milner were suffering. And it was noticed. Pablo Zabaleta was player of the year and as fine a right-back, and a character, as he is it was more a sign of how others had underperformed.

Now the reviews are raving for Agüero and Touré and City can also point to the injuries suffered to their two other key players – Silva and, in particular, captain Vincent Kompany, as being key factors. It is not far from clicking.

Finding a strong central defender has to be a priority in the January window along with an experienced goalkeeper, although City are now playing down the latter suggestion.

Nevertheless, the stats look harsh on Pellegrini. City have 19 points and a goal difference of plus 16, having scored 28 goals.

At the same stage last season City had yet to lose a league game and had earned 25 points, scoring 20 goals. The season before, when they won the league, is even starker – City had again yet to lose a league match and had already collected 29 points, 10 more than they currently have, having scored 37 goals.

However, Mancini already had a season and a half at the club before then and Pellegrini is charged not just with bringing success and making the team competitive – although there are no specific targets of silverware for this campaign – but crucially changing the playing style.

It was a theme he returned to on Friday as he prepared for Sunday's encounter at home to Tottenham Hotspur, another club deeply into transition. Pellegrini spent the international break reviewing City’s matches so far and came to the same conclusion.

“I am absolutely sure,” was the phrase that punctuated his speech as he was peppered with questions on Joe Hart, defensive weaknesses and the title race. “If we play with 10 players at the back then it is very difficult for other teams to score a goal against us,” Pellegrini said.

“I’m not talking about [the way City played in] other seasons but there are different ways to play and maybe at the moment I am trying to have a [different] style for the club.

“I am absolutely sure that if we went to play against Cardiff or against Sunderland and waited in our own box, 10 players waiting for Sunderland, then I am absolutely sure that we don’t lose the game. But I am also absolutely sure that we don’t improve as a team.”

Lose on Sunday and that sense of certainty will be tested further. But City remain absolutely sure of one thing: they had to move on Mancini.

They remain hopeful that Pellegrini is the answer.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/10469948/Manchester-City-manager-Manuel-Pellegrini-need-not-worry-about-a-lack-of-support-from-clubs-hierarchy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... archy.html</a>

Historically, articles like the one above are rolled out by clubs when there ARE concerns. They normally happen about 2-3 weeks before the vote of confidence and 5 weeks before the sacking.

Dream on pmsl.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I'm not getting sucked into this daft thread again but I just have to comment on all these "have to admit MP got it bang on today" comments. He did nothing different today than he's been doing all season. The team picked itself. The formation and gameplan was exactly what it always is. If I'm really honest I didn't think we played as well as we have in some games, we were just clinical and no one made any silly errors.

Everything is going fine and dandy. Silverware beckons this season.

I don't think that's true Dave. The defensive approach was different to what we've seen so far. It seemed like we sat quite a bit deeper and were much more selective about when to press and when we were happy to be sit in 2 banks of 4 and ask Spurs to try and play through us. I actually think that's very encouraging in terms of improving away from home.

Definitely different though I'm not sure whether that was on purpose or because of how Spurs played.

That's exactly what it was. Spurs pushed on. We didn't change anything about the way we played. The early goal meant they attacked us a bit more expansively so we just broke up their attacks and were incisive as we attacked. The only reason Clichy didn't appear to push on is that Lennon kept him busy.

Whilst we defended well throughout - a real positive for me - we were pretty poor going forward between about minutes 15 and 35 and we kept giving it back to them. Ya Ya and Nasri were particularly culpable here. But we got a bit lucky with the errors they made to gift us goals and then took total control of the game from then on in.