Discuss Pellegrini

[Tim of the Oak]

It's not the only problem, but it's certainly one of them. Is Rodwell injured atm?

Its the critical problem. Rodwell is another box to box player. We have 3 by the looks of it. Yaya's natural game is to drive forward. Fernandinho clearly is not a holding player and also wants to drive forward when possible (hence playing slightly further forward than Yaya). Rodwell also likes to get box to box (his goal last home game of last season).

The only real pivot type player who can retain possession and protect the back four is Barry. And we are getting rid of him.

We are going to have to adapt and put an extra player in midfield with probably 1 up front.

Totally agree, which is why I've been critical of the Fernandinho signing. We needed a top quality holding midfielder (De Rossi?), and a top quality centre back, and I'm still waiting. Not overly impressed with Fernandinho tbh, and would hate to think he's going to limit Rodwell's chances of playing because we've overpaid for him.

Not sure we will ever get De Rossi but he first the bill for the holding player and leader in midfield that we are missing.

Part of the reason we are struggling with two up front is Aguero's first touch reduces the opportunities to link with Silva and others in the final third. In contrast, Tevez was as good on the ball as Silva and we could keep the pressure on the oppositions back four as our intricate passing often worked.

I agree with Gordon about the location of the wod is nigh bloke. Used to see him not far from the booth where players' families etc would pick up tickets from Peter.

 

[andyhinch]

Football, like life, isn't as simple as you appear to be painting it. I'm happy to reserve any meaningful judgment until the end of October.

One point of order, NF. I'm sure the "end of the world is nigh" bloke used to loiter outside the North Stand and occasionally the Main Stand :-)

There was one at Piccadilly station yesterday, brought some memories.

I suppose if they keep saying it, they will eventually be correct.

A bit like BS and DD

 

[samharris]

Not least because after "Matchday 3" we will be at least 4th and possibly 3rd.

I accept that it is early doors, and that flapping and squawking that the world has fallen and that the end of the world is nigh, like that bonkers bloke and his sandwich board who used to loiter outside the Kippax, is premature, but there is so much missing at the moment in terms of tactical nous, inventive play, and commitment on the field from the players that it really is hard to see any kind of blueprint or template for the future, based on what we have seen so far.
A squad as talented and experienced as this should be running rings around hardworking journeymen like Hull and Cardiff - not looking like strangers who have met up on holiday for an impromptu five-a-side knockabout.
I think it is fair for folk to express their concerns, even at this early juncture, as what we have seen so far lacks any form of cohesion, or pace, or urgency.
Alarm bells shouldn't be ringing just yet, but apparently we need to show 'progress', according to our resident genius, and right now I don't see a great deal of it.

Football, like life, isn't as simple as you appear to be painting it. I'm happy to reserve any meaningful judgment until the end of October.

One point of order, NF. I'm sure the "end of the world is nigh" bloke used to loiter outside the North Stand and occasionally the Main Stand :-)

I wonder what the 'end of the world is nigh' bloke will have on his gravestone??

"oh bollocks" probably.. ;)<br /><br />-- Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:14 am --<br /><br />

There was one at Piccadilly station yesterday, brought some memories.

I suppose if they keep saying it, they will eventually be correct.

A bit like BS and DD

Bra Strap and cup size ???

 

[George Hannah]

I accept that it is early doors, and that flapping and squawking that the sky has fallen in,and that the end of the world is nigh, like that bonkers bloke and his sandwich board who used to loiter outside the Kippax, is premature,....

that's my dad you're talking about!

 

[samharris]

I accept that it is early doors, and that flapping and squawking that the sky has fallen in,and that the end of the world is nigh, like that bonkers bloke and his sandwich board who used to loiter outside the Kippax, is premature,....

that's my dad you're talking about!

You need to have a word then fella..;)

 

[Anonymous]

Love how shears pops up to question my posts re mancini etc yet has never answered the questions from yesterday..outed by tgr billy just resorts to sarcasm..oh well...why dont you reply to skashion or fetters billy...???See you at the match later...oh hang on.....

-- Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:51 am --

Love how shears pops up to question my posts re mancini etc yet has never answered the questions from yesterday..outed by tgr billy just resorts to sarcasm..oh well...why dont you reply to skashion or fetters billy...???See you at the match later...oh hang on.....

Not questioning you - just taking the piss out of you for being a moron.

Im sure his family ( of whom you showed great interest in 3 weeks ago) will find that comment rather saddening..

I'm sure his family have bigger problems than me calling him a moron.

 

[without a dream]

It's a poor start but Pellegrini should sort it quickly, if not we're in serious trouble, we can afford to lose about 5 games and we've already thrown one of those away against Cardiff, too many more similar performances and we'll be having to win every game to be in with half a shout.

 

[samharris]

It's a poor start but Pellegrini should sort it quickly, if not we're in serious trouble, we can afford to lose about 5 games and we've already thrown one of those away against Cardiff, too many more similar performances and we'll be having to win every game to be in with half a shout.

We know we have good players,we know we have a good manager..its all just a matter of time til the creases get ironed out..
just need to build up more steam and press on.. ;)

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

I don't think the Pellegrini debate would be this much of a talking point if it weren't for two people!

Kompany and Kolo Toure.

Kompany is the teams leader and he is the man who guides our defence through games.

Likewise Kolo, whilst not as good as Kompany he was someone the manager could call on who had experince and most importantly leadership qualities that benefited the defence.

Cardiff was a shambles and yesterday was looking like going the same way.

Nastasic and Lescott are both good defenders, Nastasic looks like he may turn in to something really special. But they both require someone along side them to to take control of everything.

If you look at ourn rivals, there back up CB's are either far more experienced or just generally better than ours.
I dont think letting Kolo leave was wrong, but not replacing him up to now is!

Defence aside our over all performance against Hull was poor, but that is something almost to be expected in the early days under a new manager. Getting things solid at the back is where any manager should make it a priority, then build the team from there.

I am less worried about our offensive play at the minute as it is clear we have the players in those positions and they will click.

Bringing in leadership and calmness at the back is a must, then I think we'll be fine.

 

[OB1]

I don't think the Pellegrini debate would be this much of a talking point if it weren't for two people!

Kompany and Kolo Toure.

Kompany is the teams leader and he is the man who guides our defence through games.

Likewise Kolo, whilst not as good as Kompany he was someone the manager could call on who had experince and most importantly leadership qualities that benefited the defence.

Cardiff was a shambles and yesterday was looking like going the same way.

Nastasic and Lescott are both good defenders, Nastasic looks like he may turn in to something really special. But they both require someone along side them to to take control of everything.

If you look at ourn rivals, there back up CB's are either far more experienced or just generally better than ours.
I dont think letting Kolo leave was wrong, but not replacing him up to now is!

Defence aside our over all performance against Hull was poor, but that is something almost to be expected in the early days under a new manager. Getting things solid at the back is where any manager should make it a priority, then build the team from there.

I am less worried about our offensive play at the minute as it is clear we have the players in those positions and they will click.

Bringing in leadership and calmness at the back is a must, then I think we'll be fine.

We do appear to be on the verge of replacing Kolo. Opinions differ on Dimichelis. I think he is a very good CB but I don't know if, at 32 and not being the quickest, he will prove to be a good acquisition for us; although I am reasonably hopeful that he will.