Discuss Pellegrini

[grim up north]

No he isn't, nothing like it. A few comments on this thread are not what you need to judge City fans by.

I would suggest bluemoon never has and never will represent the general consensus of what the majority of City fans think

Hmmm, what people type whilst sat behind a keyboard is often quite different to what they would say if they were in a group, I think on the whole we have a good cross section of opinions, it stands to reason that at a game with 47,000 people and millions watching on TV, you will get many different opinions

Hmm indeed after 45 years of watching the mighty blues with many many friends made. I can honestly say I have never come across any hysteria. There a vocal minority on here who are either wum,s or highly strung panic merchants or still at school. Plus there quite a few on here who haven't got a clue

 

[OB1]

In particular wanted to pull this post out of that zonal marking thread because I know Braggster won't mind and I like the post a lot.

I thought we defended the set pieces well, considering who was missing and the height disparity in the sides (doubt Mancio/Kidd will get any credit in the press for that though...). Though I have to say Stoke's delivery was often wasteful, which was obviously helpful.

Agree on the zonal marking. Zonal marking has distinct advantages over man marking, and the best system (as always) depends on the strengths and weaknesses of your side and the opponents. Zonal marking requires at least two big, strong, determined, fearless players to attack the ball in the key areas IMO, otherwise you're asking for trouble.

The 'debate' over man/zonal marking in the punditocracy is obviously a laughable load of old tosh. You'd think teams never concede when man marking.

I don't know what the stats show to be the best method but I favour the zonal marking approach to corners. However, I would imagine that if one system was dramatically more effective than the other, the less effective method would have fallen into disrepute. Whether you can correlate the average height of a team to the effectiveness of method to explain why both methods are used is something that I also don't know. What I do know is that the key to successfully defending corners is for a defender to get to the ball first and I suspect if the defenders are focused on just that task, rather than worrying about where an opponent is, they are more likely to succeed.

I am surprised that Pellegrini moved away from zonal but I would expect our players to be able to operate either approach successfully; although it may take time to fully adjust.

 

[OB1]

The last several pages have been interesting; not got time to respond at length I'd have to agree with pretty much everything Mr Shears posted. I'm not sure that Yaya will be rotated that much but I expect that he will actually get a few rests. I am also far from convinced that Yaya at the base of the midfield is our big problem. His passing into the box wasn't great yesterday but he is capable of better. However, if you want to play a high possession, passing game, he remains an excellent hub.

 

[Anonymous]

Another cracking post mate. I would've just gone with "Zaba losing his man twice doesn't constitute a shambolic defensive system" - but I like the meat you put on the bones for me!

Your point is equally effective, and I'd add that there isn't a system on the planet that doesn't require your keeper to claim a ball inside his 6 yard box.

It was something that i was just going to bring up about the keeper, whatever system is played the keeper should come for the ball within his 6 yard, Hart clearly didn't, is that the systems fault?

As stupid an individual I am, I just couldn't for the life of me understand why Milner did not drag their forward away from the keeper. Harsh and possibly simplistic but a consideration in my tiny mind nonetheless.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm indeed after 45 years of watching the mighty blues with many many friends made. I can honestly say I have never come across any hysteria.

Hahahahahaha.

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

 

[Skashion]

City have always had a solid contingent of tossers. The internet didn't make Richard Edghill cry. The internet didn't make Mike Summerbee be glad that Nicky went off to Sunderland. The internet didn't make Gary Flitcroft observe "they're the best fans in the world when they're behind you but the loudest booers in the land when they're not" (I have quoted that as if it's verbatim, it's not because I can't source it, but it's always stuck with me and I am absolutely sure he said very similar words). Trying to claim it's an internet thing is plain wrong. Indeed, some of the South Standers had a go at Kolarov at the end of last season. I've always called them the Main Stand Moaners.

 

[newenglandblue]

Sunday is only a problem if repeated. I think/hope that we will look back at it as a one off. As I said in another thread taking the lead showed the initial plan worked - to a degree at least - we then let 3 goals in that were less down to the set up and more to individual errors. The zonal/man marking is a fair discussion, but I dont think it had much of a bearing on the 2nd, and both Joe and Zabba could have done better on the 3rd. Trying to decide if he is good enough after 2 games is more guesswork than anything else. What you can say is how he conducts himself, and so far in my eyes he seems to have the personality needed to succeed. Get through the next 5 games with 11+ points and we will be in great shape.

 

[Plaything of the gods]

Well let's hope Pellegrini learns more, and applies it faster, than our opposing managers do.

 

[Bill]

Anyone that is judging Pellegrini after two matches isnt worth worrying about. For me, the desperation to blame the manager for poor performances excuses the fact that the same players are making the same errors in the way they approach the game.

Joe had a stinker as did zab. Add that to an already makeshift defence and its difficult as it is .the manager is in no way to blame. Let the cardiff fans be deluded enough to think they are any good, we'll just get better and better over the season.

 

[pass2silva]

Your point is equally effective, and I'd add that there isn't a system on the planet that doesn't require your keeper to claim a ball inside his 6 yard box.

It was something that i was just going to bring up about the keeper, whatever system is played the keeper should come for the ball within his 6 yard, Hart clearly didn't, is that the systems fault?[/quote]
As stupid an individual I am, I just couldn't for the life of me understand why Milner did not drag their forward away from the keeper. Harsh and possibly simplistic but a consideration in my tiny mind nonetheless.

Well, yes, I think that the system can take some blame for this.
If you man mark, and the attacking team place two players in the middle of the 6 yard box, with the main intention of blocking off the keeper, the defensive team responds by marking those two players. Hence, there are now 4 players in this area, plus the keeper. IF marking zonally, the defensive team leaves these two attackers unmarked and leaves the keeper to deal with any ball coming into this area; if the keeper does his job, these two attackers are of no danger, at least not in the first phase of play. Now, surely it is a lot easier for the keeper to come and dominate this area when the 6 yard box is only half as populated, regardless of whether these players are attackers or defenders?
While I think Hart should still have dealt with that cross on Sunday, I am convinced half of the problem was getting blocked by the shear number of people in the 6 yard box. Hence, with zonal marking, I am convinced he would have been able to claim or punch that cross comfortably.