Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini (2014/15)

[cleavers]

I can't fault him for yesterday. He changed the system, which is what I wanted. And with what we've got available, 4-5-1 works far better than 4-4-2. In the league, we can probably cope, but in Europe, we'll always struggle.

I'm not 100% sure he did change the system, it looked on paper that he had, but did he just shuffle the deck chairs ?

I'm not greatly arsed with formations, I don't think they're that important overall, but to me we seemed to spend most of the game with a midfield four, though it did change a few times, and pretty well two forwards, even if it did utilise attacking midfielders, at least until Bony came on.

It didn't work either way.

 

[Pam]

Well he cant blame injuries now. Luckily last few weeks we are injury free. Lost 4 out of 5 in this time.

Someone said in another topic and I agree this Barca is great but they probably will suffer a bit more in next round even if they meet a lesser squad than City. Monaco, Porto and even Juve will be able to get a draw at home at least imo. PSG too clearly.

Two French teams in quarters and no English thats something. Both beating English ones so we cant blame lucky draw or something.

Also interesting is we got two of Porto's best player yet they are in quarter finals and we arent. Did they became any weaker with losing Fernando/Mangala?Doesnt look like it. Did we became stronger with them? I leave that answer to someone else...

City have played way below par in Europe and the League. No point trying to make any comparisons with the state of English football

PSG are a tremendous team. I would like them to win the competition for the bravery with 10 men at Stamford Bridge. That was one of the best performances I have seen in years. But I think Bayern will win

Roma apart we have been bloody awful in the CL this season. The CSKA home game is still our worse performance by some distance. It was so bad it was funny.

Not to mention the EPL and the two domestic knock out competitions. What a completely shit season.

 

[Sergi0 Na5r1]

City have played way below par in Europe and the League. No point trying to make any comparisons with the state of English football

PSG are a tremendous team. I would like them to win the competition for the bravery with 10 men at Stamford Bridge. That was one of the best performances I have seen in years. But I think Bayern will win

Roma apart we have been bloody awful in the CL this season. The CSKA home game is still our worse performance by some distance. It was so bad it was funny.

Not to mention the EPL and the two domestic knock out competitions. What a completely shit season.

Threw the towel in on the minor domestic competitions before it even got difficult.

 

[BillyShears]

I'd expect in the next week or so for the club to make it clear either directly or indirectly that Pellegrini will remain in charge next season. Don't think last night's performance will make much difference to his short/medium term future.

I have to say, watching Guardiola in the stands, I find it hard to imagine him coming to City, even next summer. We'd need an insane rebuild this summer. I know we're going to buy players, but for someone like Pep (or Klopp, or pretty much any manager who likes their teams to play with energy, tempo, and pace) we're going to need 7 or 8 players.

For starters, the entire midfield would need rebuilding from the ground up. That means Silva, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Fernando, and Milner would all IMO need to be replaced.

 

[jollylescott]

I'd expect in the next week or so for the club to make it clear either directly or indirectly that Pellegrini will remain in charge next season. Don't think last night's performance will make much difference to his short/medium term future.

I have to say, watching Guardiola in the stands, I find it hard to imagine him coming to City, even next summer. We'd need an insane rebuild this summer. I know we're going to buy players, but for someone like Pep (or Klopp, or pretty much any manager who likes their teams to play with energy, tempo, and pace) we're going to need 7 or 8 players.

For starters, the entire midfield would need rebuilding from the ground up. That means Silva, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Fernando, and Milner would all IMO need to be replaced.

Watching Pep in the stands it was hard not to think that he would be scared off. He has a reputation and moving to City even in 12 months would be a stretch.

As for the rebuild I think you are a tad over the top. I think there is a case for Merlin and Dinho. They need better players around them. The rest as mentioned can go.

 

[BlueDejong]

Please sack him now.

 

[BillyShears]

I'd expect in the next week or so for the club to make it clear either directly or indirectly that Pellegrini will remain in charge next season. Don't think last night's performance will make much difference to his short/medium term future.

I have to say, watching Guardiola in the stands, I find it hard to imagine him coming to City, even next summer. We'd need an insane rebuild this summer. I know we're going to buy players, but for someone like Pep (or Klopp, or pretty much any manager who likes their teams to play with energy, tempo, and pace) we're going to need 7 or 8 players.

For starters, the entire midfield would need rebuilding from the ground up. That means Silva, Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Fernando, and Milner would all IMO need to be replaced.

Watching Pep in the stands it was hard not to think that he would be scared off. He has a reputation and moving to City even in 12 months would be a stretch.

As for the rebuild I think you are a tad over the top. I think there is a case for Merlin and Dinho. They need better players around them. The rest as mentioned can go.

I'm just not sure Silva has the legs for a high energy game. If you look at the strength and tenacity and work rate of guys like Iniesta, Silva falls short for me.

Being replaced doesn't necessarily mean sold but it does mean that in our best XI their position is questionable.

I think we saw this collection of players' swan song last night. Toure being sub'ed was the beginning of the final act for the team we built in 2011.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Liverpool,Arsenal and maybe even the Rags are in better form than us.....so losing our top 4 place is a real concern.Personally I think he has run out of ideas,so.....do we stick or twist? whatever the answer,it's certainly one of the biggest questions of recent times......?? Saturday may just have turned into a season/career defining game.

 

[BillyShears]

Liverpool,Arsenal and maybe even the Rags are in better form than us.....so losing our top 4 place is a real concern.Personally I think he has run out of ideas,so.....do we stick or twist? whatever the answer,it's certainly one of the biggest questions of recent times......?? Saturday may just have turned into a season/career defining game.

This decision is gonna hinge on the intentions of the potential successors. For my money City will know already who they can/can't get this summer. Hence I think we'll have clarity sooner rather than later.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Liverpool,Arsenal and maybe even the Rags are in better form than us.....so losing our top 4 place is a real concern.Personally I think he has run out of ideas,so.....do we stick or twist? whatever the answer,it's certainly one of the biggest questions of recent times......?? Saturday may just have turned into a season/career defining game.

This decision is gonna hinge on the intentions of the potential successors. For my money City will know already who they can/can't get this summer. Hence I think we'll have clarity sooner rather than later.

Almost certainly they will have sounded out future management options,however,my main concern now is the interim......regardless of the successor and the timing of their arrival.....I'm beginning to think Pellegrini is currently more of a hindrance than a saviour and by keeping him in situ may even be causing us long term damage.
I'm not even sure he knows his best team or line up.