Re: Manuel Pellegrini (interesting interview pg 115)
Regarding the full backs, I think part of the problem on the right hand side is that Zabba doesn't know whether to stick or twist with Navas in front of him. How many times have we seen him make himself available for the overlap, only for Navas to ignore him. Defending, he's looked a yard off since returning late from the World Cup. 5 weeks ago, when it became clear that Fernando is in fact, not PL standard, I would have tried Zabaleta as DM , and given him a few games to adjust to that position, while Sagna, with the benefit of regular game time, would hopefully return to the player we bought from Arsenal at right back. As much as we hate him, Rodgers has shown that a tried and trusted system has to be scrapped if you no longer have the players to make it work. Pellers doesn't have the players to make his system work. If he is not going to change it, then at least be creative in the DM role......giving us the energy, tackling ability, drive and reading of the game needed in that position.
On the left, I just don't agree with the rotation....the weight of games has not been there, and with Clichy the man in form, then he should have kept the jersey. By rotating again after Kolarov got fit, we now have a situation where neither of them are in form...
Regarding the full backs, I think part of the problem on the right hand side is that Zabba doesn't know whether to stick or twist with Navas in front of him. How many times have we seen him make himself available for the overlap, only for Navas to ignore him. Defending, he's looked a yard off since returning late from the World Cup. 5 weeks ago, when it became clear that Fernando is in fact, not PL standard, I would have tried Zabaleta as DM , and given him a few games to adjust to that position, while Sagna, with the benefit of regular game time, would hopefully return to the player we bought from Arsenal at right back. As much as we hate him, Rodgers has shown that a tried and trusted system has to be scrapped if you no longer have the players to make it work. Pellers doesn't have the players to make his system work. If he is not going to change it, then at least be creative in the DM role......giving us the energy, tackling ability, drive and reading of the game needed in that position.
On the left, I just don't agree with the rotation....the weight of games has not been there, and with Clichy the man in form, then he should have kept the jersey. By rotating again after Kolarov got fit, we now have a situation where neither of them are in form...