Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[JoeMercer'sWay]

When everyone is fit, I just don't see how Yaya gets in the starting 11 on merit. It's going to be a big problem for Pellegrini because I suspect we will be a much better, much more functional team without Yaya but I also sense that Yaya, for all manner of reasons, could be a very difficult player to drop. We could do with getting Yaya to New York in January in many respects to avoid the fall out but I can't see that happening.

Yeah, I think it's time for that change, well I thought it was 15 months ago 2bh.

 

[BillyShears]

When everyone is fit, I just don't see how Yaya gets in the starting 11 on merit. It's going to be a big problem for Pellegrini because I suspect we will be a much better, much more functional team without Yaya but I also sense that Yaya, for all manner of reasons, could be a very difficult player to drop. We could do with getting Yaya to New York in January in many respects to avoid the fall out but I can't see that happening.

Why do people operate in such extremes? Toure isn't finished at City there's just a tiny handful of games a season where he maybe can't be accommodated. NYC in Jan ? That's mad. He's still a TOP player as he proved against Sevilla laying on both our goals.

 

[supercity88]

I think the two have been trapped in their expensive gilded cages.

Both are top earners and that has distracted other clubs from taking a chance on players who could still do a job for them at a lower level.

Toure should have been sold the year he helped us win the title and he kicked-up all that shit, but our FFP restrictions put paid to any meaningful replacement being brought in.

Again, we should have cut our losses this summer but I do think we thought we could send him on his way in 12 months with another title and that would be a fitting send-off.

That doesn't mean he should be a regular in this present set-up.

Yaya is right, for 18 months, he was the best midfielder in the world, bar none. He didn't get the recognition and he will damage his reputation by dragging the inevitable out for much longer.

I hope we look after him, send him to NYC after a string of vital sub appearances.

Rooney is a different matter, he earns £300k a week and he's now trapped by his previous greed and United haven't been relevant enough to attract the type of striker upgrade they require these last couple years.

I completely agree. I think as long as the club manage Yaya carefully he's still an asset. He's an expensive player to bench but our progression domestically and in Europe probably depends on him being used as an impact player. Fernando looks much improved, Delph should add much needed midfield energy and we've plenty of attacking options. I think Yaya can play an effective role as a number 10 but I think he probably needs a bit more guile around him. If Silva is also on the pitch then we'd retain the ball a lot better and create some more chances. If Aguero was ahead of him he can carve out openings from that no.10 role. He'd be better used off the bench though. The fact is we don't need his creativity in games from that deep role so much with Silva in the no.10 position and the ability of De Bruyne. Late on we might and Yaya would excel against tired legs.

 

[supercity88]

Why do people operate in such extremes? Toure isn't finished at City there's just a tiny handful of games a season where he maybe can't be accommodated. NYC in Jan ? That's mad. He's still a TOP player as he proved against Sevilla laying on both our goals.

The Sevilla result papered over cracks. We were there for the taking Billy. Our setup was lopsided and we deserved to lose that game. Yes Yaya created both of our goals but he made an impact further up the pitch, his defensive contribution was woeful and nearly lost us the game. You can't blame one player for our defensive issues but our side lacks balance with Yaya in a central two. Fernandinho has to cover both of them and it ends up pulling our defenders all over the park. He can still play at the top level, as we kept clean sheets with him in the side. But I do think against the very best he can't do the required job as a box to box midfielder and he's not concerned about whether he's the energy in the legs to get back - that's what he needs to start thinking about.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I've been telling you about the YaYa conundrum for years ;-)

http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/yaya.290923/page-60#post-7338159

 

[Paul_Powers_Tash]

The Sevilla result papered over cracks. We were there for the taking Billy. Our setup was lopsided and we deserved to lose that game. Yes Yaya created both of our goals but he made an impact further up the pitch, his defensive contribution was woeful and nearly lost us the game. You can't blame one player for our defensive issues but our side lacks balance with Yaya in a central two. Fernandinho has to cover both of them and it ends up pulling our defenders all over the park. He can still play at the top level, as we kept clean sheets with him in the side. But I do think against the very best he can't do the required job as a box to box midfielder and he's not concerned about whether he's the energy in the legs to get back - that's what he needs to start thinking about.

I agree with BillyShears. The problem is that when we have the ball Yaya is the focal point for the majority of our more effective attacking play. His range of passing and pass selection are far superior to anone else we have at the club. Unfortunately when we dont have the ball Yaya is a complete liability.

We now have a choice. A midfield two or three without Yaya is much more solid defensively but far less effective from an attacking standpoint. A midfield with Yaya is far less defensively sound but far more dangerous from an attacking sense. We choose the side depending on the opponent and the required outcome. The challenge will be getting Yaya's ego to appreciate this.

For those reasons I think we need to persevere and accomodate Yaya. As uncomfortable as it may be, Yaya is still an vital component of the squad.

 

[supercity88]

I agree with BillyShears. The problem is that when we have the ball Yaya is the focal point for the majority of our more effective attacking play. His range of passing and pass selection are far superior to anone else we have at the club. Unfortunately when we dont have the ball Yaya is a complete liability.

We now have a choice. A midfield two or three without Yaya is much more solid defensively but far less effective from an attacking standpoint. A midfield with Yaya is far less defensively sound but far more dangerous from an attacking sense. We choose the side depending on the opponent and the required outcome. The challenge will be getting Yaya's ego to appreciate this.

For those reasons I think we need to persevere and accomodate Yaya. As uncomfortable as it may be, Yaya is still an vital component of the squad.

With Silva and Aguero unavailable then we probably need his attacking input. When they're fit I'd argue that most of the time all we need from our centre mids is quick ball to the front 4. Fernandinho can play a through ball when needed but Silva, Aguero, Sterling and De Bruyne have enough quality to carve out an opening.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Why do people operate in such extremes? Toure isn't finished at City there's just a tiny handful of games a season where he maybe can't be accommodated. NYC in Jan ? That's mad. He's still a TOP player as he proved against Sevilla laying on both our goals.

My point really is that when everyone is fit where does he now fit in as part of a best 11? Is he a better number 10 than silva, is he better in the two sat in midfield than either fern? I think the answer to those questions is no tbh although there's no doubting his quality with the ball at his feet when you don't consider any other aspect of the game. If we start dropping him for the biggest matches when he's fit I think there's the potential for grief, so what does pellegrini do? Well I know what he will do, he will pick him and the best teams will take advantage of his glaring lack of energy.

 

[BillyShears]

My point really is that when everyone is fit where does he now fit in as part of a best 11? Is he a better number 10 than silva, is he better in the two sat in midfield than either fern? I think the answer to those questions is no tbh although there's no doubting his quality with the ball at his feet when you don't consider any other aspect of the game. If we start dropping him for the biggest matches when he's fit I think there's the potential for grief, so what does pellegrini do? Well I know what he will do, he will pick him and the best teams will take advantage of his glaring lack of energy.

i just don't agree with you and the rest of the "Toure can't play in a midfield two" brigade. Let's leave it there as it's an utterly subjective discussion no matter how sure either us are of our respective opinion.

 

[Proy]

He doesn't fit in our best 11.

Aguero
Silva
Sterling
De Bruyne
Fernando
Fernandinho

That is a perfect balance. Fernando has been much better this year.

If Yayas biggest asset is what he brings going forward then he doesn't make the starting 11 for me, we have more than enough attacking options within the midfield/top of the pitch above.