Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[George Hannah]

You keep making 'pmsl' postings. Again, and regardless of who was and was not available, if you aren't concerned by the way we defend, both in open play and at set pieces, then you are either utterly nerveless or blind. First half today was beyond clueless, and following on from what went on at Anfield and Old Nafford last season and against Madrid pre-season, I just don't know where your confidence in the manager is coming from.

At difficult times like these the manager should get the benefit of any doubt. The Hawthorns is a huge test of the man and his players now.

 

[franksinatra]

There is reason to be concerned how we defend not based on this preseason but on the previous two seasons also. Without question we are more attacking but from the word go, of Pellers rein, we have looked less compact in central midfield, offering less protection to the centre of defence which consequently, in my opinion, has led to the poor form of Nastasic, Garcia, Lescott, Kompany, Mangala etc etc. Admittedly there own form has not helped but unless the loss poor form of all these players is coincidental, then it is a symptom of this failing.

Quite simply we have never replaced, adequately, Gareth Barry with our scatter gun transfer approach to this position or then altered the tactical set up (4-4-2) to accommodate the personnel we have at our disposal.

It is a worry but hopefully 4-2-3-1 next year will change this. Regarding set pieces, at both ends, I am not as optimistic.

 

[malg]

Is he a **** again?

 

[baildon blue]

New players are great but what happened to managing?

Squad we have is more than capable.

That's the problem he's not managing the team .
I do wonder what Pellergrini does with the team in training .
He can manage the Chile team now if that's what he wants .

I trust Mr Pellegrini, the season hasn't even started yet and some people are panicking!![

 

[Man city fan 72]

I'm with you, many of our best players to come back into the team and the transfer window still open so who knows who else will be added. I can't wait for the start of the season. Don't see the point in going into the season with a negative mindset it could be our best season yet who knows.

Could be mate, but looking at that Defence today will tell you different. Demichelis alone won't stop the flow of goals against us.

 

[flb]

Agree with this unfortunately. Defence is an absolute shambles and we need a top centre back and left back asap!

Thing is mate it's so fucking obvious it's frightening , casing point that Kolorov looks like he's going to get loads of minutes on the pitch this season, and what the fuck abacus head on the other side brings to the club God only knows , coupled by the fact that Mangala needs three seasons to become a "Defender" then you start to realise just how fucking shit we are defensively.

It's all about entertaining football you know , pandering to how the "Brand" looks.


Roll on Pep

 

[franksinatra]

Thing is mate it's so fucking obvious it's frightening , casing point that Kolorov looks like he's going to get loads of minutes on the pitch this season, and what the fuck abacus head on the other side brings to the club God only knows , coupled by the fact that Mangala needs three seasons to become a "Defender" then you start to realise just how fucking shit we are defensively.

It's all about entertaining football you know , pandering to how the "Brand" looks.


Roll on Pep

Do you think it is the players or the system though. I have criticised Mangala many times but when you think of the others Lescott, Nastsic, Kompany, they all went backwards and now Zaba last season. we do play attacking football but I think we did in 2011/12 (scored 93 goals) and yet the defence was as diligent as ever.

 

[sam-caddick]

Biggest concern tactically is us not looking like we have worked on any defensive structure this pre-season, in particularly off the ball.

 

[Credo]

I trust Mr Pellegrini, the season hasn't even started yet and some people are panicking!!

Nonsense. It is not panic or a negative mindset. Simply a realistic appraisal of where we stand. In some positions we do not stand at all and collectively as a team have fallen short of pre season opposition. Stuttgart finished 14th in their league and spent most of the season fighting relegation.

 

[kalouk]

Could be mate, but looking at that Defence today will tell you different. Demichelis alone won't stop the flow of goals against us.

Demichelis and Mangala kept three clean sheets out of the last four games last season it's quite possible they could pick up where they left off.