Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[Kazzydeyna]

I agree with that post, definitely, although it was perfect for that game rather than being perfect for us full stop. That type of system and performance relied on a team pushing onto us, it relied on bony holding it up, the wide men running at players and it was also the only system which layer to yaya's strengths. He played facing the goal but didn't have to make last ditch tackles or turn.

Silva or de Bruyne are good enough to slot into one - but not both - of the wide roles potentially, but Sergio can't hold it up like Bony. I see it as another string to our bow rather than the answer to everything.

What's really fucking brilliant, though, is that we can build performances like that on a solid back four with hart, vinny and otemendi holding it together. This team is evolving before our eyes and the squad strengthening by Txiki over the last couple of years is really paying dividends. This was a big, big night.

Difficult to disagree with any of that

 

[Neville Kneville]

I agree with that post, definitely, although it was perfect for that game rather than being perfect for us full stop. That type of system and performance relied on a team pushing onto us, it relied on bony holding it up, the wide men running at players and it was also the only system which layer to yaya's strengths. He played facing the goal but didn't have to make last ditch tackles or turn.

Silva or de Bruyne are good enough to slot into one - but not both - of the wide roles potentially, but Sergio can't hold it up like Bony. I see it as another string to our bow rather than the answer to everything.

What's really fucking brilliant, though, is that we can build performances like that on a solid back four with hart, vinny and otemendi holding it together. This team is evolving before our eyes and the squad strengthening by Txiki over the last couple of years is really paying dividends. This was a big, big night.

I agree. We came of age again tonight. Last time, v Roma, we forgot how we did it. But this was a level above.

The one black mark was Mr K, who looked as if he had a bet on Seville.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

the problem won't be formation or line-up, but whether they can show the required motivation to put much weaker teams to bed, and not create Norwich scenarios.

Will be the difference between marching away with the title and having an unnecessary fight which distracts us. Hope we take that drive and imperiousness into Saturday and take Villa to the cleaners.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I agree. We came of age again tonight. Last time, v Roma, we forgot how we did it. But this was a level above.

The one black mark was Mr K, who looked as if he had a bet on Seville.

Yeah, we are missing Clichy badly at the moment. Kolorov can come In to give him a rest when we have Bournemouth and Leicester and man united at home.

 

[cleavers]

I see it as another string to our bow rather than the answer to everything.

Totally agree, different games need different approaches, tonight's worried me when I saw it. It turned out to be one of the best I've watched in 45+ years.

What's really fucking brilliant, though, is that we can build performances like that on a solid back four with hart, vinny and otemendi holding it together.

Its hard on Mangala who has also been superb this season, we now have real quality at the CB positions, so losing one of them for a game or two isn't an issue, last season the back up was Boyata, a decent enough player, but not the level we required, and I doubt Denayer would have been ready yet either.

 

[cleavers]

And that includes Guardiola, who is going to united anyway.

I hadn't heard that, when was it agreed ?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

the problem won't be formation or line-up, but whether they can show the required motivation to put much weaker teams to bed, and not create Norwich scenarios.

Will be the difference between marching away with the title and having an unnecessary fight which distracts us. Hope we take that drive and imperiousness into Saturday and take Villa to the cleaners.

I really believe that we are going to. I keep saying it but I think we will win the title by 10 points and get a long way in the champions league. We are going up through the gears and we are still missing our best two players. I couldn't be more optimistic, honestly. It really feels to me like everything is in place now.

 

[hilts]

I agree with that post, definitely, although it was perfect for that game rather than being perfect for us full stop. That type of system and performance relied on a team pushing onto us, it relied on bony holding it up, the wide men running at players and it was also the only system which layer to yaya's strengths. He played facing the goal but didn't have to make last ditch tackles or turn.

Silva or de Bruyne are good enough to slot into one - but not both - of the wide roles potentially, but Sergio can't hold it up like Bony. I see it as another string to our bow rather than the answer to everything.

What's really fucking brilliant, though, is that we can build performances like that on a solid back four with hart, vinny and otemendi holding it together. This team is evolving before our eyes and the squad strengthening by Txiki over the last couple of years is really paying dividends. This was a big, big night.

I disagree that silva can hold down that wide role and even de Bruyne i am not sure about, the question for me is can either do the toure role

I would swap Sergio for bony at juve and that would be it, hopefully people are now seeing the importance of work rate and pace in those wide areas and how toure has to play in a three man midfield but forward facing and not a number 10

Dropping 2 of toure,silva,kdb is a huge call for pellegrini and without injuries pushing him I am not sure he is bold enough to make that call

We will see

 

[thereWasATime]

Tactical Genius! Proof that not all old people are stubborn!

 

[BenLlewellyn]

Tactically brilliant. Same again at Juve.