Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[meltonblue]

It was just one of those games. Had Bony stayed on, I think we would have won it comfortably.

We created the chances to win the game. One thing that drives me absolutely mad is when players try to flick the ball in behind their standing leg from a cross (the De Bruyne chance). Just sodding hit it in!

Still, we've manage to get through a period of injuries to our main spine players and are top of the league and already through in the CL so being overly critical seems a bit daft to me.

In terms of Toure, to me, we have fave main players that make up our spine and if any are not playing, it has an impact on our overall approach and quality. They are Hart, Kompany, Toure, Silva and Aguero. It would be interesting to see the win/ loss ratio for all of those players individually when they are missing for us. I have a feeling that, although it doesn't feel like it for most, Toure won't be the one that we don't miss the most...

 

[Steve68]

It's Silva we miss the most. The way he can receive the ball in midfield, keep hold of it and create chances. He can make strikers look good. I love the skilful and tenacious little bugger.

 

[Pablo ZZZ Peroni]

It was just one of those games. Had Bony stayed on, I think we would have won it comfortably.

We created the chances to win the game. One thing that drives me absolutely mad is when players try to flick the ball in behind their standing leg from a cross (the De Bruyne chance). Just sodding hit it in!

Still, we've manage to get through a period of injuries to our main spine players and are top of the league and already through in the CL so being overly critical seems a bit daft to me.

In terms of Toure, to me, we have fave main players that make up our spine and if any are not playing, it has an impact on our overall approach and quality. They are Hart, Kompany, Toure, Silva and Aguero. It would be interesting to see the win/ loss ratio for all of those players individually when they are missing for us. I have a feeling that, although it doesn't feel like it for most, Toure won't be the one that we don't miss the most...

Starting with Aguero, it will be a surprise to many, including Thierry Henry and the media, that our results haven't suffered when he has been missing as a starter. In fact we have done superbly well without him.

The last time we lost a game he didn't start was against Barcelona back in February 2014. Since then he hasn't started 22 times and we have won 18 and drawn 4.

 

[kaz7]

It's Silva we miss the most. The way he can receive the ball in midfield, keep hold of it and create chances. He can make strikers look good. I love the skilful and tenacious little bugger.

It really is,i expect if you asked the players they would agree,i can't wait to have him back

 

[cibaman]

It's obvious that Pellegrini sees Toure as almost undroppable and is willing to accommodate him regardless of his form/performance. Although I 100% disagree with this in principle, in practice with the injuries we have had piled up I can see why he wants him in the pitch for as long as possible. He can make the telling difference even after 90 minutes of total indifference.

I think its because so much of our play goes through Toure. When he's missing we just don't seem able to fill the gap. The classic example was the home game against Villa last season. He was dreadful for 45mins and rightly subbed at half time. In the second half our play actually deteriorated because nobody else picked up his role. I really expected him to leave in the summer and, much though I've loved watching the bloke play for us, would have been happy with that, providing that we brought someone in to take over his passing role.

 

[Chris in London]

When all is said and done, we have not managed to field our first choice XI once this season. Not once. Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva, Aguero and Yaya would usually be the first 6 names on the team sheet and they have not started a single game together this season. We started the season with Zaba out (admittedly Sagna has been outstanding this season). Kompany was out for almost a month - bear in mind we have conceded one goal with him in the team this league campaign, and that was when Joe dropped a cross 2 yards from our goal. Aguero is on his second injury break of the season (the first was when he came off against Palace) and Silva's injury has coincided with Nasri's - Nasri has often sparkled in games Silva has missed (e.g. the 4-0 against the rags in Pelle's first season).

Despite that, we are still top with a third of the season gone.

Pellegrini must be doing something right.

 

[Colin Bell's Boots]

When all is said and done, we have not managed to field our first choice XI once this season. Not once. Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva, Aguero and Yaya would usually be the first 6 names on the team sheet and they have not started a single game together this season. We started the season with Zaba out (admittedly Sagna has been outstanding this season). Kompany was out for almost a month - bear in mind we have conceded one goal with him in the team this league campaign, and that was when Joe dropped a cross 2 yards from our goal. Aguero is on his second injury break of the season (the first was when he came off against Palace) and Silva's injury has coincided with Nasri's - Nasri has often sparkled in games Silva has missed (e.g. the 4-0 against the rags in Pelle's first season).

Despite that, we are still top with a third of the season gone.

Pellegrini must be doing something right.

You wouldn't think so judging by some of the hysteria posted. Some are in danger of losing their perspective.

 

[Steve68]

And so must Wenger. Not that I expect them to keep it up.

 

[Pablo ZZZ Peroni]

When all is said and done, we have not managed to field our first choice XI once this season. Not once. Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva, Aguero and Yaya would usually be the first 6 names on the team sheet and they have not started a single game together this season. We started the season with Zaba out (admittedly Sagna has been outstanding this season). Kompany was out for almost a month - bear in mind we have conceded one goal with him in the team this league campaign, and that was when Joe dropped a cross 2 yards from our goal. Aguero is on his second injury break of the season (the first was when he came off against Palace) and Silva's injury has coincided with Nasri's - Nasri has often sparkled in games Silva has missed (e.g. the 4-0 against the rags in Pelle's first season).

Despite that, we are still top with a third of the season gone.

Pellegrini must be doing something right.

I've just checked the times all 6 started since Pelle has been here. Surprised me how infrequent it has been. In the league just 4 times in 13/14 and 6 times in 2014/2015. Only 3 times in the Champions League as well.

 

[Shaelumstash]

That's not something I've argued.

I was defending the decision to bring on Navas ahead of Iheanacho as the first sub. It proved to be the right call as Navas set up two golden chances and we should've won the game in those moments.

However, I'd agree that Iheanacho should've been given at least 20 mins and for me it would've been either Toure or Fernando who got the hook.

Still, Pellegrini was highly unlucky that his first decision didn't pay dividends, as on another day those would've gone in and we wouldn't be disputing whether a striker was needed.

It didn't prove to be the right call though did it, because we didn't score a goal against the bottom of the league!

Bringing Kelechi on and bringing Navas on aren't two inextricably linked things. It's possible to bring them both on.

Navas played very well, I actually think he should have started. But because he played well you're suggesting it proves it was the right decision not to bring on a striker? I totally disagree.

It was Bony that came off, not a winger. We completely changed shape to essentially play 60 minutes without a striker, that was a grave error. De Bruyne had a go up front and was shite, Sterling had a go and was a bit better, but not much. We had one of the most promising centre forwards in world football on the bench, utterly bizarre.

Navas could have come on later in the game for De Bruyne, Sterling, Fernando, Fernandinho or Yaya.

The manager got it totally wrong and any of his super fans still trying to defend him for his performance on Sunday are embarrassing themselves. He got it spot on against Seville, he got it absolutely wrong against Villa. Have some balance.