Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[B\connellblue]

Wouldn't it be nice to see what could be achieved if we had a real world class manager. Why settle for at best a good manager(not a great one and certainly not world class) and at worst a stubborn ,Clueless one. Some of the key players in the greatest era I have seen at city are aging or becoming more and more injury prone, soon it will be too late and that will the most tragic part of all.

 

[cookster]

Last 2 games sum MP up for me. Vs Villa who barely threatened s shot plays a solid 3 in midfield and no striker. Then against s team everyone knows will press abandons the midfield 3 to replace them with 2 lads who would get outpaced at walking football.
I've never thought him good enough even in season 1 but tried to give him the benefit of the doubt since he has shown he can get it right but today he was back to his shocking worst.
That said, the lack of mental strength or game nous from the players looked clearly obvious today. I don't know why this happens but was similar to that terrible patch last autumn v CSKA, Newcadtle league

Great summary. Really drives home how idiotic the selection and tactics for the last 2 games have been.

 

[BigOscar]

The even more worrying thing for me is that this has been a recurring problem, not only with this manager but the previous one as well. When teams press us and play with a high tempo, we go to shit. It happened in pretty much every CL game under Mancini and in a lot of league games under both Mancini and Pellegrini. This game reminded me a lot of the disastrous game against Southampton where Gareth Barry scored the screaming own goal, where they pressed our midfield two, got on our CB's and didn't allow us to get out and it's still happening 3 years later with a different manager and mostly different players. Why we've been unable to fix that in the time is beyond me, we still keep making the same mistakes and expecting different results.

It's getting to the point where we need a new, enthusiastic manager to help bring through a collection of new, young, energetic players who are willing to play at a tempo that we currently only do in 10 minute patches. Pellers has had more than enough time to change things and for every one step forwards (like against Sevilla) we take another one back and end up right where we started. A few players and the manager need letting go before we can really start afresh

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

The even more worrying thing for me is that this has been a recurring problem, not only with this manager but the previous one as well. When teams press us and play with a high tempo, we go to shit. It happened in pretty much every CL game under Mancini and in a lot of league games under both Mancini and Pellegrini. This game reminded me a lot of the disastrous game against Southampton where Gareth Barry scored the screaming own goal, where they pressed our midfield two, got on our CB's and didn't allow us to get out and it's still happening 3 years later with a different manager and mostly different players. Why we've been unable to fix that in the time is beyond me, we still keep making the same mistakes and expecting different results.

It's getting to the point where we need a new, enthusiastic manager to help bring through a collection of new, young, energetic players who are willing to play at a tempo that we currently only do in 10 minute patches. Pellers has had more than enough time to change things and for every one step forwards (like against Sevilla) we take another one back and end up right where we started. A few players and the manager need letting go before we can really start afresh

We tried this pressing game once against Newcastle at the start of Pellegrini's first season. It worked a treat. I thought we looked great. It lasted one game. We just amble around now and can't keep possession which was our speciality. Without Silva we are average.

 

[robbieh]

Imagine what a world class manager would do with this squad. Will we ever get the chance to find out, or are we waiting until Silva, Kompany and Aguero join Yaya on the scrap heap? We're wasting away the true potential of this team.

It is too late for Yaya but as long as we get rid of Manuel soon, Kun and DS will have time. Hopefully we get someone worthy of them.

 

[nellyonthewing]

I think his only priority is European semis .If he gets us there and has a lucky Chelsea moment then his career is complete. The EPL or cups seem to be a distraction to him. He is disconnected from the majority of City fans who want more domestic success. Essentially he's gambling for broke on Champions League.
If we get knocked out of europe it may be not too late to rescue a capital one trophy and try to pass this off as successful season whereas the reality is its yet another huge opportunity wasted.
I for one do not think we will ever see Pep here, it seems bizarre that MP has got this mandate to gamble another season away even if its his last. I think MP's judgement is flawed and he's not on his own.

 

[argyle]

Problem isn't just with Pellers.

There are players also not up to standard either technically or mentally.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I think his only priority is European semis .If he gets us there and has a lucky Chelsea moment then his career is complete. The EPL or cups seem to be a distraction to him. He is disconnected from the majority of City fans who want more domestic success. Essentially he's gambling for broke on Champions League.
If we get knocked out of europe it may be not too late to rescue a capital one trophy and try to pass this off as successful season whereas the reality is its yet another huge opportunity wasted.
I for one do not think we will ever see Pep here, it seems bizarre that MP has got this mandate to gamble another season away even if its his last. I think MP's judgement is flawed and he's not on his own.

It does seem that way. CL or bust which let's face it if we go into a game against the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern with a defence as shit as that it would be bust very quickly.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

The even more worrying thing for me is that this has been a recurring problem, not only with this manager but the previous one as well. When teams press us and play with a high tempo, we go to shit. It happened in pretty much every CL game under Mancini and in a lot of league games under both Mancini and Pellegrini. This game reminded me a lot of the disastrous game against Southampton where Gareth Barry scored the screaming own goal, where they pressed our midfield two, got on our CB's and didn't allow us to get out and it's still happening 3 years later with a different manager and mostly different players. Why we've been unable to fix that in the time is beyond me, we still keep making the same mistakes and expecting different results.

It's getting to the point where we need a new, enthusiastic manager to help bring through a collection of new, young, energetic players who are willing to play at a tempo that we currently only do in 10 minute patches. Pellers has had more than enough time to change things and for every one step forwards (like against Sevilla) we take another one back and end up right where we started. A few players and the manager need letting go before we can really start afresh

A big worry is that if we keep MP long term we are going to badly decline since our golden 5 are unfortunately showing signs of unraveling. Even as a big supporter of YaYa he can't be any more than a bit part player next season, VK is never consistently fit, Sergio misses around a third if each season and in perhaps 2 years Merlin will be in the decline.
We need a manager who can not only take us to the next level but massively rebuild as well. If we cannot get Pep then thr hierarchy better sort it bloody quick

 

[@BluePhil8]

I missed the game because I was at work today, I will watch Match of the Day tonight. I’m sure the usual people will defend Pellegrini staunchly, which is their right. I’ve voiced my opinion time and time again re: Pellegrini, specifically towards the end of last season when I was quite vocal about wanting Ancelotti to take the reins. The key issues for me are: The current trajectory of the club doesn’t follow suit of other top European clubs. Usually a manager will go through three key stages at a top club:
1. A period of 1 to 2 seasons where the club are in transition.
2. A period of success.
3. A period of stagnation resulting in the manager departing.
It feels like Pellegrini’s three years have gone like this:
1. A period of success.
2. A period of stagnation.
3. A period of stagnation.
And alarmingly after three seasons we still seem to be struggling to find our identity under Pellegrini. By now we should be a well-oiled machine, capable of playing a high line, high tempo, high pressing game. Instead every we are all over the place defensively.

This squad of players is the best we have ever had. Aguero, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling with Bony, Nasri and Navas in reserve. What other club in England can boast such riches? None. To back up our supreme attacking talent we have a spine who have been here for years. A world class goal keeper shielded by a defence consisting of Zaba, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy is on paper one of the best defensive units in world football. Our back up back four should is terrific on paper as well. The playing staff is not the issue. We have weeded out the rotten apples like Tevez and Balotelli, weeded out the grating coaching staff like Mancini. The environment of the club is all geared for success, yet it is not happening.

I truly believe that the psychological advantage in football is half the battle. It’s how Ferguson dominated with some awful players like Valencia, Nani and Wes Brown in his later years. Teams turned up already defeated. It is unforgivable for a club with aspirations like ours to concede 4 goals to Spurs and Liverpool. Unforgivable. Real Madrid will be asking serious questions tonight about Rafa Benitez, and we should be doing the exact same thing.

Some of our supporters are loyal to the point where it negatively affects the club. Bayern, Barca, Madrid and Chelsea have gone through managers on a yearly basis and they are the most successful clubs in World Football, yet us English people are brainwashed in to thinking we must replicate Ferguson at every club.

Some fans will argue, “but Pellegrini can only do so much, he can’t stop Mangala from scoring an OG”. Pellegrini has all week to prep this team, discover his oppositions weak points and defend ours. That is why he is paid a fortune. If we don’t do our jobs on Saturday it’s because he hasn’t done his job during the week.

I sound arrogant but this is where the club is now, if we can not walk a trophy this year we have fucked up. Big style. This is the weakest League in a long time and we are making this a real real struggle.

Just had to get that off my chest.