Discussion: Manuel Pellegrini 2015/16

[George Hannah]

However, we cannot afford to have our pants pulled down again like we did at yard-dog scuffle holes such as the Swamp and Klanfield last season.

I hope you don't mind but I've sent that sentence to the O.E.D. for their next revision.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Villareal away is about the only one I can remember. He's always been a second half player in that position.

the view from that top tier was so bad I didn't even know he played there that day. That was the 10-11 season I think. He did well many times that season in that role, including the cup semi against United. It's since then he's hardly played there.

 

[sh249]

My instinct with the players we currently have would be something along the lines of either:

------------------Hart------------------
Zaba--Kompany--Mangala--Clichy
-------------Fernandinho------------
--------Yaya-------------Delph/Nasri (depending on opposition)
----Silva-----Aguero--------Sterling-

Or:

------------------Hart------------------
Zaba--Kompany--Mangala--Clichy
-----Fernandinho----Yaya-----------
--Nasri--------Silva-----------Sterling
--------------Aguero------------------

I'm still not entirely sure which system I'd prefer. Playing Silva as a 'No. 10' in a 4-2-3-1 may help to get the very best out of him. But then an orthodox three in midfield would give us far more - and better - options there.

I also agree with Didsbury Dave that the chances of seeing Yaya going back to play behind the striker are slim. I've never been entirely convinced of him there (I think he's a much better player when he's behind the ball and can move forward from deep); far more importantly, Pellegrini has shown little inclination to use him in that role (as far as I can recall, the Nastasic/Hart Chelsea game was the last time he started there?). I reckon it's more likely that he may even be drawn further back to play a deeper, Pirlo/Alonso-type role alongside two other midfielders (possibly Fernandinho and Delph). Which I actually think could be a fairly astute move, as it would possibly allow him more time on the ball than he currently gets. Might even help prolong his career at the top level, too.

 

[OB1]

A lot of people touting Toure to return to his 2010-11 position behind the striker this season, but I'd be surprised. I don't think Pellegrini fancies him there. He's played him there maybe 2-3 times in the last couple of years, and moved him there later in games more often. But he hasn't had many good games from the start in that role at all.

I don't think Yaya will start as often as people think this year.

Depends on some degree to who we buy and I think City need to start managing Yaya's game time with a view to prolonging his career. However, if his form is good he will still play a lot of games because none of the player we have bought or are linked with will be better at running games (as EB points out). I said throughout last season, we needed to keep Yaya and buy someone who can eventually takeover from him but that should be a steady transition with the apprentice(s) learning from the master. And if Yaya is serious about playing until he is 40, he may have an awful lot more game time for City ahead of him.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Depends on some degree to who we buy and I think City need to start managing Yaya's game time with a view to prolonging his career. However, if his form is good he will still play a lot of games because none of the player we have bought or are linked with will be better at running games (as EB points out). I said throughout last season, we needed to keep Yaya and buy someone who can eventually takeover from him but that should be a steady transition with the apprentice(s) learning from the master. And if Yaya is serious about playing until he is 40, he may have an awful lot more game time for City ahead of him.

Yes, it's a sensible point. He's so big, and plays with such stamina and bursts of power that i think he needs to be rationed. He's looked great in the pre-seasons, in fact he often looks great after an absence. I get the feeling that he doesn't like being on the bench, to be honest, though.

If he is playing from deep, and it's been 4 seasons now that he has, he needs an absolute bundle of energy alongside him and around him, to mop up and cover when he pushes on. I think Delph and (hopefully) DE Bruyne offer this in spades.

 

[OB1]

I'd favour Tolmie's 4-2-3-1 with Ya Ya in the middle of the 3 if he plays. He's looked pretty sharp pre-season, and he finished last season in a far more industrious mode than he started it, which is good news. However, we cannot afford to have our pants pulled down again like we did at yard-dog scuffle holes such as the Swamp and Klanfield last season. Ya Ya's lack of defensive effort in those games was a key factor in what were abject defeats. I want him doing what he does best, ie running the show like no other footballer in the Premier League is capable of, and that means a proper support network behind him

Hopefully Yaya will finally start to get some some pressure from other players for his spot in the team and be spurred on to keep his place as first choice. Even if that eventuates, I would hope that for certain games, we will pick more solid line-ups than is the norm.

 

[OB1]

Yes, it's a sensible point. He's so big, and plays with such stamina and bursts of power that i think he needs to be rationed. He's looked great in the pre-seasons, in fact he often looks great after an absence. I get the feeling that he doesn't like being on the bench, to be honest, though.

If he is playing from deep, and it's been 4 seasons now that he has, he needs an absolute bundle of energy alongside him and around him, to mop up and cover when he pushes on. I think Delph and (hopefully) DE Bruyne offer this in spades.

I suspect Delph is the guy who will feature rather more than some expect, for that very reason.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I hope you don't mind but I've sent that sentence to the O.E.D. for their next revision.

Ha ha, be my guest!

 

[Alex - City Matters]

the view from that top tier was so bad I didn't even know he played there that day. That was the 10-11 season I think. He did well many times that season in that role, including the cup semi against United. It's since then he's hardly played there.

It was the 2011-12 season pal.

And don't get me started on that stand at Villarreal, it was a death-trap! I fell down that thing before kick off, it was really steep and the seats were smaller than the steps meaning anyone who fell took about five rows beneath them with along with them. Result made up for it, in the end mind!

 

[adrianr]

A lot of people touting Toure to return to his 2010-11 position behind the striker this season, but I'd be surprised. I don't think Pellegrini fancies him there. He's played him there maybe 2-3 times in the last couple of years, and moved him there later in games more often. But he hasn't had many good games from the start in that role at all.

I don't think Yaya will start as often as people think this year.

If we get Pogba, no. If not I wouldn't be surprised to see us try and eek one last full season out of him rather than be stuck with a second choice. Not wild on the idea of going into next season with Yaya, Fernandinho, Delph and Fernando as our midfield options.