Manchester City vs Liverpool Pre Match Thread.

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

I rarely question Mr Pellegrini's judgement but why is he not playing Mangala? Yes he was in the French squad for the WC but he didn't play so he is not tired. Is he not fit? The reason given 'just started working with the team' is a bit lame really because he has been with us for a while now and others have come straight in when they have been transferred. Just wondering, not criticising, just wondering.

First game was a tough away fixture against a new look and optimistic Newcastle and second game tough home fixture against last season's title rivals are not the games to put in a new young centre half.

We know we can rely on Komps and Demi so for these first two I think we should stick with them.

Stoke at home next will be the ideal debut for the lad.

Yeah, but that's another toughie, going by last season's performance ;-)

 

[Durham Blue]

Manuel is going to be very careful , no huge shake up from the a Newcastle starting 11. He really is "the engineer" no upheaval , just steady improvements. For me that will be Zabby coming back to the starting 11 to replace Kolarov and hopefully Auguero in for Jovetic and Dzeko as I think we will go 5 in mid-field but I expect he will play Dzeko up front on his own to start. That's already two or three changes so more than that I.e. Bringing in Sagna or Mangala I'd be surprised, why risk it?

We were at Newcastle and still there 30 minutes after the end of the match, they gave Milner a full fitness run out , a serious test so maybe he will be the extra man in mid-field? So I expect midfield of Silva, Fernando (who was great at Newcastle) , Fernandinho, YaYa, and maybe Milner.

By the way some kid ask for a photo with Milner (the stadium was empty) he posed for a selfie and then gave the kid his shirt, really nice gesture , and not doing it for show as there was no-one left at all in St James's

 

[Puppet Master Silva]

I rarely question Mr Pellegrini's judgement but why is he not playing Mangala? Yes he was in the French squad for the WC but he didn't play so he is not tired. Is he not fit? The reason given 'just started working with the team' is a bit lame really because he has been with us for a while now and others have come straight in when they have been transferred. Just wondering, not criticising, just wondering.

First game was a tough away fixture against a new look and optimistic Newcastle and second game tough home fixture against last season's title rivals are not the games to put in a new young centre half.

We know we can rely on Komps and Demi so for these first two I think we should stick with them.

Stoke at home next will be the ideal debut for the lad.

I would of thought this was self-explanatory.

 

[cibaman]

I rarely question Mr Pellegrini's judgement but why is he not playing Mangala? Yes he was in the French squad for the WC but he didn't play so he is not tired. Is he not fit? The reason given 'just started working with the team' is a bit lame really because he has been with us for a while now and others have come straight in when they have been transferred. Just wondering, not criticising, just wondering.

It's a big game, why throw him in at the deep end before he has had time to bed in with the squad?

I rarely question Mr Pellegrini's judgement but why is he not playing Mangala? Yes he was in the French squad for the WC but he didn't play so he is not tired. Is he not fit? The reason given 'just started working with the team' is a bit lame really because he has been with us for a while now and others have come straight in when they have been transferred. Just wondering, not criticising, just wondering.

I can only think that maybe pre season first involves fitness training and not tactical training?

Maybe he's fit but not up to speed for match play?

Thank you gentlemen, I understand both your reasons and I guess I agree but when will he be up to speed and when will he have the tactical training? Surely that comes with 'match practice'? Just my random thoughts. As I have always said, I have faith in Mr Pellegrini, just pondering that's all.

I think it's down to the position he plays. Building an understanding with the rest of the back four is so important. Centre backs rarely settle immediately in the pl, just look at how vidic struggled at United in his first season.

He'll eventually have to be thrown in at the deep end but two or three weeks working with the defenders in training will make it easier

 

[Rammyblues]

From photos of training on MUEN site, four defenders in bibs were

Sagna
MDM
Komps and Clichy


In interview it seems he won't rush Kun back early seemed to get impression best he is going to get is the bench with maybe 30 mins playing time as opposed to 10mins.

 

[LoveCity]

Guidetti and Nastasic did not train despite being in Manchester, yet Micah and Sinclair did. Interesting.

 

[citytill1die84]

From photos of training on MUEN site, four defenders in bibs were

Sagna
MDM
Komps and Clichy


In interview it seems he won't rush Kun back early seemed to get impression best he is going to get is the bench with maybe 30 mins playing time as opposed to 10mins.

My back 4 for sure Clichy against pace no brainer. Obviously Zaba over Sagna but that's fitness.

 

[sam-caddick]

From photos of training on MUEN site, four defenders in bibs were

Sagna
MDM
Komps and Clichy


In interview it seems he won't rush Kun back early seemed to get impression best he is going to get is the bench with maybe 30 mins playing time as opposed to 10mins.

My back 4 for sure Clichy against pace no brainer. Obviously Zaba over Sagna but that's fitness.

Wasn't there an article stating Pellegrini's intention of giving Zabaleta an extended break after playing so many games last season?

The article stated Sagna will fill in until Zabaleta is ready if I remember correctly.

 

[aguero93:20]

I rarely question Mr Pellegrini's judgement but why is he not playing Mangala? Yes he was in the French squad for the WC but he didn't play so he is not tired. Is he not fit? The reason given 'just started working with the team' is a bit lame really because he has been with us for a while now and others have come straight in when they have been transferred. Just wondering, not criticising, just wondering.

I'm guessing because we've got our two title winning centre halves available and he'll have done next to no work on the following; defending set pieces, offside trap, covering advanced full backs etc.
Bringing a new attacking signing into the team would be one thing, it might make us a bit less fluid or a bit disjointed going forward, but bringing a new defender in and disrupting a settled back line in a game like this could cause serious damage.

 

[citytill1die84]

From photos of training on MUEN site, four defenders in bibs were

Sagna
MDM
Komps and Clichy


In interview it seems he won't rush Kun back early seemed to get impression best he is going to get is the bench with maybe 30 mins playing time as opposed to 10mins.

My back 4 for sure Clichy against pace no brainer. Obviously Zaba over Sagna but that's fitness.

Wasn't there an article stating Pellegrini's intention of giving Zabaleta an extended break after playing so many games last season?

The article stated Sagna will fill in until Zabaleta is ready if I remember correctly.

He has said it mate and that's the beauty of 2 class RB's no need to rush him :)