Manuel Pellegrini

[Puppet Master Silva]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

 

[Bill]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

 

[FantasyIreland]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

How exactly did we weaken the squad?

 

[Puppet Master Silva]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

The squad unity that Pellegrini has instilled will also help, it goes without saying that we won't make the same mistake twice when it comes to signing this summer.

 

[Skashion]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

Another reason might be that we probably won't have to get 89 points. People forget how high a benchmark that is. Only one team in history has not won the top flight with 89 points. We had to beat the record setting runners-up in 2012 and we would have had to have done it again in 2013. People also seem to have forgotten very quickly that the rags were on record-breaking pace almost all of last season. If we compare our points total this season compared to the rags' last season with eight games left they would have been TEN points in front. 89 is an impressive enough points total, and one that would obviously have seen us runners-up again this season, but that doesn't take into account that it looked like they'd be setting the new Premier League points record with eight games remaining. Had the rags last season maintained their form (in points per game) from the first 30 games over the last 8 games, they'd have finished on 98 points! For the first 30 games of that season they racked up 2.56 points per game.

I hate to say it but I think some people have bought into the media propaganda from last season about how bad (worst title defence in history blah blah blah) we were rather than looking at the facts and appreciating the points-winning machine the rags were for most of last season and how any team in history would have struggled to beat that lot to the title last year.

 

[cibaman]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

Another reason might be that we probably won't have to get 89 points. People forget how high a benchmark that is. Only one team in history has not won the top flight with 89 points. We had to beat the record setting runners-up in 2012 and we would have had to have done it again in 2013. People also seem to have forgotten very quickly that the rags were on record-breaking pace almost all of last season. If we compare our points total this season compared to the rags' last season with eight games left they would have been TEN points in front. 89 is an impressive enough points total, and one that would obviously have seen us runners-up again this season, but that doesn't take into account that it looked like they'd be setting the new Premier League points record with eight games remaining. Had the rags last season maintained their form (in points per game) from the first 30 games over the last 8 games, they'd have finished on 98 points! For the first 30 games of that season they racked up 2.56 points per game.

I hate to say it but I think some people have bought into the media propaganda from last season about how bad (worst title defence in history blah blah blah) we were rather than looking at the facts and appreciating the points-winning machine the rags were for most of last season and how any team in history would have struggled to beat that lot to the title last year.

That's a very good post.

 

[aguero93:20]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

How exactly did we weaken the squad?

Adam Johnson > Scott Sinclair
Nigel de Jong > Javi Garcia
Nastasic = Lescott
Maicon < Micah Richards
Rodwell < Pizarro
Balotelli > No one

 

[bluebaja]

I completely agree that the Manager deserves huge credit for what we have achieved this season. On a slight aside I am sure that the appointment of Manuel is a reflection of the attitude and approach of our owners.
That is also why I am sure we will not, in the foreseeable future, see the likes of Balotelli (for all his undoubted talent), play for us as we seem to be going for the quiet, non controversial approach. (Hopefully it is also another reason why we will keep Aleks, a strong but quiet professional).
And (final point) I wonder if this is why the 'Champions together' scarves, or at least the one that I got, are 'Made in England' Don't often see that on any item of clothing I can afford!

 

[Bill]

A large reason that we will see a much better defence of the title this time round is that he has the respect and admiration of the players, I think we'll successfully defend the PL under Manuel.

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

How exactly did we weaken the squad?

well Sinclair for Johnson and Garcia/ rodwell for nige for starters. all done of course to be able to replace the manager a year later.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

The main reason we'll retain the title is we'll improve the squad over the summer, we didn't do that last time, if anything we weakened it.

How exactly did we weaken the squad?

well Sinclair for Johnson and Garcia/ rodwell for nige for starters. all done of course to be able to replace the manager a year later.

It's over, bill, mate ;-)