The first half was shambolic but it is not difficult to see the problems. First of all, many attacking players are not really match ready it seems- Nasri should be no where near the field, Dzeko and even Aguero look short of fitness and are really not playing well.
Before the start of the match I was thinking that I wish we had another midfielder to partner Fernandinho that is not only good enough but has the legs to play in a midfield two, which more of less rules out Lampard. I thought Milner but still don't think he the answer in that midfield but based on the first half showing I believe he would have done a better job than Fernando. The more I see the current midfield, the more flaws I see and even when Yaya comes back, It is still a position that worries me a little bit. I just wish Pellegrini could just cheekily put one of the EDS midfield players on the bench and start given them a few minutes here and there.
The most glaring issue, which I have already mentioned is the Navas approach. This has been key to our offense and it looks like we have to revert to it, take the good with the bad at least until the likes of Nasri can be ready to do something in the side of the pitch. But he is still our main attacking player, Navas is, it may sound ridiculous but that is just the way it is. We will have to employ him in the second half, which will switch on that right side of our attack,. It will even make Zabaleta play better.
If we don't get three points in this game then optimism for this season in my opinion is something that should be frowned upon because we don't deserve anything from this season if we throw another three points down the gutter today.