deano ou812 said:
Sky Blue said:
deano ou812 said:
Still early days will wait until another 9-10 games,but have to say looking at pelligrini walking off at full-time he looked disillusioned hope he doesn't turn out to be another ramos/scolari.....
He thought we played ok that's the worrying thing....
Bloody hell didn't see or hear his post match interview,maybe this is the holistic approach...
Here you go
Manuel Pellegrini has declared himself satisfied with a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium. In a week that has seen the vast majority of his squad dispersing across the globe for international duty, the Chilean believes that a point at one of City's bogey grounds is no bad result.
The 59-year old also pointed to the five injury absentees as other obstacles that City had to overcome going into this tricky encounter.
"For us it was a very difficult week because we were missing four players," Pellegrini admitted.
"We know that here at Stoke it's always very difficult, so I think it's a good point for us in a difficult week because all of our players were away with their national teams.
"Players played with their national squad, two games in one week, we have to play today, next Tuesday, next Sunday, next Wednesday - we have seven games in 21 days, so it's important to have rotation.
"From the back four, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, and Gael Clichy and David Silva are out and we have the Champions League on Tuesday so it's a good point for us.
Although Stoke City undoubtedly had the best chances to claim all three points from the game, City's boss believes that it was a good performance from his side and that they were good value for their point.
"I think we played well, we want to make more chances to score but they are tough opposition and if we played like we played today in the Cardiff game we would have won," he declared.
"We must continue, we always want to win but if we cannot win, it's important not to lose.
"We have to create chances to score. Stoke did a very good game so it's a difficult team to play against, in a week where we had many special circumstances.
"We must improve in a lot of ways but we know about that."
Pellegrini revealed that his captain may well be available for selection again on Tuesday when City travel to the Czech Republic for their Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen.
He also reserved special praise for Joe Hart after his accomplished performance between the posts.
"We'll see with Vincent what happens, we'll talk tomorrow, with the doctor with the player and we'll see if he can play on Tuesday but if not, I'm sure he'll be fine for the derby next Sunday," Pellegrini stated.
"I have trust in Joe Hart and it was a clean sheet again in the last four games and the two last games we played in the PL so that's always important for a goalkeeper and I'm sure Joe will continue with this."
Manuel's counterpart, ex-City boss Mark Hughes, was understandably disappointed not to claim the points and rued missed chances in front of goal.
"I think the story of the game was that we were quite comfortable," Hughes told reporters after the game.
"We just lacked that final ball or that appreciation of what was required at that key moment and weren't able to capitalise."
