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A key measure of any manager is whether they get best out of the players. So how's the Count doing at this early stage. My nominations would be Silva, Aguero, Nasri clearly playing better. Kolarov has also improved. Clichy, Zabaleta and Hart worse ( although Joe was probably on the way down last season). Nasty worse also although he wasn't as good as he was cracked up to be. Dzeko infuriatingly inconsistent as ever. Yaya probably about where he was last season which is pretty darn good with his free kicks a great bonus this season.

New players. Negredo a big hit; powerful, hard working, a pain in the arse for defenders. Fernandinho class although probably played out of position which limits his influence. Navas a little disappointing but his best might be to come. He certainly has blistering pace. Jovetic very unlucky with injuries. De Michelis a decent sub for Kompany but too early to mark for me.

Interested in other views.

Clichy has looked appalling in large patches this season. Hart wank but he was last season also.

Dzeko just infuriates the fuck out of me. He is capable of such quality but he is, as you say, so hit and miss and it's his half-arsed application when in a "miss" game that drives me mad. Another interview with him bleating in the press today. Saying he went to see Khaldoon when Mancini wasn't playing him; moaning wanker. It is like his is completely oblivious to his own faults....all he needs to do is read the papers after one of "those" games...or watch a few videos of them....and he should have all the information he needs for why Sergio and Alvaro (and previously Carlos) played ahead of him. If he could up his game when he it is not happening for him he would be a top player; as things stand he is a good striker but not great. I'd sell him at Xmas if we could.

Silva, Aguero, Nasri....all miles better. Mase's bf also decent.

ant london wrote:Clichy has looked appalling in large patches this season. Hart wank but he was last season also.

Dzeko just infuriates the fuck out of me. He is capable of such quality but he is, as you say, so hit and miss and it's his half-arsed application when in a "miss" game that drives me mad. Another interview with him bleating in the press today. Saying he went to see Khaldoon when Mancini wasn't playing him; moaning wanker. It is like his is completely oblivious to his own faults....all he needs to do is read the papers after one of "those" games...or watch a few videos of them....and he should have all the information he needs for why Sergio and Alvaro (and previously Carlos) played ahead of him. If he could up his game when he it is not happening for him he would be a top player; as things stand he is a good striker but not great. I'd sell him at Xmas if we could.

Silva, Aguero, Nasri....all miles better. Mase's bf also decent.

Not seen that piece re Dzeko. Not good.

I do think he's playing better though, just not as good as Serge & Negredo.

Imo, Serge, Nasri, Silva, Kolarov miles better, Dzeko Yaya better. Clichy, Zabba Hart utter crap. Lescott Vinny Nastasic slightly below par.

Bob seemed to bring the best out of his fullbacks in general, so far Pellegrini only seems to be getting better performances from Kolarov (out of the fullbacks). I'd say our attacking players are doing well (just look at our goal difference) but the jury is still out on the midfield for me although it is showing signs of improvement lately. Defence is still all over the place though.

the biggest change is the left-back position imo. Kolarov has improved greatly at defending. Clichy, for some reason, has been horrid.

also, Zabaleta seems to have turned from one of our best players last season and the best RB in the league last season to an avaerage player who makes too many mistakes now. its curious.

Dameerto wrote:Bob seemed to bring the best out of his fullbacks in general, so far Pellegrini only seems to be getting better performances from Kolarov (out of the fullbacks). I'd say our attacking players are doing well (just look at our goal difference) but the jury is still out on the midfield for me although it is showing signs of improvement lately. Defence is still all over the place though.

The worrying thing for me is that Clichy did exactly this at Arsenal. From 'wonderful' to 'reserve' in a few seasons. Looked a lot sharper v Norwich though tbf.


Zabba has been fucking awful imo & it's only because we all love him, that few mention it. Sure, he sometimes still gets great interceptions in, but some of his (lack of) marking & decision making has been poor. He has recently gone back to the dithering shitty, crossing routine as well, after the Count having him putting first time crosses in earlier season. The Count has probably taken his eye off it because of the Hart/defensive shambles. Clichy has also been tragic recently in that area.

Zabba did a lot of holidaying in the summer, honeymoon etc, so I'm hoping it's just a loss of concentration/ passing phase.

My worry about Dzeko is that I can't see him ever being prepared to press high up the field as the Count clearly wants. It's just not his game. In that sense you wonder whether he'll fit in long term. Negredo on the other hand absolutely fits that bill. Dzeko is the more natural finisher though which no doubt will give the City hierarchy pause before offloading him.

blues2win wrote:My worry about Dzeko is that I can't see him ever being prepared to press high up the field as the Count clearly wants. It's just not his game. In that sense you wonder whether he'll fit in long term. Negredo on the other hand absolutely fits that bill. Dzeko is the more natural finisher though which no doubt will give the City hierarchy pause before offloading him.

He is at least making some effort though, which is better than before.

It'll be interesting to see how Micah performs, when fully match fit, following his injury lay-off, especially with PabZab looking a little less than his old self of late.

The Dzeko story was in the Sunday Mirror today, so make of that what you will, but in the article he is reported as saying that he likes Pellegrini and the dressing room atmosphere is better now. However, if we do go after a new centre-back in January (or preferably two), I wouldn't be surprised if Dzeko were off-loaded to help finance any such acquisitions.

On that basis, I'm really intrigued as to how DeMichelis will shape up (or not), given his past association with Pellegrini.

Ted Hughes wrote:
The worrying thing for me is that Clichy did exactly this at Arsenal. From 'wonderful' to 'reserve' in a few seasons. Looked a lot sharper v Norwich though tbf.

Zabba has been fucking awful imo & it's only because we all love him, that few mention it. Sure, he sometimes still gets great interceptions in, but some of his (lack of) marking & decision making has been poor. He has recently gone back to the dithering shitty, crossing routine as well, after the Count having him putting first time crosses in earlier season. The Count has probably taken his eye off it because of the Hart/defensive shambles. Clichy has also been tragic recently in that area.

Zabba did a lot of holidaying in the summer, honeymoon etc, so I'm hoping it's just a loss of concentration/ passing phase.

Zabba could also be suffering from the make shift centre back pairings. Once a bit of insecurity creeps into a back line, the rot easily starts to spread. If Zabba doesn't trust the guys next to him, he's likely to do,silly things trying to over compensate.
However, it could also be that he misses being coached / told what to do by Kompany / Lescott.

mr_nool wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:
The worrying thing for me is that Clichy did exactly this at Arsenal. From 'wonderful' to 'reserve' in a few seasons. Looked a lot sharper v Norwich though tbf.

Zabba has been fucking awful imo & it's only because we all love him, that few mention it. Sure, he sometimes still gets great interceptions in, but some of his (lack of) marking & decision making has been poor. He has recently gone back to the dithering shitty, crossing routine as well, after the Count having him putting first time crosses in earlier season. The Count has probably taken his eye off it because of the Hart/defensive shambles. Clichy has also been tragic recently in that area.

Zabba did a lot of holidaying in the summer, honeymoon etc, so I'm hoping it's just a loss of concentration/ passing phase.

Zabba could also be suffering from the make shift centre back pairings. Once a bit of insecurity creeps into a back line, the rot easily starts to spread. If Zabba doesn't trust the guys next to him, he's likely to do,silly things trying to over compensate.
However, it could also be that he misses being coached / told what to do by Kompany / Lescott.

Imo, both Zabba & Clichy were awful pre season. Some of the mistakes they made were real schoolboy howlers which should not even need coaching. Strange.

Worse - medical staff.

I agree with much of the above but am surprised that Milner has not been mentioned. I think he was much better last season and hasn't shown that kind of form this season although he's has had good playing time. In the 2nd half of the Newcastle match, he showed some good form playing in the middle (which is probably his preferred position) but can't see him taking that spot now that Fernandinho is settling down and showing his qualities.

interesting that mancini (an attacker in his playing days) got the best out of the defence and pellers (a centre half i believe) is getting the best out of our attack...

Hart - worse
Zabba- worse
Nasty - worse
Vinny- same
Clichy - worse
Kola - better
Garcia- ffs
Yaya - better (free kicks)
Milner- underused
Silva- better (mojo back)
Dzeko - same
Nasri - better
Aguero - better (see Silva)

The common theme seems to be forwards are playing better and defenders worse. Sort it out Pellers and the Prem is ours

nottsblue wrote:Hart - worse
Zabba- worse
Nasty - worse
Vinny- same
Clichy - worse
Kola - better
Garcia- ffs
Yaya - better (free kicks)
Milner- underused
Silva- better (mojo back)
Dzeko - same
Nasri - better
Aguero - better (see Silva)

The common theme seems to be forwards are playing better and defenders worse. Sort it out Pellers and the Prem is ours

Agree with all of the above.Had to laugh at how you summed up Garcia.

Think there is less emphasis on the Zaba geting forward so doesn't catch the eye like last season. Also there's generally less cover for the back four who are over exposed at times. I'm not convinced we defend as a unit against the so called 'lesser' teams. Rather it seems our aim is to just out score them.
It's just different styles between the managers.

Nigels Tackle wrote:interesting that mancini (an attacker in his playing days) got the best out of the defence and pellers (a centre half i believe) is getting the best out of our attack...

Bizarre.

Ted Hughes wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:
The worrying thing for me is that Clichy did exactly this at Arsenal. From 'wonderful' to 'reserve' in a few seasons. Looked a lot sharper v Norwich though tbf.

Zabba has been fucking awful imo & it's only because we all love him, that few mention it. Sure, he sometimes still gets great interceptions in, but some of his (lack of) marking & decision making has been poor. He has recently gone back to the dithering shitty, crossing routine as well, after the Count having him putting first time crosses in earlier season. The Count has probably taken his eye off it because of the Hart/defensive shambles. Clichy has also been tragic recently in that area.

Zabba did a lot of holidaying in the summer, honeymoon etc, so I'm hoping it's just a loss of concentration/ passing phase.

Zabba could also be suffering from the make shift centre back pairings. Once a bit of insecurity creeps into a back line, the rot easily starts to spread. If Zabba doesn't trust the guys next to him, he's likely to do,silly things trying to over compensate.
However, it could also be that he misses being coached / told what to do by Kompany / Lescott.

Imo, both Zabba & Clichy were awful pre season. Some of the mistakes they made were real schoolboy howlers which should not even need coaching. Strange.

I don't think Clichy has ever been good enough going forward and a top class fullback needs to be. tbh. Zab has always been much better at getting into positions and has put in some very good crosses. Clichy's crossing is a joke and I sigh when he's in a crossing position as he'll either stop and pass it back, allowing the other team to get back or put in a shite cross.

Left back should be priority imo.

Bridge'srightfoot wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:
The worrying thing for me is that Clichy did exactly this at Arsenal. From 'wonderful' to 'reserve' in a few seasons. Looked a lot sharper v Norwich though tbf.

Zabba has been fucking awful imo & it's only because we all love him, that few mention it. Sure, he sometimes still gets great interceptions in, but some of his (lack of) marking & decision making has been poor. He has recently gone back to the dithering shitty, crossing routine as well, after the Count having him putting first time crosses in earlier season. The Count has probably taken his eye off it because of the Hart/defensive shambles. Clichy has also been tragic recently in that area.

Zabba did a lot of holidaying in the summer, honeymoon etc, so I'm hoping it's just a loss of concentration/ passing phase.

Zabba could also be suffering from the make shift centre back pairings. Once a bit of insecurity creeps into a back line, the rot easily starts to spread. If Zabba doesn't trust the guys next to him, he's likely to do,silly things trying to over compensate.
However, it could also be that he misses being coached / told what to do by Kompany / Lescott.

Imo, both Zabba & Clichy were awful pre season. Some of the mistakes they made were real schoolboy howlers which should not even need coaching. Strange.

I don't think Clichy has ever been good enough going forward and a top class fullback needs to be. tbh. Zab has always been much better at getting into positions and has put in some very good crosses. Clichy's crossing is a joke and I sigh when he's in a crossing position as he'll either stop and pass it back, allowing the other team to get back or put in a shite cross.

Left back should be priority imo.

I think Zabba is suffering from a change of system, and having to adapt to new players infront of him on the wing. COrrect me if I'm wrong, but last season it was mainly milner out there on the right? Obviously jimmy is going to contribute a lot more work rate attacking and defending.

at LB, Kolarov has improved his defensive game, which is great, as he's one of only 2 or 3 city players that I have ever seen with an effective cross. Others are Milner and Navas. I never thought I would say this, but it's looking like we have to shift clichey and bring someone else in with kola.

It's still early doors however, and second half of the season could see some changes. Players all react differently to new systems/managers ... and it's when the pressure is really on at the tail end of the season as we are challenging for multiple trophies (hopefully) that we'll see what we've really got.