Pep's Purpose
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 8:23 pmSo the next wave of "Pep out" cries is set to come, but here's the problem...
This squad is not enough of his team for it to work and is it more important to scrape wins or build something? It's Pellegrini's team that he took over and is in the process of changing. Just like when Klopp came in to Liverpool that was not his team either. We lack the right players just yet to do things as he wants to in enough positions:
However the future could be:
One can go on and on with other positions/players now, but we are in more of a transition than some appear to acknowledge, whilst Liverpool pretty much have their team now other than a better defence and keeper under Klopp for 8 months.
Conte's Chelsea are basically the same team that won the title 2 seasons ago, and we are seeing, arguably, a similar reaction players had here when Pellegrini replaced Mancini, desperate to prove their naysayers wrong and show up their ex-manager. Yet Conte is a better manager than Pellegrini, then they added Kante, and by having less depth in defense and no injuries, play the same 3 every game. Oh, and then they have no CL football to balance priorities, as clearly PL performance is #1. This also allows pretty much a week of training, and rest, to prepare for every league match.
Point is the man needs more time than this to pass true judgement. We are also a top, top destination for world class players with him in charge.
We are beyond fortunate to have him as our manager, and you pretty much have to be mad, high or quite pissed to be asking for him to go now. I get the reasons for criticism, but I also see the reasons he needs to stick to his way for the most part to build things here.He has made some adjustments, but he also can't turn back the clock or teach such old dogs new tricks.
Top 4 will be a priority still, and I believe the rules will change so 4th will be just as good as 2nd-3rd. Do well enough in the CL again and that also helps our co-efficient, and should keep us in the 2nd pot. Maybe Chelsea go through an injury crisis in January and February with all of the games. Liverpool ain't all that so we shall see.
Buckle up and do your best to enjoy the ride. It's clearly bumpy now, but hard to see it lasting.
This squad is not enough of his team for it to work and is it more important to scrape wins or build something? It's Pellegrini's team that he took over and is in the process of changing. Just like when Klopp came in to Liverpool that was not his team either. We lack the right players just yet to do things as he wants to in enough positions:
- Stones is a Pep player, but who else really is of our defensive core? Hard to have to spend time teaching 30+ year old defenders who won't be around very long, but that's what he has to do. He has his way, and when the right players are there it has worked.
- Even wide players like Navas, who are left over, is not really his type of player. Sane and Sterling, yes, but Sane is hurt so he could not play today.
- Silva is fantastic, but he's also at edging towards the end of his career and has his flaws. KDB is the future.
- Gundogan is a Pep player, but he's out now, so we now have to deal with that and slot in a 33 year old Yaya back from the dead, or a squad-level player like Fernando. Fernandinho is, and hopefully he can keep it up as he is over 30, but this is why we need another centre midfielder as well.
- Aguero needs better service than he is getting now, but he won't last forever...However, Jesus is coming.
However the future could be:
- A front 3 of Sane-Jesus-Sterling within the next 3 years or maybe Nacho in there as well. They are all between 19-22 years old under his tutelage.
- With our youth, we have Garcia in the squad (Tosin, Gunn) and those out on loan with a real chance...Zinchenko, Yunal, Maffeo, Moreno, Ntcham (back now after a drop in performance following a great 1st year at Genoa).
One can go on and on with other positions/players now, but we are in more of a transition than some appear to acknowledge, whilst Liverpool pretty much have their team now other than a better defence and keeper under Klopp for 8 months.
Conte's Chelsea are basically the same team that won the title 2 seasons ago, and we are seeing, arguably, a similar reaction players had here when Pellegrini replaced Mancini, desperate to prove their naysayers wrong and show up their ex-manager. Yet Conte is a better manager than Pellegrini, then they added Kante, and by having less depth in defense and no injuries, play the same 3 every game. Oh, and then they have no CL football to balance priorities, as clearly PL performance is #1. This also allows pretty much a week of training, and rest, to prepare for every league match.
Point is the man needs more time than this to pass true judgement. We are also a top, top destination for world class players with him in charge.
We are beyond fortunate to have him as our manager, and you pretty much have to be mad, high or quite pissed to be asking for him to go now. I get the reasons for criticism, but I also see the reasons he needs to stick to his way for the most part to build things here.He has made some adjustments, but he also can't turn back the clock or teach such old dogs new tricks.
Top 4 will be a priority still, and I believe the rules will change so 4th will be just as good as 2nd-3rd. Do well enough in the CL again and that also helps our co-efficient, and should keep us in the 2nd pot. Maybe Chelsea go through an injury crisis in January and February with all of the games. Liverpool ain't all that so we shall see.
Buckle up and do your best to enjoy the ride. It's clearly bumpy now, but hard to see it lasting.
