pellegrini

[sidSmith]

Well it's about bloody time to unleash Yaya and keep him unleashed. He was wasted when he had to defend more than attack. I doubt that Barry will partner Ferny. I think Garcia or Milner will be closer to that role. But then again we still don't know how the Engineer really thinks and works. Interesting times ahead.

Yaya can't (shouldn't) start every game, so in spirit of having 2 players for each position, who is his back up in this advanced roll?

Not many shouts for Rodwell. He finished last season well and can hopefully stay fit and carry that momentum into this season. But what's his best position, advanced or defensive? Is he a backup or is he part of the first 11? I like him defensive with the option to use his pace and strike forward when the opportunity is right.

Based on that I'd be tempted to play him ahead of Barry. Thing is, I think Fernandinho is also of this mould. Would it be good to have 2 defensive midfield player with pace? I think it probably is, as long as they are disciplined.

Not sure where all of this leaves Milner. Which is a problem as he's a great player and is more suited to playing centrally than out wide.

[getdressedmctavish]

Maybe Pellegrini has been involved for longer than we think. Maybe. Like four hundred years?

[Dubaimancityfan]

Well it's about bloody time to unleash Yaya and keep him unleashed. He was wasted when he had to defend more than attack. I doubt that Barry will partner Ferny. I think Garcia or Milner will be closer to that role. But then again we still don't know how the Engineer really thinks and works. Interesting times ahead.

Yaya can't (shouldn't) start every game, so in spirit of having 2 players for each position, who is his back up in this advanced roll?

Not many shouts for Rodwell. He finished last season well and can hopefully stay fit and carry that momentum into this season. But what's his best position, advanced or defensive? Is he a backup or is he part of the first 11? I like him defensive with the option to use his pace and strike forward when the opportunity is right.

Based on that I'd be tempted to play him ahead of Barry. Thing is, I think Fernandinho is also of this mould. Would it be good to have 2 defensive midfield player with pace? I think it probably is, as long as they are disciplined.

Not sure where all of this leaves Milner. Which is a problem as he's a great player and is more suited to playing centrally than out wide.

I agree that Yaya should not start every game. He's not getting younger and it's going to be a long season, so he has to be fit and fresh for the big games. Rodwell is a good shout (based on his last few games performance) to deputise for Yaya in some matches (against the Hulls and the like and definitely in domestic Cups ) or relieve Yaya when matches are won early. I think we have to wait and see how Ferny performs (I haven't seen much of him) to come to a conclusion on what the DM partnership should look like.

[Ted Hughes]

Interesting stuff & cheers for posting the piece. I have no way of knowing what the Count has planned, however I imagine it will be a variety of things, using different players in different jobs . My main hope is that he doesn't over complicate it like Bob did.

Re Fernandinho though; I've mentioned it quite a lot now (& sorry for going back to it) but imo he is not a defensive mid.

When he goes after a player, he does so with pace & tenacity & I imagine that if you told him to do a particular job, he would stick to it, but at Shakhtar, his job in recent times has been more of the 'deep playmaker' role mentioned in the article.

But not a Xavi Alonso kind of deep playmaker, who hangs around hitting passes everywhere (although he can pass superbly & will if required) and not somebody who is particularly active spotting danger & protecting the defence, in short NOT GARETH BARRY WITH PACE. At Shakhtar he had a geezer playing next to him who played EXACTLY like Gareth Barry who covered everything (& was bloody good at it).

Fernandinho tended to amble about, doing a bit of closing down but not especially so.

What he was looking for was a slight mistake by the oppo midfield. A miscontrol etc & he would nip in & pinch the ball, pass it
(or beat two or 3 players ala SWP) & fucking hare up the pitch to join the attack. This seemed to be his main job; pinching the ball & launching attacks, not doing Nige or Barry's job.

Pellegrini mentioned specifically that part of his game when giving reasons for signing him; turning defence into attack.

I'm sure he could do a disciplined, boring job, but I would be surprised if 'defence to attack' isn't what he will be doing for City, & he is, fast, skilled, exciting & brilliant at it.

[Socrates]

Great read. Thanks for that.

Aguero Dzeko
Silva yaya Navas
Fernandinho Barry
Back 5

Maybe?

I think this is it yes. And this needs to be taken into consideration when we consider the striker issue. If Pelle is as tactically skilled as promised, I can't see him using yaya in a defensive role again.

By the way, the way this article describes the count's tactics, they sound awfully similar to mancini's. Not complaining but just saying.

I thought exactly the same. Slow build up and keeping possession. First draw I predict the usual suspects will be calling for his head.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I thought exactly the same. Slow build up and keeping possession. First draw I predict the usual suspects will be calling for his head.

And the emphasis on the wing backs to provide width. On the other hand it might just be poor journalism and/or a fancy way to describe the basic way football is played. We'll see I guess.

[Socrates]

I thought exactly the same. Slow build up and keeping possession. First draw I predict the usual suspects will be calling for his head.

And the emphasis on the wing backs to provide width. On the other hand it might just be poor journalism and/or a fancy way to describe the basic way football is played. We'll see I guess.

We shall see soon enough.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I think this is it yes. And this needs to be taken into consideration when we consider the striker issue. If Pelle is as tactically skilled as promised, I can't see him using yaya in a defensive role again.

By the way, the way this article describes the count's tactics, they sound awfully similar to mancini's. Not complaining but just saying.

There's nothing wrong in theory with Mancinis plan A. It worked wonders 2 seasons ago.

Abandoning it instead of coming up with feasible back up plans was the issue with his tactics.

[Cocacolajojo1]

There's nothing wrong in theory with Mancinis plan A. It worked wonders 2 seasons ago.

Abandoning it instead of coming up with feasible back up plans was the issue with his tactics.

Perhaps you're right. We'll see I guess :-)

[Risby]

With the likes of Navas in a city shirt, what was never a plan B might become an even stronger plan A.

[Im_Spartacus]

There's nothing wrong in theory with Mancinis plan A. It worked wonders 2 seasons ago.

Abandoning it instead of coming up with feasible back up plans was the issue with his tactics.

It didn't though did it?

After November 2011, we toiled against lots of opposition until we hit out straps again in late March when tevez came back. He actually hit upon a master stroke with the switching of Toure late in the final games, which appeared to me to be the tactic which counted the most towards our title that season. Because otherwise it was just possession football with the number of goals scored being dependant upon the fortitude of the oppositions defensive resolve.

To his credit, last season he tried to move to something different as a plan B other than just throwing the kitchen sink at it when behind in the last 15 mins, but it was ill conceived, clearly not very well drilled in the players, and a tactic that has always struggled in our league

I'll be fucking devastated if the new guy makes the same mistakes. I'll also be shocked, if we have appointed someone as tactically headstrong and controlling as Mancini

[Ted Hughes]

There's nothing wrong in theory with Mancinis plan A. It worked wonders 2 seasons ago.

Abandoning it instead of coming up with feasible back up plans was the issue with his tactics.

It didn't though did it?

After November 2011, we toiled against lots of opposition until we hit out straps again in late March when tevez came back. He actually hit upon a master stroke with the switching of Toure late in the final games, which appeared to me to be the tactic which counted the most towards our title that season. Because otherwise it was just possession football with the number of goals scored being dependant upon the fortitude of the oppositions defensive resolve.

To his credit, last season he tried to move to something different as a plan B other than just throwing the kitchen sink at it when behind in the last 15 mins, but it was ill conceived, clearly not very well drilled in the players, and a tactic that has always struggled in our league

I'll be fucking devastated if the new guy makes the same mistakes. I'll also be shocked, if we have appointed someone as tactically headstrong and controlling as Mancini

He decided on the wrong 'plan B' basically, & failed to organise it well enough, as you say.

I could be wrong, but it is looking like Pellegrini is planning on using the kind of 'plan B' most of us on here were asking for throughout Mancini's tenure.

I don't know why people have mentioned 'wingbacks' in this thread as a Pellegrini tactic. Attacking fullbacks are his game surely, not 'wingbacks' ?

And actual defenders i the centre too rather than 'ball players' ?

[Risby]

He has been in Manchester today learning his way around town and has been down to the club.

With the window officially opening tomorrow and Pellegrini at the club, I can see us being busy this week.

[Twobob]

He has been in Manchester today learning his way around town and has been down to the club.

With the window officially opening tomorrow and Pellegrini at the club, I can see us being busy this week.

I hope he doesn't get put off by the lack of culture and no where decent to eat...

[DoomMerchant]

I hope he doesn't get put off by the lack of culture and no where decent to eat...

Don't forget the crap weather too.

[Risby]

I hope he doesn't get put off by the lack of culture and no where decent to eat...

Don't forget the crap weather too.

He found the Hugo Boss shop and apparently got himself a new suit before going down to the club.

[Blue Since 76]

He has been in Manchester today learning his way around town and has been down to the club.

With the window officially opening tomorrow and Pellegrini at the club, I can see us being busy this week.

He's been meeting with the staff as well today, presume so they can hit the ground running. I'd spoke to someone before the meeting, so no idea what was actually discussed.

The rumours that Mancini had lost the dressing room are, unsurprisingly, true. I think you could say it was getting pretty bad. And that comes from someone who was very much involved. A key aspect about Pellegrini is his ability at creating a team ethos and getting the best out of them

End of my ITK unfortunately, and I didn't even get to find out about Isco...

[Twobob]

He found the Hugo Boss shop and apparently got himself a new suit before going down to the club.

I hope he went to Greggs instead of Pound Bakery though!

[brite blu sky]

wow a thread actually talking footbollox. oops how un pc of me, sorry girls. It is quite refreshing not having a clue what the new guy is going to bring. On the Yaya bit I hope he sets him a role further forward ffs, we all know that is the only place to play him. Ideally I'd play him for 60 mins from a start or 30 at the end depending depending.

Two other thoughts are; Pellegrini will need to understand and adapt to the prem, he also hopefully will see this as another step up in his career.. what I mean is he should be looking to excel himself not just repeat what he has done already. So even a seasoned watcher of his style shouldn't be able to guess completely what he will do with City's players and in the prem.

Tother thing is that it is probably about time to start ditching the defensive or attacking mid roles as entirely separate. They still exist I know but the shift is going to be more about taking turns and covering others as and when the mood or opportunities arise. In other words MORE FLUIDITY is going to come from multi disciplined players that don't have to be so rigid in formation, just more savvy to who is doing what when. make sense?

No fucking cunting idea if any of that will get adopted by Don Falcon ( or anyone else anytime soon or indeed ever! ).

[Im_Spartacus]

wow a thread actually talking footbollox. oops how un pc of me, sorry girls. It is quite refreshing not having a clue what the new guy is going to bring. On the Yaya bit I hope he sets him a role further forward ffs, we all know that is the only place to play him. Ideally I'd play him for 60 mins from a start or 30 at the end depending depending.

I'd be interested in seeing the two deep midfielders taking it in turn to support the attack, very much as in a more fluid system such as you suggest. That would give Yaya the licence he needs, whilst maintaining a big presence at the back. When Yaya has played in a more advanced role, I think he loses soemthing in not being able to gather the head of steam and panic he causes when he attacks from our own half with the ball