Early days but a bit worried.

[Slim]

Late on when Rodwell and Garcia were on(when Nasri finally found his way to the left) we used 4-2-2-2.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

NQDP you are one seriously miserable bastard.

And what happened to this 4-2-2-2 formation that you said was 100 percent certain? I haven't heard any mention of it besides some magnets being arranged in a video you posted.

Miserable bastard always complaining.

I said he is two up front guy. Now tell me how we will line up. 50 quid to charity cause that four out of five first league games we will start with two up front. You game?

I'm pretty sure you have been adamant that he plays 4-2-2-2:

Do you assume that Pellegrini will play something other than 4-2-2-2 he so much believes in?

But so far in his career he has been pretty strict about that 4-2-2-2 and that includes Malaga.

I didn't see them more than handfull times last year but to me it seemed like he was using his beloved 4-2-2-2. That's definitely how he has set up his teams in the past.

Pellegrini is pretty strict 4-2-2-2 man.

Do you still stand by this????? Because it seems you think Pellegrini plays a 4-2-2-2. When I haven't really anyone else echo that or any hint that this will happen at City.

Which of those comments is untrue? He likes that system very much and it has been his base system most of the time. You'd know that had you seen it. I posed the question numerous of times mainly to open the discussion about the tactics he is going to use AND first and foremost because there are lot of stories about Beguristain forcing him Barcelona 4-3-3. Latter being the big question imo. I seem to remember him using 4-2-3-1 (which in reality looked lot like 4-2-2-2 with one of the strikers dropping bit deeper) but he has never been 4-3-3 man ever. If we are lining up 4-3-3 it will mean that we have a system and in future managers will come and go but system is what it is. The bigger picture. Holistic approach if you will.

Now I don't believe that will happen hence why I'm willing to gamble on him being able to use his belowed two up front. But kiddo, you are avoiding the point here, put your money where your mouth is.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Did I not express my delight of signing Josvetic? Yes I did. Did I not express my delight of Navas signing? Yes I did.

And there's nothing wrong with role players as long as nothing else is expected of them.

I'm merely wondering how it all will work out under The Engineer. I'm not one for "Tick-tock" posts or blind unwarranted expectations for players we've signed. I'm trying to look for bigger picture. Now I've been part of this site long enough to know that half of the people claiming to be "happy" about everything will be critisising the players we've signed and asking for managers head in six months. Because things didn't go as they "expected" meaning they never got the bigger picture in the first place.

And you know I won't be among them.

No signings are guaranteed hits but the business we've done is exactly the business we needed to do: pace and penetration out wide, a mobile CM who's comfortable in possession, a hot prospect and another good striker. Whichever way you dress it up, I can't help but feel like the glass is almost full and you're seeing fuck all in it.

You certainly got the wrong end of the stick. I'm ver excited overall. I DO think missing out on Isco was a set back and I DO think Engineers lack of winning experience is bit of a worry but hey, he is in perfect situation to change all that. Unfortunately I don't have time anymore to make usual "awesome", "come on City" and "I'm over the Blue moon" posts I used to so when I post it's for the sake of indepth discussion.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Just to pick up on something you mention there NQDP, it's not a dig at you specifically as I've seen the same thing mentioned in numerous places ( and also heard in conversation ) but why when referring to his "winning experience" is his record in South America ignored?

[Ted Hughes]

NQDP you are one seriously miserable bastard.

And what happened to this 4-2-2-2 formation that you said was 100 percent certain? I haven't heard any mention of it besides some magnets being arranged in a video you posted.

Miserable bastard always complaining.

I said he is two up front guy. Now tell me how we will line up. 50 quid to charity cause that four out of five first league games we will start with two up front. You game?

I'm pretty sure you have been adamant that he plays 4-2-2-2:

Do you assume that Pellegrini will play something other than 4-2-2-2 he so much believes in?

But so far in his career he has been pretty strict about that 4-2-2-2 and that includes Malaga.

I didn't see them more than handfull times last year but to me it seemed like he was using his beloved 4-2-2-2. That's definitely how he has set up his teams in the past.

Pellegrini is pretty strict 4-2-2-2 man.

Do you still stand by this????? Because it seems you think Pellegrini plays a 4-2-2-2. When I haven't really anyone else echo that or any hint that this will happen at City.

Which of those comments is untrue? He likes that system very much and it has been his base system most of the time. You'd know that had you seen it. I posed the question numerous of times mainly to open the discussion about the tactics he is going to use AND first and foremost because there are lot of stories about Beguristain forcing him Barcelona 4-3-3. Latter being the big question imo. I seem to remember him using 4-2-3-1 (which in reality looked lot like 4-2-2-2 with one of the strikers dropping bit deeper) but he has never been 4-3-3 man ever. If we are lining up 4-3-3 it will mean that we have a system and in future managers will come and go but system is what it is. The bigger picture. Holistic approach if you will.

Now I don't believe that will happen hence why I'm willing to gamble on him being able to use his belowed two up front. But kiddo, you are avoiding the point here, put your money where your mouth is.

Can we get just this straight about Tricky's 4-3-3 instructions. It gets mentioned every so often & it's perhaps due to the media editing what Soriano said either to cause controversy & sensationalism or just out of plain poor journalism; perhaps some folk have not read the full transcript.

What Soriano actually said was that Tricky believes 4-3-3 is the best way for kids to learn how to play football.

Kids & young players upto the EDS.

In his opinion, if they all learn & master this system, plus the art of pass & move football, then they can adapt to whatever system the manager of the first team wants to play.

Tricky has NEVER said that City's 1st team should play 4-3-3.

My only concern was what the Count planned & whether he would go down the Barca road of a team containing mostly dwarves trying to pass it around beautifully, in order to impress his employers, then getting arse fucked by 6ft strikers & defenders at set pieces.

Look at his signings now & it's obvious he has learned, as Mancini did, that the Premier League is different.

BUT, most of these systems 4-2-2-2, 4-2-3-1, etc etc end up being so close to 4-3-3, just due to the fact that players drift out of formation, that it's almost down to the individuals involved as to what the formation ends up.

Isco at Malaga for instance, was sometimes out wide , sometimes next to the striker, sometimes dropping deeper & running from midfield, all in the same game. What does that make the formation ? What is his position ? You could call him attacking midfield, but he doesn't tackle anyone & jogs back like Rodney Marsh when they lose the ball, so is he a striker ?

When he turns up at the halfway line & collects the ball, is that when you judge the formation ? Or is it when he's right up front next to the centre forward ? Or when he's on the wing ? At what point does Gary Neville get his little markers out & say "they are lined up like this" ?

We have Jovetic who can play exactly this game, better than Isco, but the Count has just mentioned Jovetic as a possible lone striker.

So what formation would that be ?

Whatever it is, I bet at times, it will look exactly like 4-3-3, even when it isn't. Mancini's side did at times when Silva or Aguero pushed forward on the left & Barry covered in front of Hopeless on the left side.

I recon the only way we'll see an obvious system is when it's lined up to defend.

That's the bit which will decide the Count's fate imo.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Just to pick up on something you mention there NQDP, it's not a dig at you specifically as I've seen the same thing mentioned in numerous places ( and also heard in conversation ) but why when referring to his "winning experience" is his record in South America ignored?

Because A) it was ages ago B) it's really very different to win in somewhat lesser leagues. He has been in position in the past to win stuff and haven't been able to do that. He has also overexceeded expectations in many places. Remains to be seen if he has the "it" factor to do it.

[DoomMerchant]

4-2-3-1? what i know is this....

what we've seen Dortmund do has been impressive. Malaga as well. City also on occasion for sure. and of course Bayern.

Attacking fullbacks. Versatile holding midfielders, that can both shield and lead an attack. Pace and width. Creative midfielders who can run with the ball or play quick passes and burst into space. Big, strong No 10s. And still maintaing a solid back line.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

4-2-3-1? what i know is this....

what we've seen Dortmund do has been impressive. Malaga as well. City also on occasion for sure. and of course Bayern.

Attacking fullbacks. Versatile holding midfielders, that can both shield and lead an attack. Pace and width. Creative midfielders who can run with the ball or play quick passes and burst into space. Big, strong No 10s. And still maintaing a solid back line.

4-2-3-1 is extremely versatile systems with tons of different outlooks as far as attacking goes. Lot of it depends on the type of player you have in that all important number 10 spot. If it's more of a midfielder type like Silva it looks very different than if you have more of a forward type like Jovetic. It's more of a system in the purest sense than a formation since most teams that line up in 4-2-3-1 don't look like each other at all. Personally I love the variation that has flat back four and two central midfielders both as proper box-to-box types, proper width in attacking midfield three and poacher type, not ball holder, as the front man. Problem is we lack attacking midfielders to properly pull that formation off.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Just to pick up on something you mention there NQDP, it's not a dig at you specifically as I've seen the same thing mentioned in numerous places ( and also heard in conversation ) but why when referring to his "winning experience" is his record in South America ignored?

Because A) it was ages ago B)[highlight]If an up-the-ra type from West Belfast and an Orange-day drummer from South Belfast ended up playing together for Palermo, chances are they'd room together and become good mates, right?[/highlight] He has been in position in the past to win stuff and haven't been able to do that. He has also overexceeded expectations in many places. Remains to be seen if he has the "it" factor to do it.

Is it?

Don't know what the fuck happened there, it pasted a part from another thread I highlighted earlier. Weird.

Anyhoo, my point was is it really that different to win in "somewhat lesser leagues"?

[Dronny]

Just to pick up on something you mention there NQDP, it's not a dig at you specifically as I've seen the same thing mentioned in numerous places ( and also heard in conversation ) but why when referring to his "winning experience" is his record in South America ignored?

Because A) it was ages ago B)[highlight]If an up-the-ra type from West Belfast and an Orange-day drummer from South Belfast ended up playing together for Palermo, chances are they'd room together and become good mates, right?[/highlight] He has been in position in the past to win stuff and haven't been able to do that. He has also overexceeded expectations in many places. Remains to be seen if he has the "it" factor to do it.

Is it?

Don't know what the fuck happened there, it pasted a part from another thread I highlighted earlier. Weird.

Anyhoo, my point was is it really that different to win in "somewhat lesser leagues"?

I believe Barca's new manager was plying his trade in the Argentinian league if that helps?

[Original Dub]

I believe Barca's new manager was plying his trade in the Argentinian league if that helps?

Boom

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I believe Barca's new manager was plying his trade in the Argentinian league if that helps?

Boom

Yeah, he won it last year rather than over decade ago. I guess he was mainly chosen because of his amazing work with Paraguay though.

What is the point you are trying to make though? That Pellegrini will be a success because in over ten years in Europe he has never won nothing? That's pretty bizarre. I'm quuetly confident with him but I'm not going to pretend he is some surefire candidate for success.

[DoomMerchant]

I believe Barca's new manager was plying his trade in the Argentinian league if that helps?

Boom

Yeah, he won it last year rather than over decade ago. I guess he was mainly chosen because of his amazing work with Paraguay though.

What is the point you are trying to make though? That Pellegrini will be a success because in over ten years in Europe he has never won nothing? That's pretty bizarre. I'm quuetly confident with him but I'm not going to pretend he is some surefire candidate for success.

he hasn't "never won nothing in Europe."

In fact, he's always done that.

You miserable little eskimo.

cheers

[City64]

Little point in speculating any chosen formation really , we all have an idea but we also know Pellegini is experienced enough NOT to show his hand before the Premier League starts . Be interesting if he does start with Navas though on Monday 19th August ;-)

[DoomMerchant]

Little point in speculating any chosen formation really , we all have an idea but we also know Pellegini is experienced enough NOT to show his hand before the Premier League starts . Be interesting if he does start with Navas though on Monday 19th August ;-)

You're a crackpot. Of course he will "show his hand."

[Nigels Tackle]

Little point in speculating any chosen formation really , we all have an idea but we also know Pellegini is experienced enough NOT to show his hand before the Premier League starts . Be interesting if he does start with Navas though on Monday 19th August ;-)

fuck him up the bum in the centre circle?

[City64]

Little point in speculating any chosen formation really , we all have an idea but we also know Pellegini is experienced enough NOT to show his hand before the Premier League starts . Be interesting if he does start with Navas though on Monday 19th August ;-)

You're a crackpot. Of course he will "show his hand."

Little point in speculating any chosen formation really , we all have an idea but we also know Pellegini is experienced enough NOT to show his hand before the Premier League starts . Be interesting if he does start with Navas though on Monday 19th August ;-)

fuck him up the bum in the centre circle?

ie the system is flexiable as fuck even with Navas starting ..... fucking weirdo`s .

[Blue Since 76]

Generally, if you play with a 'system', you'll lose against the better teams. You need intelligent players who know what to do on the pitch and a coach who can give them the knowledge and confidence to do it.

So I don't care if people call it 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 as long as we play decent football and win

[CTID Hants]

Generally, if you play with a 'system', you'll lose against the better teams. You need intelligent players who know what to do on the pitch and a coach who can give them the knowledge and confidence to do it.

So I don't care if people call it 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 as long as we play decent football and win

Absolutely agree with that and also notice that a back four is the only option not being discussed, unlike 9 or 10 months back? Also as you say flexibility as in playing the right option against X team will be the decider whether the count is the right man for the job.

NONE of us can really comment formation during the CLOSED season, especially after the three friendlies, two of which were an opportunity to give every squad player a run out! The third with the likes of Silva, kun etc having only just met up after extra time off through international duties.

When we get to Munich or wherever for the Audi cup is when we Might get an idea of what formations are to come, so until then a pointless debate IMO

[bigblue]

I think the concept of a single formation during the game is a dumbed down notion for most fans and very young players. Absolute formation does not exist; it's a myth. There's no such thing as playing 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Every team has at least an attacking shape and a defensive shape. And there are really 3 phases: defensive, transition, and attacking. So when you go on about the difference between a 4-3-1-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or 4-2-2-2 you are only talking about a muddled 1/3 of the picture. It's basically the average of everything which comes out telling next to nothing.

I think more important than formation is the habits that each position gets into under Pellegrini during defense, transition, and attack. And probably at the top level it is much more complicated than there 3 phases.

But NQDP, this is why I was questioning you so much. Because there are definitely certain characteristics that are similar to different Pellegrini teams. But the way that each team sets up is very different depending on the players at hand. So to claim that "He is 100% a 4-2-2-2 guy" is simplifying the game too much and ignoring what many other people have said about Pellegrini's past teams.