Pellegrini and 'the squad'

[sheblue]

it is a happier squad. a lot of the clowns and trouble makers are gone. and that's a big plus.
one thing I don't like is the continual use of Garcia ahead of others like rodwell or milner who are better.

[City64]

Enjoy the ride , enjoy the football ....... we even win with fucking Garcia playing these days :-0

[roblues]

it is a happier squad. a lot of the clowns and trouble makers are gone. and that's a big plus.
one thing I don't like is the continual use of Garcia ahead of others like rodwell or milner who are better.

I'm really trying hard to see what qualities Javi can bring, but last night made it even more difficult to pinpoint. Every time the ball was at his feet he was under constant pressure, whereas Rodwell, Silva and Milner were able to turn into space and find a simple pass. Could be the opposition targeting him as a weak point and exacerbating his struggles, but if his brain is really as slow as his body (and it appears that way) then there is probably no future for him.

I though Jack showed some really nice interplay in attacking areas of the pitch yesterday, and was quite direct to the point where he was able to get off two or three (pretty poor) shots just from quick passing and movement. Promising signs, hope he took a long soak in an ice bath after the game.

[South Stand Balti]

it is a happier squad. a lot of the clowns and trouble makers are gone. and that's a big plus. one thing I don't like is the continual use of Garcia ahead of others like rodwell or milner who are better.

Yes it's frustrating to see Garcia in before Rodwell who does nt even make the bench sometimes. Maybe they are working to a plan given his injuries.

[Sister of fu]

He's took the handbrake off. The team is now playing how we all thought it could. It's great to be blue.

[london blue 2]

If you cant bring academy players on when you're 4, 5, 6-0 up then I don't know when you can.

[bigblue]

If you cant bring academy players on when you're 4, 5, 6-0 up then I don't know when you can.

Maybe Pellegrini doesn't want to waste time playing youngsters during the first 1/2 of his time here as manager. Pellers need our whole squad to learn all the nuances of his system 100%, asap.

Why give a few fringe players/youngsters (who have a 10% chance of ever starting for City) game time over squad players (who we will have to rely on as the season progresses and injuries/suspensions happen)? Especially when our whole squad has not had sufficient time to learn his system and he has to keep many of the big name bench warmers happy.

I bet we'll see many more youngsters feature further into Peller's reign. Once the system is fully in place (in both the 1st team and youth levels) it is feasible to use minutes to handout experience to youngsters. Until then, those same minutes can be used for a more urgent purpose; get the entire senior squad on the same page.

[Im_Spartacus]

Maybe Pellegrini doesn't want to waste time playing youngsters during the first 1/2 of his time here as manager. Pellers need our whole squad to learn all the nuances of his system 100%, asap.

Why give a few fringe players/youngsters (who have a 10% chance of ever starting for City) game time over squad players (who we will have to rely on as the season progresses and injuries/suspensions happen)? Especially when our whole squad has not had sufficient time to learn his system and he has to keep many of the big name bench warmers happy.

You are totally correct I think, and similarly with Mancini who was pretty forthright on the subject that if his job is on such a knife edge between success and failure, he would always pick an experienced player for game time over a youngster who is inconsequential in the short term nature of things.

Sad indictment of the financial necessity of today's game that its such high stakes even down to keeping squad players happy.....but also the appearance counts towards the total needed to stop a player ripping their contract up.

[bigblue]

Sad indictment of the financial necessity of today's game that its such high stakes even down to keeping squad players happy.....but also the appearance counts towards the total needed to stop a player ripping their contract up.

I think it's also a sad reflection on how (over the course of a season) modern football is a 25 man game, not 11 man game. Fixture congestion has made having 2 full teams a necessity if you want to seriously challenge for more than one trophy per year.


And I think a good deal of the fixture congestion has been a purposeful G14 type move to keep the "elite" teams separated from the rest.

Back oin the good ol' days... a mid-table team could buy 2-3 good players and have a reasonable chance of finishing in the top 3. With less games per year, you could count on players staying healthier and being available for all your games. Now... good luck with that! A mid-table team needs to buy 6-7 good players to have a chance at finishing in the top 3. If they want to finish high in the league and challenge for a major cup; make that 12-14 good players.

Football was more innocent and exciting when there was less separating everyone. Hell, even a team from a 1 league down would used to have a good chance of finishing in the top 1/2 of the PL without a huge amount of luck or overhauling a large part of the squad. But that's a whole different topic and I'm saying stuff that everyone probably already knows. /oldmanrant

[london blue 2]

If you cant bring academy players on when you're 4, 5, 6-0 up then I don't know when you can.

Maybe Pellegrini doesn't want to waste time playing youngsters during the first 1/2 of his time here as manager. Pellers need our whole squad to learn all the nuances of his system 100%, asap.

Why give a few fringe players/youngsters (who have a 10% chance of ever starting for City) game time over squad players (who we will have to rely on as the season progresses and injuries/suspensions happen)? Especially when our whole squad has not had sufficient time to learn his system and he has to keep many of the big name bench warmers happy.

I bet we'll see many more youngsters feature further into Peller's reign. Once the system is fully in place (in both the 1st team and youth levels) it is feasible to use minutes to handout experience to youngsters. Until then, those same minutes can be used for a more urgent purpose; get the entire senior squad on the same page.

Not very holistic but if that's his approach fair enoug

[bayblue]

Did anyone watch the tunnel can from the Arsenal game? There's a bit as the team gather in the tunnel before going out for the second half. Pellegrini seems to be talking to about half a dozen players. He is very forceful in what he's saying. I can't tell you what it was as he was talking in Spanish. It surprised me a bit. It's probably right that Spanish is now the main language for our first team and so it got me thinking about how in reality such a diverse group do communicate. Of Saturdays team, other than Costel and Fernandinho I reckon all would have either French or Spanish as main language. Don't really know where this post is going but it got me thinking about how they all communicate every day.

[bigblue]

Did anyone watch the tunnel can from the Arsenal game? There's a bit as the team gather in the tunnel before going out for the second half. Pellegrini seems to be talking to about half a dozen players. He is very forceful in what he's saying. I can't tell you what it was as he was talking in Spanish. It surprised me a bit. It's probably right that Spanish is now the main language for our first team and so it got me thinking about how in reality such a diverse group do communicate. Of Saturdays team, other than Costel and Fernandinho I reckon all would have either French or Spanish as main language. Don't really know where this post is going but it got me thinking about how they all communicate every day.

I've wondered about that before as well. Makes it easier to understand when you remember that most footballers are not the most intelligent folks and they usually aren't having discussions on international monetary policy, existentialism, or political sovereignty (although - putting a bunch of players in a room to discuss those issues might make an unintentionally funny show). So I assume loud shouts and grunts are enough 95% of the time.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Vinnie and Martin talk in German apparently.

[getdressedmctavish]

The academy players will play when they are either considered match fit enough or good enough to do the job required on any given day.

Pellegrini is doing better than any of the characters currently in top jobs in the Prem, & is considerably better than Mancini imo, but I doubt he will keep everyone happy.

It's probably best that one or two players move in & out of the club anyway though. Keeps things fresh.

I think Tevez was a great player for City & he looks great now for Juve, but we don't miss him as I thought we would, & as for Balotelli, I now just wonder what the fuck we were doing with him at the club. Negredo is twice the player Balotelli was.

The screaming when I said all this last year, Ted!lol.By the way your man Dinho looked a £30 million player on saturday, though I dont believe even you saw those particular goals coming, hah

[sheblue]

Did anyone watch the tunnel can from the Arsenal game? There's a bit as the team gather in the tunnel before going out for the second half. Pellegrini seems to be talking to about half a dozen players. He is very forceful in what he's saying. I can't tell you what it was as he was talking in Spanish. It surprised me a bit. It's probably right that Spanish is now the main language for our first team and so it got me thinking about how in reality such a diverse group do communicate. Of Saturdays team, other than Costel and Fernandinho I reckon all would have either French or Spanish as main language. Don't really know where this post is going but it got me thinking about how they all communicate every day.

I've wondered about that before as well. Makes it easier to understand when you remember that most footballers are not the most intelligent folks and they usually aren't having discussions on international monetary policy, existentialism, or political sovereignty (although - putting a bunch of players in a room to discuss those issues might make an unintentionally funny show). So I assume loud shouts and grunts are enough 95% of the time.

That's very stereotypical of you, most footballers are thick! Are you a rugby fan? That's like the arrogance that comes from them.

[bigblue]

That's very stereotypical of you, most footballers are thick! Are you a rugby fan? That's like the arrogance that comes from them.

How is that arrogant? Most of them sacrifice traditional education for football training. Like modern day gladiators in a way. "Kick the rubber ball real good and we'll get you a nice big house"

There's a reason why it's notable when a player attains a university degree or is able to express something different than pre-scripted soundbites during an interview. How many ex-footballers can articulate more than cliches and turn out to be good, insightful pundits? 10%? Less?

I love football, that should be obvious. And I assume it's common sense that the players are not the brightest.

[Lee_R]

Almost.... turn of the year and still in 4 competitions?

Dream

[Beefymcfc]

Almost.... turn of the year and still in 4 competitions?

Dream

I'm gonna go a bit 'Glass Half Empty' here.

Fourth in the league, scraping for CL football. The Rags will be catching us soon with our away form.
2nd in our CL group with no chance of beating the best team in the world to get into the quarters.
Beat fuck all again to get to the semi's of a shitty cup and could get stuffed by a poor PL team.
Not even been involved in the FA Cup, how can we say we're still in it. Hope we don't get Forest!

All-in-all, it's not looking good.

[Hazy2]

Nice comment from Milner in the Guardian Milner said. “Dedryck came in at Leicester and he’s a great young player – he’s got everything, he can defend well, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball.

“It’s down to the manager. If he gets the nod I’ve got every confidence in him. I think he’s a really good young player and he’s got a massive future ahead of him. I’ve never started a game at right back for City, but I’ve filled in, so we’ll see what happens

Top man Milner it shows the squad is a happy.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Nice comment from Milner in the Guardian Milner said. “Dedryck came in at Leicester and he’s a great young player – he’s got everything, he can defend well, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball.

“It’s down to the manager. If he gets the nod I’ve got every confidence in him. I think he’s a really good young player and he’s got a massive future ahead of him. I’ve never started a game at right back for City, but I’ve filled in, so we’ll see what happens

Top man Milner it shows the squad is a happy.

So basically he is saying "Fuck putting me in a position where Ill play shite!!! , put that cunt Boyata in there,hes good"