The Boss

[Wonderwall]

We are already being worked out, our opening play from the Goalkeeper is so predictable every time. if it is a Goal Kick, Free Kick or even in his hands, the two Full Backs run to the half way line, the two Centre Backs pull wide and come short to the fullback position on the corner of the 18 yd box and the two central midfielders come short into the CB positions to give Hart some options. No Idea what this rotations of positions is supposed to do but both Cardiff and Hull were straight onto it and Hart ended up receiving the ball back most of the time as the opposition pressed us. I think some more variation is needed. the play it out from the back routine is "old hat" now and every team will just press us high up the pitch.

[Hazy2]

We are already being worked out, our opening play from the Goalkeeper is so predictable every time. if it is a Goal Kick, Free Kick or even in his hands, the two Full Backs run to the half way line, the two Centre Backs pull wide and come short to the fullback position on the corner of the 18 yd box and the two central midfielders come short into the CB positions to give Hart some options. No Idea what this rotations of positions is supposed to do but both Cardiff and Hull were straight onto it and Hart ended up receiving the ball back most of the time as the opposition pressed us. I think some more variation is needed. the play it out from the back routine is "old hat" now and every team will just press us high up the pitch.

Thats the point, we saw at Bayern 2 yrs ago we played well, they gotaway with it a touch in the end we were outclassed, we have not improved in defence or MF based on what we see, that will bite us big time, Gerrard would have ripped us a new hole last week given that much time and room.

[pepsi_dave]

We are already being worked out, our opening play from the Goalkeeper is so predictable every time. if it is a Goal Kick, Free Kick or even in his hands, the two Full Backs run to the half way line, the two Centre Backs pull wide and come short to the fullback position on the corner of the 18 yd box and the two central midfielders come short into the CB positions to give Hart some options. No Idea what this rotations of positions is supposed to do but both Cardiff and Hull were straight onto it and Hart ended up receiving the ball back most of the time as the opposition pressed us. I think some more variation is needed. the play it out from the back routine is "old hat" now and every team will just press us high up the pitch.

Whilst agree with the most part of what you say here, what I found to be quite interesting against Hull was that Hart was kicking the ball long a lot more frequently than he would ever done previously. I notice this a lot more in the second half.

I think in the short term there will be a few games where the managers philosophy hasn’t quite sunk in to the team for that particular game, but as the season progresses I would expect to see a lot of improvement in the execution of Pellegrini’s match tactics and the footballing philosophy that he is trying to put in place (obviously with Txiki’s influence and guidance).

Perhaps this explains a lot of the full backs pushing forwards and the CBs dropping deep and wide, I think this was a lot to do with Mancini TBH. Maybe it will stay, or maybe it will evolve into something less obvious and exploitable as time goes by.

[Wonderwall]

Whilst agree with the most part of what you say here, what I found to be quite interesting against Hull was that Hart was kicking the ball long a lot more frequently than he would ever done previously. I notice this a lot more in the second half.

I think in the short term there will be a few games where the managers philosophy hasn’t quite sunk in to the team for that particular game, but as the season progresses I would expect to see a lot of improvement in the execution of Pellegrini’s match tactics and the footballing philosophy that he is trying to put in place (obviously with Txiki’s influence and guidance).

Perhaps this explains a lot of the full backs pushing forwards and the CBs dropping deep and wide, I think this was a lot to do with Mancini TBH. Maybe it will stay, or maybe it will evolve into something less obvious and exploitable as time goes by.

That was kind of my point. Hull pressed every goalkeeping possession so we couldn't play out from the back and Hart was forced to go long a lot more than he would have liked. I would like to see a little more variety, especially with the pace of navas up front where he takes a quick free kick rather than looking to play it short as a first option.

[johnny crossan]

Does he need to understand?

The problem with those of us of mature years is sometimes when confronted with a problem we have solved before we apply the same solution but it turns out to be the wrong one this time around.

[Risby]

Hopefully in training they are trying out the new systems and formations.

We need to be able to play different systems so teams can't work out our strategy so quickly. Also, if one system isn't working, change to an alternative one until we control the pitch.

Versatility will be important. Already two teams have near enough match our attack with defence. We need to be better prepared.

[AG7]

I think with one away game in between now and the derby, the derby will be his real test ... it'll tell a lot about him as to who he picks and how he lines them up ... actually would be the same for Gollum too I guess, so a very interesting game coming up.

[Wonderwall]

I think with one away game in between now and the derby, the derby will be his real test ... it'll tell a lot about him as to who he picks and how he lines them up ... actually would be the same for Gollum too I guess, so a very interesting game coming up.

2 games before the derby. Plzen and stoke are both away unfortunately.

[Beefymcfc]

I think with one away game in between now and the derby, the derby will be his real test ... it'll tell a lot about him as to who he picks and how he lines them up ... actually would be the same for Gollum too I guess, so a very interesting game coming up.

2 games before the derby. Plzen and stoke are both away unfortunately.

I think Stoke is going to be a very important game in preparation for the Derby; Plzn is just a one off. If we still show signs of weakness in the defence and fail to deal with that issue tactically, it will give the Rags a huge advantage considering the way they play. They are the masters of getting the ball wide and from what we've seen so far, we'll have real trouble dealing with it.

[Original Dub]

I think Stoke is going to be a very important game in preparation for the Derby; Plzn is just a one off. If we still show signs of weakness in the defence and fail to deal with that issue tactically, it will give the Rags a huge advantage considering the way they play. They are the masters of getting the ball wide and from what we've seen so far, we'll have real trouble dealing with it.

Bang on mate.