Manuel Pellegrini - why say this now.

by skyeman Mon 17 Feb 2014, 7:57 pm

Manuel Pellegrini believes his Manchester City side have overtaken Manchester United as the dominant team in the city.

Although true, why do this to a team not in contention and after recent events? Surely go for the big guns.

Sounds like the mouse that squeaked, until trodden on.

The weaker of the three in the mind games?

by compelling and rich Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:08 pm

didnt he say they were bigger? currently better but certainly not bigger. they struggle to sell out there stadium quite often, relient on there chairmans money. despite all the money they have spent they only have two trophies to show for it

by **hampo17** Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:13 pm

It is likely he was asked the question and is just giving an honest answer. If he'd refused to answer it then I'm sure City fans would have been questioning his belief.

by skyeman Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:16 pm

compelling and rich wrote:didnt he say they were bigger? currently better but certainly not bigger. they struggle to sell out there stadium quite often, relient on there chairmans money. despite all the money they have spent they only have two trophies to show for it

But why have a dig at Utd at this moment in time, he appears weak compared to the ugly sisters and a mere amateur compared to Sir Alex when coming to the crunch time for those involved for the title.

by Fernando Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:23 pm

"If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "But you cannot forget what United have done."

im not sure what people are complaining about here to be honest. He's correct in what he has said.

Anyone have a feeling that Citeh may try bully Barcelona like Bayern did but fail badly?

by skyeman Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:43 pm

Fernando wrote:"If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "But you cannot forget what United have done."

im not sure what people are complaining about here to be honest. He's correct in what he has said.

Anyone have a feeling that Citeh may try bully Barcelona like Bayern did but fail badly?

Only me complaining.

If he was anywhere near the quality of the other two, he would have deflected such questions about an irrelelvance for his club and concentrated on the matters in hand. He himself said he does not want to get involved in such matters.

Then says this.

by Fernando Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:46 pm

skyeman wrote:
Fernando wrote:"If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "But you cannot forget what United have done."

im not sure what people are complaining about here to be honest. He's correct in what he has said.

Anyone have a feeling that Citeh may try bully Barcelona like Bayern did but fail badly?

Only me complaining.

If he was anywhere near the quality of the other two, he would have deflected such questions about an irrelelvance for his club and concentrated on the matters in hand. He himself said he does not want to get involved in such matters.

Then says this.

To be honest dude, Everyone knows United will splash the cash over the summer so why not kick them whilst their down.

by skyeman Mon 17 Feb 2014, 8:54 pm

Fernando wrote:
skyeman wrote:
Fernando wrote:"If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "But you cannot forget what United have done."

im not sure what people are complaining about here to be honest. He's correct in what he has said.

Anyone have a feeling that Citeh may try bully Barcelona like Bayern did but fail badly?

Only me complaining.

If he was anywhere near the quality of the other two, he would have deflected such questions about an irrelelvance for his club and concentrated on the matters in hand. He himself said he does not want to get involved in such matters.

Then says this.

To be honest dude, Everyone knows United will splash the cash over the summer so why not kick them whilst their down.

Can't argue with that.

But i am a Welling Utd supporter. So no affiliations to any.

He is just doing the wrong thing imo.

by socal1976 Mon 17 Feb 2014, 9:56 pm

It is fun to have digs at United, I am sure they will be back and win trophies in the near future that means you have to get your shots in at them now. Come on who didn't cheer when the death star blew up in Star Wars?

by Duty281 Tue 18 Feb 2014, 9:21 am

I cheered when Bambi's mum got shot - this isn't quite the same thing though.

United will be back. Unlike Citeh and Chelski, they have not built their houses on the sand.

by Guest Tue 18 Feb 2014, 9:28 am

My feeling is that as success Utd have in the next couple of years will be due their rivals being mediocre or downright poor at crucial times just like last season. It won't be Utd laying waste to all before them.

by compelling and rich Tue 18 Feb 2014, 11:01 am

people really dont like giving us credit. we win because the league was at its weakest despite our points tally being plenty good enough to win it no matter who was challenging

now this seaon the likes of arsenal and liverpool are challenging for the title with pretty much the same teams as last season and the league is much stronger?!

by Stella Tue 18 Feb 2014, 12:07 pm

Utd would be first at present if Fergie was in charge still..........imo.

by Guest Tue 18 Feb 2014, 12:20 pm

compelling and rich wrote:people really dont like giving us credit. we win because the league was at its weakest despite our points tally being plenty good enough to win it no matter who was challenging

now this seaon the likes of arsenal and liverpool are challenging for the title with pretty much the same teams as last season and the league is much stronger?!

Oh dear...Utd kept plodding away and grinding out the wins without playing spectacularly well. Fair play to them, it's up to everyone else to get the points and they failed to do so but please don't make out that last year's Utd team were anything special. Fergie dragged them kicking and screaming to the title as he's the one with the fear factor and the ability to get blood out of a stone. Fergie had a never say die attitude whilst Moyes always has an excuse ready.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 18 Feb 2014, 12:22 pm

He wasnt making it out, but also hes right in that they dont get credit for winning that league with ease. They are the apologetic champions, when really they won the Premier League quite easily and thats quite a feat

by socal1976 Tue 18 Feb 2014, 5:35 pm

compelling and rich wrote:people really dont like giving us credit. we win because the league was at its weakest despite our points tally being plenty good enough to win it no matter who was challenging

now this seaon the likes of arsenal and liverpool are challenging for the title with pretty much the same teams as last season and the league is much stronger?!

Come on CR, Arsenal is not the same team they were last year. They added two crucial players to their midfield in Ozil and Flamini. And certain players are having career years and have improved their level. Players like Szcz and Ramsey were not this good last season. The league is tougher. Look at the players that have come into the league this year Negredo, Navas, Fernandinho, Ozil, Paulinho, Eriksen. And the only player of note to leave was Bale. As for liverpool, similar to Arsenal they have had several young players improve like Sterling and Sturridge. The same player can up his level over the course of time especially when they are young.

I don't begrudge United's title, I don't think it was undeserving in anyway. But objectively the league is stronger this year.

by compelling and rich Tue 18 Feb 2014, 9:47 pm

power house city being taught a lesson tonight, perhaps there only challenging because united are weaker this season Whistle

by compelling and rich Tue 18 Feb 2014, 10:02 pm

socal1976 wrote:
compelling and rich wrote:people really dont like giving us credit. we win because the league was at its weakest despite our points tally being plenty good enough to win it no matter who was challenging

now this seaon the likes of arsenal and liverpool are challenging for the title with pretty much the same teams as last season and the league is much stronger?!

Come on CR, Arsenal is not the same team they were last year. They added two crucial players to their midfield in Ozil and Flamini. And certain players are having career years and have improved their level. Players like Szcz and Ramsey were not this good last season. The league is tougher. Look at the players that have come into the league this year Negredo, Navas, Fernandinho, Ozil, Paulinho, Eriksen. And the only player of note to leave was Bale. As for liverpool, similar to Arsenal they have had several young players improve like Sterling and Sturridge. The same player can up his level over the course of time especially when they are young.

I don't begrudge United's title, I don't think it was undeserving in anyway. But objectively the league is stronger this year.

flamini has made a difference because he's added something you didnt have, ozil type players you have had and he's hardly set the world alight after a bright start. id take bale over erikson and paulinho any day of the week, they are weaker. navas hasnt been great so far. fernadinho has been the best signing so far, negredos had a great start but mainly dined out on cup goals against lesser teams (14 cup goals (12 apps) to only 9 league (21 apps) despite playing a lot more in the league)

added to some of the cannon fodder thats been in the league this season like fulham, norwich, palace (before pullis) cardiff, and the dramatic loss of form of teams like west ham, wba, united, spurs for large parts of the season means so far going around the league has been fairly easy for the top four clubs so far.

this time last year we had 68 points which would have seen us comfortably top, and everybody would be saying that 11 point lead would be because everybody else is weak. we didnt set the world alight last year playing wise but we won a lot more of games than likes of chlesea who get great credit for doing exactly the same yet miles behind our total

by socal1976 Tue 18 Feb 2014, 10:41 pm

compelling and rich wrote:
socal1976 wrote:
compelling and rich wrote:people really dont like giving us credit. we win because the league was at its weakest despite our points tally being plenty good enough to win it no matter who was challenging

now this seaon the likes of arsenal and liverpool are challenging for the title with pretty much the same teams as last season and the league is much stronger?!

Come on CR, Arsenal is not the same team they were last year. They added two crucial players to their midfield in Ozil and Flamini. And certain players are having career years and have improved their level. Players like Szcz and Ramsey were not this good last season. The league is tougher. Look at the players that have come into the league this year Negredo, Navas, Fernandinho, Ozil, Paulinho, Eriksen. And the only player of note to leave was Bale. As for liverpool, similar to Arsenal they have had several young players improve like Sterling and Sturridge. The same player can up his level over the course of time especially when they are young.

I don't begrudge United's title, I don't think it was undeserving in anyway. But objectively the league is stronger this year.

flamini has made a difference because he's added something you didnt have, ozil type players you have had and he's hardly set the world alight after a bright start. id take bale over erikson and paulinho any day of the week, they are weaker. navas hasnt been great so far. fernadinho has been the best signing so far, negredos had a great start but mainly dined out on cup goals against lesser teams (14 cup goals (12 apps) to only 9 league (21 apps) despite playing a lot more in the league)

added to some of the cannon fodder thats been in the league this season like fulham, norwich, palace (before pullis) cardiff, and the dramatic loss of form of teams like west ham, wba, united, spurs for large parts of the season means so far going around the league has been fairly easy for the top four clubs so far.

this time last year we had 68 points which would have seen us comfortably top, and everybody would be saying that 11 point lead would be because everybody else is weak. we didnt set the world alight last year playing wise but we won a lot more of games than likes of chlesea who get great credit for doing exactly the same yet miles behind our total

I wouldn't say everyone else was weak last year that I agree is unfair. As to all those players I mentioned, they are all star players and internationals that have come in to top sides. While the only star player to leave is Bale. As for Spurs they aren't far off where they were last year, they weren't in the title race last year and aren't in it this year. Plus I keep hearing how Jose is the best manager in the world and the greatest tactical genius since Sun Tzu, his addition to Chelsea certainly helps. More talent has come into the league than has left. And then you have the development of young players at LFC and Arsenal. Outside of Spurs I can't think of top 6 team that isn't better this year than they were last year. And as for Ozil you would be hard pressed to find a football expert or fan that would say that his addition didn't improve Arsenal. Last year Cazorla was our player of the year, this year he has been surpassed by Ramsey. Ozil had a bad patch of games recently but he was pretty damn good against Liverpool in the FA cup having a major role in both Arsenal goals.

by Hammersmith harrier Tue 18 Feb 2014, 10:56 pm

The dynamic of the league has changed for one reason and that's Fergusons retirement, were he still in charge we'd be top and getting zero credit for it. Teams are doing far worse than we did last year but surprise surprise nobody says a thing, jealousy plain and simple.

by CFCNick Wed 19 Feb 2014, 7:30 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The dynamic of the league has changed for one reason and that's Fergusons retirement, were he still in charge we'd be top and getting zero credit for it. Teams are doing far worse than we did last year but surprise surprise nobody says a thing, jealousy plain and simple.

It's not jealousy. Why do all United fans think everyone's jealous?

Nobody's talking about United's fall as much as you think. Plus when they do and they don't mention other teams it's because the other teams doing "far worse than we did last year" are probably doing about the same as THEY did last year.

Last season whenever we won a game it'd be "Oh, Chelsea win" and when we lost games or even drew against lower teams everyone in the media had to point out we were European champions. "The European champions lose at West Brom". They never called us European champions when we beat big teams.

by socal1976 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 8:11 am

Why would you be jealous of a 7th place team?

by CFCNick Wed 19 Feb 2014, 8:32 am

Love Pellegrini once again blaming refs for a loss. Did the same with Chelsea the other week.

It's amazing. The top team in Manchester gets a crap load of decisions their way and point to the two times they didn't because they lost. Laugh

by socal1976 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 8:45 am

CFCNick wrote:Love Pellegrini once again blaming refs for a loss. Did the same with Chelsea the other week.

It's amazing. The top team in Manchester gets a crap load of decisions their way and point to the two times they didn't because they lost.

I agree with this considering his team have really had the rub of the green with decisions this year. Also he didn't help matters by bringing in Nasri and Dzeko as subs when he should have thought about keeping the match 1-0. At 1-0 going to the nou camp you have a chance for victory. Giving up two road goals you really have very little chance.

by Hammersmith harrier Wed 19 Feb 2014, 8:53 am

Jealous of the past or do you just mention us at every possible point for no apparent reason.

Nick, it goes with the territory when you were possibly the second worst team win the European Cup behind the 2005 Liverpool team.

by socal1976 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 8:57 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Jealous of the past or do you just mention us at every possible point for no apparent reason.

Nick, it goes with the territory when you were possibly the second worst team TO win the European Cup behind the 2005 Liverpool team.

I know you have a problem with reading comprehension so I thought I would help you out.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 19 Feb 2014, 9:21 am

Oh jesus christ. I'm jealous again of Man United. Do over lad, go sit in your singing section with your branded noodles and crisps.

Should ask Marky. He's a Crawley fan. He probably looks at all these Premier League discussions and simultaneous has a tug and a cry, both extremely aroused by how good Hull are and how sad he is that he cant support Sunderland.

by **hampo17** Wed 19 Feb 2014, 9:38 am

socal1976 wrote:
CFCNick wrote:Love Pellegrini once again blaming refs for a loss. Did the same with Chelsea the other week.

It's amazing. The top team in Manchester gets a crap load of decisions their way and point to the two times they didn't because they lost.

I agree with this considering his team have really had the rub of the green with decisions this year. Also he didn't help matters by bringing in Nasri and Dzeko as subs when he should have thought about keeping the match 1-0. At 1-0 going to the nou camp you have a chance for victory. Giving up two road goals you really have very little chance.

Give over you two. All managers moan about the referees, it doesn't matter whether they've had 6 dodgy penalties in the previous game, if something goes against them they'll moan. Wenger and Mourinho are no different, in fact I think Mourinho is the worst for whinging at refs.

Also he'd brought Lescott on to go in to the defence so they still had four at the back, I could see a point had he just ignored the big hole at CB but he didn't so I'm not sure why you're criticising the Nasri and Dzeko subs.

by wadey101 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 9:39 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:The dynamic of the league has changed for one reason and that's Fergusons retirement, were he still in charge we'd be top and getting zero credit for it. Teams are doing far worse than we did last year but surprise surprise nobody says a thing, jealousy plain and simple.

How are teams doing far worse than you last year? You were awful to watch last year and the previous couple of years. How many times did we hear Man U have won again despite not being at their best, practically every game. This year Man City are playing great attacking football, as are Liverpool, Arsenal are playing well and Chelsea are grinding out results.

This year Man U are playing poorly again but this time without a top manager to drag them over the line they are finally getting the results they deserve.

by CFCNick Wed 19 Feb 2014, 11:23 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Jealous of the past or do you just mention us at every possible point for no apparent reason.

Nick, it goes with the territory when you were possibly the second worst team win the European Cup behind the 2005 Liverpool team.

Where do the 2010 Inter team rank on your worst winners? Is it just because they're an Italian club that no one mentions their defensive style? Iirc they wrestled their way passed us with Lucio Frak Drogba on every set piece.

How can you say Chelsea and Liverpool are so low when teams like Marseille, Red Star, Porto and Steaua Bucharest have won the cup.

Also, I don't think I mention United more than any other team.

by Duty281 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 11:28 am

Barcelona did get the rub of the green from the decisions last night, but that is simply because British clubs always have to adapt to Continental refereeing; something that is different to the style of officiating you get on this once beautiful island.

That, in itself, gives Continental clubs a slight advantage over British clubs all the time. British clubs need to adapt, and its safe to say City could have done that better last night.

by Ent Wed 19 Feb 2014, 11:36 am

CFCNick wrote:
Hammersmith harrier wrote:Jealous of the past or do you just mention us at every possible point for no apparent reason.

Nick, it goes with the territory when you were possibly the second worst team win the European Cup behind the 2005 Liverpool team.

Where do the 2010 Inter team rank on your worst winners? Is it just because they're an Italian club that no one mentions their defensive style? Iirc they wrestled their way passed us with Lucio Frak Drogba on every set piece.

How can you say Chelsea and Liverpool are so low when teams like Marseille, Red Star, Porto and Steaua Bucharest have won the cup.

Also, I don't think I mention United more than any other team.

Inter were very good, those other clubs may have been small but they had good teams.

Fair enough Porto had a good draw.

Chelsea were definitely the worst side to win it with the worst performances and most luck.

But who cares, you won.

by Hammersmith harrier Wed 19 Feb 2014, 11:48 am

Marseille had a brilliant team when they won it Nick, the teams you mentioned did all have the distinction of being domestic champions. Remind me which other team aside from Liverpool and Chelsea finished 5th the season they won it?

by **hampo17** Wed 19 Feb 2014, 11:51 am

It's ok saying we are one of the worst teams to win it, but look at the draw we had, we certainly didn't have it easy did we.

by compelling and rich Wed 19 Feb 2014, 1:31 pm

not sure about MP whinging about decisions last night, and i dont see how barca got the rub of the green.

it was never a foul on navas

definitely a red but should have been a free kick

barca had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out, he was clearly onside

not sure how thats so unfair on city? there were soft fouls but your playing barcelona there are always soft fouls. its how they play and with European refs you get those decisions. city for me showed there naivety in European football last night.

by Duty281 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 2:03 pm

The 50-50s went Barca's way more of the time.

The referee was quicker on the cards for City, than he was for Barca, as well.

by socal1976 Wed 19 Feb 2014, 6:04 pm

compelling and rich wrote:not sure about MP whinging about decisions last night, and i dont see how barca got the rub of the green.

it was never a foul on navas

definitely a red but should have been a free kick

barca had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out, he was clearly onside

not sure how thats so unfair on city? there were soft fouls but your playing barcelona there are always soft fouls. its how they play and with European refs you get those decisions. city for me showed there naivety in European football last night.

I agree here completely. That red card was as clear as day. And in fairness to the refs, at first blush I thought it was just inside the box. We are talking about a matter of inches in a split second play. We know the continental officials are quicker with the whistle and Barca had the ball almost the entire match, of course in those circumstances you would expect City to get whistled for more fouls.

by Ent Wed 19 Feb 2014, 6:15 pm

Pelligrinis comments last night were mad weren't they?

Could be facing a big ban.

by Hammersmith harrier Wed 19 Feb 2014, 7:21 pm

hampo171 wrote:It's ok saying we are one of the worst teams to win it, but look at the draw we had, we certainly didn't have it easy did we.

There is that but your domestic form can't be ignored Hampo, you were not one of the best teams in Europe that year neither were Chelsea, not sure why that is so controversial.

by **hampo17** Thu 20 Feb 2014, 9:28 am

Hammersmith harrier wrote:
hampo171 wrote:It's ok saying we are one of the worst teams to win it, but look at the draw we had, we certainly didn't have it easy did we.
There is that but your domestic form can't be ignored Hampo, you were not one of the best teams in Europe that year neither were Chelsea, not sure why that is so controversial.

I agree our domestic form was up and down, we'd brought in players who where adapting to the Premier League but were comfortable with the European style of football.

I love that Wenger has moaned about the red card last night, it was as clear a red card as you'll see. He was lucky not to break Robbens leg as well.

by Stella Thu 20 Feb 2014, 9:42 am

The CL is in effect a cup comp, after the group stages, so you will always have random winners like Liverpool, Chelsea, Porto. Not denying them their wins of course. Istanbul was a great night in British sport.

by Marky Thu 20 Feb 2014, 9:46 am

Congratulations Manchester United fans. In the space of 8 months, you have become Liverpool.

by Ent Thu 20 Feb 2014, 12:42 pm

Let's hope for a turnaround in the next 8 months.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 20 Feb 2014, 12:43 pm

Dont be so jealous Emo

by Duty281 Thu 20 Feb 2014, 1:12 pm

We have an emo emoticon, but no drool emoticon - what gives? Oh wait... Drool

..there we go.

Moving on...

by compelling and rich Thu 20 Feb 2014, 2:22 pm

Marky wrote:Congratulations Manchester United fans. In the space of 8 months, you have become Liverpool.

why has it been 24 years since we last won the title? jeez that went quick

by Soldier_Of_Fortune Thu 20 Feb 2014, 2:58 pm

compelling and rich wrote:
Marky wrote:Congratulations Manchester United fans. In the space of 8 months, you have become Liverpool.

why has it been 24 years since we last won the title? jeez that went quick

Nice to see you brushing up on Liverpools history.

by compelling and rich Thu 20 Feb 2014, 3:26 pm

Soldier_Of_Fortune wrote:
compelling and rich wrote:
Marky wrote:Congratulations Manchester United fans. In the space of 8 months, you have become Liverpool.

why has it been 24 years since we last won the title? jeez that went quick

Nice to see you brushing up on Liverpools history.

dont need to brush up, its all you lot talk about [/quote]

by Soldier_Of_Fortune Thu 20 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

Doubt it, I only realised when you brought it up.

Go Moyes!

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 20 Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

So defensive, so hurt, so funny

by Sponsored content