Pellegrini still taking no prisoners
And if we cast our minds back to the Sam Allardyce era (Kevin Nolan!) and forward through Bilic and Moyes that is very refreshing .
Two defeats aren’t easy to take but the manager’s determination to ensure that he continually rings the changes as we struggled for a way back against Spurs was good news.
There would be many manager who having spent £35 million or so on a player would have kept him on the pitch regardless of how poor his contribution.
Felipe Anderson was removed and not many would disagree that was the correct decision on a day when even the basics were missing from his game.
That he cost so much is no excuse for a manager to dilly dally and hope he will find a bit of form before the end of the 90 as many might have done is not on. Pellegrini didn’t hesitate.
That he was ready to hand Yarmolenko’s job to an untested Premier League youngster – Diangana – in such a high profile match also speaks volumes for a boss who certainly rejects any form of stereotypical thinking.
Many would just have thrown in Antonio.
Ahead of the match he stuck by a rule which seems to be his par for the course – one poor performance and out you go – as was the case with Masuaku with Aaron Cresswell recalled and looking the part.
The same fate was suffered by Carlos Sanchez and Declan Rice in the past and Pellegrini is still taking no prisoners.
There’s few positives to be taken from defeat against S…s. It’s a deeply disappointing and depressing experience but I do like Pellegrini’s approach and am convinced we’ll be just fine.