Pellegrini’s first season – our verdict
But the recent CandH poll on how fans had received Manuel Pellegrini’s first season at the club was surely a surprise with those saying he had met their expectations only just winning the day over the less well impressed.
I have no wish to fall out with any who have been disappointed but a nine per cent gap between those who were happy and the rest seems too narrow.
There have been follow up comments on the forum about him not being what he is cracked up to be, that he needs to shape up and in one or two odd cases even sacked.
Of course people can only answer a single poll question but after our regular flirtations with relegation, to take us to safety with a couple of months left seems a pretty notable achievement.
And he has done it without two summer signings who were key to his plans: Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko which has seen him regularly using around eight or nine of a squad that suffered so badly last term – Zaba, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Noble, Rice, Chicharito, Antonio, Arnautovic and Masuaku.
It’s also been done with a certain Robert Snodgrass playing all season after being thrown into outer darkness at Aston Villa!
There have again been more injuries than enough, particularly poor decisions from officials over the last few weeks in particular, and the awful Arnautovic saga.
Despite all of that, few would disagree there has been a much better brand of football being played with that awful direct game part of history.
At our best we have been outstanding at times and it’s easy to see how we will be progressing over the next couple of years if he and Mario Husillos find the right players at the right price.
He has said himself that it’s impossible for clubs of our size to splash on the very best and that it’s up to the director of football to get to grips with unearthing decent talent at a sensible price.
That’s realistic and I’m sure he was aware of all the circumstances financially – short and long term – when he took over.
Given his first season achievement, I really do expect him to find the players he needs – if he hasn’t already done so – and that we will move on again next season.
In the meantime, and under present circumstances, a first season of stability will certainly do for me.