It’s that time again when you pit your team instead of the manager.
Our survey puts you in the shoes of Manuel Pellegrini and asks you to name your team for the match at Chelsea at Stamford Bridge,
We will then calculate and publish the mean average of the supporters starting eleven based on Pellegrini’s favored 4-2-3-1 formation.
Using the link below select a matchday squad of eleven players to start against Chelsea this Saturday selecting one goalkeeper, one right back, one left-back, two center-backs, two defensive midfielders, three midfielders, and one striker
After selecting your starting XI please leave all other players blank and submit your entry.
I think Pellegrini’s preferred formation is one of our biggest problems at the moment & an even bigger problem is he refuses to even think about changing it which makes it so easy for opposition Managers to pick us off.
Personally I would do something different and play a 3-5-2 using Martin – Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell, – Fredericks, Noble, Anderson, Snodgrass, Masuaku – Antonio, Haller.
But I’m sure Pellegrini will stick with his same old pattern and selections and Masuaku probably won’t even make the bench again and we’ll get wiped off the park.
I like that. I think it’s time to drop Diop and Rice is the obvious choice to replace him since Balbuena failed to convince. Problem is Rice is our only decent defensive midfielder. I would still stick with a 4-4-2 of Martin/Masuaku-Rice-Ogbonna-Creswell/Noble-Snowdgrass-Fornals-Anderson/Antonio-Haller.
The midfield would be a diamond with Noble at the back, Snowdgrass and Fornals on the sides and Anderson upfront. None of them is good at defending but we don’t have many options and at least it gives us a chance to be more creative.
I think this is a great solution given our current plight. Masuaka is much more suited to the wingback role. Clearly Noble is the defensive midfielder and I like the two up front. Anderson and Snodgrass in central/attacking midfield is the dodgy one for me. But you are probably right and that tippy-tappy football across the back of the back four until they give it away will probably be the order of the day again. Thank goodness its not on live!!!!
It’s difficult to really complete this survey. First off, I would never play a 4-2-3-1 formation. So choosing players based off of that alone doesn’t really work. Secondly, what good is it having players on the list that can’t be chosen such as Manuel Lanzini and Conor Coventry? Also, I wouldn’t use either of the keepers on the provided list. There is an amazing stopper with the U23s that has shown he should get a shot.
How come Antonio’s name isn’t an option in your team selection??
Sorry will add it now
Pellegrini plays 4-1-4-1, he mouthed to Mark Noble to drop in alongside Rice when it was too late on Saturday. In my opinion playing a genuine two infront of the defence would make a big difference for us with regards to attacking. I also think we need to realise that in some games we are better placed with a deep-lying defence. The likes of Anderson, Antonio, Lanzini are quick enough to join Haller on the counter and the likes of Noble and Lanzini are able to pick out the long distance passes we need to get quickly up the pitch. Also Masuaku in either position down the left would allow us to do this. Cresswell seems to have lost a lot of pace/stamina, too.
Don’t forget Diop unavailable 5 yellow cards cant play!
Firstly I wouldn’t play that way.
Martin in goal
3 centre backs Ogbona, Rice and Cresswell.
Wing backs Fredericks ans Masuakau
Midfield Noble, Snodgrass and (yes) Sanchez
Yarmolenko
Antonio
Haller Antonio
Masuaku Anderson Noble Snodgrass
Cresswell Rice Diop Fredericks
Martin
4-2-3-1 and we’re done for
Martin
And someone who can dedend