Naive Pellegrini hands Chelsea further advantage

The naivity of Manuel Pellegrini is utterly astounding.

He is supposed to be a vastly experienced and world class manager, but his insistance on playing 4-4-2 in every game regardless of the opposition is quite frankly ridiculous. In the space of two games he has summed up exactly why Manchester City are struggling to retain their domestic title and why they are making no progress against Europe's elite.

When Barcelona arrived at the Etihad and saw the team sheet, they must have been rubbing their hands together and embracing each other with uncontrollable glee. Even if Yaya Toure had been available, to play with only two central midfield players against Barcelona is tanamount to footballing suicide. They paid the price that night and they payed the price again at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool are not Barcelona, but they are improving rapidly and can overrun teams at Anfield with the Kop behind them. Once again Pellegrini decided to Attack, Attack, Attack and even with their talismanic Ivorian back in the middle they came away with nothing. I read one neutral fans comment on one live commentary site, he said the following:

"Chelsea come to Anfield and park the bus, Man City come and all out attack". That is why I would rather Man City win the league"

The fact of the matter is, Chelsea got something from their game at Anfield... Man City did not. Chelsea have in fact played some of the more attractive football in this seasons Premier League, their passing and movement has been brilliant at times. But when it comes to the tougher away games, they have a team, a manager and a system that can grind out a result.

You simply cannot approach every game and every opposition with the same tactics, you have to adapt and find other ways to win games. Manuel Pellegrini's refusal to sacrifice a striker in the biggest games is the sole reason Manchester City are struggling to keep in touch with Chelsea and why they are on the brink of another underwhelming Champions league campaign.

When the season has finished, Manchester City are likely to be without a major trophy and I think that Manuel Pellegrini's position will come under serious scrutiny. I would normally express a disbelief at the lack of patience shown by chaiman in the modern game, but should City part ways with Mr Pellegrini this summer I would completely understand why.