The Pellegrini philosophy starts to take shape

After nine games we're starting to see what a Pellegrini team looks like. It's been a really good move by Manuel to have the youngsters training alongside the first team squad. The old pros get to see hungry kids and the youngsters learn from their heroes. The Macclesfield game proved that Pellegrini's not afraid to use Academy players — unlike Big Sam — and it was fantastic to see the side end the match with Rice, Diangana, Coventry and Powell on the pitch. It sent a really good signal that Diangana kept his place on the subs bench for the Man United game and he even got a couple of moments on the pitch — a moment Grady will never forget.

Another plus is that Pellegrini's been prepared to look at players afresh. He's given Robert Snodgrass another chance and although he could easily have been discarded after the first four games, Snoddy is putting in regular shifts as a sub.

Meanwhile the United game proved that we have hit upon a system, and we didn't even appear to miss Lanzini that much. The solidity of Rice in front of the back four has allowed Obiang and Noble to go forward and to his credit Pellegrini has seen them as more than just holding midfielders. At 31 Mark Noble is starting to show that he can play through balls and be creative. The rotating three man attack is working well and Diop and Balbuena are starting to form a solid combination at the back, while Fabianski is proving he is an upgrade on Adrian — that was a sensational save from Fellaini.

It's not perfect, the full back areas can still be suspect and with Sanchez and Wilshere out injured the midfield is short of cover. But we're starting to see that Pellegrini's teams like to play flamboyant, exciting football from a solid defensive base. After four games there were doubts, but in the last fortnight Pellegrini has really won the fans over.