We have Ake and Kushanov in an emergency we could probably play Rodri and nThere’s not much you can do when 3 players in the same position get long term injuries at the same time.
We’ve got 5 CBs for 2 positions. That’s usually enough.
We’ve got 3 CDMs, and we’ve not had 2 available at the same time very much either.
Lack of rotation is a problem that we’re suffering for, but when we have rotated, we’ve been rubbish. That’s partly recruitment, but partly a new, young team learning to play together.
Problem was Pep went full rotate and un-match fit players either as a group or individually weren't upto it, rather than doing 2/3 and then 2/3 each game afterwards but, from that performance he's thrown them all under a bus unless we're desperate.But we saw ‘rotation’ against Leverkusen… our fringe players are not up to the required levels, certainly not en masse
Kovacic. Absolutely fine in a double 6 role.5 CBS I get. Stones, Ake, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol. But to be fair we knew before the season started that 2 of them were sick notes. Throw in Pep being cautious with Khusa it meant obviously the two who are now injured have been overplayed.
3 cdms. Rodri, Nico G and who?
4-6 weeks is about 10 games though. I can’t see those players being fit for all of them.We have Ake and Kushanov in an emergency we could probably play Rodri and n
NOR there
Just need to get through until Dias becomes fit
If we can get a replacement in ( Guehi ) for Ake or Stones or Ake that would help
That was one game though. I’m not talking about rotating the entire team either. For instance maybe Dias doesn’t need to start every game.But we saw ‘rotation’ against Leverkusen… our fringe players are not up to the required levels, certainly not en masse
But even Pep said today that Stones hardly featured last season so it’s not bad luck with him this year. In a World Cup year when both would be eager to get game time both Stones and Ake should have been persuaded to go out on loan in August when they were fit, and an elite replacement brought in.There’s not much you can do when 3 players in the same position get long term injuries at the same time.
We’ve got 5 CBs for 2 positions. That’s usually enough.
We’ve got 3 CDMs, and we’ve not had 2 available at the same time very much either.
Lack of rotation is a problem that we’re suffering for, but when we have rotated, we’ve been rubbish. That’s partly recruitment, but partly a new, young team learning to play together.
Stones has been in the squad for 19 out of 30 games this season. He’s not trusted anymore even when he’s fit.But even Pep said today that Stones hardly featured last season so it’s not bad luck with him this year. In a World Cup year when both would be eager to get game time both Stones and Ake should have been persuaded to go out on loan in August when they were fit, and an elite replacement brought in.
Dias and Guardial have been flogged playing every game because there are no options without affecting performance. Stones is finished, Ake looks like he is running in treacle whenever he gets on the pitch and Khusanov is simply not ready to start PL games and not trusted by Pep.
i'll bet theres an x ray of Rooneys skull on that wall...Manchester City were the pioneers of the DEXA scan for elite footballers.
It is installed at the Academy medical facility, space age, World class.
All players are regularly monitored, for bone density.
Akanji played 40 games for us last season.But even he was carrying injuries which caught up with him.
Anyway it's history now, for whatever reasons, and Pep and the club have to try and find solutions .
Akanji played 40 games for us last season.
Stones/Ake 29 games combined last season.
Akanji wasn't at his best but at least he could get on the pitch!!
i'll bet theres an x ray of Rooneys skull on that wall...
What a dumb comment.Ait-Nouri worst signing since Philips.