Injury Updates

[cleavers]

Think he might get a few minutes against Fulham as a sub. Guess we’ll gradually ease him back into it with an eye on getting him ready for the Madrid games.

Hopefully, but that comment almost sounds a bit desperate to get him back (and so am I), rushing it could cause bigger issues, Garcia has already been trusted for 90 minutes against Sheff U, and looked perfectly capable in what was a bit of a strange lineup, but it was effective (and a very rare clean sheet).

 

[Ric]

Don't see a reason why to put him in danger against Fulham. If we will be 2,3 goala ahead then the game is over - why risk him? if the result is still equal or we are in behind we should bring strikers in not a CB. Let him rest for a few more days and return to full fitness.

I think it’s more about giving him game time in a relatively low-risk fixture. Could well be wrong though. Sounds like Pep is waiting for the nod from Dr Cugat.

 

[ws01]

Laporte coming back won't solve everything, Guardiola is 100% about that. Recent history tells me clearly that if the floodgates aren't shut from the midfield, we'll keep leaking goals.

Pep needs to bite the bullet and put Dinho back there, plus keep Merlin out, to give us a proper shot at winning the CL - we won't have a chance otherwise.

 

[Aussie!]

Laporte coming back won't solve everything, Guardiola is 100% about that. Recent history tells me clearly that if the floodgates aren't shut from the midfield, we'll keep leaking goals.

Pep needs to bite the bullet and put Dinho back there, plus keep Merlin out, to give us a proper shot at winning the CL - we won't have a chance otherwise.

Yes, but that's the thing. Laporte return solves TWO issues. Central defence, plus allows as you mention, Fernadinho is go back to his position where he absolutely dominates for us. We've missed Fernadinho in the middle, as much as we have Laporte in the back.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I sadly doubt Fern will be heading to midfield, rightly or wrongly Pep has said he's a CH now so I expect if 2 at the back it'll be Laporte & Fern in the big games until the summer.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Yes, but that's the thing. Laporte return solves TWO issues. Central defence, plus allows as you mention, Fernadinho is go back to his position where he absolutely dominates for us. We've missed Fernadinho in the middle, as much as we have Laporte in the back.

It only solves two issues in our heads. I want Fern back at CDM, I have been saying it all season. Unfortunately, I believe Pep will only pick Gundogan or Rodri in that position and that creates a problem for us, because neither of them are as good as Fern.

 

[blueparrot]

It only solves two issues in our heads. I want Fern back at CDM, I have been saying it all season. Unfortunately, I believe Pep will only pick Gundogan or Rodri in that position and that creates a problem for us, because neither of them are as good as Fern.

You're right but it was a problem solved when we played Gundogan/ Rodri with Bernardo energy and control and a free role for KDB. Sadly it means no David. That's where our recent good performances came from. Putting Silva back in doesn't help he needs to come on to see games out now.

 

[GX Blue]

Laporte will not solve our defensive problems. Its Peps tactics. We conceded silly pointless goals last year as well.
Any team can score past us.
We are unable to shut up shop.

 

[Marvin]

I have seen Pep's comment. I disagree. The problem is personnel. We have the same issues as we did in Pep's first season where we can't defend against forwards who run at our defence and that is because we have Fernandinho and Otamendi playing regularly in defence. Stones and Laporte are very capable of doing that but have rarely played. As they return we will get stronger but obviously it will take them some time to reach their best as it did with Mendy. The Palace equaliser started in midfield with Rodri weak in the tackle, and Cancelo out of position. I don't think that's typical of City.

My worry is that Laporte may return and end up partnering Fernandinho because Stones will be out. No one can play properly if they play two games on and then 4 off.

Laporte will not solve our defensive problems. Its Peps tactics. We conceded silly pointless goals last year as well.
Any team can score past us.
We are unable to shut up shop.

How quick memories fade. Our defence last season was excellent and that was without a specialist left back.

 

[sir baconface]

Will be great to see him back but a mistake to expect any miracles. It might be the start of next season before he’s back to his best.