16 | Rodri - 2023/24

[rossmoss]

I think he's only on 7 yellow cards isn't he?

He's likely to pick up another 3 yellows before our tough run starts with the game against Liverpool which means we need to make sure he's served the 2 game suspension by then. We also have Arsenal and Villa shortly after who could both still be in the title race at that point so we can't lose him for those games either.

It's obviously hard to plan this sort of thing but looking at our upcoming fixtures, the best case scenario is probably for him to miss Brentford at home and Bournemouth away although we might be able to get away with it against Chelsea, especially as it's at home. Ideally he would be back in time to start the derby but the main thing is just getting the suspension out of the way before we play Liverpool.

Our fixtures:

Burnley (H)
Brentford (A)
Everton (H)
Chelsea (H)
Brentford (H)
Bournemouth (A)
United (H)
Liverpool (A)
Brighton (A)
Arsenal (H)
Villa (H)

True I just found out he's on 7, don't know where I heard 8. I agree, brentford and bournmouth would be the ideal fixtures to miss. WIll be weird watching city games hoping that he gets yellows :D

 

[JDV]

That ball to De Bruyne for the 2nd goal is so damn good. He was surrounded by 3 Newcastle players and somehow threads it through with the outside of his boot which gives Kev all the space he needs to work his magic.

 

[hammocity]

True I just found out he's on 7, don't know where I heard 8. I agree, brentford and bournmouth would be the ideal fixtures to miss. WIll be weird watching city games hoping that he gets yellows :D

What’s the rule on yellow cards in FA Cup games? I seem to remember yellows don’t cross competitions but reds do.

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

Not only is he a brick wall defensively but also the most threatening midfielder in the league according to the stats.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

He’s alright

 

[TonyM]

Pep has to figure out a way of us playing without Rodri. Otherwise our whole season will be determined by negative things happening to Rodri - either discipline, injury, personal stuff.

I'm hoping that if we are up in games that Pep starts subbing Rodri off for someone who can do the simple stuff decent enough (e.g. Bernardo, Ake, Stones, Akanji). I hope any chance of Phillips ever being given the chance again is well gone.

(I am only concerned about our reliance on Rodri because of our reliance on Rodri. He is awesome but is only human)

 

[LongsightM13]

Not only is he a brick wall defensively but also the most threatening midfielder in the league according to the stats.

He could definitely also play as an 8 if we ever signed a reliable back up DM. What a footballer

 

[kaz7]

Pep has to figure out a way of us playing without Rodri. Otherwise our whole season will be determined by negative things happening to Rodri - either discipline, injury, personal stuff.

I'm hoping that if we are up in games that Pep starts subbing Rodri off for someone who can do the simple stuff decent enough (e.g. Bernardo, Ake, Stones, Akanji). I hope any chance of Phillips ever being given the chance again is well gone.

(I am only concerned about our reliance on Rodri because of our reliance on Rodri. He is awesome but is only human)

Kovo is more likely , john is never fit , we need nathan where he is and bernie is already everywhere , have we ever had a player like bernie , all over the place he is and we would lose more than we would gain putting him at dm

 

[TonyM]

Kovo is more likely , john is never fit , we need nathan where he is and bernie is already everywhere , have we ever had a player like bernie , all over the place he is and we would lose more than we would gain putting him at dm

I agree that Kovacic is more likely. Also it seems rare now that Pep doesn't play Bernardo wide which always surprises me given how amazing he was there a few seasons back. If twas me I'd never Bernardo wide. I'd play him alongside Rodri again and again and again ...

 

[oldius]

Rodri is getting better and better and his ceiling is preposterously high - Yaya in attack/Fernandinho is defence...in one player!

I don't think he's replaceable by one, but a combination of players will mitigate his loss.
I agree with the point about Bernardo, and if you played him alongside Kova and Nunes, it would release Kev/Alvarez in front, with Phil, Oscar, Doku and Jack. Not all at once though!