16 | Rodri - 2023/24

[Crooked_rain]

I think he's head and shoulders above anyone in his position in the world.

Obviously attacking players get all the hype and trophies and awards, that's generally always the case, but you could make a case for him being arguably the best in the game, or top 3 or 5 or whatever. How many players are as good in their position as Rodri is at his, and seemingly has a gulf between them and anyone else in their position? Not many at all.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Is it true that Rodri hasn’t lost a game for City in over a year?

 

[BringBackSwales]

Really? He hasn't been at his best over the last two games for his incredibly high standard IMO. I may be being too harsh. His awareness at times was lacking.

What??

 

[decmancity]

I bet refs cant wait to get their blue card out for Rodders.

 

[waspish]

I bet refs cant wait to get their blue card out for Rodders.

Thing is the media Neville Carragher be none stop calling for it! He will get one for pulling back a player but in another game referee might not give it that is manipulating the game! Or after half dozen games they'll be no one tackling

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I think he's head and shoulders above anyone in his position in the world.

Was that the shampoo Joe Hart used to advertise?

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

Is this lad up there with the best ever defensive midfielders of all time imo
He is

 

[Deleted member 81382]

No booking so looks like we're risking it with the impending suspension. Let's pray it doesn't bite us in the arse at exactly the wrong moment. Hopefully pep starts managing his minutes to help as much as possible.

He needs to get through the next 9 league games picking up a maximum of 2 yellow cards in order to avoid a 2 match ban as the 10 yellow card rule only applies up until the 32nd fixture I believe.

If he is to pick up 3 more before the cut-off point then the best time to pick up his 10th yellow would probably be against Villa meaning he would miss games against Palace and Luton but be back for Spurs away.

It seems unlikely that he'll be able to get through the next 8 games (7 if Brighton away is pushed back) without picking up 3 bookings especially when you consider some of our opponents in that run. If he can manage to only pick up 2 in the next 6 games (5 if Brighton is pushed back) then it'll mean he can definitely play against Liverpool and Arsenal.

 

[ninjamonkey]

He needs to get through the next 9 league games picking up a maximum of 2 yellow cards in order to avoid a 2 match ban as the 10 yellow card rule only applies up until the 32nd fixture I believe.

If he is to pick up 3 more before the cut-off point then the best time to pick up his 10th yellow would probably be against Villa meaning he would miss games against Palace and Luton but be back for Spurs away.

It seems unlikely that he'll be able to get through the next 8 games (7 if Brighton away is pushed back) without picking up 3 bookings especially when you consider some of our opponents in that run. If he can manage to only pick up 2 in the next 6 games (5 if Brighton is pushed back) then it'll mean he can definitely play against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Yep, I did a similar, every eventuality full breakdown on here a few pages back when suggesting a tactical suspension before united might be the best course. That is now no longer possible after avoiding a booking today.

I strongly suspect and tbh would hope, if Rodri picks up one more yellow in our next 3 games, he will be sitting out some games at least until united but possibly that too to ensure he's available for liverpool away especially and probably arsenal at home too. we simply cannot take the risk on him missing those two. Ideally wouldn't want him missing tough games against the likes of spurs, villa and Brighton either but odds are stacked against him.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Yep, I did a similar, every eventuality full breakdown on here a few pages back when suggesting a tactical suspension before united might be the best course. That is now no longer possible after avoiding a booking today.

I strongly suspect and tbh would hope, if Rodri picks up one more yellow in our next 3 games, he will be sitting out some games at least until united but possibly that too to ensure he's available for liverpool away especially and probably arsenal at home too. we simply cannot take the risk on him missing those two. Ideally wouldn't want him missing tough games against the likes of spurs, villa and Brighton either but odds are stacked against him.

As you say, the main thing is that he's available for Liverpool and Arsenal. Those are two games we simply can't afford to lose him for. If we're clever about it then we should be able to navigate it.

We rarely put teams to the sword these days which I get is often a deliberate tactic to conserve energy but if we could put a couple of these upcoming games to bed early it would allow us to sub him off which would certainly help.