Let's get behind Savic

[Tricky Dickys Right Foot Shot]

You're certainly right about the bulking up, and of course I know that it is perfectly possible to be a great centre half without having all of the attributes I describe (Carlos Puyol being a case in point). What worries me about Savic is that he's currently lacking on all fronts, and there's more to it than just picking his worst game and judging him on that. Anyone can look half decent if they're not under any pressure. Just look at Scholes last week. A man up, oceans of space and opponents happy to sit back. We all know in reality he's past it though and will get himself sent off against the first decent opponents he faces. This league is full of biff bang merchants and I've seen little to convince me Savic is capable of coping with it, and (like Tal Ben Haim) the rash challenges and errors will continue unabated as long as he can't.
Hope he goes on to prove me wrong, but right now I think if Mancini continues to play him he will be making a grave error. Nedum Onuoha would be my choice, albeit that he's no world beater himself

If Nedum isn't good enough for Sunderland what makes hint good enough for us?? Nedum is just as bad under pressure as Savic.. Why replace a player who's just turned 21 playing for his national side for someone who's 4/5 years older and wasn't even good enough for sunderland??

Sometimes I wonder if people remember what Nedum was like when he played for us?? Micah/Hart/Kompany were all the same age as Savic when they went through a bad spell with us now imagine if we had gotten rid and declared them not good enough at this level.... Savic needs time like any other young player that's been at the club...

I don't dispute that he needs time, or that he may well improve dramatically, but let him get that experience out on loan. The margin for error in the position we're in, is extremely slim. Unless you've seen something in him that I haven't, I think picking him again carries an unacceptably high level of risk

I agree with that we can't afford any margin of error in the current position we are in but with Kompany suspended and Kolo at African nations we have no choice but to play our 4th best centre half which just so happens to be Stefan.... Nedum is a right back smaller then Savic and is useless in the air so would get caught out by long balls all the time and Zaba is a bit to head strong to play centre half and is best at right back.... Savic is the best we've got regardless of his prones to making mistakes.... and to be fair about the Liverpool game other then the penalty he didn't do much wrong and Joleon didn't help him out much either, lets see how he does vs Wigan before we judge him as a potential hazard to our title ambition..

 

[daveduke67]

I hope Mancini reads this thread and sees the error of his ways.

Savic has just turned 21, he's only played a handful of first team games and is suddenely expected to fill some pretty impressive boots. Whether he's any good or not he's wearing a City shirt and we should get behind him and give him some encouragement.

Maybe we should do a Scholes and get David Brightwell out of retirement.
.

 

[xenon_]

OP, you're right. Next time I see him on the pitch, I'm gonna cheer him on. He is City, he's only young, and I think it's safe to say he's needed right now.

THERE'S ONLY ONE STEFAN SAVIC! ONE STEFAN SAVIC!

No sarcasm, by the way

 

[bob stockport]

Against the scousers we should have played Richards at centre back against Carroll and stuck Zaballeta at right back. I feel sorry for Savic - he looked like he'd seen a ghost and didnt want the ball or to be there at all.

 

[pauljv92]

Against the scousers we should have played Richards at centre back against Carroll and stuck Zaballeta at right back. I feel sorry for Savic - he looked like he'd seen a ghost and didnt want the ball or to be there at all.

But he hasn't played many games in the PL has he. We just have to cheer him on and give him the confidence. He will grow into his role. This kid has played in the champions league and plays regularly for his country. So common lets give him a chance!

 

[Neville Kneville]

when the other players mentioned had 'bad spells' we were trying to finish tenth or sixth, not win the title.

You don't deliberately carry passengers during a title run in, just because they're nice.

 

[BlueRiz]

not impressed with him. Looks timid.

Timid? Is he supposed to be asking someone on the pitch out on a date?!!!

Not timid pal, I think you mean 'a lack of confidence', which is natural trying to fill Vinny's boots. He needs time, confidence from his team mates and above all support from Lescott the senior CB.

-- Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:20 pm --

OP, you're right. Next time I see him on the pitch, I'm gonna cheer him on. He is City, he's only young, and I think it's safe to say he's needed right now.

THERE'S ONLY ONE STEFAN SAVIC! ONE STEFAN SAVIC!

No sarcasm, by the way

Yes ! Well said pal! Savic needs us to cheer him on to gain more confidence as this is the one thing in our own power to do! For all those saying Micah should go CB I think you fail to understand that Micah BOMBS down the flanks like a fookin winger with class crosses just like his counterpart Clichy on the otherside.

Micah gives our game extra width, which is why he will never be put CB. With Vinny who do we put in the CB role, Savic is a blue and if Bob has faith him, we should too. Personally I think Savic, once he grows into the role, becomes more confident and starts enjoying and determined to win every challenge he'll be fighting Lescott for CB role if Kolo goes in Summer. He's looks like he is trying to impress Mancini and his team mates at the mo cos he's the 'new kid'. He'll be defending like a champion really soon!

Fuck it! There I said it! City for the Title 2012!!!

 

[Jumanji]

What 21 year old top centre backs do you know of?

 

[moomba]

Did well at RB against Munich, maybe a chance to ease him into things with Micah moving inside.

Problem is Micah too good on right at the moment.

 

[Damocles]

looking at the thread title, do you mean let's literally get behind him, in order to cover the gaping holes he leaves in our defence??


I joke of course.

The 35m sub shrugged him off like he was a fly on his shoulder. Not our answer I am afraid. Not trying to sound like slagging him off, but I personally don't feel as if he will ever be up to the standards we now have, and that are now needed in the Premier League. Back up/sub/reserve player, and probably won't be with us for very long to be fair. Will NEVER be a first choice Cb for us, let's face that fact and see him for who he really is. I could be, and hope I am wrong, but don't see much changing.

Spectacularly stupid thing to say about a 20 year old defender.

ANYBODY who is judging Savic, good or bad, is jumping the gun by about 5 years.