Manchester City V Blackburn Pre-match thread.

[Fallingbostel Blue]

No Rodwell, no Nasri, no Yaya, no Silva, leaves us Milner, Garcia, Fernandnho and Navas.

He didnt say anything about rodwell or have i missed that?
He may be fit

Both Rodders and Jovetic still out; just had a tweet of Nicola McCArthy confirming it.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

I really hate this game. Play the shittest team we can get away with. If we get knocked out, but are then able to remain fresher for the difficult title run-in, the league cup final and Barca games, then that's not the end of the world.

 

[Goaters]

Should be a fascinating game tomorrow, Blackburn will come and plonk 10 men behind the ball therefore meaning our players have to show a creative flair to break through their stubborn defence. Now creative flair would usually be followed with the names of Silva and Nasri but as stated earlier both are out, we do not even have the bulldozing option of Yaya to cause havoc. So the much maligned reserve midfielders shall be stepping into the breach.

Now assessing said options a bit more carefully -

Left midfield - Milner - The battler, warrior, gives his all on the pitch and loves a good step over. Clearly not blessed with the ability of some of the other attacking players but he has a good cross on him and his energy causes problems. Usually works best with Silva slipping in balls to him, he is a certain starter for this game.

CM - Garcia - The enigma that is Javi Garcia - Some people believe he lacks the talent and drive to prosper in English football, but over the last few months he is defining himself as a calming influence, he lacks some key ingredients to be able to dominate a game but his positional sense is second to none. He needs someone with drive next to him though to compensate for his inadequacies.

CM - Fernandinho- Drive, power, good on the ball and a modern day box to box midfield King. He does the job of 2 men and has proven to be a vital cog in the midfield 2 with which we deploy. He pushes further up when played alongside Garcia and has added a goalscoring touch to his game. He clearly loves the game and is made of stern stuff.

RM - Navas - The Spanish Walcott was banded about when he first signed, but he has so much more to his game. Month by month you can see him growing in confidence and now attacks his man at every chance. His work ethic is a thing of beauty and much like Milner he helps out the fullback. Turning into the player who becomes our most exhilarating to watch when he gets the ball.

That midfield should be more than good enough against the Rovers team we face, I would imagine playing 60 minutes with the team before the likes of Huws and maybe Lopes come on. Saying that, with Dzeko having taken a knock against Newcastle Lopes could be thrown in to play just behind Negredo.

We are exceptionally lucky that whatever team we put out you know there will be moments to your breath away, it is a shame a few of the youngsters are not further along with their progression but that time is not too far away.

 

[kaz7]

No Rodwell, no Nasri, no Yaya, no Silva, leaves us Milner, Garcia, Fernandnho and Navas.

He didnt say anything about rodwell or have i missed that?
He may be fit

Both Rodders and Jovetic still out; just had a tweet of Nicola McCArthy confirming it.

Thanks
At this rate the kit men may be getting a game

 

[asplund2]

No Rodwell, no Nasri, no Yaya, no Silva, leaves us Milner, Garcia, Fernandnho and Navas.

He didnt say anything about rodwell or have i missed that?
He may be fit

Both Rodders and Jovetic still out; just had a tweet of Nicola McCArthy confirming it.

Im so tired of this.... Please tell us what going on with Jovetic!?!?!?!?!

 

[Carver]

From thephysioroom.com

Manchester City
Y Toure Back Injury no return date
E Dzeko Calf/Shin Injury no return date
S Nasri MCL Knee Ligament Injury 8th Mar 14
J Rodwell Hamstring Injury no return date
J Guidetti Knee Injury no return date
S Jovetic Hamstring Injury 18th Jan 14
S Aguero Calf/Shin Injury 18th Jan 14

So Aguero's fit is he? Don't know how reliable this site is. What's up with Dave?

 

[kunaguero10]

Pants
Micah
Kompany
Lescott
Clichy
Garca
Fernandinhi
Milner
Navas
Lopes
Dzeko

Bench: Hart, Zab, Demi, Kolarov, Huws, Aguero, Negredo

any chance Aguero might start actually??

 

[LoveCity]

Blackburn manager said they will attack us and not do a Pulis.

They may fancy their chances with no Silva, Yaya or Nasri playing. We might play a more direct wing style with Navas and Milner.

 

[carlos tevez is a blue]

No Rodwell, no Nasri, no Yaya, no Silva, leaves us Milner, Garcia, Fernandnho and Navas.

Still pretty decent though, 4/5 of the midfield that won in Munich...

Could do with Jovetic back to play the creative forward role

The point was more who's going to be on the bench, in the guess the team thread I've got Hart, Kolarov, Zaba, Demichelis, Huws, Nastasic, Lopes and Aguero. Four defenders and 2 young kids as the subs is very poor by top teams, even the likes of Villa have more creative depth.

 

[Cobwebcat]

I really hate this game. Play the shittest team we can get away with. If we get knocked out, but are then able to remain fresher for the difficult title run-in, the league cup final and Barca games, then that's not the end of the world.

Tend to agree ....we are the only team in all comps and injuries are adding up with no sign of the Rodgers/Jovetic cavalry.