Matija Nastasic

[NipHolmes]

I'm giving up quoting Nev, check the next instalment below, he doesn't actually grasp that the lad could be 9 stone wet through yet have more talent and ability than the 3 put together!!!!

I wonder which club has the best defensive record this term ???

oh hang on.

Interesting that Jones 'failed to stop Aguero from scoring' after he ran straight past Wio etc into the space Evra should have been occupying but was stood doing fuck all.

Jones makes the best attempt to defend it & gets criticised.

It is how you view these things indeed.

Jones was owned last season by an overwight Yakubu iirc. Turned like milk.<br /><br />-- Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:59 pm --<br /><br />

Staggering criticism of Nastatic. Especially as it was Kompany who really messed up with the attempted header. Each to their own I suppose.

He did screw up the interception before Mata got hold but he really couldn't dop much else. I thought he looked ok and Ba caught him by suprise but that was down to Bentiez bring on Torres. Watch your man and suddenly theres two of them and no time to really talk to Kompany.

Ba was exceptional anyway, I find it telling that we only criticise Nasty for a goal scored by current FA Cup and CL winners with one of the best strikers in the league over a couple fo seasons. Meanwhile Lescott nearly cost us last years league title with that ridiculous header which Cisse sent to the net.

Tough critics.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Nev in all fairness the reason Lescott isn't first choice is because of concentration. He costs us with lapses and makes silly errors. These errors aren't a part of Nastys game hence his inclusion.

We will find it hard to bring in any CB quicker than Kolo btw, that guy is rapid, even an ageing version is quicker than 99% of CB's.

FWIW Nasty is already better than Lescott based on all round game imo. Lescott betters him with strength and goals from set piece but other than that Nasty is superior. His reading of the game is way above Lescotts.

As for us needing a pacey CB I disagree, we need a pacey CDM, someone who can track a pacey striker and can also make a surging run forward, Garcia and Barry will fall short in this respect even though both are adept in challenging for balls and do the dirty work well. I actually think Richards should be coached up in this aspect, he makes great runs from RB and likes to play a bit, I'd like to see him play in CDM because I think he will fit the role. It's also worth noting Rodwell is very, very good at this too and he is quick. I think teh options are here, just depends if we use as such.

We need options of pace throughout the team imo. Doesn't mean they all have to play every game but I would like to have the option.

We have a good defensive record this season but imo that's partly down to a lack of quality in the league this season & on occasion teams have got at us when they've tried having a go rather than sitting back. In Europe we were all over the place whoever played.

I thought that when JL & VK were together last season, we looked more solid than we have at any time this season, but after a bit of a slack start, they were split up & now we don't really have a cb partnership, just different pairs each week. It's fine when we are on top, but we don't half look dodgy when teams get at us.

As you say, a bit of pace in def mid would help, especially in Europe.<br /><br />-- Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:08 pm --<br /><br />

I wonder which club has the best defensive record this term ???

oh hang on.

Interesting that Jones 'failed to stop Aguero from scoring' after he ran straight past Wio etc into the space Evra should have been occupying but was stood doing fuck all.

Jones makes the best attempt to defend it & gets criticised.

It is how you view these things indeed.

Jones was owned last season by an overwight Yakubu iirc. Turned like milk.

-- Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:59 pm --

Staggering criticism of Nastatic. Especially as it was Kompany who really messed up with the attempted header. Each to their own I suppose.

He did screw up the interception before Mata got hold but he really couldn't dop much else. I thought he looked ok and Ba caught him by suprise but that was down to Bentiez bring on Torres. Watch your man and suddenly theres two of them and no time to really talk to Kompany.

Ba was exceptional anyway, I find it telling that we only criticise Nasty for a goal scored by current FA Cup and CL winners with one of the best strikers in the league over a couple fo seasons. Meanwhile Lescott nearly cost us last years league title with that ridiculous header which Cisse sent to the net.

Tough critics.

Jones has been mostly shite but v City he was superb & basically did Camelgobs job as well.

 

[NipHolmes]

Jones was good against us but still Aguero smashed the winner against him.

Jones is only good at spoiling and when United play possum.

He's an average CB, a decent but out of position RB and a good spoiler.

 

[GazM]

Nev in all fairness the reason Lescott isn't first choice is because of concentration. He costs us with lapses and makes silly errors. These errors aren't a part of Nastys game hence his inclusion.

We will find it hard to bring in any CB quicker than Kolo btw, that guy is rapid, even an ageing version is quicker than 99% of CB's.

FWIW Nasty is already better than Lescott based on all round game imo. Lescott betters him with strength and goals from set piece but other than that Nasty is superior. His reading of the game is way above Lescotts.

As for us needing a pacey CB I disagree, we need a pacey CDM, someone who can track a pacey striker and can also make a surging run forward, Garcia and Barry will fall short in this respect even though both are adept in challenging for balls and do the dirty work well. I actually think Richards should be coached up in this aspect, he makes great runs from RB and likes to play a bit, I'd like to see him play in CDM because I think he will fit the role. It's also worth noting Rodwell is very, very good at this too and he is quick. I think teh options are here, just depends if we use as such.

Richards with the ball at his feet....He scares me in the same way that Lescott scares me.

 

[mccity]

Firstly, I think he was a bit unlucky for the goal. The ball bounced in a strange way and it caught him by surprise, with Ba reacting a little bit faster in this case.

Also, whilst he could've done better with intercepting the ball that led to Mata's chance, I still think it was really good defending. That little touch he got knocked the ball into an area where Pantillimon stood a chance of winning it. Without that touch Mata may have had a lot more time to control it and get a shot away before Pantillimon could get there in time.

 

[cccc]

Firstly, I think he was a bit unlucky for the goal. The ball bounced in a strange way and it caught him by surprise, with Ba reacting a little bit faster in this case.

Also, whilst he could've done better with intercepting the ball that led to Mata's chance, I still think it was really good defending. That little touch he got knocked the ball into an area where Pantillimon stood a chance of winning it. Without that touch Mata may have had a lot more time to control it and get a shot away before Pantillimon could get there in time.

Exactly as I saw it. He was unlucky with that touch, but even that touch might have prevented Mata getting a clearer chance on goal.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Ive come to the conclusion that Nev is Lescott's dad.

 

[Joehannes]

I'm astounded by these two comments, I thought he was absolutely brilliant yesterday. Especially in the first half, his positioning and composure were superb. Out of the 5 lads I went to the game with, 3 thought he was MOTM.

I'd agree with them also - was brilliant watching him from behind the goal in the first half, the way he reads the game is very very special, whats more exciting is Kompany being less relied upon, you don't see many centre backs bombing forward at 1 up in the first half of games, this to me is a vinny having total trust in the kid!!!

-- Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:23 pm --

I thought he did some of the things I have been asking for, with some real grafting defending, & was having a great game except for one ghastly mistake when he let Ba run behind him, but as the game went on he satrted to lose it more & more by the end had pretty much caved in.

Only to be expected from a promising young kid learning his trade, which is what he realistically is at this time, as opposed to the reincarnation of Bobby Moore some are claiming.

Lescott was like his Dad when he came on, so much stronger in the air, & just better at stonewall defending. Terrible mistake if we let him go at this time. Too early to be relying on a young kid.

Hilarity comes in many forms

Every player in light blue was dead on there feet from 65/70 mins on yet you analyse this kid, because you disagree with peoples observations, as caving in - priceless and somewhat delusional!!!!

No, I base it on the fact that he sometimes struggles when he has a player on him & isn't as strong as Lescott in those situations. When Chelsea went to 2 up front, he wasn't very good & suddenly Vinny looked less confident.

In the first half, I agree with your assessment apart from when he let Ba run off him, which he did again 2nd half.

Personally think this was the other way round, that is, Vinny becoming suddenly not very good and Nastasic looking much less confident.

 

[teddykgb]

Staggering criticism of Nastatic. Especially as it was Kompany who really was the one who messed up (if anyone can be blamed) with the attempted header for the Chelsea goal. Each to their own I suppose.

Agreed. If anyone was at fault, it was Kompany, but in reality it was just a good long ball that bounced funny and Ba did a hell of a job to pounce on it. Was a really quality strike, the only real criticism you can have is that it wasn't take care of in the air. Chelsea really highlighted a potential weakness of ours with all that long ball play, we were very vulnerable and unable to collect possession even when we won the headers.

 

[hammersmithlad]

Staggering criticism of Nastatic. Especially as it was Kompany who really was the one who messed up (if anyone can be blamed) with the attempted header for the Chelsea goal. Each to their own I suppose.

Agreed. If anyone was at fault, it was Kompany, but in reality it was just a good long ball that bounced funny and Ba did a hell of a job to pounce on it. Was a really quality strike, the only real criticism you can have is that it wasn't take care of in the air. Chelsea really highlighted a potential weakness of ours with all that long ball play, we were very vulnerable and unable to collect possession even when we won the headers.

yup..I think Dixon pointed this out stating most of the game it was just Ba up front to deal with these kind of balls which was easy pickings. Then for this long ball you had two up front & Kompany seemed to have one eye on Torres sprinting forward and misjudged his header. Cracking finish from Ba, which was aided by a friendly bounce, which Nastasic anticipated going the otherway - harsh to blame him as Kompany should have cleared it in the first place.

 

[samharris]

Ive come to the conclusion that Nev is Lescott's dad.

arf !! ;)

 

[BlueCityfan]

Nastasic is far better than Lescott already. And has earned his place above him. Can't take seriously anyone who thinks otherwise. Lescott is a very good defender but if he wants regular football he has to move on.

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

Nastasic is far better than Lescott already. And has earned his place above him. Can't take seriously anyone who thinks otherwise. Lescott is a very good defender but if he wants regular football he has to move on.

Nastasic has been fantastic, I agree, the only thing I remain cautious about is his age!
He could go through a sticky spell, and if he does we need to remain patient, because he's already proved his class.
I think were going to sign a CB as well, it will be interesting the calibre of CB we go for, as barmy as it sounds Nastasic may find himself having to be patient next season.

 

[give & go]

Henry winter on talk shite today saying how much he enjoyed the match , and was one of the best FA cup semis he had seen , normally boring tense affairs no one wants to lose, he went on to rave on about Nastasic , saying he must be in running for young player of year, I second that.

 

[BlueCityfan]

Nastasic is far better than Lescott already. And has earned his place above him. Can't take seriously anyone who thinks otherwise. Lescott is a very good defender but if he wants regular football he has to move on.

Nastasic has been fantastic, I agree, the only thing I remain cautious about is his age!
He could go through a sticky spell, and if he does we need to remain patient, because he's already proved his class.
I think were going to sign a CB as well, it will be interesting the calibre of CB we go for, as barmy as it sounds Nastasic may find himself having to be patient next season.

Don't think there is need for a replacement for Nastasic, even if he is still young.
But i think we definitely need a "3rd wheel". A top defender who is good on the ball and with both feet and can play with both Nasti and Kompany, and come in for either one whenever needed. Because there will be injuries. I don't see Lescott being that one. Mancini doesn't seem to trust him to play with Nasti because their both left-footed.

 

[decmancity]

Nastasic is far better than Lescott already. And has earned his place above him. Can't take seriously anyone who thinks otherwise. Lescott is a very good defender but if he wants regular football he has to move on.

Nastasic has been fantastic, I agree, the only thing I remain cautious about is his age!
He could go through a sticky spell, and if he does we need to remain patient, because he's already proved his class.
I think were going to sign a CB as well, it will be interesting the calibre of CB we go for, as barmy as it sounds Nastasic may find himself having to be patient next season.

I think the incoming CB will be someone like Marquinhos/Zouma, a young very talented CB.
Unless we could sign maybe someone like Chivu on a decent wage as a backup CB.

Having Kolo and Lescott on a combined 200k ish a week wage sat on the bench yesterday is just crazy. Far better to have Kompany leading Nastasic and another young lad through the team.

 

[nehe11]

I always want him to be more aggressive against more physical players when I watch him play - yesterday I think he did just that. As Neville Neville said, he was doing more of this. He did make a few mistakes yesterday but I think he was a bit unlucky with the one that lead to Pantimillion's diving save/block. He positioned himself correctly, slid in and got that touch but it wasn't enough and nearly resulted in the goal - so as I said unlucky.

Ba's goal was initially his mistake for losing the man, but Kompany made a hash of that header so it was a bit of blame for both of them.

He also lost the ball early on by trying to take on Ramires in the Chelsea half. Luckily it did not lead to a mistake but he shouldn't be making those sort of risks - that said it just shows how comfortable he is with the ball at his feet.

The only other time I think he made a mistake was in the first half where he fell asleep and Ba got round him, but he recovered and then made a mug out of Ba in the penalty area with that shimmy past him which was just ridiculous.

Basically, if he adds more aggression to his game he will be unbelievable. I'm sure of that. Lastly, his positioning was very good. Almost always in the right place. Overall solid game with a couple of nervous moments.

Agree 100%.

My only concern would be whether he has it in him to get that extra bit of aggression to which you refer & to out muscle big cfs for crucial headers for example. Micah, VK & JL are naturally more imposing physically & he will have to find it from somewhere.

Iirc he did pretty well against Carrol.

 

[WEMBLEY76]

Thought he was magnificent yesterday,cleared every cross with his head.

 

[woahmark]

Nastasic is far better than Lescott already. And has earned his place above him. Can't take seriously anyone who thinks otherwise. Lescott is a very good defender but if he wants regular football he has to move on.

Nastasic has been fantastic, I agree, the only thing I remain cautious about is his age!
He could go through a sticky spell, and if he does we need to remain patient, because he's already proved his class.
I think were going to sign a CB as well, it will be interesting the calibre of CB we go for, as barmy as it sounds Nastasic may find himself having to be patient next season.

I think the incoming CB will be someone like Marquinhos/Zouma, a young very talented CB.
Unless we could sign maybe someone like Chivu on a decent wage as a backup CB.

Having Kolo and Lescott on a combined 200k ish a week wage sat on the bench yesterday is just crazy. Far better to have Kompany leading Nastasic and another young lad through the team.

I hope it's not Zouma/Marquinhos because there two very good centrebacks with the latter getting game time at Roma. He's not gonna go to City to be a backup. Especially with Rekik being highly rated among City staff. I reckon if Rekik has a solid pre-season he can maybe in contention for a spot on the bench, if Lescott/Kolo leaves?

However, I think someone who is mid 20s or late twenties who can also play well in the centre of midfield would do the job.

 

[decmancity]

You could have said the same thing about Nastasic, he was getting plenty of game time at Fiorentina but left there to come to us at a time when we were coming off the back of two years with Kompany and Lescott setting the benchmark for goals conceded and clean sheets.

Rekik I think needs a loan move, to somewhere he will play football. Not just get on the pitch but a good footballing standard.

Garcia is the answer to your second bit or Rodwell. Both played CB before but of course are more able midfielders.