The striker situation

[aguero93:20]

Can we just sign one of Jo/Santa Cruz/Samaras.....? Haven't seen them for a while.......;)

Fuck that let's bring back Vassell.

Not a bad shout......;)

No, just a bad shot :). I wouldn't play him, just let Fernando and Mangala use him to get the kung fu out of their systems before we play >:)

 

[hihosilva]

Where's Caicedo when you need him

 

[aguero93:20]

Where's Caicedo when you need him

Espanyol, saw him play for them against Barca a couple of weeks ago. Pozo is better.

 

[littlemarkyc]

Jermain Defoe. Get him in, still more than good enough to do a job.

 

[Thenumber1blue]

Re: Navas for striker

The best option at the moment is Pozo as striker if the usual aren't available. No point in attempting to rebalance, or unbalance, the side by moving players into unfamiliar positions. One goal from Pozo and the lad will be firing! Also, give him some fuckin' service!

This is so not an option,the lad is nowhere near ready and it's like playing without a forward !

 

[DavidT95]

City are apparently in the process of applyin for a work permit for our young Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho who was very impressive pre-season in America. He'd have to pass under the 'special talent' rule for him to be allowed play for us though...

 

[aguero93:20]

Re: Navas for striker

The best option at the moment is Pozo as striker if the usual aren't available. No point in attempting to rebalance, or unbalance, the side by moving players into unfamiliar positions. One goal from Pozo and the lad will be firing! Also, give him some fuckin' service!

This is so not an option,the lad is nowhere near ready and it's like playing without a forward !

 

[Toranaga sama]

City are apparently in the process of applyin for a work permit for our young Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho who was very impressive pre-season in America. He'd have to pass under the 'special talent' rule for him to be allowed play for us though...

Old news. Say something new please....:)

 

[dennishasdoneit]

I look at it this way.
We have conceded 2 goals in 6 games against better teams (Swansea, Soton, Sunderland, Everton, Roma and Leicester) than those we face in the next few weeks so we are unlikely to need to score too many to take most/all points on offer.
We should use the extra place available to further solidify defence/midfield and back our AM's CM's and widemen to do the business in the opponents box.
Such as Silva, Nasri, Lampard, Yaya and Milner should have 1-2 goals per game in them especially as they won't be battling those pesky strikers for plum chances in front of goal.

Agreed.

 

[MangoMagic01]

Re: Navas for striker

The alternatives are entrusting a kid not yet good enough for this level (and playing in an unfamiliar role of lone striker), dispensing with a striker and going 4-6-0 (risky in the extreme to wholsesale change our system mid-season even if only for a few weeks), or playing Nasri, Milner, or Silva up front.

With those options in mind I really don't think it's far-fatched to at least consider employing Navas in the role.

There are plenty of exmaples of pacy widemen being moved inside to good effect - in fact the best example of them all retired only this week - and those being disparaging about Navas' finishing are wide of the mark.

Ask yourself this.....who would Dann and Hangeland rather be loitering on their shoulder this Sat with space behind them and Silva on the ball? Nasri or Navas?

Comparing Navas to Henry... Interesting

It is a valid comparison in that Henry was a quick winger who changed his game to play up top. Arse would play to Henry’s style by breaking quickly with some great attacking midfilders playing very direct. We tend to be a slower build up team so ? re how effective Navas could be if we are camped out on the opposition box – he wouldn’t have much space to run into.

Worth a punt late on in games I reckon but hopefully we would be at least 2 goals up by then and could play a bit more expansively?

I’d play Nasri leading the line, Yaya pushed forward to give some bite and Silva floating around. F’do + F’dinho + Milner to apply the graft.

Henry was a pacey winger who had the touch, vision and technical ability of a trequartista!

I agree on playing Nasri up front though

 

[GeekinGav]

what's stopping us from recalling Negredo from Valencia? Technically he's on loan, so cant we just recall him back?

 

[rabby]

Pellers has been quoted if I'm not mistaken as saying
part of the reason negredo was allowed to leave was
because the club had options in the January transfer
window.

 

[cleavers]

Seen it mentioned on Twitter that Thierry Ambrose was involved in first team training today.

It makes sense, I'd give the lad a go, its obviously a big step, but better than the Milner idea imho, at least he plays in that position, and who knows it could be the making of him, plus its more encouragement for the EDS.

 

[sam-caddick]

Brandon Barker also trained with the first team according to a few on Twitter.

I reckon if true, Pellegrini is trying a few out and will decide on the best option.

edit:

Ambrose retweeted this:

THIERRY ambrose retweeted
MCFCfollowers @MCFCfollowers · 5h 5 hours ago
LATEST: Brandon Barker and Thierry Ambrose trained with first team today.
One of them might be on bench on Saturday or maybe both.

 

[Ray78]

Two excellent choices good to see that I have been proved wrong.

 

[sam-caddick]

Two excellent choices.

I agree.

I think Barker is a more natural wide man but for a local Manchester lad to break through would be great for City.

I will be happy if either play against Crystal Palace.

With all three strikers out I can see at least two EDS players in the squad.

 

[Jack Wills]

If Chelsea were relying on two untried youngsters we'd be well happy and expecting them to drop points. If ours do well that's great, but I can't help thinking we'd do better with Nasri, Silva and Yaya pushed up further without an out and out striker til we either sign a decent one or get one of our three first team strikers back.

 

[sam-caddick]

If Chelsea were relying on two untried youngsters we'd be well happy and expecting them to drop points. If ours do well that's great, but I can't help thinking we'd do better with Nasri, Silva and Yaya pushed up further without an out and out striker til we either sign a decent one or get one of our three first team strikers back.

If Jose had all of his strikers out he would be forced to play his kids.

We have some fantastic young players in our academy and if they cannot get into the team when all of our strikers are injured where is the hope for these young lads?

We are playing against teams in the next few weeks we should be beating even if we have all of our strikers out, we are at home for most of these games as well.

 

[noblelord]

If Chelsea were relying on two untried youngsters we'd be well happy and expecting them to drop points. If ours do well that's great, but I can't help thinking we'd do better with Nasri, Silva and Yaya pushed up further without an out and out striker til we either sign a decent one or get one of our three first team strikers back.

If Jose had all of his strikers out he would be forced to play his kids.

We have some fantastic young players in our academy and if they cannot get into the team when all of our strikers are injured where is the hope for these young lads?

We are playing against teams in the next few weeks we should be beating even if we have all of our strikers out, we are at home for most of these games as well.

Absolutely. It's a great opportunity to give a couple of youngsters a chance to play with the first team. We want to develop talent at the academy to grow into our future first team so let's use this chance to give them a vote of confidence.

 

[Ric]

The official @MCFC Twitter accounted tweeted this picture today (in relation to the open training session at the CFA):

Jovetic looks like he's taken part in traning, so hopefully his injury isn't as serious as first feared. There's no guarantee the picture is from today, although the fact Dzeko and Kompany look like they're not involved suggests it is.