Santa Claus comes early.

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Santa Claus comes early.

Postby Slim » Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:30 pm

Whether you like him or hate him, there is absolutely no reason for not wanting another striker fit and some great news in that department, Roque looks at the Derby as his return date....there is a story....here....


http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/mancity/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/08/20/SOCCER_Man_City.html&TEAMHD=manc
Roque Santa Cruz is in line to make his debut in next month's Manchester derby.

The Paraguayan striker joined City this summer in a £17million deal but has been unable to play after undergoing knee surgery in April.

Santa Cruz is itching to get started for his new employers - who overcame Barcelona in a friendly at the Nou Camp last night.

And, while Hughes is reluctant to put a timescale on the 27-year-old's availability, the September 20 showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson's men at Old Trafford is a possibility.

"We are talking about two or three weeks," Hughes told mcfc.co.uk.

"I don't like to put games as a target because it is difficult to predict but the specialist is really pleased with his progress and I imagine he will be available around the time of the United game, or the West Ham match immediately afterwards."

And Santa Cruz could be joined on the comeback trail by Vincent Kompany, who is also ready to return after having surgery to correct a toe problem.

"Fitness-wise there is no problem because he is a good, dedicated professional," said Hughes.

"As soon as he gets the green light he will be back very quickly.

"There is a little way to go but he is progressing well."
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby ENIAM NAM » Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:37 pm

You can just see the headlines

"CITY CRUZ TO VICTORY AGAINST UNITED"
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby Ted Hughes » Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:47 pm

To be honest I sort of hope he doesn't play against rags, as that would mean we're having to change the team because it's not working. Unless we're 4 up of course & he comes on to knock in the 5th.

Really think this bloke's going to surprise a few people when he does get fully fit & play though. I recon he'll make just as much difference as Adebayor has. He'll score headers for a start & be even harder to knock off the ball than Ade but just as good at laying it off.
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby Slim » Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:03 pm

Yeah, but I also believe that he is a great player to come in and change the shape of the attack, especially if he were playing alongside Ade with Ireland or Tevez coming from deep.

I think when it comes to the 18, we can divide the subs into three categories.
1. Change the shape of the formation or pace of the game.
2. Impact players to freshen up the middle or attack and energize the players around the sub.
3. Like for like in case of injury, tired players or in the case of defenders, yellow cards.

I think we are really heading towards the first category where as in the past we had no subs that could alter a match and were really just in there to refresh tired legs. I can remember when Samaras came on in his first game...Charlton I think, and a cross came in and he knocked it in...good header too, and I was thinking we had a player come off the bench and actually make a difference. Sadly the next time I saw it was when Sven put Geo and Ned on at the Boleyn in his first game and I thought we had a master craftsman at the helm finally.

NOW, I know we have the players even when I come up with the bench, we have SO many players now I run out of room. Johnson, Petrov, Santa, Bellamy and Shaun can all come off the bench and change the game. Zabs, Kompany, DeJong and even Dunne(great aerial defender) could change the shape of the team.

It's a candy store at City at the moment, let's hope Hughes uses them properly.
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby Ted Hughes » Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:15 pm

If we also get Lescott we'll end up a fearsome set piece team too. Who'd fancy dealing with him, Ade, RSC, Micah, VK & Dunney at a set piece in the last minute of an FA Cup tie if we need an equaliser?

Hardest job is going to be finding which combo's work best. We don't have time to mess about so if we get injuries or want to rotate, sub, we'll just have to throw 'em in & see what happens & hope it works like on paper/ in training.

I can't remember a City squad ever having this much potential. Hope we're on fire Saturday to really kick it off.
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby 10.Goater_Legend » Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:57 pm

Ted Hughes wrote:If we also get Lescott we'll end up a fearsome set piece team too. Who'd fancy dealing with him, Ade, RSC, Micah, VK & Dunney at a set piece in the last minute of an FA Cup tie if we need an equaliser?

Hardest job is going to be finding which combo's work best. We don't have time to mess about so if we get injuries or want to rotate, sub, we'll just have to throw 'em in & see what happens & hope it works like on paper/ in training.

I can't remember a City squad ever having this much potential. Hope we're on fire Saturday to really kick it off.

Agree mate it's something we have lacked for a long time now and it's gonna be great watching us bang them in from set-pieces.
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Re: Santa Claus comes early.

Postby Scorchio » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:03 pm

Bet his wifes not too happy.
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