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Goaters 103 wrote:Bad news on Zabba. Will have to play Boyata there though he did well at RB against Chelsea. Milne is probably the only other alternative.

I heard that the official City tweet said Zaba was glad to be back!! Now I am confused.Will have to see if he is at training in the morning. And don't worry about Lescott and Gyan as Vinnie won't let him down like Cahill did.

Zabba's Tweets earlier this evening

hi everybody I have canceled the flight to Manchester because my father is with a big respiratory problem.
about 4 hours ago via web

my dad is again with the artificial respirator. We have to wait the next 48 hours. Thanks
about 4 hours ago via web

Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Goaters 103 wrote:Zabba's Tweets earlier this evening

hi everybody I have canceled the flight to Manchester because my father is with a big respiratory problem.
about 4 hours ago via web

my dad is again with the artificial respirator. We have to wait the next 48 hours. Thanks
about 4 hours ago via web

Well that came as a shock, first I've heard of it and not good news. Really hope this isn't a serious step backwards for his dad.

Boyata or Wabara it is then

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Boyata played fullback v Chelsea & had his best game as a City defender (although lucky on two penalty claims). It depends on whether Bob wants someone to attack down that side or just a pure defender. We don't have a suitable player available to do both. He could change to a wingback system & put SWP there of course but that would be a major change in tactics.

I say give Boyata a run out. He's steady at the back and will push forward and move the ball around. The only thing you will miss will be the sort of penetrating runs that we're used to seeing from Richards, but he is learning his trade!

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Boyata played fullback v Chelsea & had his best game as a City defender (although lucky on two penalty claims). It depends on whether Bob wants someone to attack down that side or just a pure defender. We don't have a suitable player available to do both. He could change to a wingback system & put SWP there of course but that would be a major change in tactics.

Not sure it would be a change of tactics. Micah has been getting forwards and Kolarov's can't tackle, so I'd say our system is built for wingbacks/flying fullbacks. Barry and Nige are the shield for the back two, capable of dropping back into either fullback position if necessary. Not sure it's worked so far...

My concern about Boyata is that he's a centre half. It's alright converting him in the reserves or changing an established first teamer's place, but I'd be nervous about putting a kid in a position he's not used to in the full glare of a Premier League match, Sky and Alan Hansen ripping him a new one.

Tomorrow is an even bigger game now for us, a chance to go 6 points clear of Spurs with 7 games to go and that would effectively be 7pts given the large gap in goal difference.

COME ON CITY!

Stick NDJ at RB and play Milner and and Barry at CM.

What about SWP at right back? I wouldn't try it away from home or against a top team at home but he tackles back well and has pace. He lacks inches of course but he's worth a thought in the tricky spot we're in at right back at the moment.

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Boyata played fullback v Chelsea & had his best game as a City defender (although lucky on two penalty claims). It depends on whether Bob wants someone to attack down that side or just a pure defender. We don't have a suitable player available to do both. He could change to a wingback system & put SWP there of course but that would be a major change in tactics.

Not sure it would be a change of tactics. Micah has been getting forwards and Kolarov's can't tackle, so I'd say our system is built for wingbacks/flying fullbacks. Barry and Nige are the shield for the back two, capable of dropping back into either fullback position if necessary. Not sure it's worked so far...

My concern about Boyata is that he's a centre half. It's alright converting him in the reserves or changing an established first teamer's place, but I'd be nervous about putting a kid in a position he's not used to in the full glare of a Premier League match, Sky and Alan Hansen ripping him a new one.

I meant a proper wingback system which would involve 3 CB's & two wingbacks, like Keegan used to play, as opposed to two CB's & two fullbacks. The extra CB would cover either side rather than a midfielder dropping in, hence huge tactical change. Boyata would then be playing as a CB.

Just to add, in this system you could alternatively use Yaya Toure as the 3rd CB & use him as a proper 'Libero/sweeper' thus coming forward to set up plays like a deep lying midfielder rather than just defending. Like KK used to do with Philippe Albert rather than the more defensive 3 he used at City. I like that system & don't think it's finished as a modern football tactic. Too much to organise in a short space of time though.

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Boyata played fullback v Chelsea & had his best game as a City defender (although lucky on two penalty claims). It depends on whether Bob wants someone to attack down that side or just a pure defender. We don't have a suitable player available to do both. He could change to a wingback system & put SWP there of course but that would be a major change in tactics.

Not sure it would be a change of tactics. Micah has been getting forwards and Kolarov's can't tackle, so I'd say our system is built for wingbacks/flying fullbacks. Barry and Nige are the shield for the back two, capable of dropping back into either fullback position if necessary. Not sure it's worked so far...

My concern about Boyata is that he's a centre half. It's alright converting him in the reserves or changing an established first teamer's place, but I'd be nervous about putting a kid in a position he's not used to in the full glare of a Premier League match, Sky and Alan Hansen ripping him a new one.

I meant a proper wingback system which would involve 3 CB's & two wingbacks, like Keegan used to play, as opposed to two CB's & two fullbacks. The extra CB would cover either side rather than a midfielder dropping in, hence huge tactical change. Boyata would then be playing as a CB.

Just to add, in this system you could alternatively use Yaya Toure as the 3rd CB & use him as a proper 'Libero/sweeper' thus coming forward to set up plays like a deep lying midfielder rather than just defending. Like KK used to do with Philippe Albert rather than the more defensive 3 he used at City. I like that system & don't think it's finished as a modern football tactic. Too much to organise in a short space of time though.

I remember Doug saying that Mancini tried this in training. It's always an option and sometimes a good one at that.

I think we should put AJ on the wing from the start, so therefore giving the Sunderland, wingers and backs more to think about than bombing forward.
If AJ is on his game, there wont be any time for anyone to exploit our wide areas

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

Green & Blue wrote:Real pity Zabaleta is out now we could really have done with him in the side.It will certainly be interesting to see who fills in and could be a tricky test up against Richardson if he's on form.

I'm not trying to be funny, does anyone think swp could fill in as an emergency right back?

He played as a wing back early on for us and our system is set up for that, so why not. Only issue would be if they put a tall player on him and went for the back post.

Other alternative is Nige, who played there for Ajax. Would miss him in the middle, but Yaya, Barry and Milner should have enough for an out of sorts Sunderland, at home.

If now, let's give a kid a chance. They need to be played at some point, so why not now? SWP/Nige can provide cover, as can Vince. If we're worried that a kid would get skinned, then they shouldn't be in the 25 man squad.

Boyata played fullback v Chelsea & had his best game as a City defender (although lucky on two penalty claims). It depends on whether Bob wants someone to attack down that side or just a pure defender. We don't have a suitable player available to do both. He could change to a wingback system & put SWP there of course but that would be a major change in tactics.

Not sure it would be a change of tactics. Micah has been getting forwards and Kolarov's can't tackle, so I'd say our system is built for wingbacks/flying fullbacks. Barry and Nige are the shield for the back two, capable of dropping back into either fullback position if necessary. Not sure it's worked so far...

My concern about Boyata is that he's a centre half. It's alright converting him in the reserves or changing an established first teamer's place, but I'd be nervous about putting a kid in a position he's not used to in the full glare of a Premier League match, Sky and Alan Hansen ripping him a new one.

I meant a proper wingback system which would involve 3 CB's & two wingbacks, like Keegan used to play, as opposed to two CB's & two fullbacks. The extra CB would cover either side rather than a midfielder dropping in, hence huge tactical change. Boyata would then be playing as a CB.

Just to add, in this system you could alternatively use Yaya Toure as the 3rd CB & use him as a proper 'Libero/sweeper' thus coming forward to set up plays like a deep lying midfielder rather than just defending. Like KK used to do with Philippe Albert rather than the more defensive 3 he used at City. I like that system & don't think it's finished as a modern football tactic. Too much to organise in a short space of time though.

Don't disagree with your system, however, I think Mancini's preferred system is 2 CBs, 2 fullbacks getting forward, 2 def midfielders, then either 1 and 3 (Silva plus 3 forwards) or 3 and 1 (silva, Tevez, Aj _ Dzeko). The front's never quite worked itself out. That's certainly the system we expected when he bought Kolarov although injury and poor form may have restricted it a bit. SWP could therefore slot into that fairly easily, more so than Nige, who I doubt likes rampaging forwards.

Can someone change this to the 'Official Match Thread' as I've already linked it in the Preview.

Ta.

Just a point to note, since having all those home games it now feels like I haven't been to a game in months. I think I've got withdrawal symptoms!

Come On You Blues!

Beefymcfc wrote:Can someone change this to the 'Official Match Thread' as I've already linked it in the Preview.

Ta.

Done

mcfc/wire wrote:I'm confident about this one . I think the internationals came at the right time for us .

Plus we better win as im missing Warrington v Catalans because its a Sunday game . Don't you just hate SKY pisssing about with the fixtures .

Yeah same here. Salford v Bradford has been moved to Saturday 16th April ko 16.45 so the Willows will be more of a ghost town than usual. I for one will be watching the semi.

huge game today, if we win we will have a clear advantage over spurs and with them still to come to our place i would really fancy us to make the top 4
and as for boyata at full back im sure he will be fine as he was against chelsea earlier this season