Mancini backs both Silvas

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Mancini backs both Silvas



Roberto Mancini has played down talk of a lack of firepower ahead of the Europa League clash with Salzburg.

The Blues have travelled without both Emmanuel Adebayor and Mario Balotelli having already left Roque Santa Cruz out of the squad submitted to Uefa.

Adebayor could be back to face Wigan on Sunday but Balotelli will not see action before the end of October despite already having started his rehab back in Manchester.

It leaves skipper Carlos Tevez and Jo for selection in Austria and Mancini backed the Brazilian calling his a ‘technically gifted’ player who just needs a goal.

Both Tevez and Jo may benefit from the presence of World Cup winner David Silva in a changed side from the one that drew with Blackburn last weekend.

“Silva is ready to play. The problem has been a lack of time in Carrington with the team,” revealed the manager.

“He was last back from the World Cup which Spain won and then two days later away with the national team again and he has just been to Argentina and back with them.

"He is a very good player but it will take
a couple of months for him to come to
terms with the Premier League. When
he has played three, four or five games
he will be fine"

“As for Mario, he will be back in training in a month’s time and shortly after that he will be able to play.”

City will also be without Joleon Lescott in against Red Bull. He has a groin problem paving the way for Wayne Bridge to return from a broken bone in his foot.

Nigel de Jong will also return after recovering from the dead leg that kept him out against Rovers.

The Holland midfielder also backs Silver to shine brightly once the Spain star gets into his stride.

“What we see of him in training we know he is a fine player,” confirmed DeJong. “We have been very impressed. I played with him at Ajax in the Champions League I know how good he can be.

“He is a technically gifted player who just has to find his way in the Premier League. He can do wonderful things with the ball. He is a big part of the squad and a really important player for us. Salzburg will be a good step for him.”

If there is to be a surprise in the side it could be the inclusion of Dedryck Boyata with Mancini keen to give him more experience against all types of opposition.

mcfc.co.uk

[Tony P]

Both Silvas? Eh?

[ryanmjo]

Both Silvas? Eh?

David and Jo.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Both Silvas? Eh?

Jo, or João Alves de Assis Silva is his full name.

[MaineRoadMemories]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

UEFA is also a good competition for Silva to get some match fitness and be eased into our squad. Looking forward to seeing him shine.

Feel so sorry for Shay not even getting a look in for a game this year. I thought the reserve keeper would be given all the cups to play in?

[Colin the King]

Yeah, I reckon it's a perfect opportunity for Silva to get up to scratch. 90 minutes tomorrow night, bench at Wigan and then another 90 minutes at West Brom in the cup. Two full games in a week should make a big difference, fitness and familiarity wise if nothing else.

Scratching my head on Jo, he's not a front man, he drops deep and into channels just as often as Tevez, when what we really need is a focal point, a target man. Maybe the thinking behind leaving Santa Cruz out is so he's not cup tied for a potential move away in January? Nonetheless I'd rather him up front with Tevez playing just behind- they actually looked fantastic together when they played together last season I thought.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

UEFA is also a good competition for Silva to get some match fitness and be eased into our squad. Looking forward to seeing him shine.

Feel so sorry for Shay not even getting a look in for a game this year. I thought the reserve keeper would be given all the cups to play in?

I said the same thing last night to my dad about Shay, can't understand why Mancini won't play him in the Europa games. If it carries on this way i guarentee he will be off in Jan.

[MaineRoadMemories]

It makes me think there is a gentlemen's agreement in place that Shay will be moved on in January (Arsenal??) for him not to be playing in any games at all.

[Goaters 103]

Given should be playing tomorrow, especially as a gentle kick in the backside for Mr Hart after last saturdays mickey mouse goal giveaway.

[Moonchesteri]

Given should be playing tomorrow, especially as a gentle kick in the backside for Mr Hart after last saturdays mickey mouse goal giveaway.

I actually think Mancini would've played Shay tomorrow had Hart not fucked up on weekend. Now he's showing everyone I still trust Joe.
Who knows tho.

[gillie]

Was the press conference on board a ship in high waters?

[Ted Hughes]

Yeah, I reckon it's a perfect opportunity for Silva to get up to scratch. 90 minutes tomorrow night, bench at Wigan and then another 90 minutes at West Brom in the cup. Two full games in a week should make a big difference, fitness and familiarity wise if nothing else.

Scratching my head on Jo, he's not a front man, he drops deep and into channels just as often as Tevez, when what we really need is a focal point, a target man. Maybe the thinking behind leaving Santa Cruz out is so he's not cup tied for a potential move away in January? Nonetheless I'd rather him up front with Tevez playing just behind- they actually looked fantastic together when they played together last season I thought.

I thought so too. Ade doesn't link up with Tevez but RSC does. My concern about RSC is that although he's apparently now fit, when I've seen him he doesn't seem to get the same height jumping for the ball as when he played for Blackburn. If that's purely match fitness though & we let a fully fit RSC leave for peanuts after spending all that money, it will be as bad as the Bellamy bollock. He's shown when fit he can score & create goals. We really should have a look at him & make sure he's not up to it before we casually chuck him away. We don't have a similar player at the club.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

UEFA is also a good competition for Silva to get some match fitness and be eased into our squad. Looking forward to seeing him shine.

Feel so sorry for Shay not even getting a look in for a game this year. I thought the reserve keeper would be given all the cups to play in?

I was saying for a long time that Jo has talent but lacks the attitude. I changed my mind on weekend, he is just bag of shite. However RSC is no better so that'd make no change.

Wish we'd gone for Dzeko.

[london blue 2]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

Santa Claus would just get injured anyway

[Ted Hughes]

Jo & RSC are two entirely different kind of players.

Looking forward to seeing Silva today. Just thought there was an extra edge about him on Sat that's been missing previously.

[brite blu sky]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

UEFA is also a good competition for Silva to get some match fitness and be eased into our squad. Looking forward to seeing him shine.

Feel so sorry for Shay not even getting a look in for a game this year. I thought the reserve keeper would be given all the cups to play in?

I was saying for a long time that Jo has talent but lacks the attitude. I changed my mind on weekend, he is just bag of shite. However RSC is no better so that'd make no change.

Wish we'd gone for Dzeko.

Well we did go for Dzeko.. they wanted too much money for the lanky streak. I agree though as we could have let RSC and Jo move on and give Ade some serious competition. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but i was worried pre-season that if we had injuries we would then be looking weak. We are now relying on Carlito too much imo.

[john@staustell]

Jo might score one or two in the UEFA Cup but he'll never ever be a premiership striker. Far too soft, slow and uncoordinated.

It feels as though Mancini is refusing to play Santa Cruz and is sticking with Jo on principle. Out of the two Santa Cruz is far superior.

UEFA is also a good competition for Silva to get some match fitness and be eased into our squad. Looking forward to seeing him shine.

Feel so sorry for Shay not even getting a look in for a game this year. I thought the reserve keeper would be given all the cups to play in?

I was saying for a long time that Jo has talent but lacks the attitude. I changed my mind on weekend, he is just bag of shite. .

Welcome to the fold!

[xavi6]

Jo must have some serious dirt on Bobby. That's the only explanation I can come up with for his persistent inclusion.

[Dingus McDouchey]

Keep backing players Bobby!

[the_georgian_genius]

Jo must have some serious dirt on Bobby. That's the only explanation I can come up with for his persistent inclusion.