Plan B in Sergio's absence

[Alioune DVToure]

Personally I'd keep the same system and have Nasri take on Kun's role. He's been getting into such advanced positions this year that I think he could play just off Negredo with no problem.

Edin's done well recently but our attacking shape has been working a treat as of late, so minimum tinkering is in order.

Here's what I'd like to see going forward:


--------------Ferny---------Yaya
Milner/Navas--------------------------Silva
---------------Nasri
------------------------Beast

Options from bench: Dzeko, Rodwell, Navas/Milner, Guidetti(?), Garcia

Would anyone go for Negredo-Dzeko and have Milner, Nasri, Navas and Silva duke it out for the remaining two places? How about Milner/Rodwell/García coming in alongside Ferny, with Yaya reprising his 2011/12 role off the front player?

We've still got great options, thankfully.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

[Twobob]

Personally I'd keep the same system and have Nasri take on Kun's role. He's been getting into such advanced positions this year that I think he could play just off Negredo with no problem.

Edin's done well recently but our attacking shape has been working a treat as of late, so minimum tinkering is in order.

Here's what I'd like to see going forward:


--------------Ferny---------Yaya
Milner/Navas--------------------------Silva
---------------Nasri
------------------------Beast

Options from bench: Dzeko, Rodwell, Navas/Milner, Guidetti(?), Garcia

Would anyone go for Negredo-Dzeko and have Milner, Nasri, Navas and Silva duke it out for the remaining two places? How about Milner/Rodwell/García coming in alongside Ferny, with Yaya reprising his 2011/12 role off the front player?

We've still got great options, thankfully.

I would certainlyu go with that over and above a Dzeko & Negrado partnership - they'll just get in each others way and between Milner/Navas, Silva and Nasri we'll be storming forwards still with supports from Ferdi and Yaya.

[Blue Since 92]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

Thanks. Beginning of January he might be an option, then.

[AG7]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

He was supposed be fit to play last night, but fell ill ... so not an injury, just 'something he ate' according to Pellegrini and will be all set for Fulham away (if not to start, then at least be available on the bench) ...

[Ted Hughes]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

He was supposed be fit to play last night, but fell ill ... so not an injury, just 'something he ate' according to Pellegrini and will be all set for Fulham away (if not to start, then at least be available on the bench) ...

Kagawa & now Jovetic. I recon they've both been to Ferdinand's restaurant.

I agree Nasri can move up there as can Silva, but I think it's very important we keep Dzeko in 'non sulk' mode over the Christmas period, because goalscorers, naturally, score goals & Nasri/Silva are not known for that. If we are desperate for a goal, it's more likely to come from one of the usual suspects. Plus, as well as Jovetic, we should get Guidetti, Cole, Lopes & any other fucker with a goal in them, involved in first team training imo.

As in the Zabba thread; injuries are likely to happen in this coming period. There is no reason to expect it won't happen to Negredo or Dzeko. Get as many options as possible & look after the fitness of the key players .

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

He was supposed be fit to play last night, but fell ill ... so not an injury, just 'something he ate' according to Pellegrini and will be all set for Fulham away (if not to start, then at least be available on the bench) ...

Even better. This guy is the signing I was most excited about in the summer, he could give us a real boost in Aguero's absence.

[sheblue]

Anyone know the score regarding Jovetic? His presence would certainly be a bonus at the moment.

Last I heard was he was back in training Monday.

He was supposed be fit to play last night, but fell ill ... so not an injury, just 'something he ate' according to Pellegrini and will be all set for Fulham away (if not to start, then at least be available on the bench) ...

Even better. This guy is the signing I was most excited about in the summer, he could give us a real boost in Aguero's absence.

Surely if fit he is the obvious choice to fill in for aguero, but nasri can do it, but not silva we need him deeper.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I heard last night Dzeko has cored 29 of his 49 goals away from home for us. Maybe he could be the answer to our away problems?
Pretty interesting record, rarely do strikers score more away from home.

[john@staustell]

Some clown on another site said he was glad Aguero was injured because of his selfishness.

I would put it that we have plenty of ability to cope - Aguero went off at 1-0 on Saturday - the front 4 will still be it's aggressive fluid self. Options are:

Moving Nasri forward
Just Negredo up front with Navas or Milner in with Silva and Nasri
Dzeko - who looked a mite happier last night
Jovetic
Guidetti

I dont want to criticise the Serge-man but his conversion rate is poor among top strikers and I have no doubt we'll continue to bang them in!

[DoomMerchant]

Kagawa & now Jovetic. I recon they've both been to Ferdinand's restaurant.

I agree Nasri can move up there as can Silva, but I think it's very important we keep Dzeko in 'non sulk' mode over the Christmas period, because goalscorers, naturally, score goals & Nasri/Silva are not known for that. If we are desperate for a goal, it's more likely to come from one of the usual suspects. Plus, as well as Jovetic, we should get Guidetti, Cole, Lopes & any other fucker with a goal in them, involved in first team training imo.

As in the Zabba thread; injuries are likely to happen in this coming period. There is no reason to expect it won't happen to Negredo or Dzeko. Get as many options as possible & look after the fitness of the key players .

Nasri or Silva in a more forward role will score more if partnered with The Beast than Jayko will.

Cheers

[Dameerto]

The minimum amount of change would be Nasri doing a Kun and Milner coming in to do what he did against Bayern and Leicester. Both of them are in form and should keep our goal count climbing.

[Ted Hughes]

Kagawa & now Jovetic. I recon they've both been to Ferdinand's restaurant.

I agree Nasri can move up there as can Silva, but I think it's very important we keep Dzeko in 'non sulk' mode over the Christmas period, because goalscorers, naturally, score goals & Nasri/Silva are not known for that. If we are desperate for a goal, it's more likely to come from one of the usual suspects. Plus, as well as Jovetic, we should get Guidetti, Cole, Lopes & any other fucker with a goal in them, involved in first team training imo.

As in the Zabba thread; injuries are likely to happen in this coming period. There is no reason to expect it won't happen to Negredo or Dzeko. Get as many options as possible & look after the fitness of the key players .

Nasri or Silva in a more forward role will score more if partnered with The Beast than Jayko will.

Cheers

Either way, we need to keep Dzeko involved enough that he stays sharp, as the chances of Negredo picking up an injury during this period will be reasonably high.

[Breks]

Either way, we need to keep Dzeko involved enough that he stays sharp, as the chances of Negredo picking up an injury during this period will be reasonably high.

Negredo will start against Fulham and Liverpool. Dzeko will start against Palace. Thats my opinion and thats what i would do.

[Beefymcfc]

I'd give Dzeko another run-out against Fulham with Negredo sat behind/aside. He's done well against them in the last couple of years (scored the winner last season from the bench) and those 2 goals against Leicester will do him no harm at all.

[Ajardine]

Nasri & Jovetic can play off Negredo. Would prefer Jovetic to play there, would not want to see Dzeko & Negredo paired together again, they just dont seem to work together

[Beefymcfc]

Nasri & Jovetic can play off Negredo. Would prefer Jovetic to play there, would not want to see Dzeko & Negredo paired together again, they just dont seem to work together

I wouldn't have Jovetic to start but wouldn't mind seeing Nasri off Negredo.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I would not be surprised to see Edin paired with Negredo v Fulham.

[Breks]

Buy Falcao in January. I'm a genius!