Zabba injury update

[Breks]

Why, if Zabaleta can play there ?

The way you are talking, it's as if Zabba would be risking injury by playing too often, but if that was the case, then surely the manager would be making every effort to keep him rested for the huge schedule of big games ahead & play someone else there in the League Cup, against a Championship side, seeing as Zabba has just played a very tough, hard running game v Arsenal.

Hmm, this doesn't seem to make sense.

Why be a total nobhead?

[C & C]

Anyway, he's injured and out for a couple of weeks. Instead of talking recriminations surely we should be talking replacements.

Milner, Clichy or Boyata?

I want to say Clichy, but then I'm concerned about removing rotation at LB which a bunch of games in a short time frame still to go. I believe whomever is our best choice should start against Fulham in preparation for Liverpool. Then rotate vs Crystal Palace.

I'm also comfortable with Milner there, but he's been on fire on the left. And without Aguero, putting Milner at RB limits our options upfront. Especially being able to put Milner on as a sub with a lead (or to change things up late in a match), which in turn means we will see Garcia in that role more often.

As for Boyata, I had to listen to the radio broadcast yesterday so I haven't seen him enough recently to have a feel for how he would do.

No easy choices it would appear.

[Hazy2]

Wo wo wo, sweet child of mine. Once again, you brought that sort of speak into the debate, not me. I just thought I'd reciprocate in the only right manner.

Do you need to re-read your posts?

Anyway, he's injured and out for a couple of weeks. Instead of talking recriminations surely we should be talking replacements.

Milner, Clichy or Boyata?

We could have had Phil Jones gurning about.

Fixed.

That twat would keep the kids away from the fire, Funny, cheers.

[mcfc1632]

Oh - there seems to be a debate going on - happens a lot around here recently - but I guess that is very healthy for a fans forum (especially as this one involves proper fans rather than WUMs)

Anyway - I am in the group of those who believe that we should have either played Zabba or our next available best option - probably Milner at RB in my mind - most certainly not treat the competition in the arrogant twat ways of the scum and Arse. So the fact that the manager went with one of the 2 options most committed is absolutely fine by me!!

I also loved his comments that show he recognises that this competition is a big day out at Wembley for us dedicated fans!!

For me playing Komps and Silva was more questionable but probably shows his belief that they need proper game time for fitness - and again shows our commitment to the competition - how easy would it have been for him to rest those?

They contributed a lot and I am sure got help in fitness - so all well done IMO - took a chance with Komps and Silva and got away with it and just got unlucky with Zabba.

Now against Fulham I hope that we play Milner at RB because he has a football brain and can be disciplined to do a job there - and we have other options to replace him in his normal role

Loving it at the moment

[sniffer]

Buy a right back in Jan???

[bigblue]

Anyway - I am in the group of those who believe that we should have either played Zabba or our next available best option - probably Milner at RB in my mind - most certainly not treat the competition in the arrogant twat ways of the scum and Arse. So the fact that the manager went with one of the 2 options most committed is absolutely fine by me!!

I also loved his comments that show he recognises that this competition is a big day out at Wembley for us dedicated fans!!

Right there with you. So many "I told you so" posts in this thread directed at Pellegrini that just come off like a whining girlfriend.

[Breks]

Dec 1 Swansea City
Dec 4 West Brom
Dec 7 Southampton
Dec 10 Bayern Munich (all but 16 minutes)
Dec 14 Arsenal
Dec 17 Leicester City
-------
Dec 21 Fulham
Dec 26 Liverpool
Dec 28 Crystal Palace
Jan 1 Swansea City
Jan 4 Blackburn

12 games in 34 days

There was an attempt to rest Zabs against Bayern, but obviously that didn't work out. Zabs was always going to play against Arsenal.

Knowing Richards was out for a month or so, when was the next spot you could reasonably expect Zabs to be rested? Playing him vs Leicester meant he's played 6 games in 17 days. He wasn't going to be rested vs Liverpool.

Those of you saying it was right to play him vs Leicester, do you think he should have been rested against Fulham or are you saying Zabs doesn't need rested and he can be expected to play 8 games in 26 days?

I would have rested him against Blackburn. If we where 3 up against Palace at home he could have been replaced. The Leicester game was a quarter final of a major domestic cup competition.

[bigblue]

Debate my arse.

It's just you telling me it doesn't matter what people think because the manager knows better.

Absolute bollocks. Who was it who started with the 'Thick Cunts' comment, it certainly wasn't anybody other than yourself.

Then you go all 'I can't even debate my points' bollocks when the truth is that's all we are doing.

You want to question the manager, a few have said that they understand why he played Zab's and gave reasons behind it; I know I did. That's not closing the debate down, it's giving another opinion to your own, and that's what the site is for, isn't it?

Look, if you now know you're wrong, just admit it. The bigger man and all that ;-)

You should know that this is standard operating procedure for Ted when he has run out of things to say. Instead of debating the point at hand, he dismisses the debate as being "never a debate in the first place" "ruined by twats like you" or "over long ago".

[zuricity]

Very well put. Apparently applying that kind of logic means you're a bellend though.

Clearly Zabs is not fit enough ! He must try harder....

[Rag_hater]

For me watching Dedryck play last night leaves me feeling quite confident that he will be fine until Zabba gets back.

[South Stand Balti]

For me watching Dedryck play last night leaves me feeling quite confident that he will be fine until Zabba gets back.

i listened on the radio and they suggested he was ok at best. Glad to hear he was a bit more convincing than that.

[roblues]

For me watching Dedryck play last night leaves me feeling quite confident that he will be fine until Zabba gets back.

He looks confident and doesn't panic on the ball, but there are two problems with him (one of which has been highlighted in this thread already) - he doesn't offer much in attack, and he is prone to diving into challenges, a little bit like the Zab of old before he got a full season under his belt.

[bigblue]

For me watching Dedryck play last night leaves me feeling quite confident that he will be fine until Zabba gets back.

He looks confident and doesn't panic on the ball, but there are two problems with him (one of which has been highlighted in this thread already) - he doesn't offer much in attack, and he is prone to diving into challenges, a little bit like the Zab of old before he got a full season under his belt.

I was more concerned with him diving in than lack of attack. But some of the rash challenges looked like nerves and he was better as the game went on. He was also unlucky for a few calls from the ref.

Don't think he's bad, but if we lineup with him vs liverpool, they will probably pull some of their trickier/faster players and go after him as much as possible

[Spurge]

Pellers rested the engine room - no Ferna or Yaya. He rarely rests both.

So instead Garcia and Rodwell were our engine room and with this in mind he opted for a stronger defence including Vinnie and Zabba to sit behind them.

Also with Sergio out and Jovetic ill, it made sense to go with one up top.

The trade off - risking Zabba based on the fact we had no 1st choice cover at right back. The odds were against him getting injured but hey there are no guarantees.
So what to do about the right back position - Milner for me.

He's often coming on as a sub to tighten things up in midfield, but now he can start a prem league match at RB. He gives us an attacking option which for pellers is key to how he sets his stall out and will have the energy required to drop in and defend.

If the boss wants to change things during later in the game and stick him in midfield to sure things up, he still can and Milner will already have the pace of the game, instead of having to warm up and play himself in. In this scenario we could bring Boyata on at RB of course.

The other point here is that Milner is in top form right now and deserves to play 90 mins in a premier league match.


What to do about Richards?

Unfortunately, if this situation highlights anything it's that Micah's injury problems are now at a level where a decision may need to be made about his future at the club. I'd love to see him stay at City and stay fit. Alas it doesn't look like it's going to happen, a real shame as a fit Micah Richards would hold down the right back position for England in my view.

But because of his ongoing issue with fitness I think we need to sign someone in January. But who? I'd look at Clyne (Soton) or Coleman (Everton). More chance of the former than the latter I suspect, ironically Clyne is injured due back before Christmas, but his replacement - Chambers did an excellent job against us recently.

[C & C]

Pellers rested the engine room - no Ferna or Yaya. He rarely rests both.

So instead Garcia and Rodwell were our engine room and with this in mind he opted for a stronger defence including Vinnie and Zabba to sit behind them.

Also with Sergio out and Jovetic ill, it made sense to go with one up top.

The trade off - risking Zabba based on the fact we had no 1st choice cover at right back. The odds were against him getting injured but hey there are no guarantees.
So what to do about the right back position - Milner for me.

He's often coming on as a sub to tighten things up in midfield, but now he can start a prem league match at RB. He gives us an attacking option which for pellers is key to how he sets his stall out and will have the energy required to drop in and defend.

If the boss wants to change things during later in the game and stick him in midfield to sure things up, he still can and Milner will already have the pace of the game, instead of having to warm up and play himself in. In this scenario we could bring Boyata on at RB of course.

The other point here is that Milner is in top form right now and deserves to play 90 mins in a premier league match.


What to do about Richards?

Unfortunately, if this situation highlights anything it's that Micah's injury problems are now at a level where a decision may need to be made about his future at the club. I'd love to see him stay at City and stay fit. Alas it doesn't look like it's going to happen, a real shame as a fit Micah Richards would hold down the right back position for England in my view.

But because of his ongoing issue with fitness I think we need to sign someone in January. But who? I'd look at Clyne (Soton) or Coleman (Everton). More chance of the former than the latter I suspect, ironically Clyne is injured due back before Christmas, but his replacement - Chambers did an excellent job against us recently.

Nice post!

[bigblue]

What to do about Richards?

Unfortunately, if this situation highlights anything it's that Micah's injury problems are now at a level where a decision may need to be made about his future at the club. I'd love to see him stay at City and stay fit. Alas it doesn't look like it's going to happen, a real shame as a fit Micah Richards would hold down the right back position for England in my view.

I think Micah needs to take up yoga, pilates, ballet, tai chi, and all that other stuff - to take away the excessive swolness and become more flexible. Would make him 2x as healthy at least in my opinion. That is if he wants to continue playing right back. There's a reason that most players on the wing (defense or offense) have about 1/2 of Micah's bulk. He shouldn't lose all his strength (it's one of his best assets) but he needs to become more dynamic and agile.

[Two's Kompany]

Pellers rested the engine room - no Ferna or Yaya. He rarely rests both.

So instead Garcia and Rodwell were our engine room and with this in mind he opted for a stronger defence including Vinnie and Zabba to sit behind them.

Also with Sergio out and Jovetic ill, it made sense to go with one up top.

The trade off - risking Zabba based on the fact we had no 1st choice cover at right back. The odds were against him getting injured but hey there are no guarantees.
So what to do about the right back position - Milner for me.

He's often coming on as a sub to tighten things up in midfield, but now he can start a prem league match at RB. He gives us an attacking option which for pellers is key to how he sets his stall out and will have the energy required to drop in and defend.

If the boss wants to change things during later in the game and stick him in midfield to sure things up, he still can and Milner will already have the pace of the game, instead of having to warm up and play himself in. In this scenario we could bring Boyata on at RB of course.

The other point here is that Milner is in top form right now and deserves to play 90 mins in a premier league match.


What to do about Richards?

Unfortunately, if this situation highlights anything it's that Micah's injury problems are now at a level where a decision may need to be made about his future at the club. I'd love to see him stay at City and stay fit. Alas it doesn't look like it's going to happen, a real shame as a fit Micah Richards would hold down the right back position for England in my view.

But because of his ongoing issue with fitness I think we need to sign someone in January. But who? I'd look at Clyne (Soton) or Coleman (Everton). More chance of the former than the latter I suspect, ironically Clyne is injured due back before Christmas, but his replacement - Chambers did an excellent job against us recently.

Re: A back-up for Zaba. Weren't we linked heavily with Sam Byram at Leeds in the summer? Promising young defender and there were rumours of Reece Wabara going there in an exchange.

[sheblue]

One of the worst things about loosing zabba is that we are loosing a leader, a warrior if you wish, I do not think that boyata is that type of player.

[Saul Goodman]

If Boyata plays at RB at the weekend I don't mind if he's more defensive (than Micah and Zaba). Maybe that will help shore up our defense a little

Edit: oh, and I just saw that Zaba might be out a month. Great. Nice job Pellegrini. I know that many disagree but I place most of the blame on him for this. This is the worst case scenario and there was a simple way to avoid it (at least for another game at minimum)

[kinkylola]

If Boyata plays at RB at the weekend I don't mind if he's more defensive (than Micah and Zaba). Maybe that will help shore up our defense a little

Edit: oh, and I just saw that Zaba might be out a month. Great. Nice job Pellegrini. I know that many disagree but I place most of the blame on him for this. This is the worst case scenario and there was a simple way to avoid it (at least for another game at minimum)

Guess you better head on over to the survey and tick down to highly dissatisfied