jovetic

[TheBlueCatsWhiskers]

Midfield link to strikers ? That's Silvas job.

Silva was busy having a mare.

Jovetic could be of use AND we were brighter when he came on.

[xavi6]

Needs to start and play 70 or 80 against Norwich.

We lacked a decent link between the centre of midfield and the strikers until he came on and dropped deep to collect the ball. Had some nice touches and wasn't afraid to have a pop at goal.

The sooner he's match fit the better, we need him because this two number nines thing is getting old pretty quickly.

Midfield link to strikers ? That's Silvas job.

Correct but, as we saw with the goal, having a player with a licence to drift in from the wings can be costly. Ivanovic was in acres when the ball fell to him. I'm sure if there was a natural wide man out there, or even Milner, he wouldn't have been in that much space so far forward.

On the flipside, if Silva stays wide you lose his penetration through the middle, and I felt that was lacking last night. When Jovetic came on he dropped deep to collect the ball centrally a number of times then looked to run at Chelsea. It had mixed results but at least it changed things up a little.

I don't think Silva played very well and we looked better when Jovetic got involved.

[TheBlueCatsWhiskers]

Interesting.....

https://twitter.com/squawka/status/430467659260375040

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I thought he shohld have started. Negredo and Dzeko are ideal strikers for Terry and Cahill to play against.

I think other than the West Ham game, Negredo has been worryingly poor for weeks. He was woeful last night and looked like there was a problem. Him and Dzeko are not a pairing. And of the two of them I would prefer Edin right now.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Negredo barely got in the game. Edin was much more involved but his shooting and inability to win the ball in the air let him down. Right decision to take beast off.

Jojo was the best if our strikers, but then we are in February. Hopefully he will soon be fit enough to start games.

[bigblue]

Was great to see him so eager to square up his defender and take him 1v1. Is something different than when we currently have and it freed up a ton of space when he was able to beat the defender.

Nasri, Silva, and Yaya all beat men in 1v1 situations. But it's usually from acting like they're going to pass, then using a change of direction/pace to easily get around the defender.

Jovetic just took them on Brazilian style. No faking his intentions, just coming in with step overs saying, "I'm going to try and go around you."

[blues2win]

He's better than Navas at taking on a man. I hope he starts next game. Pellegrini can't go on for ever just giving him 30 minutes.

[BlueinBosnia]

I think other than the West Ham game, Negredo has been worryingly poor for weeks. He was woeful last night and looked like there was a problem. Him and Dzeko are not a pairing. And of the two of them I would prefer Edin right now.

I was wondering about this - do you think fatigue could have an effect on players coming into our squad from other leagues? We don't have a winter break, and (I'm talking about Negredo's case in particular here) Sevilla had only two European games after December in all of his time there, and they only have one domestic cup (although in fairness the competition is two-legged from the round of 32 on). Worth a thread of its own? Possibly.

On the subject of him and Dzeko not being a pairing, I'm inclined to disagree. Although they may not complement each other's strengths, they both get the best out of different aspects of our midfield play, increasing our potency when we're in full flow.

[Sideshow Bob]

wasn't sure where to post it, but this little stat in MUEN about dzeko is revealing (and consistent with my impressions):

But nobody rivals Edin Dzeko when it comes to swinging the momentum either way.

Unfortunately for the Bosnian, though, his presence sees City's win ratio drop from 85% to 64% - a 21.25% slide.

[Lee_R]

Hamstring strain then eh... ffs

[zuricity]

I work with a guy who is a big Roma fan. He'll be mighty pissed off.

It seems they might be in for him . It is probably the best thing. Like Jack, it's best to get rid.

[Lee_R]

I work with a guy who is a big Roma fan. He'll be mighty pissed off.

It seems they might be in for him . It is probably the best thing. Like Jack, it's best to get rid.

Defo.. right now were down to a shite Negredo and a shite Dzeko. Less potent than Chelsea!

[Hutch's Shoulder]

No surprise surely: this is the last game in February, his month in the City calendar. By the time of the next game we will have turned over the page to Javi Garcia, who will have an outstanding March.

[nottsblue]

Shame for the lad. Just as he was getting a bit of game time and match fitness and starting to look the part.

Don't write him off yet

[Nigels Tackle]

No surprise surely: this is the last game in February, his month in the City calendar. By the time of the next game we will have turned over the page to Javi Garcia, who will have an outstanding March.

gorgeous garcia will score a pearler next sunday...

[Blue Since 76]

Shame for the lad. Just as he was getting a bit of game time and match fitness and starting to look the part.

Don't write him off yet

When we get him, Bojinov and Johnson on the pitch, we'll be unstoppable.

[Dubciteh]

Shame for the lad. Just as he was getting a bit of game time and match fitness and starting to look the part.

Don't write him off yet

When we get him, Bojinov and Johnson on the pitch, we'll be unstoppable.

I laughed!

[RodneyRodney]

Shame for the lad. Just as he was getting a bit of game time and match fitness and starting to look the part.

Don't write him off yet

When we get him, Bojinov and Johnson on the pitch, we'll be unstoppable.

I laughed!

. . . they'll need MacManaman feeding them

[Chopper]

Shame for the lad. Just as he was getting a bit of game time and match fitness and starting to look the part.

Don't write him off yet

When we get him, Bojinov and Johnson on the pitch, we'll be unstoppable.

I laughed!

. . . they'll need MacManaman feeding them

.....With Seaman

[Green & Blue]

Feel bad for him he looks really keen to make an impression.His performances have been good for a lad who was out for so long.I was looking to see him in the starting line up today.Hope he makes a quick recovery and gets back on the pitch soon.