Fernando

[Cocacolajojo1]

I can't see a starting 11, when everyone is fit, not including Nasri

Imagine that Nasri's parents never met but everything else remains the same. Can you picture it now?

[South Stand Balti]

Anyone think this could be the piece of the jigsaw Pellers wanted to play a 4-3-3 formation? I know in the past he has said he doesn't pay attention to formations, but wasn't the 4-3-3 the system all our youth teams were being taught to play. I could imagine Fern, Yaya, Fern in the middle with Silva, Negrado/Dzeko, Aguero up top with the two wide players dropping back in to mid when we are under the kosh. It also provides cover for when Yaya goes on a mad one to join the front three.

I can see 4 3 3 but Aguero, Negrado and Dzeko are not wide players who can track back. I also think Nasri would have to play. Maybe Merlin and Nasri on either side of Aguero.

[Risby]

Anyone think this could be the piece of the jigsaw Pellers wanted to play a 4-3-3 formation? I know in the past he has said he doesn't pay attention to formations, but wasn't the 4-3-3 the system all our youth teams were being taught to play. I could imagine Fern, Yaya, Fern in the middle with Silva, Negrado/Dzeko, Aguero up top with the two wide players dropping back in to mid when we are under the kosh. It also provides cover for when Yaya goes on a mad one to join the front three.

I can't see a starting 11, when everyone is fit, not including Nasri

I can see 4 3 3 but Aguero, Negrado and Dzeko are not wide players who can track back. I also think Nasri would have to play. Maybe Merlin and Nasri on either side of Aguero.

I think the front 3 could be a combination of a few, but I was just thinking about the probability and the style of football we could play with three big units in the middle. Could be good against physical and direct teams, but would we prosper against a good footballing team?

[Ted Hughes]

Yaya is getting older & already doesn't like tracking back as it is.

This takes the weight off him & Fernandinho through game time & also allows Yaya to go forward whilst keeping a solid but more mobile midfield compared to when Garcia plays. It gives us the kind of flexibility Rodwell was supposed to add.

The fact that this bloke is so good at tackling, also suggests to me that he could potentially do a Vinny in the future & step in at centre back, if/when he adapts to the Prem.

[clippo22]

I'm beginning to get very excited by this transfer. The thought of him holding, Ferna all over the pitch and yaya bombing forward would be scary for the opposition! Add in any of aguero, silva, nasri, navas, Jovetic, Beast and Dzeko in front of that and wow can't wait for next season!

[getdressedmctavish]

I see we are going to be playing 12 men again. This guy looks like a proper defensive mid. But If the count wants two strikers and a wideman in a lot of games. particularly at home, then that leaves ya ya, Silva, Nasri and Fernandino competing for two places, not to mention Garcia. Then some think we are bringing Fabregas as well. Weird.

[Saul Goodman]

If this chap is a surefire starter, then either Fern or Nasri is gonna find themselves as a sub.

Although, we will have more depth in CM and can rotate while going after 4 trophies again next year in order to keep us fresh. So that'll help.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

We have over relied on yaya massively in the centre. Take him out for say 7 or 8 games a season and take away starts for Garcia and Demi in mf last season and that's easily 20 games right off the bat. Give fernandhino the odd rest and some games with an extra mid now the count has got wise.

Harsh on Garcia perhaps, but I'm pretty sure it's his replacement if not in name certainly in minutes.

[Ted Hughes]

Fernandinho hasn't kicked a ball for Brazil yet due to arriving at their training camp with 'muscle fatigue'.

He was sometimes playing half games for City, going back months. Clearly he has played a lot of football at less than 100% & Barry was having to do the same every season when he was here. It will be no problem whatsoever to accomodate another player in that area.

[Dameerto]

Fernandinho hasn't kicked a ball for Brazil yet due to arriving at their training camp with 'muscle fatigue'.

He was sometimes playing half games for City, going back months. Clearly he has played a lot of football at less than 100% & Barry was having to do the same every season when he was here. It will be no problem whatsoever to accommodate another player in that area.

When we play a two man central midfield it's the key area for us, they're always involved in the play (and it's why we suffered early on until our midfielders got used to what they were being asked to do). Usually it's the fullbacks that burn out in most formations. This is why we could see four quality 'first choice' midfielders at City and still give them all a decent amount of games.