City facing defensive headache for QPR trip 28 Jan 2013 11:35 Manchester City could go into the QPR clash with just one fit centre back as the Blues sweat on Matija Nastasic. Share on print Share on email Matija Nastasic (left) is a doubt for City Matija Nastasic (left) is a doubt for City Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of Matija Nastasic ahead of the trip to QPR. The Blues are already without Kolo Toure and skipper Vincent Kompany (calf), and if Nastasic doesn't recover from a knee injury boss Roberto Mancini would have a serious selection headache. When asked if Nastasic was available at Monday's press conference, assistant boss David Platt said: "Maybe, but he will have to train today." Elsewhere, Balotelli missed Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Stoke after illness but he is in contention for the game at Loftus Road. Kompany will be missing after straining his calf at the Britannia Stadium and the Belgian will also be doubtful for Sunday's clash with Liverpool. Platt said: "It could be a fortnight, it could be three weeks. We'll know more this morning. "My experience of calf strains would be no chance for tomorrow, Liverpool a big doubt with an outside chance, but that would depend on the gravity of it. "In all honesty you're probably looking at the game after that being a potential realistic target." Joleon Lescott is fit, but Mancini might be forced to go with three at the back if Nastasic doesn't make it. Other alternatives would be to drop Javi Garcia back into defence or use youngster Karim Rekik.
I know this might seem a strange shout but am slightly confident about tomorrow night , City could be there for the taking, no Toure or Kompany, their two best players in the last two years. fingers crossed we can get something from this and Saturday and we are suddenly back in with a chance.
City are a class outfit, quality, much of it proven world class, all over the pitch. "There for the taking" may be a little optimistic. But a decent plan, everyone focused and at the top of their game and we have a chance. It's 90 minutes of football, there is always a chance.
Oh no! This means they might only be able to choose from Richards, Maicon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kolarov and Clichy across the back. They are surely doomed.
AAAGH i had a slightly optimistic feeling about tomorrow.....and then you posted this about their backline.......well optimism taken a bit of a knock.....
Whilst Kompany's a rock, City's defensive weaknesses might be a concern against top sides but not us so much. Still got Lescott and other options. And as Eamonn points out, we have difficulty getting into the box against far lesser sides this season. If we park the bus, we've got to be ready to counter and recover quickly. Wonder if we can do that yet? We'll see. Eleven v. eleven at the beginning of the day. Let's hope we can keep our eleven on the pitch and playing with energy and purpose all game long. That'll help.
The way we played all season we do not have the slighest chance against them. If we do manage a lucky punch we might gain a point but after the Spurs/WH games I fear we will be pushed into our own half for more than 80% of the game. We should not expect anything from that game but concentrate on nex Saturday when it really matters.
They could play without any centre backs. All of the play will be in our half. Although........Remy on the break...........
Maicon and Richards are also injured. If Nastaic is out then Lescott is there only specialist centre back. Good news in my view
If remy can time those runs as per his goal v whu, coupled with their centre back catastrophe, throw in our new found stubbornness when playing anyone half decent - I don't see why we can't keep them down to 6 or 7. Only joking, fully expecting 3 points.
We might nick something. Probably won't. Only guarantee with rangers is that I'll always love them, whether they be average, rubbish, poor or abysmal. (They seem to be the options!) League 2 or Champions League, I don't care. YOU RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
We will more than likely play 3 at the back using Milner and Kolorov as wing backs if Nastasic isnt rushed back with Liverpool visiting the Etihad on Sunday Hart Zabaleta Lescott Clichy Milner Garcia Barry Kolorov Tevez Silva Aguero
And you call that a weakened team?!! Thanks for the heads-up PPLF. We know you real City fans well know (and respect) what we're going through here atm!
