Neil Custis ‏@ncustisTheSun
Bad news for Balotelli looks like he will b out for a month after eye surgery this Tuesday, full story on Sun online soon

This is the latest on Mario if you are interested.

Borris would you like this thread Live?

If you think it's worth it, I'm actually going to the game.

Down to two strikers, what's up with his eye?

That eye problem may explain why he couldn't hit a cows árse with a banjo half the time.

You should hope Dzeko starts to bang them in now.

I would start dzeko over mario any day.

^^^ paricularly if we are playing 352 with Kolarov as a left wingback? x

If mario's out then give dzeko a good run and watch him prove himself, he's a confidence player and you have to let him prove himself.

Dropping him for Wigan at home last year was a mistake he was unplayable up until then, Mancini made a mistake.

Live@ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/149939

1 match ban enabled.

dzeko over balotelli any day of the week, whilst you migt not get the raw talent and ability, what you do get is a player who is much more willing to get involved in the game, dzeko should have started last week v liverpool

Not entirely fair on MArio's last game; he was constantly running into space between the defenders, but City didn't have the quality on the pitch to deliver quality through balls x

I was at a party all day yesterday so didn't keep up with the transfer situation. Did we finalise the Sinclair deal in time for him to play today? I think they had to sign before 12:00 yesterday.

I was out in town last night so wouldn't have a clue.

Perhaps personal terms and the medical took longer.
That said do City really need to rush anyone for selection, without them getting a few training sessions under their belt? x

he didnt arrive at city until about 6 so i doubt it, but he could have signed a contract in swansea and had it faxed through

he is on the bench, what do i know

GOL

echo

Zamora scores

Decent result 3-1, thought Dzeko played well throughout, although he needs to time his runs a bit better; too many offsides.

Some fantastic possession play, and probably should have scored more; thought Zabaleta had finished beautifully with his weak foot, but was just a little unlucky to hit the bar x

Strange game - positives and negatives.

I was well impressed with Rodwell's input and only Nasri was particularly poor but we still seemed to make hard work of it. Zab was outstanding though it would be interesting to see him further upfield with Maicon behind him.

comment by Boris "Inky" Gibson (U5901)

posted 51 minutes ago

only Nasri was particularly poor

======================================

Have to disagree with this one. Kolo was nothing but a passenger since he came on. Our backline was ok until his introduction and once Zab came off, we had to cover for his meanderings across no man's land. He's worse than Bridge.

On the othe hand, I agree that Rodwell seems be settling in quite well.

I agree with you about Kolo, he's certainly not a stand-in RB.

I watched this one on the box due to geographical issues (I am in London). Zaba came off due to a tweaked hammy, hopefully not too serious because the man is key! Tevez was as industrious as ever and Rodwell was superb. As Boris said Nasri was slightly ineffective but I have high hopes for him this season! Dzeko was very Jekyll/Hyde throughout the 90 today but worked hard in general, glad to see him bag again. I thought Lescott looked very suspect at the back today. I don't think it helps that Kolarov started over Clichy, Lescott always seems to look a lot more comfortable when Gael plays.
All in all, a good result - but we need to be more clinical in the final third (seems daft to say that after we scored 3).