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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wary of rushing Joleon Lescott and Patrick Vieira into run of matches
Citizens boss cautious after 2-0 win over Bolton...
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9 Feb 2010 23:30:00
By Steven Saunders
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes he is going to have to nurse his squad through the coming weeks if they are to maintain their challenge for a top-four spot.
City overcame Bolton 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday night, a result that moves them above Tottenham into fifth in the Premier League table, and now trail fourth-placed Liverpool only on goal difference.
Despite central defender Joleon Lescott making his first appearance under Mancini as a second-half substitute, and Patrick Vieira completing 95 minutes on his home debut for the club, the manager knows he will have to choose his team carefully for the weekend's FA Cup tie against Stoke.
"It is an important month for us, it is very important that players recover," said Mancini on Sky Sports. "Some like Lescott it is their first time [playing after a spell on the sidelines]. I think that he needs a long week off, and Patrick also, but we have a game on Saturday and then Liverpool and Chelsea.
"It is important that Patrick played, and played very well. And now we have four days before Saturday, and we will see. If he does recover, he can play [against Stoke].
Mancini was pleased with the performance of Adam Johnson, who was awarded the man of the match champagne for a showing that included earning a first-half penalty, converted by Carlos Tevez.
Asked if he expected Johnson to make such a big impact, Mancini replied: "Yes because for me I saw him three or four times. I think he is a young player who must improve. But he is an important player.
"We started the game very well but we knew it would be a difficult game. Bolton played well and at times we were under pressure. But we were very assured. Then we played so-so in the second half."
Mancini also added that he did not think the knee injury to Kolo toure, which prompted Lescott's introduction at the Ivorian's expense in the second half, was anything serious.
City overcame Bolton 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday night, a result that moves them above Tottenham into fifth in the Premier League table, and now trail fourth-placed Liverpool only on goal difference.
Despite central defender Joleon Lescott making his first appearance under Mancini as a second-half substitute, and Patrick Vieira completing 95 minutes on his home debut for the club, the manager knows he will have to choose his team carefully for the weekend's FA Cup tie against Stoke.
"It is an important month for us, it is very important that players recover," said Mancini on Sky Sports. "Some like Lescott it is their first time [playing after a spell on the sidelines]. I think that he needs a long week off, and Patrick also, but we have a game on Saturday and then Liverpool and Chelsea.
"It is important that Patrick played, and played very well. And now we have four days before Saturday, and we will see. If he does recover, he can play [against Stoke].
Mancini was pleased with the performance of Adam Johnson, who was awarded the man of the match champagne for a showing that included earning a first-half penalty, converted by Carlos Tevez.
Asked if he expected Johnson to make such a big impact, Mancini replied: "Yes because for me I saw him three or four times. I think he is a young player who must improve. But he is an important player.
"We started the game very well but we knew it would be a difficult game. Bolton played well and at times we were under pressure. But we were very assured. Then we played so-so in the second half."
Mancini also added that he did not think the knee injury to Kolo toure, which prompted Lescott's introduction at the Ivorian's expense in the second half, was anything serious.
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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