Robinho big doubt for WBA clash

December 18, 2008

INJURY DOUBT Robinho

Robinho is very doubtful for Manchester City's crunch Premier League clash with West Brom on Sunday.

The former Real Madrid striker suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury in the 3-1 defeat by Racing Santander in the UEFA Cup tonight.

Robinho made a surprise start for City but played only 45 minutes as he was struggling with the problem.

Manager Mark Hughes said: “Robinho was not able to continue so he is a big doubt for the weekend. It it his ankle again.

“We are staying here overnight so we will check everyone in the morning.

“He has made a great impression on everyone in Manchester, scoring eight goals in the Premier League. We are delighted with his impact.

“In the last three games he has been struggling with an injury and that was a concern to him tonight. We are pleased with what he has produced. ”

Even though City's campaign in the group stages ended in disappointment, they advance to the knockout stages in top spot.

That means they will face a third-placed side in one of the other groups when the draw is made tomorrow.

Goals from Jonathan Pereira and Oscar Serrano put Santander in the driving seat before half-time.

Juan Valera extended their lead before Felipe Caicedo scored a late consolation goal for City after stepping off the bench.

Hughes, who made wholesale changes to his side, said: “Ideally we would have preferred to have won the game but credit to Racing, they are a good team.

“Their motivation was to try and get into the next round. We had already qualified so that might have taken a little bit of edge out of our game.

“We made changes as we wanted to give the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland and Vincent Kompany a little bit of a rest.

“I think that was important given the number of games coming up. They are key players for us.

“In the second half we just needed to steady ourselves and we did that. We got more games into some of the players who have not had a lot of football.

“Gelson (Fernandes) got 90 minutes which is important while Caicedo has come on and made an impression. We have to take the positives out of the game.

“We have topped the group and that was the order of the day. We are grateful for that.”

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Dunneymonster (18/12/2008 at 23:26)

"Who needs Robinho, we've got Caicedo...!"

Ste , Cheshire (18/12/2008 at 23:31)

He wasnt fit againmst Man U, He wasnt fit against Everton so why risk him in a meaningless game??? Absolutely ridiculous decision and Hughes has clearly lost the plot!

I fear we are going to end up with Ched and Vassell up front on Sunday.....Please NO!

Trueblue39, Kelowna Canada (18/12/2008 at 23:41)

Last Friday I watched MH on Sky saying how Robinho had barely trained for three weeks, had "done a bit with the squad" that day but could not sprint without pain. Okay he will be on the bench at best was my thought. Instead he lets him struggle for 80 minutes (!!!) before taking him off only to put him in tonight in a game of no importance. Now he will likely miss the next three games is my feeling, which may well cost him his job.

joe corrigans gloves, Thailand (18/12/2008 at 23:42)

no need to panic.
Lets get 3 points at weekend and regroup for the next battle, because until we bring in reinforcements a battle is what we are going to be in.Ted Snot, if you carn't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen. This place is not for the weak.
CTID

Shaun, At My Desk (18/12/2008 at 23:44)

So why the hell was he playing?!!

GJ (19/12/2008 at 00:02)

A bottler rather than a battler. This guy's a disgrace,he reminds me of someone I work with (when they can be bothered to turn up). Christ knows what his atitude is doing to the rest of the team.

bluescout, Northwich (19/12/2008 at 00:12)

If he has been struggling why oh why was he playing,
Caceido did well, we should get half our money back now.

Ched, no service but I am afraid he is championship class only.

Total lack of organisation in the defensive third of the pitch tonight, we lack class in key areas,

Top class centre half , top class central midfielder neede as soon as possible.

sold me wellies, Canada (19/12/2008 at 00:54)

Sparky If I was you mate I would be really worried. We were rubbish before you arrived and I thought we could not get any worse. Boy have you proved me wrong BIG time. Seems they have nearly all given up so ship them out. Anyone on the team right now should be fighting like mad for a place come the new year so what has happened ??. All the excuses like the fans are down on them etc Bull if so what a bunch of big girls blouses. Start acting like men and get out there and earn your D+++ pay. If were you Sparky I would dump all but 3 or 4 and rebuild I guarantee you would be well better off how can you lose. Easy

Titty Biscuits , Southport (19/12/2008 at 00:59)

im glad hes out, hes lazy, just like his 2 glove wearing samba mates. the only bad thing is the rest of the squad, bar VK and SI are inept of producing prem standard football. that includes SWP yea he tries and puts in a bit of graft but so does DV.

John Syred, Vancouver, Canada (19/12/2008 at 01:03)

I cannot understand why M.H. would risk playing Robinho in this match,very bad decision,and could result in a long term injury problem,for Gods sake, do not play him again, until he is fully fit.I am beginning to wonder about some of M.H. decisions.Some of the fringe players must be in another world,they have the chance to show M.H. what they can do,such as Evans,Elano,etc and give a guttlass show like today,not for the first time.

Tommy C, Oz (19/12/2008 at 01:04)

So why in gods name did we play him Mark? From what I saw he never looked interested from the first minute but he was hardly the lone ranger there. You say you were looking to rest players with an eye to the busy run of games coming up and yet you select a player {any player} who has clearly been suffering from the effects of injury in his last couple of games. If a result was needed to ensure our passage to the next stage it could be understood, but that wasn`t the case. Blind Freddy can see that there is something not right in the camp at present and the manager needs to get this sorted as we can not continue this way, transfer window or not, we are in trouble. Am getting a little weary of Hughes` take on our performances and the standard line of reply from Cook is nothing short of fantasy. If and when these two actually face the fact that we are crap we may stand some chance of improving, until then these mediocore performances will be accepted as the norm and we will continue our inevitable slide to championship football. Wonder what the owners thought of our latest offering?

Andrew Shaw (19/12/2008 at 01:06)

Why play him? He is far more important on Sunday.

Phil Andrews (ex Ardwick, Cornwall & now Auckland) Andy (19/12/2008 at 01:56)

Rest key players but play one that has not been fit for at least 3 games.....another master stroke....not long left now....new manager by January.

PJS, Oz (19/12/2008 at 02:51)

Playing a doubtful Robinho for this game was idiocy, no other way to put it. I commended Hughes yesterday before the game when it was known he was going to field some fringe players and give those that needed a rest some time off. That list should have included those recovering from niggling injuries.

There are people on this forum livid about the loss to Santander. It was a meaningless game where we fielded a B-team and meant little in the grand scheme of things (UEFA progression + knockout draw and upcoming league games). But putting your best player at risk and risk him not playing this weekend (or still not being 100% if he does get on the pitch vs WBA) is unforgivable. Another amateur decision.

why us, uk (19/12/2008 at 04:21)

Does it really matter thet rob will be missing for this game? a game where we need players to fight and not be a passenger for 89 mins. yes he may be injured and being played whilst carrying knocks, but him and it seems the majority of the team have decided they wont play under hughes. It seems that he, like i said many weeks ago has lost the confidence of the squad and now we are reaping the performances to prove it.

Robinho will be off along with Elano, a great shame given that these 2 could have lit up our hopes in forthcoming seasons, but when the manager cant man manage or motivate superstars, the situation goes pear shaped.
I think hughes has had very little support from fans overall, due to his rag connections, but i think the vast majotiry were willing to forgive him that. I now suspect his tenure will never be plausable, it seems in generasl, we dont like him and he isnt that fussed about us either.

We do need stability, but with the right manager, its no use at all being patient with the wrong guy and it is blatant, this isnt going to work.

So lads n lasses, lets not panic, lets be patient, lets see how hughes can by some miracle get the players on his side, and moreover, the city fans on his side.....lets also be realistic...it aint gonna happen.

Francis (19/12/2008 at 05:40)

Why on earth would you play a half fit Robinho in a game that doesn't matter and end up with him injured so he can't play in the next game -which does matter?? In any event, Robinho seems to be star struck and a bit miffed about playing with people who are not as creative as himself - which means just about everyone except Stevie Ireland and - occasionally Elano. The Brazilians are a bit up themselves and too many other city players just aint got it.

Francis New Zealand

neil mcnab's tash, stockport (19/12/2008 at 06:07)

Our most influential player now missing for our most important game, we need at least 7 points over the next 3 games.

"We made changes as we wanted to give the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland and Vincent Kompany a little bit of a rest.

â€œI think that was important given the number of games coming up. They are key players for us.

So what is Robinho if they're key players?

This man has had my support and whilst others have questioned I have always tried to back him, his decisions are mind boggling, why play Robinho in a nothing game? If he is missing over the Xmas period and we only get 2/3 points he might regret this decision to play Robinho.

Blue Sutt (19/12/2008 at 07:26)

i cannot believe what i am hearing from our "so-called" manager. he is saying Robinho was struggling with his ankle before the game. then why the hell play him !
we have already qualified for the next round of this competion so surely it makes sense to rest him and get his ankle better. so we will now go into the west brom game without him ! well done sparky....your a genius.

Dibble (19/12/2008 at 07:35)

if Rob was injured why did you play him. Another one for the how not to manage a football team

bluecity, north stand (19/12/2008 at 07:45)

Why was he playing in the first place, it was obvious in his last game thats he's still struggling with his ankle .
Mark hughes is not the man to lead the club he should be removed before he can do anymore damage

Gerry Gow's jockstrap (19/12/2008 at 07:56)

If Robinho is carrying an injury why play him? Any manager with a bit of sense would say lets play a fully fit player! Last night proved once & for all that I have been converted to a MH out quickly fan. I have said give him time. But time in football these days does not exsist. As for the players it shows we need more than a few. Our squad is awful, starting with a 2nd goalie we should start working right through the team. Any player worth keeping e.g SWP, Kompany. We need a relief for injury, suspension e.g. Those not worth keeping & there are a few of them. Get rid & replace with a player who will earn his crust & give us fans. What we pay our hard to find these days cash. Those who bought us may have money to play with. But I like a lot of others do'nt.

blueboy08new-moston, manchester (19/12/2008 at 07:56)

WE WANT MOURIHNIO GET US MOURIHNIO WE WANT MOURIHNIO GET US MOURIHNIO!-if we sign any1 get jose-make him an offer he cant refuse icluding buying any1 he wants in world football-otherwise bring alan ball back as he was more of a tactical genius than this faker!-cant believe he gambled on robihnio now hes out of the most important game sunday-ah well vassell will take his place and you du get a shift out of him dont you-like chris bailey always reminds us-GET RID OF THIS CLOWN IN CHARGE BEFORE OUR DREAM IS SMASHED IN TO OBLIVION!

Al, Buxton (19/12/2008 at 08:11)

Whilst we pick injured players, youngsters either out of form or in need of a break, we will never gain the winning mentality we seek. Last night showed our squad, as Villa's was shown the previous night(O'Neill in charge 3 years by the way) is not big or good enough. We need to spend big in Jan 08. I would like Hughes to remain but he aint helping himself

Davey Blue, Failsworth (19/12/2008 at 08:13)

Possible opponents for the UEFA cup draw today.

FC København (DEN)
KKS Lech Poznań (POL)
Olympiacos CFP (GRE)
UC Sampdoria (ITA)
NEC Nijmegen (NED)
SC Braga (POR)

Removal, Swinton (19/12/2008 at 08:14)

I am LIVID about this!! I have burnt my (half) season ticket in protest and have tippex-ed my old 'Swales Out' sign to read 'Hughes Out'.

I have also written to Alderley Edge Mancs The Doves to write a protest song....

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