Weaver kept on ice

Chris Bailey

February 07, 2007

FLOORED: Nick Weaver after the collision

NICK Weaver is racing the clock to be fit for City's trip to Portsmouth on Saturday evening.

The Blues' keeper limped out of the home defeat to Reading at the weekend after colliding with skipper Richard Dunne as they both converged on the same through ball being chased by the Royals' Leroy Lita.

It was 27-year-old Weaver who came out worst in the incident and although he carried on for a few minutes after emergency treatment he was forced out of the contest early - handing é2m summer signing Andreas Isaksson a first taste of senior action at Sportcity.

Weaver, who has kept the Sweden No1 out of the side all season with a string of impressive displays, has a badly bruised hip and admits he is touch and go for the weekend.

If he is not fit enough to take a place in the squad then boss Stuart Pearce may be forced to recall either Joe Hart or Kasper Schmeichel from their loans at Tranmere and Falkirk.

Former England under 21 star Weaver, though, has not yet given up hope of making the trip to the south coast. He is continuing his duel with Isaksson for the No1 slot and his quest for a new contract to replace the one that is scheduled to run out at the end of this season.

Situation

"It was one of those situations where Dunney and I both thought we were best placed to deal with the through ball," recalled Weaver of the first half incident that caused his injury.

"We both arrived at virtually the same time and his knee accidentally caught my hip. It was just a pure accident. I can't describe how painful it was, it was the worst pain I have experienced on a football pitch that's for sure.

"I tried to carry on but obviously my mobility was affected as the injury stiffened up and I had no choice but to come off.

"There is some bruising but like all bangs it will settle down and already has to a certain extent but it is still too early to say how it will be at the weekend.

"If I was an outfield player I would be confident of making the match but the fact that I have to dive around on it makes the situation a bit different."

Pearce will be without Nedum Onuoha (knee), Trevor Sinclair (groin) and Paul Dickov (foot) for the trip to Fratton Park to face out of form Pompey.

Transfer window signing Michael Ball is, however, hoping to be in the party after another week's training following his January move from PSV.

What do you think? Have your say.

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Steve, Midlands (07/02/2007 at 10:01)

If Weaver is fit he should remain the first choice on merit regardless of what the Isakkson love brigade who have been waiting for Weaver to slip up might say.

Hinchcliffe, That's Five (07/02/2007 at 10:22)

Absolutely nothing to do with this story, however... With all the furore about how the fans are treated by the club and Sky TV, did anyone else read Niall Quinn has refused to let Sky move the Sunderland v Derby game in the Championship? He said it was because he wants the Sunderland fans to be able to come along on a Saturday at 3.00. Just goes to show things can be done and things can change - if their is enough will. Why, when we are desperate for investment did we not mug Quinnie when he was going in for the Rokerites????!! His disco pants are still the best.

True Blue,, Galway. (07/02/2007 at 10:22)

I hope Isaksson plays and plays well as I fear he will go If he is not given a chance.

Paul K, nightmare number 2059 (07/02/2007 at 10:30)

I think it's time that Weaver was replaced by Izzy anyway. The guy is a regular international held in very high regard and we paid 2m for him so what's the point of him sitting on the bench now that he's fit. Is Weaver really doing enough to keep a player of that quality out of the team?? The longer he's on the bench and getting hacked off with the situation, the more you have to question Pearce's decision making here. It was great to see Weaver get us out of a hole when Izzy was injured but you have to pick the players on merit. All that will happen is that he leaves for 1.5m in the summer and we spend more money on a worse player. Doesn't make sense to me.

Shell, Blackley (07/02/2007 at 10:52)

I'm not one of Isaksaons Love Parade as one poster has put it. But I would like to have a look at him in action and make my mind up objectively as to who looks the best keeper. Lets face it I love Weaves but he does make the odd Glaring mistake (Isakson may as well who knows) but I can't help thinking that he will be the better option in the long run. That would be City all over sign him, don't play him, sell him and he become one of the best keepers in the world. Lets at least see what he can do. I do think he needs to quiten down a bit though. He was injured and Nick has too his chance that happens in football its unfortunate but its life.

scim, Sweden (07/02/2007 at 10:53)

You pick players on form, not on merit.

DAVE, THE STICKS (07/02/2007 at 10:55)

Weaver has no need to race Isaakson can takeover no problem

Gaz Blue, Hulme (07/02/2007 at 11:21)

Isaksson all the way for me...the speed at which he looked to set up attacks and distribute the ball were really encouraging..came for crosses..and only one dodgy kick when it was played back on his left side and he had to rapidly re-adjust.. I like Weaver but he is a No.2 (NO PUN INTENDED) Keeper

RatherBeDeadThanRed, Manchester (07/02/2007 at 11:22)

someone wanted to get sheik hmohammed the ruler of dubai to buy city.

silly i know but maybe we could email him on mass begging his to buy manchester city lol

Valmir, Romania (07/02/2007 at 11:24)

I still believe Isaksson should be our no.1,despite Weaver's generally solid displays.However he was caught in no man's land for Lita's second goal in my opinion.
But there is no case for a headache if Weaver doesn't recover in time,we have to sort out our dismal scoring record,that's our main worry.

Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands (07/02/2007 at 11:28)

Hinch - a top posting, that! But would Niall do it, or more to the point be able to do it, if Sunderland were in the Premiership?

Blue DickyDunne, Ireland (07/02/2007 at 11:34)

Izzy should be given a run no doubt about it. Weaver did well but the 3-5-2 system needs to be binned. Fair play to big Niall Quinn for coming out with that statement against Sky. I wish alot of other clubs thought about it before causing fans to change plane tickets, travel plans on a whim so the club can meet Skys demands.

the realist, the real world, sw14 (07/02/2007 at 11:47)

did we sign a striker yet?

Chippy the Cruiser, Canal Street (07/02/2007 at 11:54)

The swede needs a run so that we can make an informed choice for the number one shirt. Weaver does not have a divine right to it. Now is the opportunity he has waited for. We don't have many signings to take a look at for the love of cheeses. He's a big boy too.

Gary, Dudley (07/02/2007 at 12:13)

So now Izzy can play at last. Nothing really against Weaver, who has done very well. At least we can see what the big man can do from the start of a match. It is a bit worrying, though, that he has conceded in most reserve matches he's played (4 in one), could have let 4 in against Reading, but for a linesman and a goalpost, and that his most famous match, when he held off the Germans on his own in the World Cup, he still let 2 in. Two more against England, which takes some doing as well. Just give him a chance at Pompey, and let's see if he's good enough for our urgent needs. He's waited long enough. Though don't expect miracles for a 2 million pound fee. That's close to what Corradi cost...

Gareth, Reddish (07/02/2007 at 12:14)

I actually am a member of Isakson's Love Brigade. If you're confident enough in your own sexuality you should join us.

Tosh, Reddish (07/02/2007 at 12:25)

Agree with Shell, Blackley - All Pearce has got to do is say to Weaver "Give your injury a bit longer to heal and in the meantime I will have a look at Isaksson for a couple of games". He can then decide who he thinks is the best man for the job. He needs to at least have a look at him. I tend to agree that it would be just typical if we lost him and he went on to be a top keeper elsewhere given the bargain price we picked him up for, and the age he is.

si, miami blue (07/02/2007 at 12:41)

Give Isak a few games. At least he comes for crosses. He also gets rid of the ball quicker instead of that annoying ritual weaver does when we waits, puts the ball down and then proceeds to kick the ball 30 seconds later when the oppostion defense has established a better position.

RatherBeDeadThanRed, Manchester (07/02/2007 at 12:41)

i did put the web address for sheik mohammed's offical site in my post but MEN removed it. just google sheik mohammed.

Alex, Chorlton (07/02/2007 at 12:48)

I wish you lot would stop having a pop at each other (he said having a pop). No ones in love with Issacson most of us love Weaver. However it does seem that Pearce is making a point by not playing him and he (Issacson) obviously feels that. 2 mil is a lot of money for a GK so why not play him? I used to feel that Pearce was able to be objective, but I am beginning to feel that his ego is getting the better of him.

Prophet of Doom, Heaton Moor (07/02/2007 at 12:55)

The difference between the two gk's is the Swede looks to throw the ball quickly to a blue shirt after receiving it. Weaver can't throw accurately, so we get the continual rolling the ball to himself to kick up field off the deck to nobody. Isaakson must play.

Steve, Droylsden (07/02/2007 at 13:05)

"Stuart Pearce may be forced to recall either Joe Hart or Kasper Schmeichel from their loans at Tranmere and Falkirk"? I thought Hart came back to us last week?

Les Dean, Chorley (07/02/2007 at 13:07)

Reading SPs comments over the last few days I get the impression that he thinks he is doing us a big favour by not going for the Engand U 21 job full time "I've said no and will keep to my word" this guy believes his own publicity and thinks the City job is only a stepping stone to better things, hence his refusal to sign a contract from the start and now only has a nil compensation agreement.
The problem is getting a Premiership/big club proven
British manager to replace Pearce, I can't think of any and who would come in our dire situation.

ted knott, droylsden (07/02/2007 at 13:18)

True blue is right Izzy should be given his chance now otherwise we will lose a top keeper,just remember he is Swedens No1 and techniclly he is the better than Weaver besides he could save us 4 or 5 points in our remaining matches.No doubt Pearce wont see it that way and we 'll see another player leave with parting shots of "mcfc have no ambition etc " and they'll be right!how much did Pearce pay for Issacson? Â£2M? if he goes it will probably be YET another big loss on the clubs finances and YES another piece of SHABBY management from Pearce! in essence if Weaver has any doubts about his fitness this weekend Issacson should be given a game END OF STORY!!!!

tb, oslo (07/02/2007 at 13:21)

think you give isaksson too much credit. yes he is an international(that would weaver also be if he was swedish) sp that has nothing to do with it. i have followed isaksson in more than the world cup(where also diouf has been a star) point is: we shouldnt care about international,merit etc. we should use the one who is best for us. and isaksson is no world class goalie. trust me. they are both at the same level. only difference is that isaksson believes he is. and it also looks like some of you do. if he is world class. then we got many world class players in our squard.

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