Every cloud has a Silva lining! David gives us no need to use a striker as Aguero is hardly missed

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David Silva put in another outstanding display as Manchester City beat West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day

When Sergio Aguero limped off the Etihad pitch after just the 2nd minute of our game against Everton, difficult questions were thrown at Manchester City Football Club from all sections of the football society.  Football pundits and rival fans both took the opportunity to capitalize on what could easily have been a turning point in our season, and the talk of a potential derailment off the track that kept us hot on the heels of pacesetters Chelsea, was at its highest.

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Manchester City players celebrate after scoring against West Bromwich Albion

Three weeks on from that day, the truth could not be further from what most of us were fearing. Manchester City’s sublime form still exists even without Argentine superstar Sergio Aguero, who is still the Premier League’s top scorer in spite of missing the last four league games due to injury. In fact, what is even more astounding is that the Citizens are still going strong without fielding a striker in any of their last two Premier League games. Youngster Jose Pozo was the last recognized striker to have been utilised by Manuel Pellegrini in our win over Leicester City. What is absolutely unbelievable right now is the stupendous form that City find themselves in. I, like most other City fans, was extremely apprehensive of what the future held in store for us after our number 16 injured himself early on in the match against Everton. The look on his face and the tears in his eyes spoke a thousand words and it was surely a sight that had every Citizen worried. Who would have known though that we were actually going to play as good, if not better than the times we had Aguero leading our line. Honestly though, the condition that we are lucky to find ourselves in at this moment is no fluke and a lot of credit should be given to Pellegrini and his men behind the scenes for keeping the system going even without our lead hitman. I had mentioned in my first article this month that we would get through if a couple of other players stepped forward to take the responsibility of getting goals while Aguero was out, and it gives me so much pleasure to declare that many players did in fact come forward to take that responsibility. David Silva is of course the first name that needs to be mentioned while we are on this topic. The Spaniard is enjoying a good season in the City midfield after notching up a total of five goals and three assists this season. What is most interesting however, is that the 28 year old former Valencia man has scored four of these goals after Aguero succumbed to injury at the start of the month.

Fernando put City ahead early on in the game after capitalizing on an error from West Brom 'keeper Scott Carson

Fernando put City ahead early on in the game after capitalizing on an error from West Brom ‘keeper Scott Carson

This kind of influence is exactly what I was talking about and having a player the calibre of Silva to more or less “fill in” for Aguero in attack is undoubtedly a huge asset for our club. The strength in depth that we can boast at this moment was shown best in this case. Silva returned to fitness after spending more than a month on the sidelines due to a knee injury and only came back just as Aguero himself got sent to the medical room with a knee injury of his known. A lot of credit must be given to Silva as well for stepping up when our team was in need the most. An injury to your top goal scorer is enough to send a team crashing down the table, but Manchester City is no ordinary team, and if we not only survive but thrive while our main striker is injured, then I do not think of any other possible disaster that could derail us from our goals other complacency itself.

 

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