Mancini Mulls Attacking Options for Bolton

W460

Roberto Mancini admits he is now spoilt for choice as he mulls over the prospect of introducing Sergio Aguero into a four-man Manchester City strike force against Bolton Wanderers.

Aguero made an instant impact on his Manchester city debut, scoring twice after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 opening-game win over Swansea.

Now the new £35 million striker, who is not fully fit, is in contention to start in what is destined to prove an altogether different test against Bolton on Sunday.

The Argentine striker could join the likes of Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and David Silva in the same team at the Reebok Stadium.

And the Manchester City manager admits his selection headache could be eased by introducing the quartet at the same time.

"We will play aggressive and we want to attack," he said. "The general mentality though is if you play with four strikers you attack more, but sometimes it's not true.

"It's just important to have the balance and that's what we have to think about for this game.

"But I know that in the Premier League you need the strikers to also work for the team. If you have a striker that doesn't work, it is difficult. It's important the striker helps his team-mates.

"You see it with Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba, who score, but also work hard for the team.

"What's clear is we now have more offensive players and that we can take more risks than maybe last year. But I realize we need to score more goals if we want to win the Premier League."

Mancini, who also has the wantaway Carlos Tevez available for selection, saw his side struggle for goals at times last season.

But that now looks a thing of the past, with Yaya Toure claiming the Manchester City squad will soon be at a new level that will demand respect throughout the world of football.

The mega-rich club made huge strides last season after winning the FA Cup as well as securing Champions League qualification.

And after adding new blood in Aguero, and with the expected imminent arrival of Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Ivory Coast midfielder Toure feels they can move on again this term.

"The team is looking in good shape - we have signed big players and they look fantastic in training," he said.

"My ambition is to make people talk about Manchester City with respect, and that is why I am here.

"The manager is doing fantastic and we will see in a few short years that Manchester City will become one of the best teams in the world. I am totally sure of that."

Nigel de Jong sustained an ankle knock against Swansea and is rated doubtful. But Micah Richards, who also picked up a thigh problem, should be fit for the short trip to Lancashire.

Owen Coyle says Bolton have nothing to fear against their illustrious visitors, claiming a repeat of their opening-day performance could be enough to shock City.

Bolton kicked off their season in fine style with a 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

They now face a different task although the Bolton manager feels his side raise their game against the top sides in the Premier League.

"They have supreme quality, but we love playing against the best teams, players and managers and this affords that opportunity," Coyle said.

"We know they are evolving all the time and Roberto is putting the pieces together of a formidable team.

"But I know if we are at our very best, just like we were at QPR, then we certainly have a good chance.

"We will have to be at our maximum, but of course we can win if we maintain our high standards."

Coyle is set to name an unchanged side with Ricardo Gardner set to miss out again with a groin injury.

Tuncay, who has joined on loan from German side Wolfsburg, is still awaiting international clearance so the striker's debut is likely to be put on hold.

Comments 0