Goalless draws highlight need for a Dzeko-type

Coming away from yesterday's game, one of the main problems seemed to be Mancini's lack of confidence in his replacement strikers.  After the derby, Mancini talked about how tired or lacking in fitness some of his players were, but you got the feeling he was primarily talking about Carlos Tevez.  In some places, Tevez was rated as 50/50 to make the derby and he was hauled off yesterday to protect his thigh injury. If Adebayor was available (or above him Balotelli), you'd imagine Tevez may have had a rest.  Without him the options start to shrink. 

One of the truths levelled at this team is that we rely too much on our Argentine captain.  One of the problems is that when the striking options from the bench aren't deemed up to it, Tevez isn't the type of player who tends towards attacking play.  Tevez is a sensational player - he carries us, and can create chances through his sheer tenacity - but he has always played like a second striker.  He drops deep looking for the ball (increasingly deep when opposing teams pack the defence); when a player gets into a crossing position, he will often drop back to receive a pass rather than get into the box - and when, as yesterday, Silva is the man trying to make up the numbers in the box, we are rarely going to get much success against such strong defenders.  When the focal point of the attack needs to drop back - it naturally slows down the play and limits our options going forward.

This was why we suddenly seemed so potent when Balotelli played against West Brom.  Balotelli makes runs behind the defence and into the box - freeing Tevez to be his effective best in a deeper role.  Tevez's two hat-tricks under Mancini last year came when playing behind a centre-forward - Adebayor, vs Wigan, and Benjani, vs Blackburn. 

If the rumours are true that Garry Cook has gone to the Middle-East to seek talks about the posibility of signing Edin Dzeko, the 6ft 4" Bosnian striker would fit the mould of someone who could lead the line infront of Tevez.  Although if Balotelli can keep calm and injury-free, his presence makes a similar difference to the side without the need for more transfer activity. 

Even though yesterday's performance looked far from it, we are close to something good and it would be a shame to jeopardise it by starting all over again.  I know that the money spent seems to demand more, but we are still a growing side and patience is key. 

There were people around me who were abusing players before they'd even kicked-off and it is funny what some people consider as 'going to support your team'.  Fans play a part in matchday too and it is important our home games are still an advantage in that way. 

Not too surprisingly, one of the positives yesterday was our defensive display - although it could do with being coupled with a bit more adventure, that is three consecutive clean sheets now - and the partnership of Kolo Toure and Kompany is continuingly impressive.  Both were visibly disappointed with the result - Kompany (who tried to up City's tempo on his own) fell to the turf and Kolo's interview is the most distracted and least chirpy I've ever heard from him. 

Yesterday's result was hugely frustrating but, with tough away games coming up, it is important our support is still there.