Comment: Rocky Proving Crocky - As Predicted

Time for a bit of negative coverage amongst all this optimism! Roque Santa Cruz is out of squad training injured until next month...

There was always going to be a touch of the Claudio Strainer/ Tricky Trevor Sinclair about Santa Cruz's signing and thus far he has yet to kick a ball in Blue pre season 'anger.'

In essence, City signed a player from Blackburn still recovering from knee surgery. This fact alone make the repeated bids for the Paraguayan hitman this year all the more mystifying. Nevermind his dreadful injury record at Bayern Munich.

City gaffer Mark Hughes explained:

'He's been training every day but he's probably two to two and a half weeks away from training with the group. Then there will be a period of time when he needs to get some general fitness with the group, but it's not a case of trying to force him back - we've got options up front, so we have the luxury of time in that respect.'

Well, options wise, what was once a 10 man strike force has been dramatically reduced.

Jo and Felipe Caicedo are out on loan for a season with confirmation that Valeri Bojinov has gone a similar way expected any day now.

Ched Evans has been sold and Daniel 'Ancelloti' Sturridge stropped off.

With Carlos Tevez currently sidelined due to a shower-time mishap, the City boss's striking options are restricted to Benjani, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor. Of course, there's Robinho knocking about but he's played a little too deep for my liking of late.

Personally, I'll be sad to see The Boj go as I reckon he was running into form and could help mix things up but right now my sentiment is that Rocky is going to have to bang in a good few goals before Christmas if he's to win me over.

Any nodding heads out there, Planet Blue?

Catch VMC's Johnny B in September's Four Four Two Season Preview - On Sale Now.

JOIN VITAL MANCHESTER CITY:

Vital Manchester City was the fastest growing Independent City Website of the past season with a membership now standing at 1500 strong. There's more to come - Be Here Now and join our worldwide community debate as City's pre season build up gather's pace:

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.