AJ - how good is he?

Good to see AJ get a start, but I think he's gonna struggle like hell to get in the team when we have Aguero, Dzeko, Silva and Nasri fit and raring to go.

What does he have to do to get to the next level to be able to get closer to those guys?

I think he has to deliver consistently and he has to stick his chances away. Yes he may not be an out and out striker, but we need our midfielders to be composed in front of goal. He should have stuck something away today.

Not trying to be negative after another good display, just looking for ways we can get better.

Still early days yet for AJ, and for City to be honest, I think by playing more with the likes of Nasri, Silva and Aguero he will naturally raise his game.
Once the cup comps start coming thick and fast AJ will get more games, as we saw today, Dzeko got rested along with Nasri, who only came on for his home debut really.
Once AJ has a run in the side, he'll be back in top form, putting those chances away, but I think maybe the " International Break" made a few of our players wayward in front of goal, is it any coincidence AJ, Micah, Lescott all didn't get to play for England, and I don't count the 10mins AJ got the other day, and they all missed sitters or good scoring opps?

Felt a bit sorry for him today, the wind out on the wings was fierce and a lot of passes looked like they were overhit but Wigan players suffered just as much.

He didn't have a particulary good game but I'd give him an A for effort, at least he was trying.

The thing is he will play ans Mancini has said he's an important part of the squad. Our record for the last 15 or so games is prety good and AJ has played in either 12 or 13 of those games including the cup final. I dont think it maters if he starts or comes on after 60 minutes as an impact sub he's still an important player for us.

i agree that he is a very important player for us. there was silly talk in the papers over the summer that he would be sold or loaned out. sometimes players will believe what they read and i bet he was worried after we signed aguero and nasri.

i'd like him to get better not just for himself and england, but it puts good pressure on all the midfielders so they know they have to perform week in and week out.

he cost us just £5M which is a bargain these days.

AJ seems a bit cocky, he needs to get it in his head that there is room for improvement and that he is not the finished article that's all.

if he'd stuck a couple of decent chances away, he'd stick out more and we'd let his weaker stuff go.

I just don't think he is composed enough in front of goal sometimes.

He biew a couple of chances, guys but he made some great thru passes and worked hard. Crikey!! Too critical.

Sorry Wensdi you've lost me there, how does one "biew" a chance!?

It's kinda like 'blew a few chances' GSus - but I've got a lisp. Soz

Long, long, road ahead of AJ in my book. He will get plenty of oppurtunities this season, but whether he uses them, coupled by regularily playing alongside world class players day in day out, is yet to be seen.

Important squad player, not first team player in strongest XI though.

some nice play when he came off the bench.

really can't see him ever being more than an impact sub. he rarely fails to deliver when coming off the bench.