KYLE WALKER SAYS it was a reality check to be dropped by Manchester City.
The England right-back was on the bench for three consecutive Premier League games, including a crunch clash with title rivals Liverpool on 3 January.
But Pep Guardiola put Walker back into the team for Monday’s 3-0 win against Wolves, who had Willy Boly sent off when one behind, at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.
Walker contributed to City’s first clean sheet in the Premier League since November as a Gabriel Jesus brace and Conor Coady’s late own goal earned the champions their fifth straight win in all competitions.
And the defender feels he has learned lessons by being given a spell on the sidelines by City manager Guardiola.
“It was disappointing to be left out of the Premier League line-up but it was a reality check to sit back and look on the bench,” he told Sky Sports.
You probably learn more on the bench. I took it all on the chin and have to keep working hard.
“I don’t think anything has changed but we’re getting the rub of the green now.
“We are still in all four competitions but we have to close Liverpool down and win as many games as possible.”
Gabriel Jesus struck twice in the first half to take his tally to seven strikes in City’s last three matches.
And the striker, who started with Sergio Aguero named on the bench, is relishing his improved spell of form.
“I know Sergio is an amazing player and helps me a lot, so when Sergio plays and helps the team and when I play I want to help as well,” Jesus said to Sky Sports.
I play better, scoring goals is important to me because I am a striker and I need to score goals.”
Jesus shook off a sickening collision with the post as he sought to score again, the Brazil striker reassuring City fans he was not badly hurt.
“I’m good,” he added. “A little pain on the side [of his head]. It can be dangerous on the head but I am good.”
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Fitzgerald’s kicking when he came on for Horwitz in his last game was top drawer. Interesting to see how he goes from the start in such a big game. A result for Connacht would be massive.
Was Blade released from the Irish squad, or did he just not return after last week? I thought he was in the extended squad announced on Tuesday?
@Darragh Murray: He was in the extended squad but got released.. so looks like Murray and Cooney for Italy game.. let’s home Cooney starts
@Tom Kenny: didn’t see that announced anywhere, thanks Tom!
Ok maybe I’m missing something here , but I don’t see a back up out half anywhere unless you count TOH or MH having to slot in !! Also where’s Horwitz and Copeland !!! Both seem to have gone MIA !!
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: Godwin at centre is also a fly half at times.
Horwitz has been quite unimpressive at 10 this year.
@David Hickey: I think he’s been solid most of the time but he had an absolute mare in his last game. I wouldn’t write him off just yet, but I can see why he’s not in the team atm.
@ScewMadd: For me he has been a 6 out of 10 player. Unimpressive. By no means bad. (Although a fortnight ago was a travesty).
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: Copeland has fairly significant hip surgery before Christmas!! Probably be another few weeks before we see him again!!
He hasn’t settled in I think , the weather is a big factor for a 10 and well Sportsground weather is a real Ripley’s believe it or not, time to give up on SH tens and get them from nearer home in future me thinks
@©️⚙️NNA©️HT6️⃣6️⃣: he was always an odd choice, in as much as he wasn’t an out and out 10, or at least he had filled in at twelve a good bit in his career, kind of the opposite of Godwin. He left Tahs to get game time at Rebels and then promptly couldn’t get in their match day squad – announcing half way into the season he was off to Connacht might not have helped. To be fair Western Force being disbanded meant there suddenly was a lot more availability and competition for slots in the remaining Aussie team’s squads. I thought it was strange the clamour on here that he would unseat Carty considering no one had seen him kick. As it turned out in a positive sense it hasn’t been so much a case of Horwitz failing as Carty succeeding. With Jack’s form we may need Horwitz next autumn anyway!
Ronaldson will be back in the picture another questionable 10, FITZGERALD looks the part,