City´s Platt delighted with squad depth

Manchester City coach David Platt praised the depth of talent at the club after Saturday’s emphatic 4-0 win against Blackburn.

Platt believed it was important the team got back to winning ways in the Premier League after defeat in the Champions League at Bayern Munich and the on-going saga with Carlos Tevez.

“It’s the result we wanted. We wanted to win the football match, it’s what we prepared for since we got back in on Thursday, to put Bayern Munich to bed and just concentrate on doing that,” Platt told Sky Sports.

“All our preparation internally has been on getting the result.”

Sergio Aguero limped off half-way through the first-half with what appeared to be a groin injury but Platt says it is an injury they can cope with.

“I think it’s a boost but it’s something we expect, nobody wants to lose a player to injury but we know what we’re blessed with.”

“One of the hardest things that we’ve got is picking an XI to go into a football match. We’ve got people fit and we are having to send very, very good players into the stand to watch a game.”

“The squad’s full of big players so if we make six changes like we have done today, we don’t lose the quality of performance.”

Mario Balotelli continued his recent good form, scoring his third goal in as many games – which Platt believes showcases he is starting to settle in the Premier League.

“I think what Mario’s been doing for the last six or seven weeks, has been that he’s showing a consistency in his concentration and a consistency in his performances.”

“He’s had a lot column inches and a lot of it has been negative. All the criticism that he’s had is fine but I think he deserves the plaudits as well.”

“His performance today had a lot more maturity about it but it doesn’t surprise me because his concentration levels have been very high.”

It took until the 57th minute for Man City to break the deadlock despite having the majority of the play, something which Platt suggested was down to Blackburn’s defensive tactics.

“In the first half we played into their hands and, they defended deep and got players behind the ball and we didn’t get players in high enough positions or wide enough positions to be able to stretch the play.”

“We just needed to get a rhythm about our play and I think we did that in the second half.”