I saw Pep Guardiola's curious reaction to Man City goal - it shows one player still has work to do
Pep Guardiola was never going to reveal his true 'Plan B' for coping without Rodri when Manchester City took on Watford in the Carabao Cup - but there was the potential for some players to rule themselves out of contention for the role.
With two games in three days, rotation and preservation was the name of the game for Guardiola when selecting his team. That's why he named two academy players in his starting line up including a 16-year-old who hadn't played above under-19 level. For others, though, this was an ideal chance to put themselves back in Guardiola's thinking after slipping down the pecking order.
Take James McAtee, for example - hopeful of more games this term after staying put, but so far mostly playing a watching role. Four minutes in he led the press, intercepted a back pass, and City were ahead.
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McAtee wasn't perfect by any means - a few wrong decisions or overhit passes. But the intent was always there and he was unlucky not to get on the end of at least two dangerous crosses. It was his sliding pass to play a one-two with Rico Lewis that set up the second goal, and he looked determined to show Guardiola what he can offer in those small spaces where the manager speaks so highly of him.
Nico O'Reilly is another. A first team player now after impressing on tour, O'Reilly spends his week training with Guardiola and will only play for the academy if he is surplus to requirements for the first team manager. This was a perfect game to show what he has learned this summer since his Community Shield debut, especially with Rodri out.
O'Reilly isn't a defensive midfielder by trade but that's where Guardiola wants to use him, so this was an encouraging display - if not spectacular. But even Rodri doesn't do the spectacular.
Then there was Matheus Nunes - and what to make of his evening? There was a goal, well-taken from the edge of the area after Lewis and McAtee combined, but Nunes' celebration told more of a story. He looked relieved at notching his first City goal, Lewis literally grabbing his face and forcing a smile from the Portuguese who has never really got going at City in his 13 months here.
Guardiola briefly celebrated the strike with a quick punch of the air, but quickly marched back to his seat complaining about something. Moments later, Nunes kept possession and switched play, yet it wasn't the pass Guardiola wanted and he was hopping about on the touchline in frustration. Nunes walked off with McAtee at the break in deep conversation - it didn't look like they were patting each other on the back for their goal involvements.
And Nunes' issue is where he fits in this side. He isn't a defensive midfielder, and looked more comfortable against Watford looking forward rather than back. He was sharper and more ruthless in the second half and could have had another goal.
But the fact remains he is - at best - fifth-choice in attacking midfield these days. There's an argument he could be eighth-choice. His best hope is to strike up a partnership with someone and convince Guardiola he is part of a unit.
"He has a special quality that few players have, he is unique. The space and transitions is unbelievable," Guardiola said after the game. "I'm really pleased for him, the goal, could have had more.
"But still has something to read, to understand. It's not easy for new players to adapt with some things. But I'm really pleased for him, he's a lovely guy. And lovely guys always deserve good things."
That feels like faint praise. Nunes has been at City for a season now - he isn't a new player anymore. So it would benefit him to move out of the 'new player' category in Guardiola's mind.
Still - a goal is a goal and this performance has to be the start of his City career.. Guardiola asks fringe players to make an impact when they get a chance and Nunes got a goal, grew into the contest and was always looking for another chance to get on the scoresheet. But he is not the answer to Guardiola's quest to replace Rodri.