Cardiff 3 – 2 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
26 Aug
Hart - Made one superb stop to deny the onrushing Campbell, making sure he was quickly off his line to spread himself. However, didn’t exactly cover himself in glory for Cardiff’s second goal, flapping at the inswinging corner - 6
Zabaleta - At fault for Campbell’s two goals, losing concentration and not tracking the striker from a pair of corners. Those two moments where he switched off cost us the game. As an attacking force, he struggled to make an impression - 5
Garcia – He’s not a centre-back by any means and, as such, his hesitancy and poor positional play can be explained but it was all too easy for Cardiff the play the ball over his head and we’d then be struggling. One awkward headed clearance set Campbell through on goal and whilst he wasn’t to blame for the goals, it wasn’t the most assured of performances - 5.5
Lescott – With Kompany out, Lescott needed to take on greater responsibility, becoming the leader of the defence for the afternoon, but there was a lack of authority. He didn’t do a great deal wrong – despite the scoreline, Cardiff didn’t pose too much of a threat – but it is matches like this when he needs just to step it up a notch – 6
Clichy – Allowed Kim to dance past him without a challenge in the build-up to the home side’s opener and whilst he coped well with the fiery and tenacious Bellamy, his aversion to crossing the ball slowed down our tempo on the rare occasions we worked the ball wide - 5.5
Y. Touré - Started very brightly, working hard to make an impression and helping back when needed. His passing, however, lacked any sort of purpose and he failed to track his man, Kim, for Gunnarrsson’s finish. Save for the opening twenty minutes or so, he reverted to the laboured and largely predictable Yaya of last season - 5.5
Fernandinho - One of the few to actually show some urgency and desire, often breaking beyond our attacking midfielders and darting into the box. Alas, his touch let him down and he needs to look up a little more when dribbling, but whilst it didn’t pay off for him, his willingness to try something different was admirable - 6
Navas - Struggled to find the space he was afforded against Newcastle and Cardiff did well to get men around him whenever he was on the ball, but he still seemed lively and got to the byline on a couple of occasions. By taking him off early in the second half, Pellegrini removed our only wide outlet and forced us even narrower - 6.5
Silva – Not his day, unfortunately, in terms of breaking through Cardiff’s well-organised and gritty rearguard. Started from the left but began to drift further infield in search of the ball, yet Bellamy did a great job of quickly closing him down to limit the space in which Silva could work - 6
Aguero - Greedy on occasions when in possession, trying to dribble round Cardiff’s defenders instead of opting to pass. Still doesn’t seem quite match fit – which is only to be expected bearing in mind he didn’t feature during pre-season – but flitted around in a lively manner, albeit without success - 6
Džeko - Opened the scoring with a decent strike that took a key deflection, but that goal was out of character with his largely uninspired performance. He barely contributed, not using his physical strength, not working hard and not showing any real quality in his link-up play - 5
Subs
Nasri – Symptomatic, as he was for large chunks of the last campaign, of our absent drive and passion. It’s easy to run around and look lively as he did against Newcastle when you’re being introduced with a three goal advantage, but the challenge for Nasri is to influence proceedings when we’re not ahead. He very rarely does that. Offered absolutely nothing yesterday - 5
Negredo – Scored with a well-directed header and showed a good first touch and awareness of those around him. Likely to start against Hull - 6.5
Milner – Made no impression from wide on the right - No time to mark
Your rating for Dzeko and the description is appaling. And yet you call yourself a fan lol. Dzeko was one of the best players on the pitch and was far more lively and involved than a lacklustre Aguero. You even had the gall to award Negredo a better rating for scoring a header and not doing much else. You’re obviously a Dzeko hater but the good thing is I don’t think Dzeko or Pellegrini give a damn about what you say or think.
You can’t even wait to draw attention to the fact that his screamer took a ‘KEY’ deflection on its way in and, if we’re honest, it was probably going in anyway without the deflection. I don’t know what game you watched but I saw a hard working striker who is in form, scoring goals and deserved a 7 at least.
I agree entirely with VFAB’s assessment of Dzeko. He’s far to easily dispossessed which is poor for such a big lad. It takes him ages to get a shot off and his heading skills are weak. When the ball is played in to his feet then more times than not he looses possession.
Yes, he did hit the shot well, but without the deflection then it was a few yards wide.
Totally agree with VFAB here. Most people got caught up with the Dzeko performance against Newcastle, but back to his usual tricks against Cardiff I am afraid. Time for Negredo.
Cool it off AJ, keep in mind that this is a blog and not everyone views things the same. Every City fan [except scum rags- excuse my prejudice] should be able to contribute without being accused of anything. I myself think Silva and Aguero were horrendous and both should have been taken off way earlier with Rodwell and Negredo in place, but that is just an opinion and many folks disagree
‘And you call yourself a fan lol’ I’ll let that comment go if your under 15
If you’ve got a point to make, make it like a grown up.
This web-site’s great; I like Dzeko but he was poor
Wow AJ. I believe you are what they call a troll. Do you populate the Daily Mail website comments section by any chance?!
This is a great blog ( keep it up ).
By the way, Dzeko was, er, shit. I missed the home game as abroad and was expecting to see a different Dzeko but he was back to the usual pedestrian self,slowing attacks down. Good goal (albeit deflection – although apparently you have Hawkeye and know it would have gone in anyway).
Negredo had 10 minutes, scored and nearly had another. Dzeko had most if the game, scored a deflected goal and……held up play.
Take a chill pill.
By the way, I like Dzeko too but he needs a team built around him.
We was always struggling to hold off Cardiff at home first game in prem what do we expect ! should of shut up shop at 1-0 put Rodwell on instead of Nasri .Pellegrini will learn still new at it.
I think Rodwell could be the next Bryan Robson. He’s got a great engine, can use both feet & head. Can score goals and can tackle like a midfield player should do. Toure and Fernandinho are too similar. No hard tackling and serious ball watchers and downright lazy at times.
Navas should be told to stay wide instead of chasing the ball all over the place! Do think we sometimes have an arrogance against the lesser teams that we think all we need to do to win is to just turn up. Work rate from a lot of the team was poor yesterday. Only two games in but that can’t be allowed to happen again.
yeah, fully agree. Everyone had a sense of complancency like the goals were just going to flow no matter what.. I hope this has humbled the team, we may have been getting a bit too excited based on the newcastle game. I think its a good time to really take a lesson from what you need to do week in, week out in PL football to win. No team is unbeatable and no team is a guaranteed win.
He’s got his injury record!!
Generous for Zabaleta and Clichy (where’s that speed to turn and recover gone ?) who were both appalling yesterday. Not sure why you’re so harsh on Nasri either to be honest ? Aguero’s tendancy to be regularly caught in possession backs up what you say about his lack of fitness.
I don’t think we can have Silva and Nasri on the pitch together. Too similar and want to do the same thing in the same areas. Aguero is clearly not right. Should have been taken off or not even started yesterday. Give Negredo his chance. And then wait to see what Jovetic offers when he’s fully fit. We can allow Zaba one mare, can’t we? I don’t blame Clichy for their first goal. He couldn’t dive in as if he was beat the guy was right through to the bye line. Fernandinho was the closest and it was him (or Toure) who should have shown midfield aggression and took him out!!
And here is my rating for you: 2-.
If your defense allows a newcomer to score 3 goals then no defender should get higher than 4. If a striker scores goal of the week and gives his team the all important 1-0 lead than 6 is the lowest rating to give. Navas 6.5? I like this player a lot but he struggled in this game. No goals, no assists and, as everybody else struggled against a gritty, organized and low defense. Yes I know 2- was a bit generous…
Great strike from Dzeko, but that’s about it. He can’t create much of anything by himself. That’s great we’re trying to get his confidence up, but its time to give the better player more time. Get Negredo in there.
The defense is obviously to blame too, Joe Hart shaky as he has been, Zaba not marking, and the CBs not playing great obviously, but the reason we lost is because we created nothing. Silva and Dzeko are slow, and with 10 men in the box you need someone that can beat a man.
Didn’t understand the Navas for Nasri sub at all, unless he got hurt. Navas would’ve had more space after the goal.
>>Great strike from Dzeko, but that’s about it. He can’t create much of anything by himself.
From your statement, I get that Silva and Aguero were oozing creativity and class and were creating chances left and right, Yaya and Fernandiho were dominating the midfield and our defense oh well , I assume you get the drift …
This is not to justify the pathetic performance against Cardiff, but do keep in mind the other 10 played no better shit that Dzeko and some were a lot worse. I think the spotlight of criticism , at least for this game, is earned by some other than Dzeko.
Dzeko doesn’t have the ability to link play with Silva, Aguero, Navas. Never has. He is slow, and doesn’t pass or control the ball the way you absolutely have to if you are as slow as he is.
Bayern Munich were able to get away with playing a Dzeko-like striker because they have 2 of the best creators in the world on the wings. We don’t have anything resembling that. We need someone who can move up top and help facilitate the attack.
“From your statement, I get that Silva and Aguero were oozing creativity and class and were creating chances left and right, Yaya and Fernandiho were dominating the midfield and our defense oh well , I assume you get the drift …”
Silva was off, yes, but I’m not even certain he’s in my preferred 11 this year when everyone’s healthy. But in his defense its difficult playing with an immobile striker.
Do I really need to defend Aguero?
And we had 70/30 possession, hard to say we lost the game because of Yaya, and Dinho…
Yet he was our TOP scorer and he has earned the most critical points for City than any other player. The beauty of objective facts is you can not argue or bend them as there is no subjectivity to them.
And so far he has had two assists and a goal as well as a man of the match in two games. I doubt anyone else in our team can better so far in this season as well.
None of our strikers bettered him last season in terms of goal and so far he seems to do it again!
Yeah but you can’t look only at the stats. You have to look at the entire performance. How many chances did we even create? You’re right, Dzeko can score and has scored some vital goals for us obviously, however is the TEAM better with him up front? Are we as dangerous as we should be? My answer is no. Dzeko can score a goal a game, and the team can average 2 goals per game and you’d be satisfied with Dzeko. What I’m saying is that with a striker that can work better with those around him and create more, say Negredo, he could average a goal a game also but the team could average 3 goals per game.
Don’t get me wrong , I like Dzeko and any team would like to have him, but I don’t think well win the league with him leading the line for the majority of our games.
Last season he was not leading the line, he was moving between fourth/third choice striker while Aguero and Tevez were the preferred options, and we did not win a shit and were crap in quite a few games namely the FA cup. Had it not been for Dezko in games were he was our out of jail ticket [e.g Fullam and West Brom two that comes to mind], we would not have even qualified for Champions league. I am not sure exactly what is meant the team is better without him, I would argue that we would have been worse without him.
The problem does not lie with Dzeko or who leads the line, the problem is the team as whole and tactics. We have labored against Wigan, QPR, Saints, Swanse, etc last season and it was the same against the Cardiff. Pathetic performance as a team.
I agree the team as a whole underperformed to say the least, but in terms of breaking down these stubborn 10 men behind the ball (something that we struggle with so much more than United and other top teams), it comes down to Dzeko, Silva, Nasri. At times we have all 3 of these players on at once, and not one of them can beat a man. It’s a recipe for disappointment against these very defensive clubs.
I’m excited and hopeful that Jovetic and Negredo will be better options in those situations ( I’d love to see Negredo with Jovetic, Aguero, and Navas behind)
The reason MP replaced Navas with Nasri is, after taking the lead with that brilliant strike from Dzeko, wanting to control the game. Nasri is better at protecting the ball, whereas Navas always runs towards opposition goal, crossing the ball which allows the other team to counter/attack. I don’t think this was necessary because City played against Cardiff not Borussia Dortmund. The real reason is probably feeling the pressure to give all the players enough playing time to keep the players fairly satisfied. Dzeko and Navas were two of the better players actually (not saying they were very good). The problem for this game though was bad defending. Clichy shouldn’t have allowed Cardiff player to cross because he had support from Yaya/Dinho and let’s not even speak about the defending/protecting the 6 yard box…
On holiday for the Newky Brown Ale game and couldn’t get on the Internet.
Arrived back one hour before the nightmare of Cardiff and find myself repeating myself as pretty much every flaming game last year….except for one thing…..at the end below:
Dzeko – get rid
Nasri -get rid
Garcia – get rid rid rid!
Lescott – replace (which means get rid)
Toure – give him a kick up the arse
Now…….this lad Fernandinho……I’m not writing him off at all…..yet, but he needs to improve – QUICKLY! We would still be a lot better off – I believe – with Barry playing. He stops so many opposition attacks and has always been the unsung hero. Fernandinho has to improve quickly and start making an impact on out performances. C’mon City1
Aren’t you going to blame Kolarov for this defeat? Surely he is to blame for the three Cardiff goals, as he is to blame for all the ills associated with life in today’s world?!
I have never seen anyone whose player ratings so consistently reflect personal bias for and against certain Blues.
Automatically blaming certain players like this author is ridiculous. Hart 4,5 Clichy 4 Lescott 4 Garcia 3,5 Zabaleta 3,5 Navas 5 Toure 5 Fernandinho 6 Silva 5,5 Aguero 4,5 Dzeko 6.
No doubt in my mind that MP will correct things in the coming weeks. One thing is when a player makes a run, pass the ball. He said this to Zaba during the game when he didn’t pass to Fernadniho choosing an easier pass sideways. He is a coach that doesn’t like selfish players, he likes to see players combine. Pellegrinis focus has always been end product and not how much you have the ball or how many dribbles you try. You can dribble 6 players but unless something good comes out of it it’s useless dribbling. I have a lot of faith in MP. Jovetic/Dzeko for next game although I like Negredo to.
I think it’s high time to realize that YaYa is huge liability defensively. He was criminally responsible for the equalizer as he not only allowed Kim to beat him far too easily but he couldn’t be bothered to make a recovery run and track back like a proper mf would do.
I also noticed that during the corner that led to the2nd Cardiff goal he was standing a yard away from Clichy at the near post where there no Cardiff players positioned or looking to make late runs into that area while Campbell was standing right in front of Hart. That one of the tallest City players is not marking an opposition player on a corner is criminal.
Week after week I watch YaYa shirk his defensive responsibility by failing to track runs from deep, apply any pressure when City concede possession, mark up properly on set pieces, and fail to track back when he pushes upfield. Allowing YaYa to sit in front of the back four is essentially leaving an open gate for the opposition to run at your back four.
If YaYa starts it should be solely as an old style #10. Leave any combo from Milner, Barry, Rodwell, Fernandinho, or Garcia to screen the back four.
YaYa is immensively talented, but he mentally switches off way too often and I think too many City fans are blind to this.
I truly love Yaya but I truly loath playing him as DM. It is not that City fans are blind to this, it is that we can do no shit about it
man city should sell aguero. he does not do much for the team
sell garcia, bench joe hart buy begovic or casillas, sell narsi buy lajlic or mata. and also buy sahko or rami. since the first season aguero came to city what has he done from that time . absolutely nothing. dzeko score the most goal for city comin off the bench . and aguero starts almost all of city matches and cant score more than 12. cant wait for jovetic to take aguero spot in the team
Sell aguero…..are u mad.he will be one of our key players this season. Aguero jovetic silva and navas will destroy defences with aguero leading the line. Sell aguero,unbelievable
Talk is cheap, if one lesson at least I have learned so far, we are incapable of breaking any defense when they park the bus!