Chelsea 2 – 1 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
28 Oct
Hart - Joe, Joe, Joe. Cost us the draw with a moment of madness, needlessly hurtling out of his area to clear the danger. Irrespective of whether he communicated loudly enough or not, there was no need for him to do anything other than stay in his six-yard box and collect Nastasic’s header. It was yet another error and we’ll find out next week against Norwich as to whether Pellegrini has had enough - 4
Zabaleta - Struggled with the tricky threat of Hazard and found himself being turned a fair amount. Didn’t receive a great deal of defensive support from Nasri which left him exposed on occasions, but coped OK. Tried to get forward as much as possible - 6
Demichelis - Seemed lost in the first half, all at sea positionally and unable to deal with Torres’s movement and pace. Thankfully, improved dramatically after the break and looked far more comfortable on the ball - 6
Nastasic - Torres had given a tough time throughout with his direct approach but with the ball bouncing over them both late on, Nastasic was in complete control of the situation. Questions have been asked about his role in the sickening blooper that cost us the game but it would be harsh to blame him - 6
Clichy - Another one whose form at the start of the season has been concerning. Beaten embarrassingly easily down the left by Torres for the first goal and that was symptomatic of his performance. He lacked the spark and recovery pace that were in evidence last season and was given a torrid time - 4
Garcia - Operated in his favoured holding midfield role but Chelsea’s high energy swarming and constant interplay resulted in hefty periods of the encounter passing him by. On the ball, he actually looked far more composed than usual but he’s surely running out of time at City - 5
Fernandinho - One of the better displays. With an extra body behind him, it liberated him a touch to showcase his more attacking side and he was full of verve and vibrancy. Plenty of neat footwork but could be cuter, and less reckless, when it comes to tackles - 7
Y. Touré - Failed to influence proceedings as he would have liked. Needed to work harder at times to help in midfield, rather than rest on his heels just behind the striker. Improved in the second half but seemed to tire quickly - 6
Nasri - Perfectly-weighted throughball for Aguero’s goal but found his opportunities in possession limited. Had more of a containing role early on which he didn’t exactly relish and he struggled to make an impression before the break - 6
Silva - Our liveliest presence and the one player we looked to who could retain the ball and build attacks. He worked tirelessly, too, and was a willing runner in defensive phases - 7
Aguero - Yet another goal and this one came courtesy of a quick and powerful strike which caught Petr Cech off-guard. His was a daunting role: a sole presence against two physical centre-backs who would have fancied their chances of bullying him, but he drifted well and was a decent focal point for our endeavours - 7
Subs
Navas - Offered a pacey option but we couldn’t work him into the game - 6
Kolarov - Barely had a touch - No time to mark
Negredo - A late substitute - No time to mark
Boy oh boy, Clichy was horrible, I never thought I would see a day in which I would want to see Kolarov instead of Clichy on the pitch. And I think it is about time for Joe to sit on the bench for a few games to do some soul searching
I think sometimes we should mark the manager as well. How could he pair a 32 year old who had never played in the Prem alongside Nastasic who is woefully inexperienced, displays poor judgement at times and never ever dominates. Richards and Lescott should have started. AND Garcia, the worst player in the squad. How can he ever be ahead of Milner and Rodwell, both of whom would bring much needed energy to any City midfield. Pellegrini 4
Spot on Goatman. The only possible explanation is that the manager sees these guys train every day and knows things we don’t.
There may be another explanation. Spanish and Portugese speaking players are preferred to English speaking ones. So Hart, Richards, Lescott, Rodwell, Milner don’t speak the right langusge. They will no doubt leave in the next few tranfer windows and make way for more foreign players. What we need is a Spanish speaking goal keeper.
Overall, I thought we actually played reasonably well and but for that stupid, stupid ending we would have had a point in the bag.
As for individual performances;
Hart now needs to be dropped for a few weeks. If Panters performs, then he doesn’t get back in until Panters screws up. If a panthers doesn’t screw up then I’m afraid Joe doesn’t get back in!
Back 4? To be honest without Vinnie I am really worried. Even Zabba isn’t playing that well.
Midfield? Fernandinho def getting better, Silva can do no wrong, Yaya should not be captain and still needs a kick up the backside! Nasri should still go in my opinion – just not up to it.. Garcia – need I say anything!
Forwards? Aguero needs Negredo full stop.
Navas? Not convinced with him at all.
I would love to see Jovetic given a few games, I think he could win the league for is this season.
Agree with you Goatman.I am getting really fed up with the Manager’s decision in both tactics and players. He clearly doesn’t like English players and prefers Spanish La Liga rejects. If this is the direction the club is taking I won’t be going to many more matches. Some of the players selected don’t merit a place in the team, esp. Garcia. He’s just not up to the Premiership. I have a feeling that Navas is also not good enough for the job – only goes one way, so defenses double up. Has he put in a telling cross yet? Nasty is showing the weak aspects of his game with Kompany not there. He is slow turning and doesn’t run back well. Why aren’t Milner and Rodwell playing? I want answers! It seems more than a coincidence that all the English outfield players have been removed. When was the last time a Premiership team won the league without a single English outfield player? I think never!? I am wondering if others are feeling the same as me about this?
Not sure what a telling cross is, but I know Navas has created plenty of chances for City this season. As for Milner and Rodwell not playing, I think its because we played a midfield 3 and he wanted a pure defensive mid in there (Garcia), and he wasn’t going to drop Yaya or Dinho.
I’m not English and could care less how many English players are on the field. With the being said, Richards is one of our best players when he’s healthy, so I definitely would’ve had him in there.
Milner is great, he should play more you’re right.
remember we didn’t play too bad, Roggie. Can’t blame Pellegrini for a mistake like that.
Think we need to fix 2 things:
1 figure out how to defend long balls
2 get someone that can take a corner and clear the first man
Agree that Milner (and Richards) should probably feature more, and I think Micah will. However, Rodwell has been unavailable due to lack of fitness returning from yet another muscle injury.
As far as English vs. foreign players at our club, only Micah is good enough to start on a regular or semi-regular basis. Milner is quite useful against certain opponents. Rodwell appears to be a very expensive mistake, as he is simply never available for selection.
Other than Leighton Baines, and possibly Rooney (yuck!), there are no English players good enough to start regularly for us. This is an English problem and not a Man City problem…
You seem to have a short memory, Blue Forever! Can I remind you that there were 6 English players playing on a regular basis when we won the title. They conceded 29 goals all season with Richards,Lescott, Milner, Barry, Johnson as outfield players. So now you are telling me that Milner, Richards and Lescott are not good enough to play – with 11 goals conceded already (projected to 44+ goals this season if this carries on). Well I’m sorry but the current defenders and defensive midfield can’t defend! They are great going forward but the problem is they seem to think it is someone else’s job to defend.Unless something changes there will be a lot more games lost away from home.
We we’re unlucky to lose there 1st goal if demi hadn’t got a nick on it was brehind schurle their 2nd goal well god knows what joe hart was doing nastasic read the balls bounce perfectly everyone new what he was doing letting it bounce so he could knock it back to his keeper was hart screaming keepers ball cause I kept looking at the replay and it looked as though he may have been saying keepers but he sure wasn’t shouting it no wonder mancini said hart was a goner if he was still here
It’s early days, we’ve had a few knocks, give Pellegrini time, his record speaks for itself and he will deliver. The English players v Spanish comments are crass – City would knock four goals past the best that England could field and apart from Baines and Rooney none of them would get in the City matchday squad.
Actually we played rather well most of the game. Demichelis was playing his first PL game and first game for City, and against the toughest of opposition and away from home; he’s a real pro and did just fine and grew in stature as the game progressed. How anyone can criticise him for that performance in those circumstances amazes me.
Garcia wasn’t great because he isn’t great but he did OK, can we change the subject? It used to be Kolarov, now its Garcia!!
Clichy is struggling but he’ll come good, you don’t become a bad player over night. He should concentrate on his fitness and defending, he never has been able to deliver a meaningful final ball and just gets out of position trying.
Joe is having a nightmare time and I reluctantly agree that he should be rsted and anyway, Pantiman has earned an opportunity.
The same goes for Micah, let’s give him a run; Zaba is a great warrior but he’s looking jaded.
Navas is a good, pacey and technically sound footballer; just give him time and some folk need to stop trying to ship half the best squad City have ever had out the door. It’s more than a little childish and too Raglike for comfort!
I agree with the sentiment that Jovetic will be a great asset, perhaps the most natural No 10 that we have, young, talented, committed, what’s not to like?
Alphie, you said it “in those circumstances” Demichelis should have been making his debut at home in the fish and chip shop league cup, NOT Chelsea away. Torres had a field day! And I for one am not trying to get rid of half the squad, but Richards, Lescott, Milner, Rodwell and yes, Jovetic too could all be one their way if they have any pride because they are too good to be sat in the stand when we do have the like of Garcia playing.
…..and if Kompo had been fit or Demichelis had been fit sooner, that’s where Demichelis would have been eased in. It wasn’t ideal…but after the underwhelming performances of Lescott and Garcia, both of whom were out of their depth and out of position, what choice did Pellegrini have? I think he made a brave call and a right call. Demichellis will be better for the experience and has nailed down the position in the absence of Kompo. That’s why we have a squad of 20 players all of whom can make a case for starting. You can’t mean that you want a squad where everyone who doesn’t start games regularly does a Dzeko and sulks when they don’t get picked do you? It doesn’t take pride to walk away from a battle for a place in the starting lineup of one of the worlds best club teams it takes a serious lack of balls and ambition.
Few quick thoughts on tonight:-
First 70 mins atrocious. Worst I’ve seen for a while. Duller than dishwater.
Silva comes on and hey presto. Apart from a good spell when HBA and Cabaye came on he ran the show.
Dzeko – woeful. Awful touch and sulked. Then he produces a skilful assist and caps off a great move by scoring. Enigma.
Milner – evidence that CM is his position. A real driving force and a great shot. Can stick his foot in too. Should be in the side ahead of Garcia.
Pantilimon – couldn’t have had a better audition. My MOM for the calmness he excludes; domination of the box; handling of crosses and, importantly in the modern game, distribution with both hans and feet. Should start next game please.
Navas – so one footed it’s unreal. Not sure what we’ve signed.
Boyata – great stuff. Dominant in the air towards the end.
Jovetic – have we signed another Rodwell?!?!
*exudes