MAN CITY 4 – 2 Viktoria Plzen – PLAYER RATINGS
28 Nov
Hart – Made a couple of excellent stops in the second half, but was helpless with both of the goals. Authoritative in his area, he claimed crosses well and was a commanding figure. Manuel Pellegrini now faces a tricky selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s game against Swansea – 7
Richards – We only saw him infrequently as a rampaging attacking force, whilst he was OK in defence: nothing more, nothing less – 6
Demichelis – He has settled fairly well at the club but this was an unsteady showing as he seemed uncertain of whether to push out of defence or drop deeper. His decision making was poor and there was an air of confusion about our defending – 5
Lescott – Like his central defensive partner, there were a few hesitant moments at the back and he seemed a touch sluggish in the tackle. He was excellent against Spurs when he came off the bench but this wasn’t a performance to convince Pellegrini that he merits more opportunities – 5
Kolarov - Barely able to have an influence attacking down the left, he drove one shot wide and observed as our main threat from the right or through central areas. Defensively solid but it really was baffling to see him captaining the side – 6
Garcia – Part of the reason our defence looked so shaky is because of the complete lack of cover in front of them, and that largely stemmed from Garcia’s poor positional play and lack of mobility. He improved after the break but Pellegrini’s continued faith in him is a tad baffling – 5
Fernandinho – One of the better displays on the night. Operated in a more advanced role than usual and relished the chance to break forward. There was some neat passing and movement as he continues to settle in impressively – 7
Milner – Started on the right and ended on the left as his famed versatility proved useful once more. This wasn’t a performance that captured the attention but he worked hard and was decent, if not incisive, in possession – 6
Nasri – By a distance, the standout performer. In the first half especially, he was full of intensity and inventiveness, drifting in well from out wide and looking to get involved as much as possible. Fully deserved his goal – 8
Aguero – Buzzed around as usual and slotted home his penalty comfortably, but didn’t receive as much service as usual. As arranged before the match, only featured for 45 minutes – 7
Dzeko – This was classic Dzeko; he was awful, disinterested, lazy, wasteful and a hindrance. Then he scored. His goal ratio is good but his overall contribution is painful – 5
Subs:
Navas – After a hugely positive display against Tottenham at the weekend, he backed that up by providing two more assists and offering a more cutting, direct edge – 7
Y. Touré – Cunningly got himself booked which means he is suspended for the trip to face Bayern but will be available in the knockout stage – 6
Negredo – It’s no exaggeration to say he did more in his fifteen minutes than Dzeko did in 90. Put himself about, won headers, linked play and scored. He’s a class act – 7
Watched a different game to me I think, Kolarov was solid in no way shape or form, I remember jumping out of my seat at least 5 times because he was out of position leaving Lescott to decide whether to come or go on a few occasions, Nasri saved him at least three times as well, then there was the chance he handed to Plzen when he was wrong side of the attacker and he kept getting stranded after attempting to go forward, as for Dzeko you could have gave him a minus, your a kind man.
Garcia’s rating follows the trend of the hate campaign against him, he wasn’t spectacular but he certainly was not worse than Kolarov or on par with Dzeko, the defence was bad because they didn’t perform, I’m not saying the midfield were perfect at protecting them but to pin it all on Garcia is ridiculous, his effort was 100 times that of Dzeko or Kolarov, so whilst maybe not blessed with loads of ability he did not deserve to be scored the same as those two, these hate campaigns need to stop.
To finish off with Hart, he made some good saves and I want him back in the team because I believe he is the future and should be persisted with, but from a management point of view right now there should be no selection problem for Pellegrini, Pantilimon hasn’t done anything wrong and Hart’s kicking was awful last night. All just my opinion of course.
Sorry just to add seems I was maybe a tad aggressive there as is my anger with they way certain things are going and did not just mean to totally disagree with you of course I enjoy your blog which is why I read, I am not a Garcia fan and lack of mobility sums him up perfectly, as you said why does Pellegrini continue to pick him, that’s the main question.
Apart from a couple to kolorov on the bi line , thought hart’s distribution was hugely improved ,agree with the rest though Garcia,dzeko and kolorov are all weak links in a fantastic squad as for kolorov as captin, the mind boggles !call me stupid but I would of give it hart as a vote of confidence .
Totally agree I said exactly the same at the match, Hart should of been made captain for that reason if you were just going to give it to Kolarov, it has really got my back up that he was made captain.
Good to see everyone now realizing that a goal scoring record definitely is not all that makes a striker. I’d like to see us make some money back on Dzeko and get Guidetti his bench minutes
I am struggling to remember a single mistake that Pantilimon has made. He fills the goal and dominates the six yard area. Admittedly, he doesn’t look great and could be a disaster about to happen but until it does I think Pellegrini will continue to play him
I have been spending tons of time rummaging why M.P plays Garcia, when Rodwell is a far better midfielder, or when Milner can comfortable give us a better play with minimal heart thumpings. And i have arrived at nothing(unless it is to increase his salvage value by January).
I do agree that Pantilimon should hold the fort come sunday, though i get very uneasy seeing him between the sticks! He seems like a time bomb clicking to detonate, but for now he has clicked alright.
Kompany should be fit to play on sunday. Let us see how it goes. I’d even rest him and sunday and give him a fresh berth when we play Westbrom. Let us see if our away woes can end.
The only reason that I can come up that Garcia can do a lot better than Rodwell/Milner or even poor Barry ,whom was considered second best to Garcia, is the language Garcia speaks “Spanish”. Other than that I truly fail to see how he tops Rodwell/Milner or Barry.
Kolarov as captain, didn’t go well down my throat. And i agree to giving it to Hart.
Dzeko, dear Dzeko, you will be fondly remembered for your goal 2 seasons ago that geared us towards the trophy. Guess U can’t wait for January to come. The feeling is mutual. Our heartts reach out to you wherever you go, we wish you well.
A win is a win and, of course, this was an understrength team. Nasri, Milner, Hart and Navas all played well. But what the match did highlight was the shortcomings of some of the players who started. Kolarov was awful, Dzeko was abysmal,Demac. kept diving in and exposing the defence, and Garcia was non-existent (they just strolled past him!). I am beginning to feel sorry for they guy as he has an expensive tag of 17m but is so out of his depth here. He wasn’t good enough for Real 2nd team or for Benfica but is good enough to play every week for Man City?? Once again I have to question some of M.P.’s decision making. Why does he continue to play Garcia when he is clearly struggling? Why did he loan out Barry – his only truly defensive left side player? Why doesn’t he play some of the Development squad in these games? Why did he make Kolorov captain? – I agree it should have been Hart. (I personally don’t think he should have dropped him but I realise many people would disagree with that). I am beginning to think that it is no coincidence that M.P. hasn’t won a single trophy in Europe!! It is a worry! I think there might be a few players for sale in January.
Gary, it’s not a hate campaign against Garcia – to me it’s more to do with the manager who continues to play him, when he just isn’t good enough in the positions he has played in. He might prove to be a useful wide midfield player as he can pass the ball ok but he can’t defend! If only M.P. had shown the same faith in Joe Hart……???? But he didn’t!! It’s a real worry that the manager plays someone who simply can’t do the job in that position. It shows poor judgement on behalf of the manager and it risks us losing more away games which we can’t afford to do.
True. We’ve lost all the away games we started with Garcia, if i am not mistaken. Why he continues to play just baffles me!!
Michael Poznan 29/11/2013 at 11:29 am #
I have been spending tons of time rummaging why M.P plays Garcia, when Rodwell is a far better midfielder
………………………………………………….
Mainly because Rodwell has spent the majority of the 15 months he has been at City in the club sick bay occupying the ‘Santa Cruz & Owen Hargreaves’ Memorial Ward!
If the boy ever gets fit and stays fit long enough to play a game or two, he has the attributes to be very good.
That is quite true. Wish he can keep himself free from injury. However, Milner would be a better option than Garcia. And some youngsters in the EDs too. Seriously, Garcia is fit only to be used as an unused sub!!
No to mention that a lot folks miss the point that Barry was loaned out over Garcia, despite the fact that he had a great and much more solid season last year over Garcia.
Wasn’t long ago when Rodwell was tabbed as a future England captain after all.
Would be great to see the lad get (and retain) full fitness. He’s about the same size as Garcia but far pacier and more athletic. Probably a much better fit for the speed of the EPL.
In his interview, M.P revealed that Nastasic is sidelined for three weeks!! And Kompany, though ok, will not play on sunday. Hence we are left with Demichelles and Lescott!! Sobering thought, isn’t it?
Well Rodwell is ok and raring to go. Let us see what M.P will do on sunday, but from his interview, i won’t be surprised to see Hart installed as a keeper. Not to impunge on his credentials (he is great), but i’d love to see Pantilimon and the principle behind the benching of Hart run its course. Might help in the long run!!
This was as meaningless a game as City will play all season. Advancement to the knockout round had already been achieved. City was home. And we’re playing a team that is comparable to a League 1 side in England. If you can’t play players like Garcia & Kolarov in this fixture than they are truly worthless. Keep in mind MP did not buy these players. He inherited them. At the very least they afforded him the opportunity to rest some the true 1st teamers. The fact that Yaya and Negredo had to be used to secure the victory is somewhat telling. Say what you want about Garcia but he seems to be durable. Not a characteristic you can attribute to most of our defensive players currently in the squad. That has to be worth something in of itself. And Dzeko. My dear Dzeko. You will always be dear to our hearts. Good luck to you.
A good post BM70.
…and Michael P., Demi and Les will have at least played together for 90 minutes now and even though they are not Kompo and Nasty, they are both experienced Internationals who along with their manager, presumably know their strengths and their shortcomings. With two quick and competenty defensive full backs (Clichy & Zaba) and with Fernandinho and Yaya as DMF’s shielding them, that should be more than enough to shut and lock the door at the Etihad!
Garcia is a journeyman pro who would be a valuable member of a lesser squad than we have at City. He doesn’t shirk, he always puts in a shift and I imagine would pull on the Keepers shirt if asked. I don’t think he is good enough to be a regular first team player for City, and we paid too much for him, expectations were raised but not met, but I also think that he is undeserving of the crap he gets thrown at him by City fans whose amnesia and Sheik Mansour’s riches have allowed them forget where we came from!
As for Kolarov, again, he isn’t the greatest LB I’ve seen, but I often challenge City fans to cast their minds back to the time before Kolarov and Clichy and name a better performer for City in the last 20 years!
I’m still waiting!
I’m sure I replied but anyway; Nino; Hinchcliffe; Zabaleta; Phelan
Do you also challenge City fans to cast their mind on LB before Kolarov and Clichy that cost us £16m? Comparing this team with pre-Mansour era team is like comparing apples and oranges. If you plan to do that you need also to put in context the amount of investment and the club ambition now and then. The problem with Garcia and Kolarov is their value-add to the team in relation to their cost.