MAN CITY 1 – 2 Wigan – PLAYER RATINGS
10 Mar
So much for the notion of revenge. After last year’s deflating loss in the FA Cup final against Wigan, it was thought City would be motivated in their search for vengeance this time around, but instead of passion and a will to cast aside abject memories, the Blues’ performance was lifeless and drained of desire until a late, fruitless rally.
Pantilimon - For all of Wigan’s impressive play - their gameplan enabling them to both contain and also threaten us – they didn’t force Pantilimon into action too frequently. He made one stop late on from Fortuné but was helpless for both goals - 6
Richards - With every fleeting appearance, it becomes more obvious he’s not up to the required standard. He just doesn’t have a defender’s brain, switching off frequently as demonstrated by his role in the second goal when he stood still instead of attacking the ball. Offered very little going forward until the final few minutes - 5
Demichelis - I’m not sure it was actually a penalty for the first goal such was the minimal, if any, contact, but it was clumsy from the Argentine and he shouldn’t have been turned as easily as he was by the byline. Coped OK after that, though - 5
Lescott – One of the more solid performers, although that’s not saying a great deal. He’s still unsure in possession but he handled the physicality and willing running of Fortuné comfortably - 6
Clichy – Caught ball-watching for Wigan’s second goal when he should have attacked the ball rather than being on his heels but I still believe he was fouled by Perch, who went through the Frenchman to bundle home. That moment aside, Clichy was fine, trying valiantly to offer an outlet on the left but found himself restricted at times by Wigan’s deployment of McManaman high up the pitch - 6
Garcia – One abysmal pass in the second half handed Fortuné an opportunity which was wasted and there were a couple of typical ungainly fouls as opponents sauntered past him, but he was efficient enough without stamping any authority on proceedings - 6
Y. Touré - His sensational strike against Sunderland last weekend masked what was a fairly mediocre display, and his performance yesterday was similar, just without the goal. He has too many of these petulant, lethargic games for a player of his quality and because of his heavy involvement on the pitch, his laboured nature quickly spreads to others - 5
Navas - Suffered from the lack of space in front of him, meaning he was forced to drift deeper or infield and away from where he is at his most threatening. Couldn’t provide our strikers with any inviting service - 6
Nasri - Argumentative and frustrated in the first half, he typified our more purposeful display when two goals down. From a passive, ineffective figure, he transformed into an inventive spark and was behind much of our prompting endeavours - 7
Aguero - The odd glimpse of his pace and low centre of gravity as he burst away from defenders but he tried to do too much himself and was often crowded out - 6
Negredo - Since suffering a shoulder injury away to West Ham, he has been very quiet and this was no different. At his best, he’s a physical presence who allies his strength with a deft touch and awareness. Yesterday, he was timid and sluggish - 5
Subs
Milner – Added a directness to the side and his introduction injected a sense of urgency and commitment - 6.5
Džeko - Saw one header strike the post but ought to have scored when Boyce made a last-ditch block on the line. It was a top tackle, but Dzeko’s hesitancy allowed the defender in - 6
Silva - We are always a better side with him on the pitch and this was no different - 6.5
VFAB,agree with most of this. I do have an observation however.
“Richards didn’t offer much offensively, until the latter stages.”
I would disagree slightly with that. He didn’t offer much offensively until Milner came on.
Milner, immediately looks to use Richards and or any other fullback. He uses everything he has, and looks for combinations.
Richards made run after run, when Navas received the ball, yet the Spaniard, never, not once, looked to play him in.
I think Navas has done well after a slow start, but I would like to see him get to the byline more often and look to bring in his fullbacks.
If Kidd is still at this club after this season, Questions need to be asked, all the bull, he knows this league and is here to help MP what a load of. As soon as I saw him talking to the substitution players I knew the game was lost. You watch against Barca, supposedly Number 3 will end up Number 1. I always wondered why Kidd and Marwood flew to Malaga.
The game was just a re-run of Wembley. Who is still at the club after that debacle? Step forward Kidd.
That was an incredibly fine example of “pretzel logic.”
Watch how often the ball bobbles when Micah passes it – bizarre.
very very disappointing, I feel the fans have been mugged.. if we were not taking this cup sseriously then we should have bombed out in round three. . to have an eye on the CL when that route is clearly dead, pelli should have played his strongest side fact the club should reimburse every fan, still not conviced with pelli
Would have rather lost to Sunderland and won this one! My fear is that after Wednesday there is only Jose left and his taunting is maybe starting to get to MP. I hope I’m proved wrong. Terrible game on Sun nevertheless, just didn’t show up!
The comments are all pretty much spot on except perhaps a little harsh on Richards, who, when fully match fit, is as good as any full back in the country. I suppose we are tired of saying it but Demich shouldn’t really be anywhere near a City team, the first goal totally of his making, and Yaya, well I despair. Our whole lethargic, insipid, ponderous first half was dictated by him. We cannot continue to play him just in case he decides to actually display his undoubted ability now and then. It was so clear when he had gone off how much more energy there was about the side and a much better tempo which I don’t believe was entirely due to desperation, but owed more to the substitutions. Oh and Pellegrini, just about scraped another 4 out of 10, the man just doesn’t learn
You can’t blame Yaya for that display in the first half, no Ferni so must of been told by who ever picked the team that day you are not attacking Mid today you are a defensive mid. I know it wasn’t MP who picked that team on Sunday, no attacking threat whatsoever, not his M.O. Plus that’s why he had his trackie top on and said nothing to the players from the technical area.Think someones drilling holes in your boat MP.
Totally embarrassing (display) I’ve stated my case before about Richards & Clichy, not even close to been near good enough for this “team” Richards hasn’t played a good 90 mins for more than two years, please give me a break absolute lack of professionalism & downright big time charlie arrogance, there is zero excuses for having a shit attitude & treating the compitition/Wigan with contempt, no matter what team or Talent you have if you don’t have the right tools I.e taking the team-trophy etc seriously then you’ll end up with what they got….. Humiliation, the trophy was there for us to go for- yaya is no use to anybody by losing the rag- the front pair awful…again, hard work, desire & the right attitude Is a must for any mcfc player, congrats to Wigan a well earned & deserved win against a horrible man city, it drives me f***** potty when they have that shit mentality, it reminds me of boro when they had there few quid & “big players” very very pissed indeed.
Very disappointed as everyone else is. Really cant fathom his team selection, thought we had acquired a manager who had a little more nous than that.
The Bayern Munich game also makes me think the same, don’t understand the thought process. Have we really progressed much since Mancini? Only time will tell.
Sunday was a huge game so to leave both Kompany & Silva on the bench while we get beat just may mean we had a season full of promise and a potential trophy haul, to end up with a capital one cup and nothing else. Some people will say that a trophy a season is good but not when he could’ve played his strongest teams and made better decisions and maybe we would’ve been far better off, and maybe had the biggest prize of all!!!
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