MAN CITY 0 – 2 Newcastle – PLAYER RATINGS
30 Oct
Caballero - His positioning for the first goal was appalling and he’ll be disappointed to have been caught in no man’s land for the second. In between those two moments, he was hardly a picture of authority, dropping crosses and fumbling shots - 4
Sagna - He was fairly bright in the opening exchanges, overlapping well and showing a decent turn of pace, but then as matters began to edge in Newcastle’s direction, he fell apart. Beaten far too easily for Sissoko’s goal and his touch deserted him after the break - 5
Demichelis - By default, he was probably City’s best performer. That’s not saying a lot, though. Committed no glaring errors, nor played in the same edge manner as many of his teammates. He’d be my pick alongside Kompany for the derby - 6
Mangala - He was by no means the worst culprit yesterday, but since his standout debut against Chelsea he has been a picture of hesitance and uncertainty. His distribution was all over the place, as was his decision making. He will probably be absolutely fine given time, but at the moment he sends out jitters to fans and encouragement to opposition strikers - 5
Kolarov - Our left-backs are seemingly having a weekly competition to see who can produce the worst performances. Yesterday was Kolarov’s turn to display his frailties. Lost the battle down City’s left and his delivery into the box was wasteful in the extreme - 4
Fernandinho - His underwhelming start to the season continues. Dawdled in possession and was at fault for the first goal, then he was dribbled past as if he were not there for the second. His energy and dynamism, such a feature in his first year at the club, seem to have disappeared - 4
Y. Touré - More of the same lethargy that has been in evidence throughout the campaign. He just doesn’t look like influencing games any more and that gives opponents the confidence to press him and nullify his threat - 5
Milner - Tried as hard as ever, which is more than could be said for some of the side, but very little came off for him. Ran into cul-de-sacs at times, but not helped by the lack of movement ahead of him - 5
Silva - It was utter madness to play him and it was strangely inevitable he would get injured - No time to mark
Jovetic - He plays with an enthusiasm that borders on overly frenetic, and there are times when he could take an extra touch and show more composure, but he’s full of ideas. As with Milner, not a great deal of what he tried actually worked, though - 5
Džeko - It’s days like yesterday which make you wonder how Dzeko is paid (handsomely) to be a footballer. I’m not sure what was more striking: the absence of fight, the lack of workrate or the inability to find a teammate with a pass. Shambolic - 3
Subs
Nasri - Good to see him back, but didn’t have any discernible impact on proceedings - 6
Navas - Wasted one glorious chance at the end - 5
Aguero - Even he couldn’t reverse our fortunes - 6
Nasri was our best player. Caballero was culpable for both goals and I’m convinced Hart would have saved both. The fragile confidence we came into the game with was destroyed by conceding an early goal and Willy should have saved it. I agree with your markings especially Dzeko who was been a downright liability in the last 2 games. Jovetic and Mangala both need to calm down and inject a large measure of composure into their games if they are to maintain starting places.
There’s a lot of talk about 4-5-1 over 4-4-2 at the moment but I think some of that is disguising just how bad Dzeko has been recently. His frist touch of old has returned and we may as well paly 4-4-1 because nothing has stuck.
Mangala has seem rushed on the ball but I definitely think he will improve with time, however it has to be Martin this Sunday as it’s a big game perhaps even season defining.
I was very suprised to see Silva start, that could really cost us.
What a shambles!
Newcastle were 15/1 to win and it looked like all the Man City players had put £1000 on them. Even if they didn’t they should all give a week’s pay to charity, as they certainly don’t deserve to keep it!
After the previous two matches they surely couldn’t have been expecting a walk in the park – but they must have been.
I’m dreading Sunday now, but…………
Dzeko, or Negrado? Sagna, or Richards? Even Navas, or Lopez? (oh sorry, forgot they’re all out on loan)
We’re a shambles and an ageing side that needs an injection of pace and enthusiasm urgently