MAN CITY 1 – 0 Wigan – PLAYER RATINGS
6 Mar
Hart - Made one impressive stop from McCarthy, but was otherwise largely untested. Distribution was not at his best, but he will be pleased to record another clean sheet - 7
Richards - Wasn’t able to get forward as much as in recent games, which, with our narrow system, is imperative. One awful tackle which deserved the yellow card, but he was generally fine defensively - 6
Kompany - So pleasing to see him back. Exudes control and authority, and although he didn’t have to be at his best, he handled Wigan’s attacks well. Very composed in possession and his partnership with Lescott will hopefully go from strength to strength - 7.5
Lescott - Very solid and measured. Won virtually everything in the air and kept up his consistent form - 7.5
Zabaleta - Was given a tough time on occasions by Moses but competed manfully and managed to provide a decent attacking outlet down the left. Without Kolarov there, it give Pablo more freedom and he frequently bombed on - 7
Y. Touré - I really do despair at times with Yaya. We all know what he’s capable of, but he just doesn’t produce enough. Perhaps we was just tired, or even feeling the effects of his brother’s situation, but he looked off the pace. Only 75% successful passing ratio, which is not good enough. I don’t want to be overly harsh to him, but he needs a kick up his derrière - 5
Vieira - Did extremely well to manage another 90 minutes, just three days after the Villa game, and he produced another impressive performance. Passing ratio was the best in the side (91%) and he gives us that experience in the middle. Obviously still susceptible to pacey breaks through the middle - 7
Barry - Struggled to impose himself on the game in the second half especially, as all our recent games seemed to have caught up with him. But his passing was still solid enough, never going to break down a defence but neat and tidy - 6
Silva - Goal was fortunate but he looked bright all afternoon and got into some wonderful positions, without ever really capitalising. Despite not being at his best, he was still our most influential players, which says a lot - 7.5
Balotelli - One of his best performances for us. Worked very nicely with Silva and Tévez in the first half and tracked back to help out in midfield and defence. Remarkably talented, his mercurial play could be a key factor towards the end of the season - 7
Tévez - Worked tirelessly upfront but with very little actual threat. Went close in the first half but that was about it as far as his meaningful contribution went. Needs to utilise his teammates more and not try and do everything himself - 5.5
Subs
Kolarov - Supported Zabaleta well defensively in dealing with Moses and then N’Zogbia. Crossing wasn’t at its best - 6
De Jong - Nice to see him return although he struggled to halt the Wigan pressure. Should get half a game against Dynamo and then start away to Chelsea - No time to mark
Džeko - No time to mark
Overall, a very fair assessment. I just wanted to say that my hat is off to Kompany and Zaballeta, they always give it all. By no means, I intend to imply that others do not; however, these two stand out a bit more.
Some of the players need some rest before they start playing counter-productive. Mancini should tap in to some Youth players and our forgotten man Michael Johnson.
I think its about time you stopped harping on about Johnson! He’s nothing like he was unfortunately through drink and drugs. We have better people in the squad who should play ahead of him.
We also have better players than JO [one for example is your HERO]. I do not want to judge a player based on hearsay. As far as I am concerned he is City player and is named in City squad. His worth is proven on the pitch provided he is given a chance like others. If he is not remotely good enough, then he should be removed from the squad. I am not here to start a private investigation on players’ drug use, number of private entertainments and drinking habits and decide their worth based on that.
Johnson has set back after set back – it is time we either gave up and sold him or just offloaded him on loan. Leeds wanted him, why didnt we give him to them? Now they have Barry Bannon from Villa they will not want him back! Banna is one to watchthough and I think we should try and get him.
The list to go should be >>>
Joao Alves de Assis Silva (Jo)
Felipe Caicedo (Although would prefer him to Jo)
SWP (Sorry, but the poor fella isnt what he was)
Adebayor
Kolo Toure (not good enough)
Logan (clearly not going to make it)
Kelvin Etuthu (not made it yet and not good enough)
Michael Johnson
Abdisalam Ibrahim (not strong enough)
Chris Chantler (Whats the point)
….and bring back Bellamy, Weiss and Onouha from their loans. Onouha is the forgotten man but he is a great player and can still fit in the team, especially if we get rid of Kolo the clown.
Then bring through Warbara, Boyata, Assulin, Guidetti and Roman who looks like a top top player. Assign them all a mentor too.
Some of the players we loved and hoped and prayed for..need to be realized for what they are presently, instead of playing counter-productively for club and country. Mancini must insread instead tap in to our, for a considerably streched period of in form delivery youth player (Gudetti!) is by every sense of the words… way more than miles ahead of any other reserve and even 1st team benchers (jo…), he is also off course, reportedly of considerable inetrest as well as youngest of the lot – making it an ever greater urgency to field this sure-to-be top player, right now. Age mustn’t be an issue here. He’ll deffo tire pronto at seeing other lesser players favoured. And on an expiring contract, the other clubs are already sniffing ruthlessly like th vulchers they are having smelled blood, inspired by sturidge’s current fine performances at Bolton! and regarding our forgotten man Michael Johnson, word has it he sadly had another set back in rehab god bless him.
Well said. Guidetti is a decent player with a lot of potential and definitely no less than JO (if you want to be the devil’s advocate). I may sound insane, but if it were me, I prefer to line up a 10 men squad as opposed to 11 men with JO in them. I somehow feel we lack a Lampard-like missing link in our mid-field to have full-fledged team. I was hoping Michael Johnson to be that man but the likelihood does not seem promising.