Given- 6 Made some good saves, not to blame for free kick or penalty.
Zabaleta- 4 Another foul that has cost us. Ineffective
Richards- 5 Disappointing after a good performance on Monday night. Needless penalty given away
Kompany- 6 A pretty solid performance at the back.
Garrido- 6 A nothing performance, but reasonable in defense
Barry- 5 Disappointing. Hid when a performance was needed
De Jong- 5 Again, disappointing. Dominated in midfield by Everton
Petrov- 4 Another no show. Should be replaced by SWP
Bellamy- 5 Nothing was coming off, but not for lack of trying. Form has dipped in the past weeks
Tevez- 5 Seemed to pick up an injury early in the game. Did not play as well in the primary striker role. Still, tireless running as always
RSC- NA Living up to his sick note reputation. Injured after 5 minutes
Subs
Robinho- 4 Ineffective again away from home.
SWP- 6 Came off the bench in the second half and looked bright, taking players on. Should definatly start on Tuesday
Benjani- 5 Was not able to make in impact in the second half.
Showing posts with label Everton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everton. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Everton Thoughts
Well, it was always going to happen- Roberto Mancini has lost his first game in charge of Manchester City. What was not a certainty however was the abject nature of the loss. Whilst perhaps not as spineless as the Tottenham performance that ultimately cost Hughes his job, it was not far off.
It all got off to a bad start when Santa Cruz had to come off after 5 minutes, to be replaced by Robinho. This pushed Tevez into the main striker role, as opposed to supporting a player like Benjani or Adebayor.
All the players that had earned such praise in the last few weeks managed to give performances that were shadows of what they are capable off. The promising midfield duo of De Jong and Barry were particularly poor, both were comprehensively outplayed in the center of the park by an admittedly superior Everton side. Bellamy worked hard as always, but ultimately failed to contribute, and for all his huffing and puffing since the departure about Hughes about almost expecting a position in the side week in week out, was almost as ineffective as Robinho.
The two goals conceded were both from set pieces, the first from a free kick, given away by contender for clumsiest defender of the year, Zabaleta, and the second a silly penalty given away by Micah Richards.
As disappointing as the whole performance was, lets not get carried away. This defeat was only the third of the term, equal best with Chelsea, and came on a weekend where Liverpool and Tottenham both drew in games they would probably be expected to win, and at the time of writting, Aston Villa are also drawing at West Ham. What is more important is that Mancini learns about his squad in advance of the important semi final on Tuesday.
It all got off to a bad start when Santa Cruz had to come off after 5 minutes, to be replaced by Robinho. This pushed Tevez into the main striker role, as opposed to supporting a player like Benjani or Adebayor.
All the players that had earned such praise in the last few weeks managed to give performances that were shadows of what they are capable off. The promising midfield duo of De Jong and Barry were particularly poor, both were comprehensively outplayed in the center of the park by an admittedly superior Everton side. Bellamy worked hard as always, but ultimately failed to contribute, and for all his huffing and puffing since the departure about Hughes about almost expecting a position in the side week in week out, was almost as ineffective as Robinho.
The two goals conceded were both from set pieces, the first from a free kick, given away by contender for clumsiest defender of the year, Zabaleta, and the second a silly penalty given away by Micah Richards.
As disappointing as the whole performance was, lets not get carried away. This defeat was only the third of the term, equal best with Chelsea, and came on a weekend where Liverpool and Tottenham both drew in games they would probably be expected to win, and at the time of writting, Aston Villa are also drawing at West Ham. What is more important is that Mancini learns about his squad in advance of the important semi final on Tuesday.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Everton Preview
Today sees City travel to Everton, in what is widely considered Mancini's toughest game since taking charge almost one month ago.
We are unfortunate to be facing Everton now, as players return from injury, and they put in some resurgent performances, particularly against Arsenal. Goodison Park is a tough place to go on a cold winter afternoon, and i'm sure Moyes will be after a chance to one up City, whom he slated (rather ridiculously in my opinion) over the pursuit of Lescott earlier this season.
Whilst our injury list is thinning, this game comes too soon for Stephen Ireland, Wayne Bridge or new signing Patrick Vieira. With the important game against United coming up on Tuesday, I would expect Bellamy to be rested, with SWP returning to the side. Santa Cruz should also be available. Mancini spoke in his press conference yesterday about the possibility of Robinho playing in this game, but I do not believe he will start. This afternoons game will be a physical battle, and I do not believe its a game in which he would perform.
So here is my guess for the team:
------------Given------------
Zab--Richards--Kompany--Garrido
------De Jong---Barry----------
SWP--------Tevez---------Petrov
------------RSC----------------
I think this will be a tight game, and I can see a score draw. 1-1.
We are unfortunate to be facing Everton now, as players return from injury, and they put in some resurgent performances, particularly against Arsenal. Goodison Park is a tough place to go on a cold winter afternoon, and i'm sure Moyes will be after a chance to one up City, whom he slated (rather ridiculously in my opinion) over the pursuit of Lescott earlier this season.
Whilst our injury list is thinning, this game comes too soon for Stephen Ireland, Wayne Bridge or new signing Patrick Vieira. With the important game against United coming up on Tuesday, I would expect Bellamy to be rested, with SWP returning to the side. Santa Cruz should also be available. Mancini spoke in his press conference yesterday about the possibility of Robinho playing in this game, but I do not believe he will start. This afternoons game will be a physical battle, and I do not believe its a game in which he would perform.
So here is my guess for the team:
------------Given------------
Zab--Richards--Kompany--Garrido
------De Jong---Barry----------
SWP--------Tevez---------Petrov
------------RSC----------------
I think this will be a tight game, and I can see a score draw. 1-1.
Vieira Set for FA Cup Debut
Mancini has stated in an interview on the official site that new signing Patrick Vieira will not feature in the games against Everton, or the first leg of the Carling Cup. If all goes well, he is expected to play in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe.
In other injury news, Stephen Ireland is possibly in line to return against United on Tuesday, with Onuoha and Bridge also close to returning.
In other injury news, Stephen Ireland is possibly in line to return against United on Tuesday, with Onuoha and Bridge also close to returning.
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