Manchester Citywere eyeing a repeat of the performance againstFC Schalkein the UEFA Cup to try and get that away goal needed, and hopefully a win against Hamburg.HERE ARE MY PLAYER RATINGS FROM THE TERRIBLE GAME OF FOOTBALL>>>Shay Given (GK) He is anabsolute saviour! They could have gone into double figures if it was not for this man inbetween the sticks? He had an absolute blinder.His reflexes kept City in the game from a very early stage, immediately after we had scored inside 30 seconds. His handling was sublime, his kicking (dare I say it) was much improved and I am nowbeginning to see why we paid so much money for him. Joe Hart must be devastated seeing him making these remarkable stops. Not a chance he will get back in the team. Could do nothing about any of the goals, it was the defenders in front of him who were shocking. 9.5Micah Richards (RB) Hamburg targetting Micah as the weak link in the City team and often tried to pre s down their left hand side in order to create an opening. He was alwayson the backfoot and didnt cope too well, often letting balls come into the box, or the man to easily get around him. He pushed up far too much in this game when he
Brandon LaFell Jersey needed to settle down and calm himself down.He gave the ball away far too easily in their half and didnt
Jeff Driskel Jersey look interested in trying to get back and help, hence why we conceded the third goal? Reckle s play for the penalty too, although I have to back him up and say it was just instincts, just a shame the ball was going a mile over the bar. Abysmal player.4.5
Richard Dunne (CB) Dunne looked very shaky inthis game, his nerveswere obviously all over the place. His heading remained strong but his tackling was mis-judged,leading to them going clean through andthe decisions he took were often rash.Not the figure we have been used to in recentgames, not on top of his game, he didnt knowwhere to run, who to tackle. Bit of a shocker4.5Nedum Onouha (CB) Unfortunately everyone will criticise Nedum for their goal, but he just slipped. His positional sense throughout the game looked dodgy and he looked slower than usual. Again when Dunne has a bad game,everyone tends to and this reflected in Onouhas weak performance today. Im very di sapointed, hedidnt stand up to his man, let his man get past him too easily and offered no resistance what so ever. We might as well ahve playedwith a statue just on the edge of our box.4.5Wayne Bridge(LB) His face was a picture that shoutedCallous, calculating cruelty. Didnt look physically fit enough but he did seem bothered about the cause and had menace about him. His tackles were well timed, most to perfection and his communication was very sound. BUT HE WAS CARRYING AN INJURY AGAIN?!So we had to WASTE another substitution? Whats the
Adam Jones Jersey point? Tell the gaffer if you dont think you can play 90 minutes of competative football? Sell himorcall for a firing squad to be arranged for7 of the 11 playersabsolutewaste of money. 3SWP (CM) Again another player who looked DEAD. Appauling performance by SWP tonight, im regretting putting him in my top ten of all time. Playing CM he didnt do much running, when he did it was straight into a defender and he gave the ball away countle s times when a simple ball was needed to keep po se sion. Taken off at the end, unfortunately Sparky was not brave enough to slap him on the spot. Very weak performance and should have his wages taken away from him. He couldnt give a to s tonight.- 5Stephen Ireland(CM) One player who actually offered any resistance and battled to the end. Took his goal extremely well inside 30 seconds and looked instrumental in all of our build up play. The whole of the midfield focuses on his performance.Every ball goes through him and he played some magnificent through balls early on in the game and he kept hold of po se sion instead of giving itaway. At times during the second period his tackling became wild and he lost pa sion as soon as the third goal went in, but who can blame him, the team around him were dreadful tonight. Well played Superman, one of only4
A.J. Green Jersey players who tried.7.5Pablo Zabaleta (CM) I must say, again he had pa sion within him, he was fighting for this trophy and he always gave 100%. i really think he should be captain of this football club. He always plays clever balls which link the play up well and he sits infront on the back four nicely and did his job pretty well. His heart is worn on his sleeve and henever stops running and trying to break down the opposition. Numerous times when Richards lost the ball in their half, he was the one running back and fighting for po se sion. Good game, again, let down by his teammates.7.5Craig Bellamy (RM) Criag isa very committed player who plays a clever game by getting his defender wound up. He is the final player who played with some heart tonight.This was shown through sheer frustration when he failed to win the ball or a freekick. He was lively for the whole game, offering some good runs down the channels but the service from the lacklustre midfield was just not there. Top notch effort though. Unfortunately his efforts produced the reoccurance of that niggling knee injury, shame. 7.5Robinho (LM) Back to his dire worst.In the first minute hewas bloody brilliant,making a superb run, skipping past two defenders and laying an inch perfect ball to Superman. After that he was bloody awful and hardly touched the ball. Far too lightweight, shrugged off the ball with ease.4.5Daniel Sturridge (ST) Not much to report on from this lad, tried his best, but coming back from injury it was always going to be tough against a physical Hamburg side.6Referee Few incorrect decisions against MCFC but
John Miller Jersey overall a sound job8Manager (Mark Hughes) Cant be blamed, his players didnt want the victory enougha lot to do to motivate his players for the second leg next week. VERY di sapointing.Sums it up reallySubs Benjani (ST) Apart from committing a few foulshe did nothing. Poor and hobbled off with an injury so we ended the game with ten mendisgraceful.Javier Garrido (LB) Gave the ball away too often and looked lazy. Almost scored a cracker of an own goal due to an irrational thought. Often hesitates and rushes into things. Needs to clear his heas, but not much can be expected from some
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