City 4 West Brom 2: Player ratings

Chris Bailey

April 19, 2009

BLUES LIFT: Elano congratulates Nedum Onuoha on the defender's goal

GIVEN: unsighted for second goal but saw far, far too much action to be happy with the match 6

ZABALETA: rare appearance at right back for the oft-used midfield dynamo. Took time to settle 6

DUNNE: it was a long afternoon for the skipper with wave after wave of yellow racing at him 6

ONUOHA: again the most proficient of the defenders and had time to wander up and score 8

BRIDGE: looked vulnerable to breaking Albion attacks though Elano switch helped in second half 6

DE JONG: still to consistently hit his very best form for the Blues and was often left exposed 7

IRELAND: some of his passing in the first half was exemplary and ran for ninety minutes 8

CAICEDO: not the goal impact he enjoyed in midweek and taken off in the second half 6

ELANO: another fine effort from the midfielder who wanted the ball and used it wisely 8

KOMPANY: two matches in quick succession tested his fitness and he wilted a little 6

ROBINHO: scored his first goal of 2009 for City and mixed the wonderful with the woeful 7

SUBSTITUTES:

STURRIDGE (for Caicedo 57) – youngster tends to pick the wrong option at times but scored late goal 6

FERNANDES (for Elano 74) – brought on to stiffen midfield but not a popular move 6

PETROV (for Robinho 83) – more valuable minutes but too late to mark

NOT USED: Hart, Garrido, Evans, and Richards

BATTLE OF THE BOSSES: HUGHES – went with ten of the side that beat Hamburg but must have been alarmed at defensive frailties; MOWBRAY – must be given credit for imploring his side to play passing football. They were a pleasure to watch

WBA: Carson, Robinson, Koren (Simpson 61), Greening, Brunt, Dorrans (Valero 62), Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Morrison (Mulumbu 66), Fortune. Not used: Kiely, Teixeira, Donk, and Wood.

REFEREE: Mike Jones (Cheshire) – raised Albion ire on more than one occasion - 6

ATTENDANCE: 40,072

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Tikkablue, ELY, Cambs (19/04/2009 at 17:15)

De Jong ran the midfield for me....slowing down play and using the ball wisely....You'd better not let the Hughes-Haters know he was a Hughes signing though, Chris.

PJS, Oz (19/04/2009 at 17:23)

Ned and Elano super again after their efforts on Thurs. Good to see Stevie play well as well, albeit would have been great to see this midweek.

Glad Hughes finally had the guts to drop Richards. Overall same defensive issues that have plagued us all season but a win is a win.

Ned must be a darkhorse to give Ireland a run for player of the season if he remains as consistent as he has been for the rest of the season. Given our defensive record, that says a lot in itself.

Edski Vega, Nottingham (19/04/2009 at 17:42)

GIVEN: 5 - The same as the number of goals he has conceeded at HOME against two of the most mediocre strikeforce's in the Premiership (Fulham and WBA) Is he really any better than Joe Hart?

ZABALETA 6: Hughes finally used him in his natural position in the place of the Rhino footed Richards.... this is where Zab should stay.

Dunne 5: Outwitted, outpaced and to top it off outperformed by Onohua who has now scored double the goals he has scored for City ..... An absolutely useless player... I would bring Ben-Haim back and sack Dunne Seriously!

Onohua 7: Since I begged for him to be brought into the side on a permanent basis he has showed he is by far our best defender.... can run, can tackle, doesn't get sent off or score silly own goals (yet anyway) and is wanted be a number of our rivals.

Bridge 5: The £10,000,000 left back on the highest salary for a full back in the world has yet to get more than a 6/10 for any performance this season..... one to replace in the summer infortunatley! We cannot carry passengers.

De Jong: 7- Welcome back - we needed him to win back the ball and he was a nuisance on midfield breaking down the constant WBA attacks.

Ireland: 7 - Superb first half display, really good understanding with Robinho.... very ordinary in the second half though. Never stops trying.

Caicedo: 3 - Hmmm was he playing? Other than fouling the WBA keeper I don't think he did anything else ....another passenger!

Elano: 8 - When Elano wants to play, he does play.... shame he has spent most of the season trying to undermine Hughes. Needs to improve his goal tally for open play goals though, only 2 in open play in over 50 games.

Kompany: 5 - Should go back into defence. He is still not fully fit and it showed.

Robinho: 5 - Finally scored, showed a bit of fight today (very unusual) but was at times absolutely awful - time after time was dispossessed by £200,000 championship players.

Subs:

Sturridge: 4 - As well as being very greedy in financial terms he is also the greediest player on the pitch too - time after time, game after game he makes the wrong decision and the chance is wasted. But we need a player who is not scared to shoot (we could still have shot shy Corradi)

Gelson : 4 -E.T doesn't get many games but he passed the ball and passed it forward (instead of sidewards or backwards like the resat of our players like to do)

Petrov - Too late to judge.

bob fasoli (19/04/2009 at 18:19)

A poor defensive display. Hughes seems to want his players to sit on the edge of their own penalty area. This gives the opposition much too much time on the ball. We were lucky. Elano brilliant, Robinho worked hard, scored a good goal and played some great passes. But don't worry you Robbi haters, Hughes won't want talent playing for him only fighters and journeymen. Hughes tactics were once again "survival". Forget Europe City concentrate on avoiding relegation next season. Only thing left this season is a good thrashing by the Reds (hope that means the end of Hughes).

Rick Jenks, Bury (19/04/2009 at 18:27)

Smashing win not the best but will do for now. Elano, Robinho, Caicedo to stay with Hughes. Richards and Sturridge to go.

Lescott please Garry Cook.

gerry crainey is a legend!!! (19/04/2009 at 18:53)

Edski Vega, Nottingham
19/04/2009 at 17:42

are you for real??? your questioning shay givens ability??? if it werent for him we would of lost at home to middlesbrough, and the scoreline would of been 10-1 against hamburg away, do you not think the reason hes conceding goals is because of the defence??? because i for one cant recall a goal hes been responsable for!!!

CTID

collyhurst1, city of manchester (19/04/2009 at 19:16)

Edski Vega and Bob Fasoli! You two SURELY CAN NOT BE CITY FANS. I don't think I've ever read such negative rubbish about our super blues. True it was not one of the most free flowing football matches ever seen; but I was delighted to see the lads lift themselves after what was a strength sapping battle on Thursday night. They played some great stuff in patches today - and a 4 - 2 victory is not to be sniffed at. Go elsewhere with your negative dross.

The King - Ding Dong (19/04/2009 at 19:18)

Edski Vega, Nottingham
19/04/2009 at 17:42

Surely you couldn't have got all the way back to Nottingham from COMs in less than 1 hour to make these comments.

I guess you never watch any game.

Bluemonster , Mossley (19/04/2009 at 19:21)

Only read the first 5 messages and realise that we all see different things when we go to the match, thought they looked tired but dug in and got the result, as expected people having a go over Dunne who put in at least 2 goal saving tackles. Zabaleta and Bridge were exposed and probably due to De Jong and Kompany both struggling to get close enough to stop their central midfielders marauding all over the place, didnt think that Ireland had as good a game as he has been having, plenty of effort, the boys from brazil seem to have decided they need to put a good shift in, Caceido and Gelson wouldnt get a game for Droylesden reserves. Thought the stick that Sturridge, got was unjustified though he is a greed boy in financial terms and on the field he needs to understand that its not all about him. Same goes for Micah and hopefully he will come back the player he was last year. I still believe we can hit over 50 points if we keep the faith and possibly the Tottenham will be the defining game of our season.

bubba, cleethorpes (19/04/2009 at 19:47)

Another worrying performance, although Im happy with the result. Wayne Bridge, I have to say, is not really the answer to what has been a problem position for a long time. I really hope that Hughes puts out some feelers for a full back like Cissoko. The Porto left back is strong going forward, and can definately defend. As for Sturridge, undoubtedly talented, but have a feeling he's falling into the Richards mould. They both need to learn that they are nowhere near the finished articles they may think they are. Pip..pip..

Ste , Cheshire (19/04/2009 at 20:35)

Sturridge was absolutely useless wwhen he came on. The pass he should have played to Robinho when 2 on 1 would have been seen by a five year old. The number of times he lost the ball and then tried to win free kicks by diving...What is he thinking? 70k a week, you have got to be joking!

Nedum played well and I though Ireland worked hard. Other than that I thought they were all below par and that despite winning and scoring the pen, Elano was not as good as he was on Thursday.

Overall it was a lucky win and a poor performance

Bluerob, Cheadle Hulme (19/04/2009 at 20:45)

Given - not as good as Joe Hart. OK shot stopper but was poor today, especially his kicking and command of his area.
Zab - gave all and we all know its not his best position.
Dunney - not his best season and certainly not a Capt.
Ned - If he had not been injured first part of the season would definately up for player of the season.
Kompany - tired and it showed.
Ding Dong - worked hard although he or Kompany need to learn how to help Bridge.
Bridge - Commits to easily and although goes on the overlap never gets the ball from Robinho.
Robinho - Good and bad. Not a City player
Sturridge - Let him go. GREEDY and certainly overated. If Chelsea will pay the wages he thinks he is worth let him get the train now.
Caicedo - No brain, time to move on.
Superman - When its good its good.
Elano - Must be putting himself in the shop window as he know he will be moved on during the summer. Put in another good shift.
Micah - Needs to get out of the gym and hit the road and get some miles in his legs. Has gone backwards since last year.
Petrov - Good to see him back although still can't understand why he didn't come on earlier?
We need to get some quality players in during the summer especially a big centre half and centre forward. Another right and left back two attacking midfielders and then we will be flying. Especially when we get everyone back from injury.
One last thing - a tactical awareness course for Mark Hughes.
CTID

Bluetiger, gloucester (19/04/2009 at 21:08)

I thought we made it hard for ourselves. But we showed great character after the disappointment of last Thursday as we did not cave in again.
However, a very poor show from Caicedo so I think the boy Sturridge should have a run for the rest of the season.

Lets hope we can improve our away form for the last 3 away games and pinch that 7th place

Blue is a Manc thing, manchester (19/04/2009 at 21:53)

I thought De Jong was a little ponderous, but I fully expect him to be top notch next season. I got the impression that Vincent wasn't as comfortable in the more advanced midfield role he was playing today as he is when he is defending.

Elano was outstanding again, it makes you wonder what goes on in his head sometimes. I think he is tougher than he was last season. And have we ever had a better penaly taker - no need to look away when he steps up.

Zabs injury that made him a doubt on Thursday caught up with him today. Sturridge, for me, just doesn't do enough for the team - he makes a lot of effort for D Sturridge not dissimilar to Micah in that sense. Hardly worth 75,000 a year never mind a week.

So glad that a fit Nedum is fulfilling the potential his obvious ability shows, now he is getting a run in the team and is fit. This lad is an out and out defender and hasn't fell into the ego trap.

Robi worked hard today and MH is right in his post match comments that his lack of goals have been latched upon by those who needed to stick to beat him with.

The King Ding Dong re: Edski he was probably at home watching his team lose to Everton. For someone who obviously doesn't attend games he has always had lot to say.

CTID and beyond

dajd1984, Blackpool (19/04/2009 at 23:08)

ANYONE KNOW WHY STURRIDGE DIDN'T CELEBRATE HIS GOAL?

GJ (19/04/2009 at 23:44)

We like to make it difficult for ourselves. Great 1st goal though. I can only assume Bridge is still in the team so MH can see if he shows any signs of improvement. He was shocking again today though.

tommybatess, Langley (19/04/2009 at 23:46)

If Ela Robin and Sturridge can't deliver in the last three away games move them out,Premiership opposition away from home is the ONLY test, no more chances for the part timers.

Rick Jenks, Bury (19/04/2009 at 23:47)

What an outstanding a classy 1st goal by City. One of the best of the season. Ireland and Rob will really go to town against the scum in May.

tommybatess, Langley (19/04/2009 at 23:49)

dadjd 1984,probably been offered a contract for £65,000 per YEAR.

wizzballs, oxford (20/04/2009 at 03:13)

interesting that the only people who dont get marks of ten are the managers

the players did well enough, even if a poor west brom side could have scored 5.

i give hughes about 4/10 for this one, we clearly lacked organisation more than energy, because it was the hard work and ability that got us through, and, in the main, the poor organisation that led to WBAs goals and chances.

having said that gelson for elano was a reasonable change this time, to tighten things up when we were defending a lead

N.G.G, Leeds (20/04/2009 at 06:56)

IT IS A SHAME! THAT THE CLUB I LOVE HAVE NOT PROTECTED STURRIDGE ON HIS CONTRACT TALKS ! ALL YOUNG STURRIDGE WANTS IS TO PLAY FOOTBALL HOW MANY STARTS HAS YOUNG STURRIDGE HAD FOR HIS DEVELOPMENT THIS SEASON ! PLAYING CONSISTANTLY IMPROVES YOUR DEVELOPMENT SO WHATEVER THE OUTCOME WILL BE FOR FOOTBALL REASONS ONLY .

fowler, wythenshawe (20/04/2009 at 08:25)

with everton chelsea already in europe does the FA cup give an 8th place finish a euro spot ?????????????? grego peelhall blue

Hallam Blue (20/04/2009 at 09:04)

I thought at the time that Sturridge didn't celebrate because first of all, he spent the previous 10 mins very ineffectually running around throwing himself on the ground, and secondly he had just missed a sitter (very similar position one on one with the keeper), so it was relief more than anything when he scored. It might, though, be a hint of contract problems behind the scenes.

sweenyuk, Leigh (20/04/2009 at 09:18)

No idea how Given managed 6 points on here, this was his worse game so far for City, constantly rooted to his goal line again and responsible for both goals. Bring back Hart, he will have fire in his bellie again to prove his worth to the club. By the end of summer he will also have 1 more medal than Given has ever achieved

Neil Mcnab Knows 18+1=19, manchester (20/04/2009 at 09:23)

Forgot to mention "told you so" about 'donkey' ned as the morons on here used to call him. He's intelligent, a quick learner and will progress very quickly unlike Richards who I fear won't learn his trade untill he's 30.

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