City v Middlesbrough: Player ratings

April 02, 2006

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JAMES: Got hand to goal and made three decent stops at start of second half. Handling was good in poor conditions - 7

D. MILLS: Downing deceived him to cross for the Boro opener but otherwise largely untroubled. Passing awry - 4

DUNNE: Yakubu not the easiest of customers to mark and the City skipper would no doubt concur- 5

RICHARDS: Third different position in as many weeks but continues to impress in all of them - 6

THATCHER: Cattermole and Morrison gave him a hard time though he did make one goal-saving block - 4

SINCLAIR: Not quite as sharp as he was when he was flying in the middle of the season. Tired after interval - 4

SIBIERSKI: His double for second team got him place but he struggled like the rest. No need for fans' reaction though - 4

IRELAND: His second half withdrawal brought cascade of boos from stands. No worse than anyone else - 4

RIERA: One bright spark in attack went close with two decent shots but needed more of the ball. Crosses were promising - 6

SAMARAS: Won the odd header but didn't look fully fit and never really tested a rookie keeper - 4

VASSELL: Sven not likely to call on this evidence though there is no doubting his effort and heart - 5

Subs:

MUSAMPA (for Ireland 60mins) - unlucky to be left out in the first place - 5

CROFT (for Sinclair 67mins) - saw precious little of the ball - 5

FLOOD (for Sibierski 72mins) - Stiffened up a flimsy midfield - 5

Not used: Sommeil and Wright-Phillips.

BORO: Jones, Parnaby, Riggott, Ehiogu, Boateng, Cattermole, Rochemback, Morrison (Davies 89), Yakubu, Downing, Queudrue (Taylor 8). Not used: Knight, Viduka, Mendieta.

GOAL: BORO - Cattermole (42)

BOOKINGS: none

ATTENDANCE: 40,256

REFEREE: M Riley (Leeds) - unusually quiet day with the cards - 6

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Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands (02/04/2006 at 19:21)

Pearce's post-match words, refreshingly blunt though they were (or bluntly refreshing? I'm not sure), are a touch ill-advised. Surely to say that 10 of his 11 couldn't look him in the face was unfair on those few who did perform today, not least Micah Richards, who at 17 has been our most consistent player of late and who did not deserve the opprobrium rightly heaped on his team-mates. Yes, it was largely a ghastly display, but the moaners should remember that if it wasn't for injuries, etc, the likes of Mills and Thatcher, two of Clueless Kevin's disaster buys, wouldn't be near the side. I'm a Pearce fan, but his substitutions are usually baffling, and today was no exception. Why Sibierski was not put out of his and our misery earlier than he finally was is something I'd like to know.

Dave, Knutsford (02/04/2006 at 19:37)

I'm tired of Pearce picking Sibierski. We are not going to win any game we play if Sibs plays as one of the midfield two. Fact. And Pearce is to blame! I am getting worried about Pearce. I don't think he'll be the saviour everyone else makes him out to be.

Geoff, Middlewich (02/04/2006 at 20:08)

The Boos were not for Ireland but for the fact that he was b eing taken off When the donkey Sibierski was still being left on. We had three and a half good players today James, Richards, Dunne and a half for Reiara, the rest were poor. Even Stuart admits they were dreadful and he picks the team!
If we don't get rid of the dead wood of Mills, Sun, Thatcher,Sibierski, Reyna and Musampa, and bring in some decent replacements in the summer, relegation here we come and isn't that a horrible thought at this time of the year. Wenger seems to be able to pick up good young players for very little money, pherhaps Stuart should have a word with him. Did you see Arsenal on Tuesday night., they were a delight to watch.

Edski Vega, Nottingham (02/04/2006 at 20:15)

Says it all when a young kid who was playing for Rochdale last season (Flood) can score 150% more rating than ??40,000 ex england players even after palying only 18mins as a sub!!!. Its time for Mills, Thatcher, Sibierski, Sun, James and Reyna to go.... they are remnant of KKs low work ethic, inconsistent team and this club will thrive without them and there massive salaries! They have all had too many chances, they are all amongst the worst in the premiership (check the OPTA stats) yet they are very high earners who are guarenteed games...its wrong and SP knows it!

Spindash, Bury (02/04/2006 at 20:52)

Ireland's substitution was booed because it was the wrong decision. I hope that his comment isn't implying that Ireland himself was being booed.

sanks, stockport (02/04/2006 at 22:11)

Which muppet did these ratings and comments?! The reaction of the fans to Sibierski 's substitution was fully justified you fool!! Also Ireland wasn't booed as he went off, it was the fact that he was substituted whilst Sibierski was allowed to stay on that was met with such derision! James deserved more than 7 because but for him, it would have been 4 or 5.

alf, buxton (02/04/2006 at 22:25)

I've slagged people off for coming on here being negative, but I'm lost for words today. Sibierski? Central Midfield? Stuart, you got to be avin a laff mate. This guy has no facets to his game worthy of putting him in the team. Can't stand up, can't pass, can't shoot, can't head, can't tackle, got NO pace. How the hell does he get anywhere near the first team. How were him and Ireland ever going to cope with Boateng? We should have lined up Dunne and Sommeil CB's and put Micah in the holding role to win us some ball. Kids stuff this is Stuart. We got a 6'4" Centre Forward but all the high balls are aimed at Vass! Far too many hit and (no) hope balls from the back to the front. Whatever happened to passing the ball on the ground?Absolutely NO movement off the Ball. NO shape whatsoever. Has Boro been a half decent side we would have been absolutely dead and buried. It's a good job we've got 40 points because come the end of the season, we're still gonna have 40 points! I've not renewed my season ticket for next season and won't be doing so. I'm gonna do the same as the players and pick and choose which games I'm gonna turn up for!

Stu, Stockport (02/04/2006 at 22:38)

I lv sp 2 bits but hes got 2 take a bit of the blaim we had money 2 spend in the transfer window n only bought 2 players n loaned 1. Its obvious we r struggling for forwards vassel only gd whn he plays with cole samars a crakin buy but not always on form. siberski is shockin. We hav a gd youth set up we should giv miller a try we hav nothin 2 lose. We also need another midfileder like tommy huddlestone frm spurs.

Jon, Foulridge (02/04/2006 at 22:42)

There was every need for the fans` reaction to Sibierski - he is the worst player at the club by a country mile. Nonetheless , he is picked week in, week out. If an entire stadium can appreciate how poor he is, why can`t Pearce? I too booed the substitution of Ireland - not because he was poor, but because he was taken off while Sibierski remained on the pich. Do the reporters who cover these games actually attend?

Chris, Norfolk (02/04/2006 at 23:39)

Get your facts right MEN.
Ireland did not get booed off because of his performance, it was because Sibierski was even worse as usual and should have been subbed way before he was. Went to game as usual but was horrrified by the display, i thought Wigan was bad but gave the benefit of the doubt to minds being on an important FA cup game 2 days later! Mills and Thatcher were embarrasing..let the clearout begin.
Out should go Sun,Sibierski,Mills,Thatcher,
Sommiel,Musampa,BWP,Flood,Croft,De Vlieger,Bischoff.
Maybe`s...Ireland,Riera,Reyna,Sinclair.
Bloody Hell, lets hope the Prem is five-a-side next season.

Man City Critic, Critic Heaven (02/04/2006 at 23:40)

Lets start by saying that City has played this bad before or has no one noticed. We played just as bad in the West Brom and Tottenham games where we had the lack of drive and passion which teams need at this level of football. With passion and drive a team can do anything look at Portsmouths last three games for example. Man City had no passion and no drive because most of our players aren't very good at that sort of thing.
Now lets get down to the players ratings. James -8- The best player on the pitch which is saying something about the team when it's the keeper. He may not be the best keeper in the world but at least he puts effort in. Mills -1- He's a poor passing ex England reject who can't make a fair tackle. Dunne -5- He may look like he's doing his defending on roller skates sometimes but at least he trys to put effort into the team. Dunne does sometimes show real defending class. Richards -6- He's the best outfield player on the team and he only had his debut a few weeks back! I feel sorry for him having to keep swapping the positions he's playing in, it's got to effect his game. If City want him to grow into a great player then they better give him better support. Thatcher -1- Same bumbling Thatcher who is a poor header and passer of the ball. He provides as much to the attacking force as James. Sinclair -3- The injury problems hes been having have effected his game because he doesn't look fully fit. When he's fit he is usually 1 of our best players so no complaints. Sibierski -0- If the ball hits him in the head because hes tall does that make him good? No! Booed when not taken off enough said. Ireland -3- To be fair he didn't get the support tyhat such a young player needs. He needed someone to win the ball in midfield for him because he's not the most aggressive player. Riera -4- He shows sparks of talent and thats all really. He doesn't have the pace of a winger and can't realy go past people. His shooting and crossing is okay though. Vassel -2- Missed 2 good chances and didn't do much. Without Andy he has lost his goalscoring partner so he is pretty pointless. City need a goalscorer and Vassel doesn't look like 1. Samaras -3- He didn't look fully fit and probably shouldn't have been played. To be fair to him to him he didn't really get the service from the midfield. But when he is on form he can do well for City. Musampa -3- Should have been played at the beginning instead od Sibierski, but didn't look his best when he came on probably grumpy he got left out. He also is has his good times and bad times. Croft -3- He may run like a headless chicken into defenders and may not be premiership quality but at least he put some effort in. Flood -3- He's mean't to be played as a winger not center midfield player. Also probably wasn't ready yet for his 1st team appearances yet, but if gets as good and maybe better than last year then he will get a regular place in first team action.
People also say we were missing some of our important players well let see... Barton a selfish greedy player who wants more money and most of the time his passing is terrible. Reyna a player who stands in the same spot for 5 minutes and does no work until he gets passed the ball. Distin another one who is an player who puts no effort into th club and team but still is given the captaincy. I have to admit we did miss Jordan who is usually a excellent makeshift left back and Cole who is still at least can score goals. I also think that we should have played Sommeil as right back since he had some very good games playing in that position.
Pearce better start spending and selling in the summer or the club is going to b in a relegation battle next season.

Yankee Jim, Los Angeles (02/04/2006 at 23:56)

Has anyone else noticed that since Reyna got hurt, the team has gotten worse & worse. Good players make those around them better. That is why Reyna is the US captain. Perhaps one of the Premiership teams will figure out that the US without the talent and with no depth got to the quarters last time around because of the heart of the American player & a superior coach.

paul thomas, gatley (03/04/2006 at 00:05)

If anyone is to blame its pearce and not the players he keeps picking them despite 40000+ knowing that they are not of premiership quality nor will they ever be.Please pearcy stop whinging and show the exit door to keegans rejects and your spanish loan flops.List of team departure as follows,

Weaver,

Mills sommeil,bischoff,thatcher,

croft,Flood,musampa,riera,

Sibi,Bwp

If drastic action is not taken i for one will not be renewing my season ticket as the entertainment home or away has been very dire.

David Banner, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. USA. (03/04/2006 at 08:30)

Have to agree with most comments on here. Absolute dire. The team yesterday were a disgrace and finally made up my mind not to renew. James had a good game and stopped it being 4 or possibly 5. The fullbacks were atrocious with Mills being the worst of the pair. The CBs did ok, although Dunney should of walked after he pulled back Yakubu. Riley bottled it I feel. Sibs is not even worth a mention. Sinclair, Vassell and Samaras are clearly not fit and Riera was ok in my opinion but was not backed up by Thatcher. I feel that Croft, Flood and BWP will not be the answer as they are not good enough for the PL. City are a poor team in an ever increasingly poor league and I will not be suprised if we finish the season on 40 points. Personally I have had enough of it all, with games forever changing, bad refereeing, diving cheats, primadonna footballers, obscene wages and demands, media overhype, moronic racist fans and pathetic, selective myopic managers. And if there was over 40000 fans there yesterday, I will kiss Fred the Red.

des, manchester (03/04/2006 at 08:32)

which clown puts these rating on the players??
james 7
mills 2 (i thought the balloons after half time were to replace him)
dunne 5
richards 6
thatcher 2
riera 4
ireland 4
sibierski 3 (is this guy a footballer)
sinclair 5
samaras 4
vassell 5
pearce 4 (for putting out a midfield that was too lightweight, and making the wrong changes)

Steve, Droylsden (03/04/2006 at 08:57)

If it was Christmas, I could, perhaps, understand the reason for the generous markings. For me, they should be more like: James 7. Thatcher 2. Richards 7. Dunne 5. Mills 2. Riera 5. Sibierski 1. Ireland 4. Sinclair 5. Vassell 4. Samaras 3. Musampa 4. Croft 3. Flood 4. And no way was there 40,256 there last night. Huh, it would also have been interesting to do a headcount with 10/15 minutes to go...

Ian, Manchester (03/04/2006 at 09:16)

James MOM. De Vlieger, Bischoff, Jordan, Flood, Ireland, Sun, Croft, Musampa, BWP, Sommeil, Sibierski all to go in a summer clearout. You need pace, power and strength for Premier League football and City haven't got it in their team.

David the Blue, Scotland (03/04/2006 at 09:44)

After West Ham I decided that was enough...then I started making plans to watch the youth team final...its hard to give up an addiction...so I didnt go yesterday...but found myself listening on fivelive...but for the first time ever (much to my wife's amazement) I turned the radio off at 0-1 and we went out for a walk...which they did not ruin...I am thinking of starting up City Annonymous....anyone want to join!

Rob, South Stand Blue (03/04/2006 at 09:50)

Can someone tell Mills that when your defending an aerial ball and your at full stretch to head it away, you head it up and out towards the touchline not down and in field to a Boro player! I was taught this when i was 9!!!! Mills should be on his bike in the summer but with the massive contract he's on who is gonna want to take him even on a free!!! Following him out the door should be Thatcher, Sibs, Sun at the very least!

KTBF, Manchester (03/04/2006 at 10:03)

Ian, Manchester - You want to get rid of the majority of our youngster whilst keeping Mills and Thatcher. Are you for real?? I admit that I don't think Flood, Croft or BWP are upto the Premiership but how can you want to get rid of Ireland?! He's only 18 and playing in a poor side, low in confidence, do you not remember his good performances against United, W Ham, Everton, Villa. Give the lad a break as consistency will come with age. Fans like you make me sick!!!!!

OB1, Oxfordshire (03/04/2006 at 10:24)

To all those threatening to not renew their season ticket, you are as spineless as the team was yesterday.

OB1, Oxon (03/04/2006 at 10:34)

People keep going on about SP picking Sibs week in, week out but he has only started 10 leagues games! SP got it wrong picking him yesterday but he presumably did it because Sib scored two goals for reserves in midweek.

Matt, Work (03/04/2006 at 10:45)

David I am in mate get it started

Matt, Work (03/04/2006 at 10:53)

the 40,000 they said were there is because they count all season ticket holders as being there even when there not as 5 season ticket holders were not sat around me but they will have been counted as being there.

David Banner, Bismark, North Dakota, USA. (03/04/2006 at 11:14)

OB1, can you explain to me your reasoning that myself and other people adding comments about not renewing seaon tickets are spineless?

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