Saturday 22 August 2009

Wolves player ratings

Given Still looks like our best piece of business in the ADUG era, producing some crucial saves to keep us in the game. Can't have enjoyed seeing the centre backs panic under Wolves' long balls. 7

Richards Again preferred to Zabaleta at right back, and made a few of his trademark gallopping runs down the flank. Perhaps gave Matt Jarvis more room than he ought to have had when Wolves were attacking in the second half. 5

Dunne Never looked fully assured under the high ball but did make a few important blocks and interceptions. Second half performance indicative of poor captaincy but this is something we've seen before. 6

Touré Very little to do in the first half but did ok in the face of the Wolves assault late on. Will have to deal with much better strikers coming to Eastlands this season, and will be the senior partner in any defensive pairing. The ease with which he can pick out Adebayor with long passes is impressive, if not suprising. 7

Bridge Took a prominent role in our attacks, as he increasingly does. Movement and crossing up to his usual standard. He is handicapped defensively by having to play behind Robinho but he coped ably. 7

Barry Showed some lovely touches in midfield, especially in the first half. Questions must be asked, though, about how we surrendered possession to Wolves as the game progressed. 6

Ireland Still adjusting to his new Cesc Fàbregas role and so was not his usual vivacious self today. Missed a very easy chance in the second half. Respect for his backheel to Adebayor early on though. 6

SWP His best game for City for some time. His runs were penetrating, either from a midfield position or wide on the right. He troubled whichever Wolves defender he came across and was a constant menace. Ought to have been awarded a penalty in the first half. 8

Tévez Put in a good shift, playing mainly in the Dirk Kuyt role on the right hand side. Tireless running disrupted the Wolves defence, and he set up Adebayor's goal with a lovely short pass. Could have scored a header but the sharpness in front of goal will come. 7

Adebayor Our most threatening attacking player: his runs with the ball, and movement without it troubled all four Wolves defenders as he moved across our front line. Took his goal very well and always provided an option for a high ball from the back to relieve pressure. 8

Robinho One or two nice moments but never really got going. Home games against bad teams are meant to be his thing, but aside from a few tame shots he never really threatened. One lovely ball to Bellamy late on should have been converted. 7

Subs:

Bellamy Rather poor - made a few bad decisions and failed to make the most of situations on which he usually thrives. Missed a good chance too. 5

de Jong Too late to mark

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Toure and Barry were head and shoulders better than the rest today. Tevez was lacking match sharpness. De Jong came on too late. 6 points from 2 games and we've not conceded. Bring on Portsmouth - cricket score time.

Unknown said...

Thought your Richards score was a bit harsh. Yes he made a couple of mistakes...but he is starting to show sign of his past form. Remember neither full back got any support from midfield. I think Zableta would have done a good job..just thought your score was harsh.

I tell you what though..Adebeyor is a blinding player...his control with back to goal under pressure is awesome.,,very impressed

Anonymous said...

Robinho has to make a more telling and consistent contribution throughout matches.

He occassionally shows his skill and creates moments of magic but it isn't enough when we have Petrov and Bellamy sitting on the bench.

I'd rather see Robinho playing in the whole with Tevez on the left and SWP on the right.

Johnny Crossan said...

Did you just watch this on MOD?

Bridge was easily the City man of the match IMO and Stevie looked increasingly bewildered and knackered as the match wore on. SWP had a reasonable first half along with Robbie but in the second both went missing. They seemed to lack pace and energy too.

Overall a poor second half. Tactics or tiredness?

Ben said...

Barry was excellent in the first half - I reckon he will be our most important buy - and if he flagged a bit in the second, it was (for me) because of the lack of support he was getting from the rest of the midfield.
SWP was great in the first half as well but he looked knackered in the second half. Micah and Given both seemed unhappy with his lack of cover in the latter stages of the second half.