Sunday 31 January 2010

Pompey player ratings

Given Unsettled under one high cross in the first half, but generally a comfortable game. Saved from Piquionne at close range late on but it was straight at him. 6

Zabaleta Played 37 minutes before going off with a broken nose but he looked very lively when on the pitch: snapping into tackles and linking up well when going forward. 7

Touré Did well in his first game back since the African Cup of Nations. Made some crucial tackles and brought the ball out from the back from time to time. 7

Kompany Another confident defensive performance from our best centre-back this season. Won us the game with a towering header from a corner, his second goal for City and first since September 2009. Went off with a groin strain after an hour, which is a shame for him and for the team. 7

Garrido A very dodgy first half hour - he was very unsettled and should have conceded a penalty, but he improved as the game went on, standing up for himself in tackles and attacking well. But I want Wayne Bridge back in the side, and that's not just out of solidarity. 6

Petrov Again asked to play out of position - in the hole at first, and then out on the right. Neither seems to suit him too well. Was always running into bodies, tried a few through balls but with little success. Fired a free-kick into the wall. 6

de Jong Probably our best player. Tackled hard, doing his clear-up job as well as ever. Got forward a bit more than usual too. Eager not to lose his place to Vieira or Mariga. 7

Barry Another quiet game from a man in need of a rest. He had a few nice touches - he always does - and won a few free-kicks but in terms of his ability to dictate the pace of a game he's not near his level last Autumn. 6

Ireland Did not quite re-produce his performance in this fixture last season, but it was his best performance for a while. Put a perfect pass through to Adebayor for our first goal, and tracked and tackled well enough to suggest he might be able to play in a 4-4-2 after all. 7

Tévez No goals for once but he ran hard and almost made things happen. Hit the post in the second half. Might be carrying a bit of a strain. 7

Adebayor Delighted to see him score today, in his first game since the events in Angola. Took the ball down well and slammed it past David James. That aside, he ran quite hard, taking the ball wide and trying to beat players. 7

Subs:

Onuoha Played most of the game at right back, coming on for Zabaleta. Got into good attacking positions and was untroubled defensively. 7

Boyata Another half hour at centre-back, confident and assured again. 7

Bellamy Took pressure off with his direct running late on. 7

2 comments:

thomas said...

Ireland 7...no chance, he wasn't very good at all. One good pass, doesn't make a good game. He stood off in tackles, watched the game go by.

Barry was terrible to boot.

Both midfielders watched the game go by. Suggest De jong doesnt have to worry about mariga or vieira, these two will be missing out.

Two box to box players, who can drive the ball forward and get involved or tow passengers.

perhaps with johnson, maybe even a change of formation!

Rios Dos Santos said...

"Two box to box players, who can drive the ball forward and get involved or tow passengers. "

have you ever seen Mariga play?