Sunday 11 April 2010

Birmingham player ratings

Given Made a crucial save with his legs from Keith Fahey at a point in the second half when the game's momentum could have turned. Misjudged one cross but that aside had a quiet and comfortable game. 7

Onuoha Another solid performance at right back. As disappointing as it was to see him miss out on that first goal, his second was a delight. He may not score too many more for us at Eastlands so it meant a lot. 8

Touré Lost James McFadden for Birmingham's goal but that aside this was a confident performance from the captain. 6

Kompany Did not look as comfortable as he usually does under the aerial ball, and there were one or two uncharacteristic slips and miscalculations. But there were some smart moments too. 6

Garrido Could be blamed for Cameron Jerome's goal. Competent aside from that but I'm not desperately keen for him to face up to Luis Antonio Valencia on Saturday. We need Wayne Bridge back. 6

Bellamy Very lively performance: direct running from outside to in caused Birmingham real problems, as shown by his assist for Adebayor's first goal. 7

De Jong Only started due to a late injury for Vieira, he had to avoid a yellow card to be available for the United and Arsenal games. This was easily done: Birmingham didn't get out of their half for the first 45 minutes and the midfield was never really competitive enough for de Jong to have to go into lawnmower mode. 6

Barry Like Given, he has emerged from his mid-season blip at precisely the right time. This was a performance of class and authority - sweeping up in front of de Jong and moving the ball forward with intelligence and precision. 8

Johnson Troubled Birmingham throughout, a mirror image of Bellamy on the left. Tévez's first came from his corner (as did three of our goals last Saturday) and he put in Adebayor for our fifth. Could have scored himself after some Robinho-style stepover abuse. 7

Tévez Excellent, again. When we were looking for a breakthrough he dropped very deep to force the issue, conducting in front of their back four just as well as Stephen Ireland does. Scored twice - a good penalty and a close-range poacher's flick, and could have had a hat-trick. Can put himself in the history books on Saturday. 8

Adebayor Two nicely taken goals for the second consecutive game, but his all-round performance was his best for months. He worked as hard as he has done all season, holding the ball up and linking perfectly with Tévez. 8

Subs:

SWP, RSC, Cunningham - all too late to have a real impact n/a

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If the weekend papers are to be believed, it is Micah richards that will be on his way in the summner. Personally, I don't think Micah is going to get any better, Nedum will.

Rios Dos Santos said...

I'm quite liking this formation with Tevez dropping back as more of a striker / Attacking mid role. His finishing is unquestionable but he is also decent at putting balls through for Bellamy and Johnson cutting in from the wing. Slap big Ade in the middle up front and this is working out to be a potent attacking formation... Bring on Man U!