KinkyKinkladze wrote:We were just awful weren't we? The lack of a performance from Barry and De Jong did it more than anything. How can Barry be so shit now? He was great up until he saw his arse at Villa Park, now he looks ready to be put down. De Jong, well maybe it was just one of them games. He's a battler, not a ball player, and with Barry not taking up that role today, you got the feeling De Jong had too much on his plate. Agree entirely with NQDP, Vieira looks like he's here to correct that situation. The amount of times we tried playing the ball out from the back, but our back four only had each other to play it to or hump it forward was ridiculous.
For me, Micah and Garrido were very good today, let down by Kompany's indecision and Zabaleta playing like a Championship player. The way Zabs let Bilyeletdinov run past him and cross for Cahill's crossbar header reminded me of Micah's lacklustre performances at RB last year.
Today wasn't a game for Bellamy. We should've had Petrov on the left, just for balance. Before their first goal, Petrov had numerous chances to get past their left back, but because he's got no right foot, he was dragging it back inside and killing what little opportunities we had to get behind their defence. Bellamy worked hard, but when you're surrounded by Barry and Robinho doing fuck all, his impact was always going to be marginal. Still one of our brightest players though. Probably should've had Petrov and Bellamy on their natural flanks, or even just have Sweep on from the start. Maybe Mancini didn't want to rush him straight in after his knock.
Tevez worked tirelessly as usual but he couldn't do fucking anything with no midfield to supply him and Robinho being useless. Benjani was excellent for his cameo, he's earnt himself some brownie points with Mancini, surely. Shame for RSC. We shouldn't be having a go at him, whenever he has been able to play, his class has been obvious. And it should be noticable that we missed him dreadfully when he went off.
Which brings me on to Robinho. I know he wasn't playing in his natural position, but that really isn't an excuse. Mancini's reasoning was entirely right for me, with bringing him on instead of Benji. We know Benji will work hard no matter what. Robinho is supposed to be a big player, so get on their and fucking prove it. His skill and ability to unlock doors is reason enough to bring him on, hoping he could provide a link between midfield and Tevez. Unfortunately, he showed himself up to be a liability. I half think Mancini had that in mind all along - get on there and show me you're worth it otherwise you're out the door mate. And look what happened, the ignimony of subbing off a sub. Straight down the tunnel and not seen of again for the rest of the game. Mancini played his cards with Robbie and he played them fucking well.
Got to be honest, despite this evening's dissapointment, I fell in love with Mancini for doing that.
All in all, we were beaten by a better side and we got to see that there are one or two big name players who aren't up to it. Bizarrely, I saw positives from this game, in the shape of recognising our frailties and I think it'll stand Mancini and the team good for the future. We were put to the sword by a good Everton team and we were deservedly beaten.
Still shouldn't have been a penalty though. Foul no doubt, but it started outside the box. But that's a minor point really, we deserved what we got.
I don't feel nearly as depressed as I did after the Spuds game though.
Absolutely spot on what my thoughts were other than not quite buying into the Robinho was the worst player on the pitch stick that the media love to perpetuate, he was too easily pushed of by Afroman but no worse than three quarters of the team, and the idea of leaving Petrov on. Zabaletta was shocking, De Jong worse (had by far his worst game for us), Barry ineffectual, Kompany poor, Petrov clueless and Bellamy wasteful.
