Ratings- Newcastle
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:08 pmHart 7- Much like last weekend, it was pretty uneventful for him. Even when Newcastle dominated they never got too many shots away. His handling was nice and solid from crosses though and he released a few great early throws to set us on our way.
Boateng 5- Far too soon to write him off but this was a pretty poor performance. To lose possession and either not burst a gut to regain it, or clumsily bundle your opponent over in a dangerous area is stupid and he has to stop. Good touches and some intelligent forward balls but I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to defenders- I like ones that can defend and that seems to be Boateng's weakness.
Touré 7- Not quite as dominant as last week but a solid display nonetheless. His anticipation has improved tenfold since last season and he looks stronger in the tackle. A few uncertain moments but nothing to worry about.
Kompany 8- I don't think there's been a game so far this season where I'd have rated him below an 8. Usually 9 and even a couple of 10's and we're only a few weeks in. He's pretty much got everything you'd want in a centre half. Today might not have been the ultimate test but what's important for me is the consistency of his performances- certain City defenders in the past have had stormers against the big guns and then collapsed in a heap in the 'bread and butter' games. Vinnie never lets his standards slip.
Lescott 6- Very good in the air and showed the effort to get forward but he looked lost when in their half. Should have buried a chance late on and could also have conceded a penalty with a silly challenge in the box. Gave the ball away a good few times, but overall a reasonably good performance from a player out of his natural position.
de Jong 7- I think the early challenge on Ben Arfa, even though it wasn't his fault, had an impact mentally because he shied away from challenges that he'd normally be diving into. Some fantastic tracking, intercepting and distribution though and kept us ticking, bar one or two sloppy moments. Not vintage Nigel but still very good.
Barry 6- Neat and tidy in possession but too lethargic when we needed to build momentum. There were occasions where we'd string 10 or 12 one touch passes together and the ball would arrive at Barry's feet and he'd stumble, looking for options rather than releasing it quickly. He's been really good this season but not one of his best games today and rightly substituted.
Yaya Touré 5- Even more lethargic than Barry, but careless in possession rather than over protective. There were too many instances where he just flicked the ball anywhere, like he wanted rid. He didn't look half as quick or committed as against Chelsea or Juventus but maybe it's just tiredness and he needs a break. We played much better when he and Barry left the pitch though.
Milner 6- As always, plenty of effort and application but he's so frustrating to watch at times. What irritates me most is that when he sees space, he just runs as fast as possible in a straight line and finds himself at the corner flag, surrounded by defenders. He hardly ever puts a quality cross in and if/when he does, we've no presence in the box anyway. I want to see him in the middle, he doesn't have the trickery or guile of a winger, he's too workmanlike.
Silva 7- No huge contribution of note but he's just really enjoyable to watch, like a little left-footed Fabregas. He's so comfortable in possession and intelligent in terms of knowing where everyone is. He played some delightful passes and hovered around menacingly all afternoon, and then, when we were holding onto our lead, got back well and got stuck in for the team. He'll only get better too.
Tevez 7- Not a classic Tevez performance, but he dispatched the penalty well and made a real effort to set up or score goals after it. He looked frustrated with some of the lads who just didn't seem to be on the same wavelength and therefore ended up doing a lot of work on his own. Needlessly booked and could've been off if he'd not been careful.
Adebayor 7- Frustrating with the amount of times he's offside and/or conceding fouls but he stretched Newcastle and gave them something different to worry about. He looked sprightly and contributed with some classy layoffs that didn't quite come off. A goal is all he needs and he'll be fine, I'm sure.
Johnson 9- Spectacular goal, beautiful skills, scared the shit out of their defenders and knew when to keep it simple. The perfect substitute.
Vieira- Too late to rate, couple of nice tackles though.
Boateng 5- Far too soon to write him off but this was a pretty poor performance. To lose possession and either not burst a gut to regain it, or clumsily bundle your opponent over in a dangerous area is stupid and he has to stop. Good touches and some intelligent forward balls but I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to defenders- I like ones that can defend and that seems to be Boateng's weakness.
Touré 7- Not quite as dominant as last week but a solid display nonetheless. His anticipation has improved tenfold since last season and he looks stronger in the tackle. A few uncertain moments but nothing to worry about.
Kompany 8- I don't think there's been a game so far this season where I'd have rated him below an 8. Usually 9 and even a couple of 10's and we're only a few weeks in. He's pretty much got everything you'd want in a centre half. Today might not have been the ultimate test but what's important for me is the consistency of his performances- certain City defenders in the past have had stormers against the big guns and then collapsed in a heap in the 'bread and butter' games. Vinnie never lets his standards slip.
Lescott 6- Very good in the air and showed the effort to get forward but he looked lost when in their half. Should have buried a chance late on and could also have conceded a penalty with a silly challenge in the box. Gave the ball away a good few times, but overall a reasonably good performance from a player out of his natural position.
de Jong 7- I think the early challenge on Ben Arfa, even though it wasn't his fault, had an impact mentally because he shied away from challenges that he'd normally be diving into. Some fantastic tracking, intercepting and distribution though and kept us ticking, bar one or two sloppy moments. Not vintage Nigel but still very good.
Barry 6- Neat and tidy in possession but too lethargic when we needed to build momentum. There were occasions where we'd string 10 or 12 one touch passes together and the ball would arrive at Barry's feet and he'd stumble, looking for options rather than releasing it quickly. He's been really good this season but not one of his best games today and rightly substituted.
Yaya Touré 5- Even more lethargic than Barry, but careless in possession rather than over protective. There were too many instances where he just flicked the ball anywhere, like he wanted rid. He didn't look half as quick or committed as against Chelsea or Juventus but maybe it's just tiredness and he needs a break. We played much better when he and Barry left the pitch though.
Milner 6- As always, plenty of effort and application but he's so frustrating to watch at times. What irritates me most is that when he sees space, he just runs as fast as possible in a straight line and finds himself at the corner flag, surrounded by defenders. He hardly ever puts a quality cross in and if/when he does, we've no presence in the box anyway. I want to see him in the middle, he doesn't have the trickery or guile of a winger, he's too workmanlike.
Silva 7- No huge contribution of note but he's just really enjoyable to watch, like a little left-footed Fabregas. He's so comfortable in possession and intelligent in terms of knowing where everyone is. He played some delightful passes and hovered around menacingly all afternoon, and then, when we were holding onto our lead, got back well and got stuck in for the team. He'll only get better too.
Tevez 7- Not a classic Tevez performance, but he dispatched the penalty well and made a real effort to set up or score goals after it. He looked frustrated with some of the lads who just didn't seem to be on the same wavelength and therefore ended up doing a lot of work on his own. Needlessly booked and could've been off if he'd not been careful.
Adebayor 7- Frustrating with the amount of times he's offside and/or conceding fouls but he stretched Newcastle and gave them something different to worry about. He looked sprightly and contributed with some classy layoffs that didn't quite come off. A goal is all he needs and he'll be fine, I'm sure.
Johnson 9- Spectacular goal, beautiful skills, scared the shit out of their defenders and knew when to keep it simple. The perfect substitute.
Vieira- Too late to rate, couple of nice tackles though.