by Im_Spartacus » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:59 pm
Given - 7 - Didn't have much to do, was happy with his punch in the first half and kicking was good
Zabaleta - 8 - Exceptional display today, first time I have EVER rated his performance
Kompany - 7 - Dealt with most things effectively
Lescott - 6 - Dealt with most things effectively, but distribution was non-league standard
Bridge - 7 - Again dealt with most things effectively
De Jong - 8 - Did a good job holding the midfield together. I think it says a LOT abouot De Jong that Gerrard was pretty ineffective
Barry - 6 - Still have huge doubts. He did better as game wore on but in general his distribution was abysmal for a player of his quality.
Ireland - 4 - Forget his mistakes or how he may be unsuited to this particular style of play, one thing I thought I would never write about Ireland, but yesterday he has lost heart. The occasions he "decided" not to challenge the man 3/4 yards away from him were the sign of a man on his way out of the club.
SWP - 6 - Struggled. Again. As above though, lack of support from the midfield didnt help.
Johnson - 7 - With 2 men closing him down, he lost the ball a lot, however he was always hampered on forward runs by no support from the midfield, leaving Adebayor as the only option. Infuriating that yet again we dont have a corner taker who can beat the first men.
Adebayor - 8 - He put some really hard work in, best effort I have seen from him for yonks. Hopefully when Tevez is back he wont be quite so isolated.
Subs
Both - not enough time time to rate
Lots of things to be positive about amidst a dire game. Defensively strong, reasonably robust in midfield, eventually we might just crack it up front and I am more optimistic now for the next few weeks