Please can we stop slagging them off a bit?

[john@staustell]

Of course there's no Hughes, Corradi or Samaras to throw things at these days, so we're a bit short of people to slag off.

But maybe we should take a seasonal break from all the criticism for Demichelis and Garcia, much of it ill-informed or 'witch-hunt' like in my opinion.

These 2 players have just played well in a team which has deservedly won in Munich without the normal spine of it's team.

Whilst Lescott had a shaky start afterwards he did OK. However he didn't come up to the Beckenbauer-standard some people have made him out to be whilst criticising Demichelis. But of course whilst he was in the team he was usually the scapegoat!

[Nigels Tackle]

Of course there's no Hughes, Corradi or Samaras to throw things at these days, so we're a bit short of people to slag off.

But maybe we should take a seasonal break from all the criticism for Demichelis and Garcia, much of it ill-informed or 'witch-hunt' like in my opinion.

These 2 players have just played well in a team which has deservedly won in Munich without the normal spine of it's team.

Whilst Lescott had a shaky start afterwards he did OK. However he didn't come up to the Beckenbauer-standard some people have made him out to be whilst criticising Demichelis. But of course whilst he was in the team he was usually the scapegoat!

fine
as long as dzeko is still fair game

[Pretty Boy Lee]

They'll get a break when they get a break.

I get where you're coming from, but asking us not to comment on the weak links when better options are or we're available is like asking us to watch in silence.

For the record I actually think Demi would have made a perfectly fine 4th choice cb and wouldn't even mind him taking over from kolo, who was just as error prone. Against weaker teams he'd be perfect to give Lescott or Vinny a break. The reason he gets stick is because he's not being used as that role and is now 1st choice. I struggle to see how looking comfortable giving the ball away is better than looking shaky and not.


As for Garcia. Barry is on fire and we kept javi. Nuff said.

[aaron bond]

Of course there's no Hughes, Corradi or Samaras to throw things at these days, so we're a bit short of people to slag off.

But maybe we should take a seasonal break from all the criticism for Demichelis and Garcia, much of it ill-informed or 'witch-hunt' like in my opinion.

These 2 players have just played well in a team which has deservedly won in Munich without the normal spine of it's team.

Whilst Lescott had a shaky start afterwards he did OK. However he didn't come up to the Beckenbauer-standard some people have made him out to be whilst criticising Demichelis. But of course whilst he was in the team he was usually the scapegoat!

Lescott plays one game, and then misses a few, so he's bound to be rusty. He's proven in the past that if he plays regularly, he's a good player for us. If he was poor after having a good run of games then I'd call him out on it.

Demichelis and Garcia both played their part last night. But the reality is after 18 months we all know Garcia is a bit shit and should be moved on. Demichelis has been a reasonable stop gap as we've had a bit of an injury crisis, but he's no long term answer. We can't ignore that.

I don't think either of them are being unfairly criticised on here, but neither have really covered themselves in glory in their time with us.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

[Ted Hughes]

Of course there's no Hughes, Corradi or Samaras to throw things at these days, so we're a bit short of people to slag off.

But maybe we should take a seasonal break from all the criticism for Demichelis and Garcia, much of it ill-informed or 'witch-hunt' like in my opinion.

These 2 players have just played well in a team which has deservedly won in Munich without the normal spine of it's team.

Whilst Lescott had a shaky start afterwards he did OK. However he didn't come up to the Beckenbauer-standard some people have made him out to be whilst criticising Demichelis. But of course whilst he was in the team he was usually the scapegoat!

Nice irony.

[littlebig]

Hear hear.

Constructive criticism is one thing but abuse of one of our own is a bit much

[bigblue]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Boring old man, broken record. You don't beat Bayern in Munich despite 2 players.

Garcia played a good game and Demi made some important tackles and distributed the ball well. Sure both of them made mistakes, but so did everyone on the field. They were part of the center of our team throughout the whole game and should be given proper credit.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Boring old man, broken record. You don't beat Bayern in Munich despite 2 players.

Garcia played a good game and Demi made some important tackles and distributed the ball well. Sure both of them made mistakes, but so did everyone on the field. They were part of the center of our team throughout the whole game and should be given proper credit.

Dazby, your place as an official cheerleader has been challenged. Yay!

[bayblue]

Seems to me that Demechelis is a really good 3rd or 4th centre back. He has bags of experience and seems a very strong character. He is comfortable on the ball and actually uses it well, most of the time. As we saw yesterday he is also prone to giving it away and that's really frustrating. On balance though I think he is an asset to us and would definitely keep him. Garcia played a good part last night and obviously there is something about his attitude, if not his ability, that both Mancini and Pellegrini (and maybe Del Bosque) value. Personally I can only see the ability side and for me it's not at the level we need.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I still think he needs a hug. You can't shut my love down.

[zuricity]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Clearly you are losing the plot. Garcia is not shite, not at all. Demichelis however, should not be in this squad. He is old, slow and most importantly as an experienced player , does not boss the defense. Garcia is cool.

[gillie]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Clearly you are losing the plot. Garcia is not shite, not at all. Demichelis however, should not be in this squad. He is old, slow and most importantly as an experienced player , does not boss the defense. Garcia is cool.

You are only saying that because you like drooling over his missus lol.

[dazby]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Boring old man, broken record. You don't beat Bayern in Munich despite 2 players.

Garcia played a good game and Demi made some important tackles and distributed the ball well. Sure both of them made mistakes, but so did everyone on the field. They were part of the center of our team throughout the whole game and should be given proper credit.

Dazby, your place as an official cheerleader has been challenged. Yay!

<insert picture of Kirsten Dunst as a cheerleader> I had a pic but it didn't work.

Yay!! Go City, come on City, woohoo!!

[Florida Blue]

Seems to me that Demechelis is a really good 3rd or 4th centre back. He has bags of experience and seems a very strong character. He is comfortable on the ball and actually uses it well, most of the time. As we saw yesterday he is also prone to giving it away and that's really frustrating. On balance though I think he is an asset to us and would definitely keep him. Garcia played a good part last night and obviously there is something about his attitude, if not his ability, that both Mancini and Pellegrini (and maybe Del Bosque) value. Personally I can only see the ability side and for me it's not at the level we need.

He was brought in to be just that, however, he was injured, then Vinny, then Nasty, so he really hasn't been able to do anything but play.

The irony of all this is that Kolo could easily have fit this role as well, and Barry could be doing a better job then what Garcia has done. But these are the cards we hold now.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Clearly you are losing the plot. Garcia is not shite, not at all. Demichelis however, should not be in this squad. He is old, slow and most importantly as an experienced player , does not boss the defense. Garcia is cool.

You think Garcia is good or even reasonable footballer? And you say I am the one losing the plot!

[zuricity]

You think Garcia is good or even reasonable footballer? And you say I am the one losing the plot!

Calm down, it was a little tongue in cheek, but he certainly isn't shite. Yes, i do detest that word, it is used as a cheap shot. We have a great squad of players all doing their best. Perhaps to dominate european football, that is still not enough.Clearly, none of our players could or should be described as 'shite', not at all.

[dazby]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Clearly you are losing the plot. Garcia is not shite, not at all. Demichelis however, should not be in this squad. He is old, slow and most importantly as an experienced player , does not boss the defense. Garcia is cool.

You think Garcia is good or even reasonable footballer? And you say I am the one losing the plot!

I'd say he's a very good footballer. Good enough to get paid to play. Good enough to get paid a lot of money to play. Good enough to have a very good second half for us against Bayern.

Is he worlds best? No.

Is he in the top 150 for his position in the world? Yeah, I'd go with that.

If I was the 150th best goalkeeper in the world I'd be doing pretty well. And I would be considered good or even reasonable.

Stop exaggerating.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Garcia is shite and Demichelis isn't much better. What's wrong with saying that? We are doing well DESPITE them rather than BECAUSE of them.

Clearly you are losing the plot. Garcia is not shite, not at all. Demichelis however, should not be in this squad. He is old, slow and most importantly as an experienced player , does not boss the defense. Garcia is cool.

You think Garcia is good or even reasonable footballer? And you say I am the one losing the plot!

I'd say he's a very good footballer. Good enough to get paid to play. Good enough to get paid a lot of money to play. Good enough to have a very good second half for us against Bayern.

Is he worlds best? No.

Is he in the top 150 for his position in the world? Yeah, I'd go with that.

If I was the 150th best goalkeeper in the world I'd be doing pretty well. And I would be considered good or even reasonable.

Stop exaggerating.

So being among 150 best defensive midfielders is "pretty good" when Manchester City is the context? Right, well, that would put you somewhere in Championship level. I wouldn't consider that "very good" or even "reasonable".

Stop being annoyingly positive and understanding. I know it's impossible for you though.....and probably the reason why I've always liked you.

You think Garcia is good or even reasonable footballer? And you say I am the one losing the plot!

Calm down, it was a little tongue in cheek, but he certainly isn't shite. Yes, i do detest that word, it is used as a cheap shot. We have a great squad of players all doing their best. Perhaps to dominate european football, that is still not enough.Clearly, none of our players could or should be described as 'shite', not at all.

I wasn't angry at all (I rarely am despite what people seem to think....Internet and all that).

We indeed have one of the best group of players in the world. Among them Garcia and imo to little bit lesser extent Demichelis stick out like a sore thumb. Would they be good enough Sunderland or Leeds. Yeah, sure they would. Would they be good enough for Bayern, Real, City or Barcelona? Nope.

[Nickyboy]

I constantly criticise Garcia and hate seeing him on the teamsheet ( I go into a bit of a melt down).

I think his only problem is his game is not suited to the premier league or the tempo we want to play. I'd imagine he'd shine in Spain or Italy as he did in Portugal. He just seems a yard to slow for the Prem and doesn't come across as if he'd like to 'rough' it.

I also think he was shat on by Pellegrini by being played at CB when even Stevie Wonder could see he was hopelessly out of his depth - no wonder his confidence looks shot.

IMO we should move him on (for the good of the club and his career) and I'd wish him well.