FA Cup: Cityzens lose to Lactics

Ok so there are a number of issues that we could talk about following Manchester City’s defeat against Wigan on Monday night. There is talk of weak refereeing, in which Mr Taylor seemed to change his mind after being bumped and shouted at by Wigan players.

There was the altercation tunnel and finally, there are the ugly scenes after the final whistle, which are currently being investigated. Some of those arguments will be used as reasons City lost that game. While they were decisions against the Blues, the truth behind the loss is much closer to home.

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I will be looking into the different angles of the game in the near future. I will look at the red card decision, the altercation and pitch invasion separately. The reason for that is that, although noteworthy, I do not want to hold them up as reasons for defeat.

Here are my player ratings for yesterday, and it may be grim reading for some.

Bravo – 5.

Harsh on the guy because he really wasn’t too much to blame for the goal. Maybe you could question his positioning, but that would be all. The finish was clinical and all they needed.

Danilo – 4.

Poor from the first to the final whistle. Always looks like he could do something special, then plays it inside. The only reason I marked him up slightly is because of the contributions he made in attack. A few decent shots, but nothing to trouble the keeper.

Stones – 3.

What has happened to this guy. Immense at the beginning of the season, it now looks like he has fallen further behind. Even by last seasons standards his performance last night would be considered poor.

Laporte – 4.

Slightly better than Sones, but nowhere near the guy we saw on his debut. Pitch maybe not to his liking, maybe the game was too physical? I think he gets a little more slack just because he is new to the English game.

Delph – 2.

What on earth was he doing? After all the praise he’d been getting, and with all the highlighting of poor tackles, he goes in studs up. Deserved the red card, albeit initially he was going to get the yellow.

No need for a tackle like that in that part of the pitch, with half time arriving…ever.

Fernandinho – 6.

Not up to his usual standard, but there again everyone around him was off. Had a few efforts but nothing to trouble the Wigan keeper, who we made look world-class.

Silva – 5.

Again, not his better performances. Mind elsewhere? Didn’t want to deal with the pitch or competition? Not sure, but was more Ron Weasley (for younger readers, or Mr Majeka for older) than Merlin.

Gundogan – 6.

Again, not his best performance but you could see a desire from him. Getting forward and dispatching the occasional shot. Again, didn’t really test Walton to any great level.

Sane – 5.

Sacrificed at the half for Walker. Considering what Walker did maybe we should have just slotted Danilo as a third CB and left Sane on. Again, he wasn’t quite up to speed but did have the beating of the defenders when running at them.

Bernardo – 6.

Good foot control yet again but had no outlet forward. Provided a few good balls into the box but nothing that City players got onto. Got the rating because of his continuous effort level.

Aguero – 4.

Had that one golden opportunity, and hit it straight at the keeper. I wondered, in my pre match analysis, whether Pep would not play Aguero. On reflection, I’m not sure he did.

Next: FA Cup: Wigan (A)

Walker (sub on 45) – 3.

When Walker came on I was excited. At last, pace down the right. But we didn’t get that at all. Poor performance rounded off by a mistake that, no matter how many times I watch, cannot see what he was trying to do.

De Bruyne (sub on 65) – 6.

Looked good when he came on and got frustrated with Danilo at one point, which isn’t uncommon. A few testing balls in the box but no one gambled.

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