23 Aug 2015 18:51:23
Ratings:
Howard-7.5-Some great saves today, need to see the first goal again but he did well regardless of whether he messed up or not.
Coleman-7-Odd one this for me, while watching the game I was so annoyed with him as I thought Sterling was destroying him but when I really think about it, Sterling didn't get past him once, he just sort of went one way then the other. Would of liked to have seen more of him going forward.
Stones-7.5-Had Aguero pocketed and is so good on the ball, great watching him again.
Jagielka-7-Tried to get us going but he isn't vocal enough as a captain, great defender though and today he was typically solid.
Galloway-6-Feel sorry for the kid today for a few reasons, the main one being his injury, the second being Navas was clearly too quick for him but he did get a few good blocks in. The 3rd issue was Kone, I said before the game that Kone should not play for the simple reason that he cannot track back and offered no support for Galloway. The kid is going to be a star at Centre Back, for me he isn't good enough going forward and lacks the pace of say Oviedo or Baines. We may need Garbutt back asap or get Oviedo back in the team if he isn't injured. Galloway will be great though and our fans didn't help, I will get in to why in my rant below.
McCarthy-6.5-Ran and used the ball well but was bossed by Toure and Silva most of the game.
Barry-5.5-It is sad to see the decline of Gaz, he was absolutely brilliant in his first season and I actually voted for him as player of the year. His second season he played too much with Europe and all. Now he is simply too slow with his reactions and his passing. Falls over too much.
Barkley-6.5-Drove us forward when needed and did well when he had the ball, out fans though!.
Cleverley-8-I'm not going to lie, I was clapping til my hands were red when he went off. He's not a winger but despite being played out wide, he supported Coleman, even outpacing Sterling at one point which was just strange. He worked his arse off today, put in some great crosses too, was composed and barely lost it. Great today, not going to lie.
Kone-6-Had some great passages of play when he had the ball, kept it well but for someone being utilised as a winger, he didn't track back and that moment in the first half when he should of smashed it out but lost it. Would of been better as a sub, not the game for him today, I put that down to Martinez using him wrong more than Kone being bad, which he was to be fair.
Lukaku-6-Now let me make one thing perfectly clear, Romelu Lukaku is NOT going to win every header, we need to give him the ball early and let him run. He wants the ball at his feet and we hoof it which is mainly due to our fans again. He barely got a touch as no one was giving him it when he was the best option. He dropped deep at times to collect the ball and no one gave him it. He is best used when running at Defenders and NOT with his back to goal. If you want to use him as a bettering ram then you better have some quick wingers to pick up the pieces and keep the attack going. Instead we tried to use him as one when we had a Striker and Central Midfielder out wide and none of them are quick enough. Completely misused today.
Browning-7-Kept Navas quiet when he came on, isn't a Left Back clearly and still did well, another we will lose if our fans have their way.
Naismith-6.5-Came on and instantly outjumped Kompany, Naisy is a freak at jumping, his touch was good and we had a few moments but couldn't break them down.
Before all the Martinez out and moaning begins, try to remember that we have just been beaten by the BEST team in the League and did more against them then Chelsea and West Brom combined. I am of course disappointed but not angry, they are the best and will win the League. No shame being beat by the best.
Now let me get on to the biggest issue at the Club at the moment, not the results, performances or even transfers. It is our fans, now I don't mean everyone, I mean the people who do nothing but moan at the match. I had a really annoying rent a gob sat 2 rows behind me and he would not shut up from the 1st minute. His main issue was with Lukaku, he called him all the names under the sun (BUT NO RACISM JUST TO MAKE THAT CLEAR), his Scouse accent was thick as hell and his voice was so high pitched it was like his testicles had been cupped by the Hulk. Galloway was slaughtered all through his playing time, yes he was struggling, it dors not help him when people are calling him 'sh*t' and 'useless', he is a kid Centre Back put at Left Back due to injuries, you slagging him off does not help things, it only makes them worse. Barkley, I said to my Dad before the game I guarantee you Barkley will be abused by a lot of people after his first mistake. He lost the ball and instantly the abuse comes, 'boooooo' is all I could hear. He did well today and it will reach the point when none of them will want to play anymore. Browning was also booed by the silly 'supporters' who must of been expecting Roberto Carlos reborn, but no, he is a kid Centre Back being played at Left Back due to injuries like Galloway. There was a point in the second half when Coleman, Stones and Jagielka exchanged abtotal of 4 passes (which is hardly any) and the fans were booing. They boo to hoof it then boo when we lose it from the hoofball. There is no pleasing them, we have by far the most miserable and hate filled fan base in England in terms of abuse given to players and boo's for no reason. The Football today was not perfect but we played some nice stuff at times and still the boo boys are not happy. We were beaten by the best, there was 2 Evertonians in the Lower Bullens where I sit arguing about who is worse Osman or Barry which is beyond stupid. When I say arguing I mean full on swearing at each other and getting real personal, how pathetic. The last thing, on my way down the steps and out the ground there was a man punching the wall crying and calling Barry a horrible c u next tuesday. Do I even have to explain how stupid that is?. We were beaten by the better team and were far from awful, GET OVER IT. Now I am in no way having a go at anyone on this site, I mean the people who go the game and do nothing but scream and shout about how we are not winning every game 5-0.
On to what could of been improved, Kone on the wing was a mistake, Lukaku was used in the wrong way, we needed Kev or Doofy Loofy on a lot earlier than with 10 minutes to go. Seen us play better but seen us play far worse.
Hope the fan who was stretchered off is okay, have no idea what happened but something was wrong, hope he is okay.
Sorry for the rant, if you disagree then I understand and fair enough.
23 Aug 2015 19:19:18
Totally agree mate with all that, fair assessment on the players and also of the minority at the game. I sit upper bullens and have the same issue with some around me. We were beaten by a superior side on the day and there is no shame in that. I know I shouldn't say it being a blue but I always enjoy watching David Silva this fella is talented and sees a pass in seconds and always finds space. All in all disappointed we lost but can't fault the effort.
23 Aug 2015 19:34:02
Love David Silva mate, love watching Aguero and an in form Toure too. No shame in admitting it, Silva is, alongside Aguero, the best player in the League imo.
23 Aug 2015 19:51:24
Totally agree with what your saying about the fans. Can't understand why people shouting abuse think its beneficial in any way or to anyone. Prob just makes themselves feel better for some strange reason.
23 Aug 2015 20:26:52
Dont know where u sit Swan or what you were watching but Coleman was excellent today, taking on the City defence, its the best game he's had for a long time. And yes Sterling never got past him, only to pass to Kolorov to beat Howard at his near post. Coleman a 9/10 today easy.
23 Aug 2015 20:36:04
I want to know who has kidnapped Swan and replaced him with this new version! Spot on Swan, can't disagree with anything you say in your post mate. Although I will add that, at times, I believe booing is just a way of showing displeasure at the way the team is playing, fans pay enough cash to watch them. That said, it has to be aimed at the manager or team, not at an individual for making a bad pass etc
23 Aug 2015 20:52:32
People do pay plenty to watch the game and booing is part and parcel of the game but every game? In the first minute? Or the first thing a player does wrong? Players are going to make mistakes no matter how good they are, that's also part and parcel of the game. Can't see how targeting a player benefits anyone but I know what your saying spudv people have a right to voice their opinions
23 Aug 2015 22:06:14
NBTB, totally agree players will make mistakes during a game and it is ridiculous to boo them for that, without a doubt. But if it's aimed at the manager for bad tactics or the team, as a whole, for not puttin a shift in then I don't blame the crowd for voicing their displeasure. Since the team were booed off at h/t v Watford, we seem to be playing a lot better
23 Aug 2015 22:25:22
I am against booing in general for any sport but I can't argue with your last point. Your 100% right they are playing much better since boo's at half time with Watford
24 Aug 2015 00:06:35
For the first time ever (I think) I have to say well said Swan!!
24 Aug 2015 07:54:01
agree swan great post mate absolute disgrace booing are young players and others in the manner some of our fans are of late paying fans or not those small few who are guilty bunch of idiots nothin more