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So, with the season having ended with the mighty Blues finishing in tenth place, it seems the right time to review the performances over the whole campaign of the players. Please remember that these are only my opinions so if you disagree at all with any ofthem, then please add your comments at the bottom of the page.GoalkeepersShay Given 21 total appearances (0 substitute appearances), 1 yellow card, 0 red cards, 0 goalsSigned in January from relegated Newcastle, Given proved to be an outstanding acquisition, making numerous match-winning saves and showing the authority needed for a Premier League keeper. Although short in stature, he is not short in confidence and organises his defence very well. If there is one weakne s, it is his command of the box at set-pieces and cro ses, but this is not a huge worry and most Blues supporters seem delighted with Shay. He could have easily been a contender for player of the season had he been around for the whole campaign. Rating out of ten = 9Joe Hart 33 (0), 0, 0, 0Started the season as first choice and coped admirably for such a young goalkeeper in the top flight. Made rapid strides of improvement from last season and looks to have the potential to be Blake Comeau Women Jersey Englands future number one. Lacks presence and authority, but more than makes up for that with his undoubted shot-stopping Patrick Roy Men Jersey ability. Was unlucky to lose his place when Given arrived, but will benefit from going out on loan next season. Rating out of ten = 7.5Kasper Schmeichel 2 (1), 0, 0, 0On the fringes of the first team squad throughout the season, making only two starts, both in cup competitions, and only making one Premier League appearance, coming off the bench away at Hull to replace the injured Joe Hart. Looks out of his depth at the top level and with opportunities likely to be limited again next season, will probably be on his way out of the club this summer. Rating out of ten = 5DefendersVedran Corluka 6 (0), 1, 0, 1The Croatian international departed from City to Tottenham at the end of the transfer window, having played six times for the Blues in the season. He scored a vital match-winning penalty in the UEFA Cup, but had his heart set on a transfer away from Manchester. Rating out of ten = 5Micah Richards 43 (1), 5, 0, 1A hugely disappointing season for the England international. It started at centre-back but his partnership with Richard Dunne, which was so effective last season, failed to hit the ground running and it was po sibly Richardss deficiencies which unsettled the Irish defender. He was moved to right-back partway through the campaign but his poor form continued, and it was only towards the end of the season when he looked to be returning to his best. Very powerful and quick, he lacks any sort of positional sense, so can get worked over by any half-decent winger. Good going forward, but needs to work on his finishing, whilst needs to learn how to get back quickly, rather than amble as is his wont. Rating out of ten = 6Pablo Zabaleta 37 (1), Andre Burakovsky Jersey 5, 1, 1A ma sively succe sful first season in English football for the Argentinean defender turned midfielder. Signed from Spanish side Espanyol in the summer and settled into the right-back slot with consummate ease. With fantastic energy and commitment, his whole-hearted displays endeared him to the City faithful. Was sent off against Liverpool for a reckle s challenge on Xabi Alonso but learned, as the season progre sed, to curb his tendencies to lunge into tackles. After he was moved into central midfield in the second half of the season, he scored a spectacular goal, his first for the club, against Wigan. Will look to return to the right-back slot for next season. Finished second in theplayer of the season competition.Rating out of ten = 9Shaleum Logan 1 (0), 0, 0, 0The youngster, much of whom was expected at the start of the campaign, made only one league appearance for the team, against Portsmouth in February when City were suffering from injuries. Logan is another who will probably be on his way out of the club this summer. Rating out of ten= 5Tal Ben-Haim 14 (1), 4, 0, 0Israeli international Tal Ben-Haim was signed in the summer when it looked as if they would be no funds available to Mark Hughes. He started reasonably well against AC Milan in a pre-season friendly, but his City career failed to get off the ground after a succe sion of poor performances. A horrendous mistake against Hull, gifting Daniel Cousin a simple goal, summed up his season, whilst his performance away at Racing Santander was nothing short of abysmal. He was sent on his way to Sunderland on loan in the January transfer window, Mikko Rantanen Jersey but he failed to have an impact there, playing on irregular occasions. Has been linked with Blackburn and it would be a huge surprise, as well as a ma sive disappointment, if he were to play in a City shirt again. Rating out of ten = 3Richard Dunne 40 (0), 6, 2, 1By his usual high standards, this was a below-par season for the likeable Irishman. He won the clubs player of the year award for a record four consecutive seasons, but his form dropped away this time around. After a shaky start partnering Micah Richards, he seemed to lose all confidence and a couple of red cards confirmed this, but after returning from the second of those sending-offs, he looked to have regained his authority, turning in a series of superb performances. Alongside Nedum Onuoha at the end of the season, he was back to his best, but it remains to be seen whether he will be at the club for the start of next season. Rating out of ten = 7Nedum Onuoha 20 (3), 1, 0, 2The injury-prone defenderwas sidelined for the fist part of this campaign, but after recovering from a succe sion of niggling setbacks, he took his place at the heart of the defence and looked as solid as a rock. Has displayed huge potential for a while now, but this was his first proper run into the side. Partnering Richard Dunne, he impre sed immensely, with some pundits even calling for his inclusion to the England squad. His positional play and ability to read the game, along with his undoubted pace and Andre Burakovsky Women Jersey power,make him a formidable opponent and it is hoped that he can stay fit and cement his place in the side for the start of next season. Rating out of ten = 8Javier Garrido 17 (4), 2, 0, 1The Spanish left-back was forced to make way for Wayne Bridge towards the end |
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发表于 2023-5-31 18:37:41