City suffer from the Britannia blues
Pellegrini’s men continued their rotten record at the Britannia Stadium in a barely watchable bore draw on Saturday afternoon.
Álvaro Negredo, Jack Rodwell, Aleksander Kolarov, James Milner and Stevan Jovetić all made starts in a new look side, but were ultimately useless in a performance many City fans will want to forget.
The Blues started promisingly and enjoyed long spells of possession, however, the Potters had a purpose about their play and looked the more likely team to score. Jonathan Walters squandered a number of chances to put his side in front and Joe Hart was on top form to deny Kenwyne Jones. Jovetić came close with a speculative volley, but goalscoring opportunities were limited.
City’s defensive injury trouble stuck out like a sore thumb and a Javi García – Matija Nastasić central defensive partnership looked about as steady as a canoe riding a tidal wave. Kolarov failed to build on his impressive international form and the Blues never looked like troubling the home side.
A dismal and lethargic performance saw City’s Britannia blues continue and will see Match Of The Day’s viewer count significantly reduced this evening, especially from the blue half of Manchester.
The omens look rather dreary in the build up to Sunday’s Manchester derby and Pellegrini has a lot of work to do if he is to win over a frustrated fan base.
Next stop Plzen. Let’s hope it’s paradise and not more pain.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 7
Made a number of crucial saves to prevent Stoke grabbing a deserved victory.
Pablo Zabaleta 6Didn't do much wrong but wasn't able to assist the midfield with the forward runs he usually makes.
Matija Nastasic 6
An unsteady performance. Kompany's presence definitely helps the young Serbian.
Javi Garcia 6
Pablo Zabaleta 6Didn't do much wrong but wasn't able to assist the midfield with the forward runs he usually makes. Matija Nastasic 6An unsteady performance. Kompany's presence definitely helps the young Serbian.
Javi Garcia 6
Not a position he is likely to hold down and looked uncomfortable once again.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5
A fairly steady performance in which he did nothing wrong, but nothing significant either.
James Milner 6
Unable to find Negredo with a number of failed crosses.
Jack Rodwell 6
Great to see him in the side but wasn't able to affect the game in any way. Showed his defensive capabilities and could be a better option than Garcia in the centre of defence.
Yaya Toure 6
Played too deep, no influence.
Samir Nasri 5
Almost gifted Jones a goal and typically faded out of the game.
Stevan Jovetic 5.5
Looked unsure positionally, but it will take time for the new signing to gel into the side. Showed flickers of class and more game time will obviously help him.
Alvaro Negredo 6.5
Had to work with scraps but troubled Stoke's defense to the best of his abilities.
James Milner 6Unable to find Negredo with a number of failed crosses.
Jack Rodwell 6Great to see him in the side but wasn't able to affect the game in any way. Showed his defensive capabilities and could be a better option than Garcia in the centre of defence.
Yaya Toure 6Played too deep, no influence.
Samir Nasri 5Almost gifted Jones a goal and typically faded out of the game.
Stevan Jovetic 5.5Looked unsure positionally, but it will take time for the new signing to gel into the side. Showed flickers of class and more game time will obviously help him.
Alvaro Negredo 6.5Had to work with scraps but troubled Stoke's defense to the best of his abilities.
