Player Ratings

[Alf Bentley]

Why are some giving Ricardo 6/7 and some giving him 2/3?

As someone who gave him 6.5, it is because some people are looking for a scapegoat and Ricardo's face fits because:

- Some of his performances have been a bit shaky (unsurprising as he's hardly played for a year)

- He's a continental-type keeper who sometimes punches

- He's an annoying foreigner who has frustrated England in the past

All he did wrong tonight was flap a couple of times. He also made several good saves (that Weale might not have made), was calm, and provided decent distribution.

Jury still out for me, but he's definitely improving. Even though Weale was very unlucky to lose his place, Ricardo is well worth the gamble as he has more potential, even if they're at a similar level just now (different strengths & weaknesses: decent reliability v. potential excellence)

[Haydos]

As someone who gave him 6.5, it is because some people are looking for a scapegoat and Ricardo's face fits because:

- Some of his performances have been a bit shaky (unsurprising as he's hardly played for a year)

- He's a continental-type keeper who sometimes punches

- He's an annoying foreigner who has frustrated England in the past

All he did wrong tonight was flap a couple of times. He also made several good saves (that Weale might not have made), was calm, and provided decent distribution.

Jury still out for me, but he's definitely improving. Even though Weale was very unlucky to lose his place, Ricardo is well worth the gamble as he has more potential, even if they're at a similar level just now (different strengths & weaknesses: decent reliability v. potential excellence)

From what I've seen of him and Weale, I couldn't say who was 'better'. A few points/issues:

1) I think I prefer Ricardo for his style of play.

2) I don't agree that Weale was dropped originally (That's a different issue) but with time and games I think Ricardo could become a good keeper for us.

3) Most who slate Ricardo now have done so from the first game.

4) I've not seen a single person today explain what Ricardo did wrong. It's either been 'he's wank' or a rating of 1.

[Adster]

so we have a Gallagher lover here do we?

Please do me a favor, i watched the whole 90 minutes i paid good money for my ticket so i am entitled to my opinion, if you don't like it lump it.

You were obviously not watching the game you were watching the ball. anybody that paid attention would of seen in the first half The passage of play....Oakley....to Yakubu / Vassel...to Berner and Berner crossed on many occasions because of that, were you the Anus sitting in front of me?

No 'we' don't. I'm just defending him because you rated him harshly. He did nothing wrong, never misplaced a pass once, considering he was playing in a position where he isn't normally played under Sven, in a diamond.

As for Oakley, one good passage of play does not merit him for all the mistakes he made, he's diabolical and we can't string passes together as his touch, and consistant misplacing of passes messes it up for us.

We can't properly play our passing football with him on the pitch, end of.

[Mack]

Needed to sleep on this one to not just write in dejection.

Ricardo 2. That's for the 2 saves. The rest of the team are petrified by his antics, and if he wants to play silly beggars with their strikers by dropping a shoulder he should play midfield!

Naughton 8. MOTM for us. Got the right hump after running his nuts off only for the rest of them to be standing still watching him.

Berner 4. Tried hard, has not got the legs to do the up and back shift Sven expects from his full backs. Yakubu was looking for the wide left out ball and he wasn't up with play.

Mee 4. His education and mistake making process is happening in our promotion push. You can clearly see he is going to become a quality player. I hope we reap the benefits in the future.

Bamba 5. Credit for trying to make things happen. His defensive frailties have been exposed in the last couple of games against high quality forwards.

Oakley 3. I dont understand why he has been picked recently in front of players like Gallagher. Not at the races. Needs to drop a division.

Wellens 6. Tried to get things going but too many around him were not pulling their weight.

King 5. Made some useful runs and tried, but it was just not happening.

Abe 3. On another planet for most of the game. Lost the ball on the edge of our area and couldn't be arsed to work for it back. Very disappointing.

Vassell 6. Ran and worked hard, it was a shame those around him could not be bothered to make runs to help his cause.

Yak 3. Inept. He never works for the team, but can show sublime ability that can make up for it at times. Just recently he's just looked like he'd rather be somewhere else.

Waghorn 4. No impact at all.

Dyer 4. No impact at all.

Gallagher 6. Should be starting. We need his drive and dead ball ability from the off.

Sven - I have huge respect for him, but cant see where he is going with the change in formation that sees Oakley as a passenger in the midfield. The keeper has cost us also, and those who say he does 'nothing wrong' need to understand his impact on the players around him as well as his own performance. All teams playing us now pump balls at him on high and reap the rewards.

[skinnydipper]

Ricardo - Man up. Needs to be more hardo

Naughton - One of the few who fought on

Mee - Gives pens away for free

Bamba - Was less of a lion and more of a lamba

Bruno Berner - Looked like a learner

Captain Matt - Useless twat

Richie Wellens - Played like a bellend

Andy King - Didn't do a thing

Yuki Abe - About as much use as a baby

Big man Yak - Total Kak

Frontman Darius - Was unable to carry us

[Bluefoxtim]

Needed to sleep on this one to not just write in dejection.

Ricardo 2. That's for the 2 saves. The rest of the team are petrified by his antics, and if he wants to play silly beggars with their strikers by dropping a shoulder he should play midfield!

Disagree with most of your ratings.

Ricardo's 'out-field' play has been a damn site better than Weale's offerings. Why just hoof the ball when you can keep possession? I didn't see his 'dropping a shoulder' lead to any problems?

[Fox92]

Ricardo - 6 - Free header, penalty (nearly saved), deflection. Don't think he could of done anything but everyone flipped about 3rd goal - couldn't tell from the Kop

Naughton - 7

Bamba - 3 - At fault for third goal. Came forward, got caught out of position then turned.

Mee - 4

Berner - 2 - No pace.

Abe - 5

King - 2 - Nothing again. Everton can have him for £6million or whatever price was talked about.

Wellens - 7 - Grts stuck in whatever the game.

Oakley - 1

Yakubu - 2 - Don't move. At fault for first goal.

Vassell - 5 - Why was he taken off again?

_________________

Only Wellens, Abe, Naughton, Vassell & Mee looked good. Everyone else can go.

[TheUltimateWinner]

Ricardo 6.75 - Did nothing wrong, Penalty nearly saved, Made Cracking Saves & Last goal was a deflection as he would have it coverd. Why Do People Shout Weale? He looked distroyed when he let the goals in and people chanted weale. HE IS A HUMAN GET OFF HIS BACK FFS.

Naughton 7 - Star Performer, True blue.

Bamba 5 - Not who he was, Defence is shambles

Mee 5.5 - Apart from the penalty & Deflection, Was okay at times.

Berner 4.5 - Can see why he isnt in sven's plans now.

Abe 6.75 - Closing down, Saving our ass. SHOOT PLEASE ABE then you will be our god.

Oakley 2 - Taxi. Guy is shocking.

King 3 - Who? Was he at the game?

Wellens 6.5 - Goad goal, Good Closing down.

Yakubu 2 - Lazy Peice of poo.

Vassell 6.75 - Running around, Actually caring about the scoreline and the game. Does well IMO

Subs:

Dyer N/A - Did nothing

Gallagher 6.5 - Start next game please.

Waghorn 5 - Did nothing, Bit more than dyer

[Mack]

Disagree with most of your ratings.

Ricardo's 'out-field' play has been a damn site better than Weale's offerings. Why just hoof the ball when you can keep possession? I didn't see his 'dropping a shoulder' lead to any problems?

That is more from luck that judgment. In my opinion a team starts with a keeper. A good, solid, no frills, dependable rock that fills everyone else with confidence.

Ricardo however is a complete head ****.

What else is there to disagree with in my ratings? You think the Yak had a blinder? Or maybe you think Naughton was shit? Maybe you were listening to the dog shit on Radio Leicester than actually watching the game? Or maybe you are one of those who spends more time going up and down the stairs for a waz after 8 pre match pints??

[SMX11]

Ricardo: 5- Didn't do a lot wrong tbh. Thought his goal kicks were poor though at times.

Naughton: 7- Only person with any desire

Bamba: 5- Worst performance in city shirt

Mee: 4- seemed unlucky with the peno but it is another one that he has conceded -1.

Berner: 4- Too slow and not good enough on the ball.

Abe: 7- Had a good game, good composure.

Oakley: 3- Why are you still at the club?

Wellens: 6- +1 for the goal, never really came alive.

King: 4- Anon

Vassell: 6- reasonable game

Yakubu: 3- He was all over the place except up front and -1 for disgraceful marking.

The subs weren't worth mentioning.

Sven: 3- formation was wrong and refused to change it.

Our fans: 1- "Weale" chants were disgraceful and embarassing.

Their fans: 4- They were pretty rubbish as well tbh, a lot of them yes but not very vocal until the end.

[artursteppe]

We were OK up to their first goal Oakley lost possession and a corner resulted where Yukubu made no effort to mark the scorer.

Oakley has been slated for that, but how many times did other players lose the ball in a similar way? ( including King Wellens and Yuki ).

Everyone on the pitch ( rightly or wrongly ) seemed really pissed off with each other, especially with Yukubu, and we fell apart. This showed itself in different ways, some players tried too hard some gave up. They were a team we weren't!

Andy King has been poor for a number of games.

Either Gallagher or King should play the forward central midfield role ( whichever is in the better form ), the other one on the bench.

Bruno crossed three balls in the first half that should have been goals - Wellens scored, Yukubu and King should have - then he got tired through lack of match practice.

Abe is a good footballer and so is Wellens when he wants to be - neither of them, or Oakley or King can do the defensive midfield role the way it is needed in this league, and to just have two of them with two widemen would be suicide in a 4-4-2 formation.

If we are to play 4-3-3 King must be left out, with Bruma, Abe and Wellens forming the three in midfield with a selection of Vassell, Gallagher, Dyer, Yukubu, Waghorn and Schlup forming the front three.

Otherwise 5-3-2 with Abe, Wellens and King in midfield with two strikers.

As for ratings against Norwich - irrelevant!

[m00nie]

Ricardo 2. That's for the 2 saves. The rest of the team are petrified by his antics, and if he wants to play silly beggars with their strikers by dropping a shoulder he should play midfield!

the rest of his team are not petrified at all... as someone pointed out even wellens was backing i last night telling the kop to sssh

his dropping the shoulders etc is the reason why sven wants him in the team rather than weale. he wants a gk who can play from the back with the ball rather than a hoof up field and lose possesion.

ricardo is comfortable on the ball like this , he often gets back pases, you think this would be the case if the team was petrified of him? he is always looking to release to start the attack properly also..

too many people trying to use "the team" have no confidence in him as a justifiable excuse for slating him...

[Bluefoxtim]

That is more from luck that judgment. In my opinion a team starts with a keeper. A good, solid, no frills, dependable rock that fills everyone else with confidence.

Ricardo however is a complete head ****.

What else is there to disagree with in my ratings? You think the Yak had a blinder? Or maybe you think Naughton was shit? Maybe you were listening to the dog shit on Radio Leicester than actually watching the game? Or maybe you are one of those who spends more time going up and down the stairs for a waz after 8 pre match pints??

No, I've had a season ticket for the past 13 years and I'll be there on Saturday.

[Ash]

Ricardo - 4 - Stop trying all these stupid passes and flicks. Worry about catching the ball instead of punching it all the time!

Naughton - 6 - Played well but got pegged back by Norwich's wide men

Bamba - 5 - Not his normal self

Mee - 6 - Didnt do much wrong apart from the penalty

Berner - 5 - Lacking match practice, Offers nothing going forward

Wellens - 6 - Average game, Looking for that killer pass to often

King - 3 - Did he even play?

Abe - 7 - Worked hard and good composer

Oakley - 4 - Losing the ball constantly, Offers nothing, Doesnt seem to have that fighting spirit that a Captain should have

Yakubu - 4 - Worse game in a City shirt, Lazy and rubbish passing and finishing

Vassell - 5 - Worked hard 1st half, did nothing 2nd half

Subs

Waghorn - 5 - Did nothing

Dyer - 5 - Did nothing, We need to play to his strengths, needs it down the channels to run at players!

Gallagher - 6 - Good freekick

[Mack]

No, I've had a season ticket for the past 13 years and I'll be there on Saturday.

Then please explain what I have got so wrong.

would love to hear your opinion..

[Karljohn]

Ricardo 4 Like Zelko Kalac on Acid.

Naughton - 7.5 - ran his balls off, only one to come away with any credit.

Bamba -.4.5 - Looked every bit a 250k defender, come on Sol you can do better.

Mee - 4 - When he has a bad one, its a bad one.

Berner - 4 - Some lovely crosses in first half but faded badly.

Abe - 5 - Busy but an absolute lightweight

King - 4 - Recent performances should put Everton off the scent

Wellens - 5.5 - The player of the month curse, not been the same since the award.

Oakley - 4 - what is the point of him?

Yakubu - 2 - Disgraceful, Im no Howard fan but at least big Steve makes things happen, big time charlie who's on his arse.

Vassell - 4.5 - Full of running, no end product, question mark over his attitude.

Gallagher - 6 - Lovely free kick, livened up a little once introduced.

Waghorn - 4.5 - Forward not backwards please Waggy,

Dyer - 4.5 - See Waghorn.

Sven - 4 - Grave doubts as to whether he understands championship football, certainly seems slow to change things around when we are up against it, and potentially faces being stuck in no mans land with a bunch of pissed of players, weale, hobbs etc and a stack of loanees returning to parent clubs in the summer.

[okie fox]

Ricardo -5- Every corner is an adventure

Naughton -7- Our best player

Bamba -5- Looked vulnerable, got beat for the third goal

Mee -5- If you leave your feet in box, expect opponent to fall over you. Otherwise OK

Berner -6- Got in some good crosses in first half, tired in second half

Abe -6- Worked hard, did his job

King -5- Little impact on game

Wellens -6- Injured in first minute, carried on but not at his best. Misplaced some passes, but did well with goal

Oakley -4- Lacks pace so game passed him by

Yakubu -3- Complete passenger, at fault for their first goal. Schlupp on £2 a week would have run harder, jumped higher, shot harder, & couldn't have been any worse.

Vassell -5- One or two good runs, which didn't produce anything

Subs:

Waghorn -5- No threat

Gallagher -6- Misplaced a couple of passes but provided some creativity. Should have started

Dyer -6- Injected some pace into the side, but not given much time on the field

Norwich -- Much the better team. Much quicker to loose balls, out-passed us. Hoolahan MOM

Lambert -- Got the tactics spot on

[Simmo86]

Ricardo - 4 - Stop trying all these stupid passes and flicks. Worry about catching the ball instead of punching it all the time!

Naughton - 6 - Played well but got pegged back by Norwich's wide men

Bamba - 5 - Not his normal self

Mee - 6 - Didnt do much wrong apart from the penalty

Berner - 5 - Lacking match practice, Offers nothing going forward

Wellens - 6 - Average game, Looking for that killer pass to often

King - 3 - Did he even play?

Abe - 7 - Worked hard and good composer

Oakley - 4 - Losing the ball constantly, Offers nothing, Doesnt seem to have that fighting spirit that a Captain should have

Yakubu - 4 - Worse game in a City shirt, Lazy and rubbish passing and finishing

Vassell - 5 - Worked hard 1st half, did nothing 2nd half

Subs

Waghorn - 5 - Did nothing

Dyer - 5 - Did nothing, We need to play to his strengths, needs it down the channels to run at players!

Gallagher - 6 - Good freekick

Better than Mozart?

[Trav Le Bleu]

Ricardo - 7 - Can't believe all the people having a go at him. Not at fault for any of the goals and given the stick he was getting FROM HIS OWN "supporters" <_< I think he did a fair job.

Naughton - 7 - Ran and ran. When he made mistakes (and he made a few) he got back and tried to correct them. Has lost confidence in his teammates I feel and not just Ricardo.

Bamba - 6- Was constantly bickering and moaning at others. Ok, you're the senior defender, but you need to take a look at yourself tonight.

Mee - 6 - Anonymous in a way that only Andy King could better (see below)

Berner - 6 - Tried hard, but the age is showing.

Abe - 7 - Like Naughton, was willing to move about, even if it was to little effect.

King - 5 - I think he was playing and sure that he touched the ball a few times. I really think he needs the right people around him as he plays off others rather than creating his own game. (That doesn't make sense, but I know what I mean! )

Oakley - 4 - If he never plays another game for us, I will not shed a tear.

Wellens - 6 - Fair first half, second half seemed to let his head go down.

Vassell - 7 - Seemed the more likely to score and like Abe and Naughton was at least getting into space and chasing balls down. Not sure why he was subbed over Yakubu.

Yakubu - 5 - Poor and disinterested. I understand that that's how he's always played, but it was not what was needed last night.

Subs: seemed to make a difference for the last few minutes, but too little too late and maybe the wrong players came off (with the exception of Oakley)

[dannythefox]

Ricardo 5.9

Naughton 6.5

Bamba 7

Mee 7.7

Burner 6

Wellens 6

Abe 6.2

King 6

Oakley 5.8

Vassell 6.8

Yakubu 6.3

Subs

Waggy 6.8

Gally 7.4

Dyer 6

[C.J]

Ricardo 6.5 Didnt really have a chance with the pen (which he wasn't far off) or the 3rd. I like his distribution.

Naughton 7.0 Plenty of energy, our MOTM

Bamba 5.5 Average

Mee 6 Didn't need to make the challenge, should of shown him out

Berner 4 Lack of games showed

Wellens 5 Not his usual self, that knock in the first min must of took its toll

Abe 6.5 Did the most work in the midfield, was everywhere in the 1st half, faded slightly in the 2nd.

King 4.5 Went missing again, had one efort in the first half. If he goes Everton he can't afford to have any of those games

Oakley 3.5 i think this will be his last season

Vassell 6 Going through abit of a lean spell atm, partnership with the Yak didn't work at all

Yakubu 3 You can afford to be lazy in the prem and get away with it, but not in the championship with the pace of the game. 40k a week, He should give most of it back!

Subs

Waggy 5 No real impact

Gally 6.5 Good Goal

Dyer 4 No real impact

What happened to Bruma?