20/01/07: City 0 Blackburn 3Updated: October 3rd, 2007

A poor performance and an awful result, but given the weakness of our squad sudden reverses like these are always likely. All it took was the loss of Barton and an energy-sapping midweek FA Cup tie to make us look very ordinary indeed.

Pearce’s “dogs of war” style may have pulled off a string of vital victories, but when you lack any cutting edge in attack there are only so many times you can bludgeon your opponent to death with the shield.

The frustrating thing is that with a few astute signings we could have a pretty useful side. Half our team is top-six material. It’s just a shame that the other half is pure relegation fodder.

So from now on I’m going to put my thumb over the bottom half of the teamsheet each matchday and imagine what a great side we might have if we had players of skill and creativity to build on the defensive rockbed of Dunne, Distin, Richards, Onuoha and Barton.

With just one week left in the transfer window, a replacement for Thatcher is probably all we can now expect. But we live in hope.

~ Pearce’s post-match interview
~ Rtfract photos; Getty Images
~ Latest Premiership table

Match stats

The stats (below) are compiled from the live commentary and differ slightly from Sky’s stats here:

Match reports

Pedersen takes wing to keep Rovers climbing (Independent)
“When we got into the top half of the table this time last year we stayed there and qualified for the Uefa Cup. I feel we are on course to do it again,” Mark Hughes said. City’s manager, Stuart Pearce, probably had something similar in mind for his team when the season began, but even though they are only a point worse off than Blackburn they look significantly under-resourced, particularly in attack.

Rovers shrug off Neill’s departure (S Telegraph)
The loss of an inspirational captain would normally leave a team deflated but this Blackburn side shrugged off the departure of Lucas Neill with style, turning in a performance of guile and aggression to condemn Manchester City to a first defeat in seven. The loss of the rugged Australian to West Ham will clearly not diminish Blackburn’s thirst for combat: this was a powerful, convincing victory.

Pedersen in his pomp (Observer)
Stuart Pearce’s decision to play five at the back led to a stifling first half, although Micah Richards’ header from a corner was scrambled off the line by David Bentley, who may have handled.

Pedersen sets Rovers rolling (S Times)
Manchester City supporters got a glimpse of what the future would be like without Joey Barton on Saturday and it was not a pretty sight.

Man City 0 Blackburn 3 (The People)
Pearce realised the error of his ways by bringing on two subs at half-time and going to a 4-4-2 formation.

Man City 0 Blackburn 3 (Sunday Mirror)
Morton Gamst Pedersen took Blackburn above Manchester City in the Premiership with two stunning goals at Eastlands.

Player ratings

Sinclair’s lowest ever rating of 3.8, Jordan’s 3.6 (his second lowest rating) and Corradi’s 3.5 are a pretty clear indicator of who our weak links are right now.

Ratings come from (in order): Grob, blue man dan, bluemoon, (Mancityfans), marcusb, blue tones, (Citymancs), H (Wookie’s Lair), Richard Tucker (rtfract), Sunday Times, Sunday Mirror, Sky and Sky Your Rating.

Weaver: 6, 7, 5, 6, 4, 4, 6, 5, 5, 8, 5.4 (av: 5.6)
Don’t like seeing keepers get beaten on their near post like Weaves did for the free kick. 3 shots 3 goals. People used to hammer James on here for stats like that. (Grob)
Couldn’t do anything about 3 world class finishes. (blue man dan)
3 shots and 3 goals says it all, about time Issakson got a chance. Weaver has made some good saves this season and kept us in games, but his command of the area when crosses come in, is awful as we’ve seen time and time again. (bluemoon)
Poor performance, too many punches that should have been caught and arguably could have saved the third goal. Looked unusually wobbly at times. (H)

Richards: 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6.5, 5, 6, 6, 6.1 (av: 6.6)
His foul set up the free-kick, but at least he cares. Great defensivly, great offensivly. A fine player. (Grob)
Incredible, created a great cross from a nothing ball, defended well , my motm. (blue man dan)
Only player on the pitch who gave his all throughout the game and also made the only surging run in the 1st half for us! (bluemoon)
Did OK without really shining. Problems particularly in first half playing with Trabelsi and Sinclair, which meant he didn’t get forward enough when needed. (H)

Dunne: 7, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 5, 5.6 (av: 6.2)
Didn’t really have a lot to do or do anything wrong which looks strange when you have lost 3-0. (Grob)
Normal day in the office for Dunne. (blue man dan)
Solid generally, but passing let him down at times. (bluemoon)
Solid and dependable. (H)

Distin: 7, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5.7 (av: 6.3)
Same as Dunney, and he contributed well by getting forward in the second half. (Grob)
Normal day in the office. (blue man dan)
Solid, didn’t do much wrong really. (bluemoon)
See Dunne! Had to cover constantly for Jordan’s errors. If Onouha is fit for next Saturday, Distin must play LWB. (H)

Trabelsi (Miller 75): 5, 5, 5, 2, 5, 4, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4.7 (av: 4.4)
Below par. Asleep for the first goal, although the ball in was fantastic. Not much of a threat going forward. Poor crossing. Looked a player nowhere near full fitness. (Grob)
Unfit which wasnt his fault. Big fuck up for the first goal. (blue man dan)
Worst performance in a City shirt, I’ll put it down to lack of fitness. Passing was piss poor and should’ve been much tighter on Pedersen for their first goal. (bluemoon)
His worst game for us yet, by a long way. Clearly not fit yet but I suppose the run-out will help to get him fit for the next game. (H)

Sinclair (Beasley 46): 3, 4, 3, 3, 5, 0, 5, 4, 4, 6, 4.6 (av: 3.8)
Out of his depth. He’s got to go. It’s sad but he is no longer up to Premiership standard. (Grob)
League 1 material now I’m afraid. (blue man dan)
Hate to say it, but he’s lost it and doesn’t have what it takes anymore. Awful game yet again, time to hang up the boots Trev. (bluemoon)
Didn’t turn up. I thought there might be a chance of turning him in to a central midfielder. I was wrong. I like him but this was probably his worst game for us yet. Sorry Trevor but the time has come for you to drop down a division and move on. (H)

Ireland: 7, 5, 7, 5, 7, 7, 7.5, 4, 5, 5, 5.3 (av: 5.9)
Worked hard, nice passing, looked lively and dangerous. A plus point. (Grob)
Not impressed today. Cost us A LOT in the box today, perhaps even the game. (blue man dan)
Great passing, vision and awareness. Impressed yet again. (bluemoon)
Looking better every game. Has helped to improve Vassell’s game tremendously, as he understands how to give him the right kind of service.
Worked hard and combined well with Ireland. Unlucky not to score at least twice. Absolutely no understanding or partnership however with Corradi. (H)

Dabo: 5, 4.5, 5, 3, 6, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4.7 (av: 4.7)
Outclassed by Tuguy and out hustled by Savage. Missed Barton like he would miss having a hole in his arse. Passing was hit and miss once again but at least he put himslef about in vain. (Grob)
Who? (blue man dan)
Looked lost today, let himself down with his passing, which was abysmal at times. (bluemoon)
I thought he did OK but obviously at fault for the second goal. He is essential to the 3-5-2 formation but the lack of Barton meant we played 3-4-2 in the first half and 4-4-2 in the second so he had to do more and go further forward than normal, which did not suit his strengths. (H)

Jordan: 3, 2, 2, 4, 4, 2, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4.2 (av: 3.6)
Too slow, can’t pass, can’t defend, can’t cross, can’t run, can barely tackle. He was as bad here as he was at Wigan. We need a left back pronto and if one doesnt appear, blood Williamson because this guy is a fucking joke. (Grob)
Worst defending I have seen since I was in school. (blue man dan)
Wank as ever. Not good. (bluemoon)
Clearly targeted as our weak link. Needs time out to get fitter, quicker and stronger. If he can’t do that, sell him in the summer. (H)

Vassell: 7.5, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7.5, 7, 5, 7, 6.6 (av: 6.7)
Missed a golden oppotunity but ran hard, was a threat and didnt deserve to be on the losing side. (Grob)
Worked his balls off, good instinct shot but Friedel was on fire today…. (blue man dan)
Does everything else right, but shooting constantly lets him down. Needs to spend the week on shooting practice! (bluemoon)
Worked hard and combined well with Ireland. Unlucky not to score at least twice. Absolutely no understanding or partnership however with Corradi. (H)

Corradi (Samaras 46): 3, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3, 5.5, 5, 4, 5, 4.3 (av: 3.5)
A waste of time, space and energy. Get rid. Please get rid of him Stuart. He’s fucking hopeless. (Grob)
My lowest ever rating. It would have been 0 but he didn’t score any own goals or get sent off. (blue man dan)
Foooking useless again, may as well have been playing with 10 men from the start. Had high hopes for him after the first couple of performances, but let’s face it, he’s shit and will never succeed for us. (bluemoon)
Looked lost and uncomfortable. Offers no threat in front of goal and showed no signs of working out how to play alongside Vassell. (H)

Subs:

Samaras (Corradi 46): 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 6, 6, - , 5, 6, 6.0 (av: 6.1)
Infinitely more effective than Corradi. Didnt get much luck but deserves to be treated better than he is by Pearce. Playing second fiddle to Corradi is taking the piss. (Grob)
Played really well, very pleased, took a ball down well and was unlucky not to score. MUST start. (blue man dan)
Looked threatening whenever he got the ball, SP is putting great talent to waste and having Corradi start before him, can’t be doing the poor lads confidence any good. (bluemoon)
A huge improvement on Corradi but was a bit too selfish at times, running in to brick walls when he should have been looking to pass to Vassell or a midfielder. (H)

Beasley (Sinclair 46): 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 6, - , 5, 6, 6.2 (av: 6.4)
Lively, direct and NEEDS TO BE IN THE FUCKING SIDE (Grob)
What Grob said…. “Lively, direct and NEEDS TO BE IN THE FUCKING SIDE” (blue man dan)
How the fuck does he not start, only player who looks like he can take players on and cross the ball in at the moment. Must start in the next game! (bluemoon)
Looked lively and effective, causing their full-back constant problems. If we don’t get a new LWB signed this week, we must revert back to 4-4-2 and play him. (H)

Miller (Trabelsi 75 ): 5, 5.5, 6, 5, 6, 6, 6, - , - , 6, 4.9 (av: 5.6)
So Miller’s now a right winger eh. Pearce you are clueless. (Grob)
Out of position. Manager has no idea what the fuck to do with his players. (blue man dan)
Yet another player wasted, Pearce get your head out your fucking arse! (bluemoon)
Should have had a longer run-out as he clearly offered a threat and frightened their defenders. (H)

Subs not used:
Isaksson, Johnson