If Russia is a metaphor for injury then we’re starting to look rather like Georgia!

By: Martyn | August 27th, 2008

Well… we made it through to Round 3 of the Naff Fizzy Tasteless Lager Cup. And that’s a ruddy positive! As with everything in life though, there came a price. A mightily impressive looking Tony Capaldi limped off in the first half, followed by Darcy Blake. Even worse, Riccy Scimeca was the victim of a horrific challenge that saw him stretchered off in an almost lifeless state. It was very gulp-inducing and crowd-hushing indeed, and although I am now truly concerned about our midfield options with Gavin Rae out also, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness for Scimeca. A true pro, I’ll be amazed if he can salvage his career after what seemed like a certain ankle break. Best of luck though Riccy, and here’s hoping you get better soon son!

History will go on to show the 2-1 victory over a benign and inept MK Dons that saw us get a ball in the coveted draw-hat. Rather like the AFC Bournemouth game in the last round, we played some silky stuff in behind their midfield which generally resulted in a neat final ball being played right into where defenders get squeamish and haphazard. Late on, we conceded another goal from a set-piece, and a wave of inevitability seemed to set over the crowd, and most worryingly, the players. We held out this time mind, but you couldn’t help but feel that a more ruthless team could have wiped the floor with us. Nevertheless, MK Dons received plaudits for getting promotion last season playing some nice football, so maybe I should praise the boys more for sucking the life out of them and their game as they couldn’t get in behind our midfield at all. Watching the Dons had one feeling all nostalgic: It was just like being back in the Dungeon (aka League Two)! Defenders who could certainly rough it up with the best of them, but give them the ball and they’d do their best to cock-up and pass to the linesman or ball-boy, midfielders who were bypassed as the ball was flung needlessly into the night’s sky, and forwards who didn’t get a sniff and had no invention or know-how when they did. Ex-Jack Willy Gueret was their only half-decent looking player - in spite of the booing and cat-calling that greeted his every touch - after pulling off two fine saves onto the woodwork and keeping the score to a respectable level. Here’s how the City lot fared.

Tom Heaton - Had absolutely nothing to do all game (although his goal-kicks were shipshape and tip-top for once), before at last being called into action, getting stuck on his line hopelessly and helplessly and conceding the Dons consolation goal. Another week, another mistake for the rookie goalie on-loan from the Premier League champions. From what we’ve seen so far mind, Heaton is more Harchester United than Manchester. D

Darcy Blake - Yet again, too tight when marking and one or two sloppy passes. Blake is not a Championship-standard full-back. C-

Roger Johnson - Why oh why does Johnson attempt so many outrageous passes that even he by now must realise will only ever result in giving the ball away? It happened on 7 seperate occasions yesterday. Redeemed himself as ever with some stern and Incredible Hulk-esque defending, but giving the ball away as often as this in a league match is never going to get us out of the Championship. D

Darren Purse - Showed some great intelligence when we had a FK in a good position to make a darting run into acres of spaces that evaded everyone! Sadly, this included FK-taker Whittingham too, but oh what a goal might have been! As usual with the ex-Birmingham stopper, you had to take the good - excellent tackling, as well as the knowledge and strength to hold off attackers and see the ball out or back to Heaton - with the bad - communication breakdown with his colleagues, leaving his defence exposed with his determination to go into everything with a bang and a large role iin the defence that switched off for their goal. B-

Tony Capaldi - Such a shame he had to go off injured as he started the game majestically! Positionally sound and always looking for the ball, two moves he carved out with Joe Ledley were simply sumptuous! Let’s hope he’s back sooner rather than later. B

Peter Whittingham - After being dropped on Saturday, it was good to see the man often dubbed Shittingham take the message on board and turn up the heat for once. Although some of his crosses were plain bad, there were more effective ones to counter these. The same applied to his alertness, but by and large, he did seem more switched on than in week’s gone by. Similarly, our no. 7 found himself acres of space on many an occasion as only the best players can, and almost scored in the first half with a humdinger of a strike from outside the box. Eventually scored a phenomenal FK that was from so far out it made John O’ Groats to Land’s End seem like an amble stroll! A-

Stephen McPhail - Didn’t exactly pull the strings, and we saw the ill-fated McPhail turn waaaaaaaay too often. Several flashy passes and opposition-crumpling tackles went some way to making amends. C-

Riccardo Scimeca - One woeful pass aside, Scimeca looked the dog’s bollocks. Won the penalty that led to the opening goal, and at the heart of all our good football, running into the box exactly when was required - it was starting to look like the Scimeca of old had at last returned! And then, tragedy struck… B

Joe Ledley - Showed his versatility by playing in 3 different positions during the game: out on the left, then right-back, before ending up in central midfield for the second period. Some good running, tackling, crossing and movement was compounded with some bad reading of the game. At 4 positives to 1 negative mind, things seem to be improving. B-

Ross McCormack - What a player! Although he threatened to tarnish all his incredible work late-on with some alarming glaring misses and shows of cockiness (Xabi Alonso you ain’t son, and a useless attempt on goal from the halfway line is not the way to hold onto or add to a lead), McCormack had a barnstormer! Exemplary at holding the ball-up, harassing defenders and giving them no time, drawing defenders with his potent running, reading the situation, laying the ball off, and dribbling at will and with consummate ease. The ex-Motherwell man has the awareness, confidence, alertness, finishing (tucked his penalty away once again right in the corner), urgency and desire needed to succeed at the very top level, McCormack is a revelation. Full credit for snapping this one up DJ! A

Eddie Johnson - But erm, no credit for snapping this one up DJ. Yes, Johnson looked off the pace, leggy, like he was totally unaware how to play in such a neat and concise footballing system, and like he barely knew his team-mates names. You’d think, pray and hope then that these are characteristics and traits that can be improved and polished in the coming weeks (even if we’re the mugs who have to build him up again). Regardless, Johnson could barely control the ball, has no pace to speak of, is weak, seemingly unable to find any space whatsoever in the box (something that he can’t blame on the system shock), can’t pass - and when he did it was only backwards - to a colleague, isn’t alert in the slightest, and drifted away from his position so often you contemplated the possibility that a chimp with minimal training might do a better job. Still, perhaps things can only get better? He truly can’t be any worse, that’s for sure. F

Miguel Comminges - First of the subs and a nigh-on full game for the man with the pineapple hair style. This was a better showing. Some steady and effective tackling, positioning, heading and option-blessing running was compounded with some communication breakdowns with fellow defenders and bad passing. B-

Paul Parry Stellar, as per. Parry slotted onto the wing yesterday and gave the team the brilliant option of having someone who can run and carve out and deliver a tantalizing and opposition pant-browning cross. A wonderful headed through-ball onto McCormack almost helped seal victory late-on. B

Aaron Morris - The youngster came on to play right-back, and was given a very quiet evening. Full credit to the rest of the team who always offered him protection and were always keeping him involved, albeit via just chatting away to him. When he was called into action, Morris looked comfortable, calm and composed, and didn’t attempt anything too risky. A promising cameo. C+