Javi Garcia

[Cobwebcat]

Just watched the game again. I really want to see the positives that others can see but it's starting to feel like the Emperors new clothes. At the end of the day you have to say what you see.

Contrary to what some say he isn't getting better IMHO nor is he doing a job or not making mistakes. Players are still walking past him leaving him grabbing at them. He's painfully slow over the first few yards and he watches the opposition attack rather than run back to help out.

He's last again on the MEN ratings and its no surprise. Maybe he has become a scapegoat but he's also consistently rubbish.

Big apologies to those that like him but for me it's not going to happen for Javi. He contributes very little and can't do the basics of defending and most of that stems from his being so slow from a standing start. The premiership is way to quick for him and its making him look worse than he probably is but it won't improve because its not something that can be taught.

Nothing against the lad but I hope he isn't here much longer and I'm pleased it looks like we are trying to sell him.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Ineffective at what?

Anything other than a 5yrd pass backwards or sideways when he has time and space to do so or winning a few headers.

And as for a replacement for Fernandinho - a proper midfielder..... don't make me piss.

We need players with strings to their bow and the ability to step up and adapt or,in other words,the polar opposite to this bloke

I accept he isn't great going forward, but there were plenty of occasions where he accurately switched the play with lengthy passes to Milner or Navas.

It was weird watching Garcia today.His job was the sweeper in front of the back 4 and to a fair degree he did it ok.He was almost always central and available for passes which he then moved onto a teammate to his left or right but I don't think he ever made a move forward with the ball.

And that despite often having plenty of space in front of him to move into. And that is what our game was crying out for as Palace sat back in their 2 banks of players.It seemed they knew very well that Garcia on the ball is never going to advance with it so they could ignore him and mark the player that he was looking to pass to.

Of course it's not really part of his job to adventure forward. Or does he have that freedom? Who knows but the fact is he just doesn't.In his position today he did ok and was particularly good in the air.There was one time when a Palace player got passed him far too easily and Joe saved the day from the shot.

But he needs to have more to his game than he showed today to be truly worthy of a place in City's current team.

 

[Marvin]

Marvin,please,youre kidding no one except yourself.

You have your opinion, I have mine, and I saw him repeatedly pass the ball wide.

Yes crowd got frustrated at times because what was needed was a runner from midfield - like Nasri - but as I keep saying his strength is his defensive game. he's a good passer but Nasri, and Fernandinho are much more effective than he is going forward.

Most top teams have specialist defensive midfielders eg Obi Mikel. Remember Makele too? Javi Garcia is that type of player. Ideally you have a player like Fernandinho who can do both, but then when you have Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva and Nasri, how do you convince a top all round player to come here and sit on the bench like Javi Garcia

 

[Cobwebcat]

Garcia is only like Makelele in that they play in the same position after that here is no comparison. We would do well to find a player half as good at the role as Makelele.

 

[AustinBlue]

Garcia is only like Makelele in that they play in the same position after that here is no comparison. We would do well to find a player half as good at the role as Makelele.

Or as good… Say, Nigel De Jong

 

[Marvin]

makele was useless going forward. No passing to speak of, and no forward runs like Essien or Ramires. But his positional sense and tackling was excellent. That's how I see Garcia. A player who protects the back 4, reads the oppositions attacks, intercepts and distributes it a lot better than Makele. He is also very good in the air. As good as Demichelis, Lescott and Kompany I think.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

makele was useless going forward. No passing to speak of, and no forward runs like Essien or Ramires. But his positional sense and tackling was excellent. That's how I see Garcia. A player who protects the back 4, reads the oppositions attacks, intercepts and distributes it a lot better than Makele. He is also very good in the air. As good as Demichelis, Lescott and Kompany I think.

I would not agree that he reads or intercepts as well as others mentioned but what lets him down anyway is how slow he is.Over 5 or 10 yards which is crucial in that role he is remarkably slow.Distribution is average at best I would say but like Lescott as long as he mostly limits his passes to someone close that's fine by me.

 

[NQCitizen]

Marvin,please,youre kidding no one except yourself.

You have your opinion, I have mine, and I saw him repeatedly pass the ball wide.

Yes crowd got frustrated at times because what was needed was a runner from midfield - like Nasri - but as I keep saying his strength is his defensive game. he's a good passer but Nasri, and Fernandinho are much more effective than he is going forward.

Most top teams have specialist defensive midfielders eg Obi Mikel. Remember Makele too? Javi Garcia is that type of player. Ideally you have a player like Fernandinho who can do both, but then when you have Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva and Nasri, how do you convince a top all round player to come here and sit on the bench like Javi Garcia

That looks very fair to me.

I do think we could replace him with someone more suited but I still think he's far from the worst player in the squad.

Still his contribution is incredibly under valued and it's poor to think that if he played Hollywood balls that occasionally came off or spent all the time out of position but ran around slide tackling to make it up for it he'd be much higher rated.

 

[Cobwebcat]

makele was useless going forward. No passing to speak of, and no forward runs like Essien or Ramires. But his positional sense and tackling was excellent. That's how I see Garcia. A player who protects the back 4, reads the oppositions attacks, intercepts and distributes it a lot better than Makele. He is also very good in the air. As good as Demichelis, Lescott and Kompany I think.

He does not protect the back four. That's the problem. He waves attackers through and jogs after them. I don't see what you are watching. Emperors new clothes again....I'm not falling for it anymore :-)

Tackling like Makelele....when was that?

 

[Cobwebcat]

Marvin,please,youre kidding no one except yourself.

You have your opinion, I have mine, and I saw him repeatedly pass the ball wide.

Yes crowd got frustrated at times because what was needed was a runner from midfield - like Nasri - but as I keep saying his strength is his defensive game. he's a good passer but Nasri, and Fernandinho are much more effective than he is going forward.

Most top teams have specialist defensive midfielders eg Obi Mikel. Remember Makele too? Javi Garcia is that type of player. Ideally you have a player like Fernandinho who can do both, but then when you have Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva and Nasri, how do you convince a top all round player to come here and sit on the bench like Javi Garcia

That looks very fair to me.

I do think we could replace him with someone more suited but I still think he's far from the worst player in the squad.

Still his contribution is incredibly under valued and it's poor to think that if he played Hollywood balls that occasionally came off or spent all the time out of position but ran around slide tackling to make it up for it he'd be much higher rated.

I think some posters understand that DM isn't the most glamourous of positions but still think he is failing badly. I would prefer him to make a tackle than stand in the correct position so he has a great view of the opposing player running past him.