Martin Demichelis

[City_Sean]

3 defenders, Zab, MDM and Clichy in a perfect line. Spot the missing one. If he's in line, that pass isn't on as Messi is offside.

thats a fair point, I still maintain Demichelis had a good game,

 

[citijin]

3 defenders, Zab, MDM and Clichy in a perfect line. Spot the missing one. If he's in line, that pass isn't on as Messi is offside.

thats a fair point, I still maintain Demichelis had a good game,

so anybody dares criticizing vincent?

 

[BigOscar]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

 

[BoyBlue_1985]

Reminds me of Dunny, dives in, gives needless penalty's away.
I am sure if we had him at the same time as RD but instead of he would have cult status.

No as he doesn't score 35 own goals a season

 

[kp789]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

 

[Mr HJ]

3 defenders, Zab, MDM and Clichy in a perfect line. Spot the missing one. If he's in line, that pass isn't on as Messi is offside.

thats a fair point, I still maintain Demichelis had a good game,

so anybody dares criticizing vincent?

Of course not. Watching closely last night even Iniesta misplaced two passes direct to us - Vinny did the same clearing the lines it was a high pressing game full of tension and the players are human - but for some odd reason lots of people want to blame MDM before the match even started. Of course he's not the long term answer, yes he will be replaced next year but I thought he has done ok for us and does not deserve the abuse he gets on here. It only feeds the media bandwagon that wants us to fail. We are still in this tie and we have to think we can beat them - to do this we as fans must stick together - a siege mentality if you will. I would love us to win just to wipe that horrible smile off of Fabregas's face. Smug git in his post match interview.

 

[quiet_riot]

Reminds me of Dunny, dives in, gives needless penalty's away.
I am sure if we had him at the same time as RD but instead of he would have cult status.

Oh right. How many "penalty's" (you mean penalties, thicko.) has he given away so far? Just the one? I see.

 

[skybluepete]

Looks like alot of people have jumped ship and left garcia slating to start on MDM PATHETIC! If vinny zabba yaya fred silva or aguero would have done it there would not be this kind of reaction.

Well fuck me if Micah Richards would have done it bluemoon would have been in meltdown , that is one thing im certain of, because if you think MD gets a hard time have a look at the Micah threads.

 

[Utter bobbins]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

Just a mute point but Navas should never have lost the ball the defenders were closing down space

 

[tiggsywiggsywoo]

He played well and as always showed plenty of spirit. It wasn't a penalty, a split second decision and all of a sudden he's the fall guy. Its half time and we are 2 goals down, game still on.

 

[mosssideblue]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

Spot on. Nuff Said.

 

[skybluepete]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

I also agree with this post, zab is right in pressing the ball, vinnie has dropped to stop the ball being played in behind him, MD should be the same line as vinnie as should clichy.
This would allow fern to tuck deeper than he is on the picture just inside of zab , all the midfielders follow suit and drop a touch and all of a sudden we look compact again and i think that is how we looked for most of the evening.
I didn't see a high line all evening other than the time they got the pen.
Top drawer players have real awareness of what's goin on around them , in my opinion we have to get this type of player in during the summer to give turn our real potential into reality .
We was playing one of the best teams in the world and it was hard for all the lads last night and ther was always going to be a mistake or two- im not condemning anyone , simply an opinion , which is , MD = cover only.
Lets hope everyone's fit for the return leg and we bang one in early doors - GAME ON !!

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

But the ball has gone forward and Navas has lost it. If the back-line isn't close to Navas then they leave acres of space for Barca to play in and run onto. They will have been told to keep x amount of distance between themselves and the midfield and those three have done that.

Vinny, on the other hand has dropped off, presumably to keep an eye on Messi but if you watch the clip, he's then in no-mans land as Messi gets onside and starts his run.

 

[BigOscar]

Even though they are in a line there, it has to be said that that line is about 20 yards too far up the pitch. On a lot of our attacks both fullbacks get forward, but that's doesn't mean our CB's should be in the oppositions box to be level with them. For me, Clichy and Demichelis should be at least 10 yards deeper there. Zaba is about right as Navas had the ball on that side of the pitch so he's further up from supporting him, but Demichelis should never be near the halfway line against Barca and the fullback on the opposite wing to the ball shouldn't be that far up either. Just my opinion

Just a mute point but Navas should never have lost the ball the defenders were closing down space

He did bite off more than he could chew (even though he was clearly fouled) but as far as he's concerned, he's on the right wing, losing the ball there shouldn't reall be a problem defensively. To me, it's very surprising just how far up the pitch the defence is,given that we weren't in an extended spell of possession. It is also surprising that Kompany is quite so far back, I'd like to see a replay of that part of the pitch in the minute or so before the goal to explain how our centerbacks can get 30 yards apart. Both players have to be at fault to be that far apart, barring something out of the ordinary

 

[heslops barnet]

MDM getting the blame for our defeat, let's not all jump on the media bandwagon .

He's a of our squad, let's stick together and don't give the media the ammo to fire at us.

In Pelli we trust!!

 

[trevorriley]

Some of the comments blaming MDM are ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that some people cannot accept that he had a fantastic game until being forced into making the challenge. The challenge he had to make was from a mistake by Kompany, who still had an awesome game despite that, but that seems to be forgotten because MDM is the scapegoat and easy to blame.

Last 2 games he has played against Barca and against Chelsea had was fantastic. Against Barca his high pressure and energy, forcing the attackers back and winning the ball in other situations was brilliant.
Against chelsea he was employed as a Centre mid and despite have little or no experience in that role was fantastic again, winning many tackles in midfield, it was just his mobility which let him down, but what can you expect from a centre half? He is hardly Aguero in terms of pace and turning.

Some arent even interested in supporting him. Ok, he has had some poor games, but he has also had some very good games, but even these are ignored and instead, 1 second of the match is focused upon, like the red card.
It seems as if the only way Demichelis can get some fans on his side is if he scores a perfect hat-trick at the Nou Camp, including a 40 yard bicycle kick and then sort everyone out enough points for a cup final ticket.

Get off his back and get behind him and the rest of the team.

MCFC OK!!!

Spot on. Nuff Said.

Totally agree, the criticism DM has had is out of order.

 

[kippaxchris]

The media are out of order! Demichelis was the best player on the pitch till he got sent off! Hope he starts at the weekend as we need to stand by him, we also need his arial ability against that lot

 

[El Mago]

The media are out of order! Demichelis was the best player on the pitch till he got sent off! Hope he starts at the weekend as we need to stand by him, we also need his arial ability against that lot

+1

 

[bluethrunthru]

sorry but for me MDM is just not good enough for CL or PL - if we want to progress we need better.

Pellegrini's infatuation with him is odd - mirrors Mancini's with Ballotellli

 

[macmanson]

Get off the blokes back FFS, he was playing really really well, then a series of events lead to him getting sent off, but the shit he's been getting on here is a disgrace.

Ask yourselves this, what would you have done, in that situation?. I would've done what he did, because messi was getting away from him, and nobody else was in sight, so he took a chance, but because it didn't come off, he got punished. Fine lines and split second thinking, and I'm sure now he's seen it, he may have thought to do it different, hind sight is wonderful, but in certain moments of play, you do what you think is right at the time.

I don't blame him one little bit.

While I agree with you that his criticism has been extreme, the bolded statement is the key part for me. As a ref, I know that the worst thing he could have done is what he did. As the last defender, once he commits ANY foul on the player it's automatically a red. A tackle from behind is going to end up being a foul 99 percent of the time, so he has to know he's getting sent off. His best bet in that situation was to let the GK do what he can and just be available to clear the ball if he can or simply have been more cynical in his tackle to ensure he came down well away from the box. For the record, not a penalty for me as the foul is from where the initial contact was initiated. A red card was the correct call but the restart should have been a direct free kick just outside the box.

I see where you're coming from, but he obviously thought "I can't catch him, but I have a chance of getting a tackle in and winning the ball, before he's away from me". Now that didn't happen and yes it was a poor decision in HINDSIGHT, but it was a split second choice and he/we paid a price for it. Being a ref you must've seen this sort of thing a thousand times.

I'm sure that is what MDM thought, but surely someone with his experienced has been coached that coming from behind a defender is pretty much a foul, unless he's able to slide along Messi and only poke the ball away without touching him. I recall seeing a quote attributed to David Trezeguet that goes something like "what I lack in the speed of my legs, I make up for with the speed of my mind". I think this is fundamentally where the criticism of MDM is coming from. It's quite obvious his age has slowed down the speed of his legs, but it's the numerous incidents where the speed of his mind can be suspect that have attracted so many haters.