Martin Demichelis

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

I think it is easy and understandable to blame MDM because the combination of the sending off and going 1-0 down changed the whole complexion of the game, but ut's harsh. The initial error was Vinnie's: Messi was miles offside until Vinnie ran back - too far back - and Messi was able to step onside in between our two CBs. Only MDM appears to have seen the danger, and he was never - as Martin Samuel says in the Mail - "one on one" with Messi, but rather trying to get to him as he advanced on goal. His aim seems to have been to ignore the ball and take the little fella out outside the box - quite ruthless, pretty cynical and totally unsporting, but not a penalty either - and he succeeded. The ref gave the penalty from miles away, quite wrongly, but the red card quite rightly. 0-0 and ten men is a different game to 0 - 1 and down to ten. I would have preferred 0 - 1 with eleven like most, but MDM isn't the criminal lunatic most seem to be claiming.

 

[Mr HJ]

I'm of the opinion MDM should have stayed on his feet, kept 11 men and let Hart try to save it.

what's done is done.

Totally agree.

I think most would agree, with hindsight. But find me a single centre-back at that level who, in the heat of the moment, wouldn't have tried to take Messi down outside the box (which, by the way, he actually succeeded in doing).

Demichelis is just our new scapegoat. We love to have them. Last season it was Kolarov. Fact of the mater is that Demichelis was the better option ahead of Lescott because he is calmer on the ball and possession is so valuable against a team like that. He had a really good game until the sending off (seems to have escaped people's attention that Barca didn't have a shot on target until then).

Navas lost the ball in an area where it only takes one pass to put someone in on goal. When possession changes hands like that so quickly. a defence is always going to be caught out if the first pass is quick enough (which Barca do so well). You could even argue that Vinny wasn't holding the line well (the other three defenders were playing Messi offside), but then that would be harsh on Vinny too because he was in that position to offer an option when we had the ball a fraction of a second earlier.

Solid post - People are forgetting the first half interception by MDM when Messi was driving into the box having got behind us. As you say he was excellent for 50 mins - to restrict Barca to one shot on target is no mean feat, so we should credit the team as a whole rather than crucify one of our own. You are correct, he is the new scapegoat - mainly from people who do not understand the game at the highest level and would prefer to listen to pundits like Roy Keane, Danny Mills and Robbie Savage. Finally Lescott 24million 90k per week MDM 3 million 30k per week put a little perspective on it don't you think? Not Lescotts fault I hear the reply but in his cameo last night it showed why we will have a new defence next season. Please credit the good stuff we do bluemooners and that includes some of the disgraceful comments about our manager. It has been a brilliant first season and to keep up these stupid comments will only do harm and who knows it may persuade one of our superstars (Silva or Augero) to leave for Spain. Rant over sorry!

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

 

[hgblue]

I think it is easy and understandable to blame MDM because the combination of the sending off and going 1-0 down changed the whole complexion of the game, but ut's harsh. The initial error was Vinnie's: Messi was miles offside until Vinnie ran back - too far back - and Messi was able to step onside in between our two CBs. Only MDM appears to have seen the danger, and he was never - as Martin Samuel says in the Mail - "one on one" with Messi, but rather trying to get to him as he advanced on goal. His aim seems to have been to ignore the ball and take the little fella out outside the box - quite ruthless, pretty cynical and totally unsporting, but not a penalty either - and he succeeded. The ref gave the penalty from miles away, quite wrongly, but the red card quite rightly. 0-0 and ten men is a different game to 0 - 1 and down to ten. I would have preferred 0 - 1 with eleven like most, but MDM isn't the criminal lunatic most seem to be claiming.

I didn't rate DeMichelis before last night and I saw nothing to make me change my mind that he's an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Goater=Legend]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca short and Pellegrini just shook his head.

That backpass from Lescott still makes me laugh. We was playing well and giving it a real go until he did that.

 

[Utter bobbins]

I think it is easy and understandable to blame MDM because the combination of the sending off and going 1-0 down changed the whole complexion of the game, but ut's harsh. The initial error was Vinnie's: Messi was miles offside until Vinnie ran back - too far back - and Messi was able to step onside in between our two CBs. Only MDM appears to have seen the danger, and he was never - as Martin Samuel says in the Mail - "one on one" with Messi, but rather trying to get to him as he advanced on goal. His aim seems to have been to ignore the ball and take the little fella out outside the box - quite ruthless, pretty cynical and totally unsporting, but not a penalty either - and he succeeded. The ref gave the penalty from miles away, quite wrongly, but the red card quite rightly. 0-0 and ten men is a different game to 0 - 1 and down to ten. I would have preferred 0 - 1 with eleven like most, but MDM isn't the criminal lunatic most seem to be claiming.

I didn't rate DeMichelis before last night and I saw nothing to make me change my mind that he's an accident waiting to happen.

Played well last night, does what the manager wants him to do, gets in the right position. You can see this if you watch live at the stadium

 

[The Flash]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca short and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Indeed. The pace of the premier league sometimes catches him out but on the whole he's pretty solid. And let's face it, there are very few centrebacks out there at the moment that wouldn't look average next to a certain Mr Kompany.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca short and Pellegrini just shook his head.

That backpass from Lescott still makes me laugh. We was playing well and giving it a real go until he did that.

I thought Pellegrini was going to run on the pitch and chin Lescott.

Lescott would not even be here this season if Mancini had also remained in charge.

Are we saying both him and Pellegrini are wrong? Remind how great Lescott was in the Champions League last season?

Demichelis, for the £4m, for his technical ability, is a safer bet than our other options.

Doesn't make it right, but Pellegrini is working with his present reality, and I admire our manager for seeing what so many others can't.

 

[aguero93:20]

But never mind this fuckin manager loves his sorry arse and he can't do no wrong,

Pellegrini? The manager of the club you supposedly support.

Does this guy not like any english players, he's never linked with any either !!

Do you only call the manager by name when we win?

further, how many English players would get in our team?

 

[Bluebee2]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca short and Pellegrini just shook his head.

That backpass from Lescott still makes me laugh. We was playing well and giving it a real go until he did that.

I thought Pellegrini was going to run on the pitch and chin Lescott.

Lescott would not even be here this season if Mancini had also remained in charge.

Are we saying both him and Pellegrini are wrong? Remind how great Lescott was in the Champions League last season?

Demichelis, for the £4m, for his technical ability, is a safer bet than our other options.

Doesn't make it right, but Pellegrini is working with his present reality, and I admire our manager for seeing what so many others can't.

A blind man can see that Lescott is shite with the ball at his feet, we had to play MDM last night and he was doing a decent job until the penalty.

 

[City_Sean]

He was very good til the tackle, easy in hindsight to say he shouldnt have, but I guarantee most other CB's would have tried to make the tackle.

 

[supercity88]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca short and Pellegrini just shook his head.

That backpass from Lescott still makes me laugh. We was playing well and giving it a real go until he did that.

Exactly, for all of those calling for Lescott to start over Demichelis, the reasons were pretty clear why he didn't! Feel sorry for him being so clearly exposed. Typical English centre half is Lescott, big, strong and awful technique! Demichelis started off quite ragged but he intercepted the ball well with high pressing and he grew in stature as it went on. The fact is Kompany's positioning was the reason Messi found space and Demichelis had to react, and he did so. Wasn't a penalty and you can argue that he shouldn't have dived in but he wasn't close enough to pressurise Messi and he had to slide - he didn't do it with the intention of fouling him!

The fact is it came from Navas' poor decision making. He shouldn't have tried to take on the two Barca players in such a tight and stretched area of the pitch. And bad decisions lead to goal at the highest level. Shame but it happened. Demichelis should not be blamed though. The team played well and showed a lot of fighting spirit which was excellent to see.

 

[Matty]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Don't think I can agree that he didnothing wrong, for me he should have stayed on his feet and tried to use his strength to put Messi off his shot. Sliding in to try and win the ball was a very low percentage move, and the price of failure (a red card for sure, and he can't have known whether a freekick of penalty would be given) was too high. Even if Messi gets the shot off you've still got the chance that Hart can save it. I don't buy into the myth that starting Demichelis was the wrong call to make, but I do think his judgement on the Messi challenge was in error.

 

[gmckennasell]

demichelis was bought as a last minute stop gap because of an injury to nastasic , MP now starts him in nearly every game , centre back - midfield etc , he is technically a good player , but both lescott and nastasic are better defenders if MP keeps on picking demechelis it will cost us the premeirship . Kompany and Lescott are easily the best partnership at the moment just hope MP realises this before its too late , demichelis is a liability , and all kompany's good work was undone against barcelona by a stupid foul you would expect a kid like boyota would do (remember the arsenal game) , not an experienced 34 year old argentina international .

 

[hgblue]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Don't think I can agree that he didnothing wrong, for me he should have stayed on his feet and tried to use his strength to put Messi off his shot. Sliding in to try and win the ball was a very low percentage move, and the price of failure (a red card for sure, and he can't have known whether a freekick of penalty would be given) was too high. Even if Messi gets the shot off you've still got the chance that Hart can save it. I don't buy into the myth that starting Demichelis was the wrong call to make, but I do think his judgement on the Messi challenge was in error.

I'm not sure whether those saying he did nothing wrong have ever played the game at any sort of decent standard? This guy is always diving in, probably due to a chronic lack of pace that he fears will leave him exposed if he stays on his feet.

 

[Utter bobbins]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Don't think I can agree that he didnothing wrong, for me he should have stayed on his feet and tried to use his strength to put Messi off his shot. Sliding in to try and win the ball was a very low percentage move, and the price of failure (a red card for sure, and he can't have known whether a freekick of penalty would be given) was too high. Even if Messi gets the shot off you've still got the chance that Hart can save it. I don't buy into the myth that starting Demichelis was the wrong call to make, but I do think his judgement on the Messi challenge was in error.

I'm not sure whether those saying he did nothing wrong have ever played the game at any sort of decent standard? This guy is always diving in, probably due to a chronic lack of pace that he fears will leave him exposed if he stays on his feet.

It's a tactic the the manager employs if you watch the game it's not just MDM

 

[quiet_riot]

This guy is always diving in, probably due to a chronic lack of pace that he fears will leave him exposed if he stays on his feet.

Where exactly does this 'chronic lack of pace' myth come from? Even at his grand old age, he's quicker than Lescott & Garcia, and not too much slower than Nasty.

 

[steviemc]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Don't think I can agree that he didnothing wrong, for me he should have stayed on his feet and tried to use his strength to put Messi off his shot. Sliding in to try and win the ball was a very low percentage move, and the price of failure (a red card for sure, and he can't have known whether a freekick of penalty would be given) was too high. Even if Messi gets the shot off you've still got the chance that Hart can save it. I don't buy into the myth that starting Demichelis was the wrong call to make, but I do think his judgement on the Messi challenge was in error.

Had MD been level with Messi I would agree, but he was playing catch-up and it's very unlikely he could have made any attempt at putting off Messi, other than the challenge he made. We can't honestly believe that DM has the pace to catch Messi and make a clean challenge from the side. If only Messi was that easy to catch. Likewise, if MD doesn't do anything, his team mates and fans will slate him for letting Messi clean through. He's in a no-win situation and does what any other defender would do. This situation happens time and time again in PL matches and the defender usually attempts to at least make a challenge. Nine times out of ten Messi's gonna score from that position.

 

[supercity88]

He did nothing wrong, again, but he's now not being cut any slack whatsoever by a growing section of City fans who have readily picked up a baton of mis-truths and ill-informed opinions in the wider media.

Myths being turned into a reality.

The poor guy gets edgier by the week, as a result.

There's nothing wrong with his ability. He's no slower than Lescott or Nasty.

Pellegrini does see it, most don't.

He is the best of a bad bunch who can pass out of defence and does not treat the ball like a hand grenade.

Laughable moment last night in the space of five minutes. Lescott made an easy pass to a Barca shirt and Pellegrini just shook his head.

Don't think I can agree that he didnothing wrong, for me he should have stayed on his feet and tried to use his strength to put Messi off his shot. Sliding in to try and win the ball was a very low percentage move, and the price of failure (a red card for sure, and he can't have known whether a freekick of penalty would be given) was too high. Even if Messi gets the shot off you've still got the chance that Hart can save it. I don't buy into the myth that starting Demichelis was the wrong call to make, but I do think his judgement on the Messi challenge was in error.

I'm not sure whether those saying he did nothing wrong have ever played the game at any sort of decent standard? This guy is always diving in, probably due to a chronic lack of pace that he fears will leave him exposed if he stays on his feet.

Demichelis was covering for Kompany's bad positioning. It was the first time 11v11 that a Barca player was able to receive the ball behind our centre backs. Demichelis was as close as he ever was going to be. Messi was only ever going to get further away from him so it was the only time he could pressurise the situation - it wasn't the right decision. But it wasn't a penalty. I don't care who says what, if I grab someones shirt halfway down the pitch but drag them into the box is that a penalty? By Poll's comments it is. The foul was made outside the box and momentum took them into the penalty area as the foul was still being made. If you caught the ball outside the box and walked in the box with it, it isn't a penalty. Simple as. The free kick is given where the contact is first made. Not quite as bad as the penalty Birmingham got for fouling Sun Jihai at St Andrews - if anyone remembers that!

 

[hertsblue]

He was brought in at the last minute due to a lack of depth in the position and injuries at the time. He has done a decent job overall, and had a good game last night till the sending off.
But a long term partner for VK is the number one priority for me in the summer. Lescott is a very good defender in the PL but against the very best and the way we are set up to play he is not comfortable with the ball, hence why he is probably going in the summer but he has been a great servant to us. Nastastic the jury is still out for me. But we need a ready made top quality CB for VK next season