Ok - so it's very early days for our new players but wondered what everyone's first impressions were: just a bit of fun but be good to revisit and see how wrong/right we were. For me... Oumar Niasse - 7 ... Has some spectacularly ordinary moments when he doesn't even look like a footballer, but the next minute holds play up brilliantly and looks an absolute handful. Better than being just average all of the time. 2 goals too - decent. Evandro - 8 ...Calm and composed on the ball. Lacks a bit of pace but doesn't mind working hard which is unusual for a Brazilian. Helps retain possession which is vital when under the cosh from the bigger teams. Omar Elabdellaoui 6 ...thrown in at the deep end away to Chelsea and did ok. Didn't offer a great deal going forward but was solid. Exposed against Fulham with little support but came back with a decent display against Liverpool. Reminds me a bit of Rosy I.e - a defender who can defend Lazar Markovic - 5...looked devoid of any confidence and ability in early outings. Did ok at Man Utd - doing De Gae with his eyes and hitting the post showed he has something - still lots to prove in my eyes Andrea Ranocchia - 7... Always hard to start a game when someone pulls up before a game. No time to mentally prepare but Andrew played like...an Italian defender. Uncompromising and positionally brilliant - didn't look the shocker many suggested we had acquired. Alfred N'Diaye - 8...when fully fit Alfred looks like he could be the real deal enforcer. Great selection in when to close a player down quickly and when to hold off. Loads of interceptions, scored too and also got in good goal scoring positions on one or two occasions Kamil Grosicki - 6...perhaps the most exciting addition. You tube clips looked great (they always do!) - he showed confidence but didn't really have a big impact. He 'cheated' a few times and let his man go and didn't consistently show intent to defend when necessary. Marco will put this right & its was his first game so time yet. Just a bit of fun guys - I know it's too early to judge...just first impressions and all that!
Based just on his first appearance, Ranocchia should get an 8 and Grosicki is a left winger, so can't really be judged on one performance out of position.
Yeah probably agree with that - I did have him down for MOM against Liverpool. Whilst Grosicki was on the wrong side it shouldn't affect his ability to track a player. I'm still excited by his signing though.
It's just one game - so it's always going to be harsh. Would have loved to have seen one or two flashes to make me sit up in my seat. Was an ok first outing.
So far, so good in respect of the new signings, but lets not forget our other new born stars, players that MS inherited on his arrival at city, the way Meyler Hudd Roberterson along with several others that were already here are playing its like watching a team full of new signings. of the new signings the two that have caught my eye are Evandro and Ranocchia ( thought he was brilliant in the air dealing with the high balls)
Meyer had his best game in a long time v Chelsea. Hudd should be up for player of the month this month too. MS definitely bringing out the best in our squad. My favourite bit of defending from Rannochia was when Marne tried to use his pace to get to the byline with the ball. Rannochia just strong armed him and ushered him and the ball out for a goal kick. Awesome.
Rannochia in the first 10 minutes let Firmino know that he would be in a game too, with a typical bit of Italian defending.
Is that not racist? Cafu, Maicon and Dunga, without even trying to think, were exceptionally hardworking.
Racist rest of it's ok. Andrea a bit better than 7, composed and set up second goal Marcovic a bit better than 5 (great ball to carve open Man U for the winner in the semi) Kamil out of position on wrong side so hard to judge use of the word "guys".......unless your American that's a point reduction for you Willy!
Rannochia makes the game look very easy. It will be when he loses concentration when we have problems.
Personally think N'Diaye has impressed the most .. if he produces what he did in his first game I'll be well chuffed .. we have missed the midfield enforcer since the legend Ashbee.. could this fella be the answer.. only twt but I'm hopeful. The wingers by their very nature are flare players .. they will have some good games and some not so impressive. Both have shown glimpses so again I look forward to seeing how they progress .. only slight doubt is by playing them both will that leave us a little exposed on the flanks ? Neither seem happy defending. Evandro appears to be getting better as his fitness improves .. calm under pressure and good distribution skills.. typical Brazilian tbh. Niasse hmmm has moments of ****wittery.. but the way he took his goal showed he is capable.. would like to see what he can do when he gets up to speed. Again Ranocchia on full debut looked every inch an Italian international defender .. they do know how to defend .. and that ball for our second goal against Liverpool had me dribbling. And finally Omar .. seems steady without being a rampaging type like Robbo .. think he will improve the more Marco gets in his ear Think it's fair to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the incomings.. and only think they'll improve now Silva and his team have time to work with them.
Not forgetting Marco will also have another player available shortly in Elmo, I wonder if Marco has already run the rule over him, and if/where he will fit in? At the mo, if Omar gets up to speed and Lazar kicks on, can't see Elmo easily getting in the side, not an automatic shoe horn in as previously.
He comes alive when we attack, other times he ambles around like he doesn't know where he is, quite strange. If he keeps getting goals though I won't complain. Is Grosicki fully fit? Didn't see the pace people speak of him having.
