Manchester City: Full Report Card for Every Position for November
Manchester City’s form in November saw them win four, draw one and lose one, starting with victory over rivals Manchester United and ending with Sunday’s impressive 3-0 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s.
After a difficult start, it does seem as if City’s form is heading in the right direction. They’re currently six points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and, remarkably—despite having won just one of their five games—have a chance of qualifying from their Champions League group heading into the final game in Rome.
Here we look back at City's November, grading every player who appeared for the club over the month.
Joe Hart: B-
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Joe Hart played every one of City’s matches in November and made some impressive saves, including one from Steven Davis against Southampton that proved crucial (and a series of them against QPR in an impressive showing).
He does, however, still struggle with his distribution. At Southampton on Sunday—in particular—his kicking was awful. He was also left flat-footed by Xabi Alonso's free kick against Bayern during City's dramatic win.
There's been a big turnaround in his form since he was dropped 12 months ago—a move that proved to be a masterstroke from Manuel Pellegrini—but there are still some holes in his game that need work.
Willy Caballero was brought in to challenge Hart, but at the moment Hart is firmly City's No. 1.
Pablo Zabaleta: B-
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There are few players in the Premier League—or, indeed, across Europe—who can match Pablo Zabaleta’s consistency. No occasion is too big or too small for him. He always brings defensive solidity and an attacking thrust that his understudy Bacary Sagna simply cannot match.
He hasn’t been at his absolute brilliant best this season, but he’s still been excellent. In November, he put in consistent displays against United, Swansea and Southampton—and his introduction against Bayern added some intensity to City's play.
Bacary Sagna: C
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Surprisingly picked ahead of Zabaleta for the matches against Bayern Munich and QPR, he did little in either game to suggest he will move above the Argentinian in the pecking order.
It isn't that Sagna is particularly bad—in fact, he's a solid option who City needed as back up. But the Blues are used to Zabaleta giving them far more in the final third than the Frenchman seems capable of offering.
Gael Clichy: B-
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Gael Clichy has had a very difficult season with generally dreadful form punctuated by the odd good performance. His displays against United, Swansea and Southampton in November, though, were excellent—the latter being capped by a fine counter-attacking goal. And he’s demonstrated to everybody in those games what he’s capable of. Establishing some consistency will be key for him now.
The flipside in November was his performance against CSKA Moscow, which was very poor (as was his display at QPR).
He will be desperate now to find the excellence he produced against United, Swansea and Southampton on a regular basis.
Martin Demichelis: C+
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His form is pretty much effortless these days. After a difficult start to life at City, Demichelis has been a revelation since March and has proved to be one of the shrewdest acquisitions City have made in recent times.
However, November was far from perfect.
He was poor against QPR and looked shaky against CSKA, but his Man of the Match display against Swansea gave something to cheer.
It seems Eliaquim Mangala is being phased in gradually as first choice, but Demichelis will be called upon again in the coming weeks—since Vincent Kompany is facing a potential injury layoff, and City's £32 million recruit set to serve a suspension.
Eliaquim Mangala: C
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His sending off against Southampton for a clumsy challenge on Shane Long ruined what had been a good display. However, overall (despite flashes of brilliance in November) he must cut out the rashness from his game.
His decision-making is poor, at the moment, but he does bring strong athletic qualities. He is fine in the air, is incredibly quick and possesses great strength.
City have themselves a potential star, but he will need some work before he is the finished article.
Vincent Kompany: B
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Vincent Kompany’s November was somewhat marred by the injury he picked up in the closing stages of the game at Southampton. The extent of the problem is, as yet, unknown, but given his injury record, many connected to City are likely to be fearing the worst.
It sometimes needs reiterating just how good Kompany is. He has become widely considered one of the best centre-backs in the game, but it is often forgotten just what he brings to this City side: leadership, front-foot defending and incredible desire and drive.
Fernando: C+
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After a wonderful start to life as a City player, Fernando’s displays have tailed off. Perhaps he’s struggling to adapt to the quicker of pace of English football, or maybe the injury layoff that curtailed his blistering first few games has hindered him. Either way, City need more from him.
He’s too often caught on the wrong side of players, and his composure has been lacking. He showed enough in his first two games—and in his sub appearance at Aston Villa—to indicate he is a very capable player, though.
In November, he played in the defeat to CSKA and looked neat and tidy, if not spectacular, and gave a similar display at QPR. He didn't play very well in the derby, though, and he will be hoping his steady November is the platform for a return to his scintillating form in the opening weeks of the season.
Fernandinho: B-
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Fernandinho’s Man of the Match showing at St. Mary’s in the 3-0 win over Southampton capped a month in which (much like his midfield partner Yaya Toure) he showed signs of his best form returning.
His drive and energy against the Saints was the major reason City were so dominant. He missed the Bayern Munich win through suspension after his sending off against CSKA Moscow—a game in which he had come on as a substitute.
He provided a beautiful backheel to set up Yaya Toure against Swansea. It was a piece of magic that reminded everyone of his ability in the final third.
It’s been a mixed month, but his most recent display, in particular, brings real hope of further improvement.
Yaya Toure: B+
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There were flickers of his best in November. Yaya Toure has struggled for form this season after his unbelievable displays during City’s title-winning campaign, but his goals against Bayern, Swansea and Southampton (as well as a decent showing in the derby) mean November represented a good month for the Ivorian.
City know only too well that a Yaya Toure in his best form increases their chances of silverware tenfold. Is November the month that will prove to be the catalyst for a successful season?
James Milner: B-
11 of 17
James Milner has impressed hugely this season, leaving the City fans anxious about his contract situation. His current deal runs out this summer, and a new agreement is yet to be reached.
In November, he continued his good form, but was underused by Pellegrini.
He provided the best display of any City player in the defeat to CSKA, a performance of high intensity and industry against United and an influential substitute appearance against Southampton.
Frank Lampard: B
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Frank Lampard has been a revelation since signing for City.
His goal against Southampton wrapped up the three points for City, and the technical quality he showed to help control the midfield battle against Bayern was outstanding. He was also excellent from the bench against Swansea.
Samir Nasri: C+
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In terms of effectiveness, Samir Nasri’s level has dipped this season. His form during Pellegrini’s debut campaign was superb—he regularly contributed vital goals and assists as City swept all before them.
He remains an important player—his ability to keep possession ensures that—but he needs to find an extra gear to give City some match-winning ability.
In November, he was left out of the starting XI for the derby and then flattered to deceive at QPR. His display against Swansea was by far his best, but he followed it up with a patchy showing against Bayern.
It was a hit-and-miss month for such a talented player.
Jesus Navas: B-
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Many see Jesus Navas as a frustrating player: one capable of moments of brilliance but with a tendency to blow hot and cold and never really offer consistent quality.
Although some of the criticisms are overplayed—Navas is a player who creates a host of chances and provides a headache to left-backs purely because of his pace—it is difficult to argue. However, although he undoubtedly can drift out of matches, it’s often because he isn’t being found by his teammates. A winger relies on other players bringing him into the game, and Navas is no different.
He’s playing more consistently this season than during his debut year, having featured in all but the opening-day win at Newcastle. In November, he provided a wonderful assist for Stevan Jovetic against Swansea, proved to be a great attacking outlet against Bayern and gave United real problems down the right.
Poor displays against QPR and CSKA, though, undid some of that good work.
Stevan Jovetic: B-
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Stevan Jovetic has shown almost every time he plays for City that he is a quality player, yet muscle problems have really held him back since his move from Fiorentina in the summer of 2013. This season, though, has been far less hampered by injuries than last, and he now finds himself on the cusp of a regular starting place.
His goal against Swansea in November was key, and his introduction against Bayern Munich (which gave City a link between midfield and attack they had been desperately missing) was also crucial.
He's a player who always wants to create and make something happen, and that should be admired.
Edin Dzeko: N/A
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He was restricted to barely any action last month after picking up an injury at QPR moments after coming on as a sub.
Sergio Aguero: A
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At times this season, City have been somewhat carried by the brilliance of Sergio Aguero.
There are few better out-and-out goalscorers in world football, and his goals in November—the winner against United, two at QPR, a hat-trick against Bayern Munich—have been absolutely vital.
Even against Southampton, where little went for him in front of goal, he still managed to cause the defence problems all afternoon and grab himself two assists.
He has had an outstanding November and was undoubtedly the club's best player during that period.
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