Player Ratings v Wigan

Last updated : 19 April 2005 By Mark Maher

Ian Walker – 6

He’s still having a problem with kicking, which seems to suggest he hasn’t fully recovered from the knee injury incurred earlier this season. Made some crucial saves from Roberts and Ellington to ensure City weren’t completely humiliated.

Patrick McCarthy – 5

Unfortunately, right back isn’t his position. He offers very little going forward and tends to get caught out defensively. Hopefully he’ll play in his rightful position of centre back against Cardiff.

Nikos Dabizas – 5

Predictably struggled against the pace of Roberts when Wigan went on the counter-attack. Looked a bit out of sorts, which was completely the opposite to his Man of the Match performance against Brighton last time out.

Dion Dublin – 7*

City’s best man of the day, which wasn’t a notable achievement in such an abject team performance. Marshalled the backline well - Unfortunately others around him were not on their game. He was pushed upfront for the final 20 minutes where he looked our most promising attacker. Maybe a starting place upfront against Cardiff?

Alan Maybury – 4

Struggled at left back as Tiatto left him far too exposed. Despite playing in that position for Hearts regularly, he looks distinctly uncomfortable.

Keith Gillespie – 5

Lively again, but he cuts in field far too often, negating his responsibility to provide width and crosses in to the box. It doesn’t help having a centre back play right back though.

Joey Gudjonsson – 4

Still extremely inconsistent and frustrating. Gave away possession far too much with some shocking distribution.

Gareth Williams – 4

Didn’t contribute much throughout the duration of the game. Peripheral for large parts.

Danny Tiatto – 4

Similar to Gillespie, gets dragged in to the centre of midfield far too often, which left the full back exposed. Committed too many fouls and didn’t provide the strikers with any decent service.

David Connolly – 5

There’s only so much he can do without the required service. Reverted to his tendency of drifting out wide to collect the ball, which often left de Vries the only man in the box for crosses.

Mark de Vries – 2

A targetman who can’t head the ball. Didn’t pose any threat on the Wigan goal, apart from a long range shot, which was comfortably saved by Filan. Won only two headers throughout the game, which is shocking for a player of his size and strength.

Substitutes:

Darren Kenton – 5

Average.

Stefan Moore – 4

Not enough time to make an impact.