October Player of the Month

It's been a funny auld month, October, undefeated yet still slightly underwhelming, mainly down to the surrendering of a two-goal lead to Roy Hodgson's Fulham. We have, as covered in a previous post, bettered our results in the same games last season, holding Villa and Wigan to draws, earning something from that game with Fulham, and progressing to the last eight of the League Cup.

Those games, however, had demonstrated that all might not be as well as we'd thought in defence. Wayne Bridge's improved form has been somewhat overshadowed by injuries to Kolo Toure, several errors by Joleon Lescott, and the ongoing battle between Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta at right-back, the latter, most fans' choice for the role, perhaps costing us a better result at the DW Stadium.

This combined with a blunting of our attacking options has led to some questions being asked about our top four credentials. The injuries to our best player, Stevie Ireland, haven't helped, and the apparently patchy form of Shaun Wright-Phillips has most probably been pointed out to any Blue who'll listen. Still, a dozen games in, we've only lost once, due to a late and dubious goal at the Theatre of Lego.

The point at Villa Park certainly seemed to demonstrate both our best and worst. More aerial naivety, and a generally poor first half somewhat made up for by an improved second, Villa seemingly pleased with a point after battening down the hatches for the final half-hour. Ireland's introduction made a huge difference. Toure, Bridge, and a lively Craig Bellamy were the only others who came away from the game with much credit.

Wigan away was a pretty torrid affair. A fairly even first-half, them probably looking that little bit more dangerous, resulting in a goal whilst most of us were probably emptying our bladders or sneaking a crafty woodbine. Pablo's second yellow proved the turning point after we'd started the second half brightly. Nigel de Jong put in a typical warrior-like performance, Carlos Tevez didn't stop running, Martin Petrov looked dangerous and got the goal, and Joleon Lescott was pretty faultless.

The two points dropped at Eastlands against Fulham are still smarting. Ultimately, no-one played that well on the day. We never really got into our rhythm and once we'd gained a lead we demonstrated some woeful defending that would've quietly brought a smirk to the faces of the 'typical City' brigade. Martin Petrov was probably the best of a bad lot, and Wayne Bridge again did okay.

Doing away with Scunthorpe last Wednesday at least proved an uplifing ending to the month, though it was very much a game of two halves. Against lower-league opposition we again demonstrated our ability to defend like numpties before putting the foot down and tearing them to shreads. Summer signing Sylvinho was quietly effective, as was the returning Vince Kompany. Pablo Zabaleta was largely good, too, Nige again decent, and the half-hour cameo of Vlad Weiss stood out.

To be honest, it's hard to pick a Player of the Month, several have shown some good form without being consistent over the four games. Nige continues to prove a vital cog but was poor at Villa. Craig Bellamy, nursing a knock, did well but only played twice, Martin Petrov similarly, but grabbed two important goals, and Carlos Tevez has bust a gut yet backed it up with little end-product.

Overall, i think i'll just have to give it to Wayne Bridge. Occasional moments of naivety aside he's had a very good season, in my opinion. He looks fitter, hungrier, and more of an asset both going forwards and defending. His form might not be spectacular but it's generally solid, and he's looking more like the top full-back of old than the one who, barring a solid debut, looked a bit off the pace last season.

October: Wayne Bridge