Aleks Kolarov: Redeemed?

[Beefymcfc]

Love the bloke, just love him.

[ant london]

Love the bloke, just love him.

Mase?

[Slim]

Every time I see him play, I wonder if anyone else thinks he stands out like a sore thumb.

What do you call a guy who hangs around with musicians? The drummer.

What do you call a guy who plays football with world class players? Kolarov.

Occasionally he plays a decent game, and at the start of this season he looked to be improving, but he and Garcia are two players who shouldn't be anywhere near the teamsheet IMO.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Every time I see him play, I wonder if anyone else thinks he stands out like a sore thumb. What do you call a guy who hangs around with musicians? The drummer. What do you call a guy who plays football with world class players? Kolarov. Occasionally he plays a decent game, and at the start of this season he looked to be improving, but he and Garcia are two players who shouldn't be anywhere near the teamsheet IMO.

I noticed lately the vast difference in him when receiving in the middle 3rd, to the final 3rd. Forget about opposition numbers, space anything really. He's simply not capable of keeping possession in midfield. Deadly further on, but useless in early build up.

[Ted Hughes]

It's not usual that two members of a title winning back 4 have 'no worse than..' as their main attribute for defending.

However, if City weren't to win the title, that would apply to who ever else won it, because if you look at the other contenders, our current back 4 is indeed 'no worse than' theirs.

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

No wonder the Count has a plan to win every game 4-3; it's possible.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

It's been that way for a while IMO, and Mancini was unusual in PL in actually liking defensive play. Even the teams that aim to nick a point don't really defend with skill, more foul, break up play, battle etc.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

It's not usual that two members of a title winning back 4 have 'no worse than..' as their main attribute for defending.

However, if City weren't to win the title, that would apply to who ever else won it, because if you look at the other contenders, our current back 4 is indeed 'no worse than' theirs.

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

No wonder the Count has a plan to win every game 4-3; it's possible.

It seems though that in recent years the fullback role has evolved from being primarily a defensive role to almost an attacking one. As teams have gradually stopped playing with two out and out wingers, they now look to add quality in the centre and get their width and attacking threat from the fullbacks.
I remember one particular game under Mancini against Fulham away when we won 4-1. It was one of Koalrov's first games for us and him and Zabaleta looked superb as the attacking fullbacks. Both were more threatening going forward than your average winger and I thought that would be the start of something. Then Kolarov went a bit shit.

This season though he's contributed hugely to our attacking play, he really is a wonderful crosser and he really should have had more assists to his name if we could have finished better. He's suspect defensively but imo the best way he defends is by attacking and forcing the opposition winger back. Look at the 4-1 vs United, he gave Valencia nightmares.

I'm fed up of watching Cichy play, he may have suited Mancini's style but he just doesn't suit Pellegrini. I can barely remember decent cross he's put in this season and he looks lost and hopeless going forward, whereas Kolarov will always put 2-3 good crosses in a game.

Clichy's saving grace used to be he was solid defensively but now we can't even say that, he's a liability defensively now. Even worse than Kolarov.

I still think we should go for Luke Shaw from Southampton and finally sort out this problem position for us.

[Ted Hughes]

It's not usual that two members of a title winning back 4 have 'no worse than..' as their main attribute for defending.

However, if City weren't to win the title, that would apply to who ever else won it, because if you look at the other contenders, our current back 4 is indeed 'no worse than' theirs.

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

No wonder the Count has a plan to win every game 4-3; it's possible.

It seems though that in recent years the fullback role has evolved from being primarily a defensive role to almost an attacking one. As teams have gradually stopped playing with two out and out wingers, they now look to add quality in the centre and get their width and attacking threat from the fullbacks.
I remember one particular game under Mancini against Fulham away when we won 4-1. It was one of Koalrov's first games for us and him and Zabaleta looked superb as the attacking fullbacks. Both were more threatening going forward than your average winger and I thought that would be the start of something. Then Kolarov went a bit shit.

This season though he's contributed hugely to our attacking play, he really is a wonderful crosser and he really should have had more assists to his name if we could have finished better. He's suspect defensively but imo the best way he defends is by attacking and forcing the opposition winger back. Look at the 4-1 vs United, he gave Valencia nightmares.

I'm fed up of watching Cichy play, he may have suited Mancini's style but he just doesn't suit Pellegrini. I can barely remember decent cross he's put in this season and he looks lost and hopeless going forward, whereas Kolarov will always put 2-3 good crosses in a game.

Clichy's saving grace used to be he was solid defensively but now we can't even say that, he's a liability defensively now. Even worse than Kolarov.

I still think we should go for Luke Shaw from Southampton and finally sort out this problem position for us.

I think that if Mancini had a bit more attacking invention, we could have defended solidly & still play the kind of football we are playing now. Unfortunately, he seemed to dream of 3 at the back & have no other ideas for improving the attacking play.

Seems you have to pick one or the other & can't have a manager who does both.

[Nige]

Serious question K13 lovers. Where was he for both Fulham goals? I'm not talking about the final touches, just the last main thrust of action.

I know the answer, dare you say it about the calendar guy?

[kinkylola]

Serious question K13 lovers. Where was he for both Fulham goals? I'm not talking about the final touches, just the last main thrust of action.

I know the answer, dare you say it about the calendar guy?

I don't think anyone has trouble acknowledging his defensive inabilities. Until we buy a better LB, he's currently the better option between him and clichy. Much more suited to our current 'score more than them' results.

[Alioune DVToure]

Serious question K13 lovers. Where was he for both Fulham goals? I'm not talking about the final touches, just the last main thrust of action.

I know the answer, dare you say it about the calendar guy?

K13 is a gash nickname that won't catch on (I hate myself just for being able to know what it means on sight). That said, if he'd gone for 47 as his squad number he might be onto something - especially with that left foot.

[Green & Blue]

I maintain that his defensive game is woefully lacking at this level.His redeeming feature his ability to hurt opposition in the final 3rd.His set piece ability is frightening but then again we do have Yaya.Does his a ability going forward make up for his sloppy defending? I don't know if it does.

[Mase]

People moaning about his defending are acting like we've had one decent defender this season!! Even Zaba has had a poor season compared to previous. Just let the guy crack on or offer him out on the front row of the Colin Bell and see what happens.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Typical game from him yesterday. In the first half, he put in 3 great crosses and easily could have had one or two assists. Navas was unlucky to hit the post from the first cross, Negredo should have hit the target with the second and Toure was unlucky with the 3rd.
However, his attempt at playing Sterling offside for the goal that never was was hopeless and then he nearly cost us a goal when he fucked around with the ball in our area.

Could have set up 3 and gave away 2, pretty typical really.

He's still our best left back this season, Clichy's been even worse defensively and whereas Kolarov will put in 2 or 3 great crosses a match, it will take Clichy half a season to put a decent cross in.

We really need a new left back. Someone who's as good as Kolarov going forward and as good as Clichy used to be defensively.

[Spurge]

It's not usual that two members of a title winning back 4 have 'no worse than..' as their main attribute for defending.

However, if City weren't to win the title, that would apply to who ever else won it, because if you look at the other contenders, our current back 4 is indeed 'no worse than' theirs.

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

[highlight]No wonder the Count has a plan to win every game 4-3; it's possible[/highlight].

Chicken and egg here - is it because of the way the count plans to win 4-3 (as you say) that we don't defend as well as a unit, or does he set up to attack because we don't have a strong defence and are better in the last third?

Why are premier league defences a shitpile?

Well because goals make for entertainment and with the amount of TV money in the game, the TV companies have some sway and demand entertainment - goals.

The TV companies don't want a repeat of the champ league final 2003 between AC Milan and Juventus when a defensive masterclass from both sides meant 0-0 after 120 mins and penalties. Not good entertainment apparently! (though I'd beg to differ)

So the rules of the game nowadays are much more in favour of the attacker, fouls are all too easily conceded, as challenges that used to be deemed as a 'good tackle' now result in a free kick to the opposition. So if you can assemble some quality in the last third then it makes good sense to go on the offensive as your adopted style of play.

If we find the magic formula for the ultimate defence to compliment our attack minded play then we would be unstoppable. But because defending is more difficult nowadays, such quality is hard to find and therefore it may take some time. If we do find the right player/s expect to pay top price.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

It's not usual that two members of a title winning back 4 have 'no worse than..' as their main attribute for defending.

However, if City weren't to win the title, that would apply to who ever else won it, because if you look at the other contenders, our current back 4 is indeed 'no worse than' theirs.

What a shitpile the current Premier League is defensively when you look at it.

No wonder the Count has a plan to win every game 4-3; it's possible.

Missed this earlier but you got the situation covered well here. The quality of defending of top teams is shocking right now. Not meaning to take anything away from anyone. There aren't even that many class defenders around.

[Slim]

Do you think that might be because no-one ever starts off a defender? They all start off further up and get pushed backwards as they get older and better kids take their spot.

[Ted Hughes]

Do you think that might be because no-one ever starts off a defender? They all start off further up and get pushed backwards as they get older and better kids take their spot.

Used to also be the case back in the days when defenders could defend though.

I recon, because of the campaign by wankers like Pele & the constant diving supported by the industry, defenders are not being taught to defend, as refs don't allow it.

Strangely though, refs do seem to love shirt pulling at set pieces.

[Original Dub]

I think it's the copying of the latest "best team in europe" that trickles over from spain or italy or wherever.

Not so long ago it was the holding midfielder and you absolutely had to have one. Then it was tall, powerful centre mids. Then barca came along and it was all ball playing centre halves with small midfielders.

Then no need for the holding midfielder because we'll score more than them. Bayern seemed to be the first team that can do a barca and defend. We'll all try figure out their secret and copy accordingly.

But for now, everyone is right in thd middle of trying to be barcelona. Especially us. That's why I think you're seeing stronger attacks and much weaker defending.

[Slim]

Do you think that might be because no-one ever starts off a defender? They all start off further up and get pushed backwards as they get older and better kids take their spot.

Used to also be the case back in the days when defenders could defend though.

I recon, because of the campaign by wankers like Pele & the constant diving supported by the industry, defenders are not being taught to defend, as refs don't allow it.

Strangely though, refs do seem to love shirt pulling at set pieces.

You could have a point, but it wasn't a new idea that attackers dive, I remember seeing Franny try to pull a fast one on the refs at times but they were having none of it. Maybe the shit quality of refs has severely limited the ability of defenders to actually defend.