Kolarov wide attacking midfield

[Ted Hughes]

Both me & that French bloke with the strange veins, have mentioned it as an idea, & now we're a wide player short with no replacement, other than SWP, anyone think it might be worth a try in some games rather than playing Milner there? Potentially much better service to Dzeko than SWP or Milner imo, a proper shot on him even if Bob wanted to play him on the right cutting in & should in theory help the team defensively?

Worth a go to find out, or not?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Please please not on the right.I think he would be sooo out of place there.

A go ahead of the left full back might just be possible but I seriously doubt it. We simply need to work better as a team so that there is space for him to exploit on the overlap or Barry/Silva/Milner. I don't really see it as a big deal.

It's the impact that AJ can have on the right side more than the left that is a little concern but we will manage.

[Ted Hughes]

He may be a bit of a sore thumb on the right but in theory, he would be able to bomb some dangerous diagonal balls into the box from there. I was just thinking that, if things went well v WBA for instance, we could try pushing him forward, later in the game, & see how it looks.

[blues2win]

My own suspicion is that we wouldn't get the best out of him further forward. He looks to me as if he's better off having got up a head of steam from a slightly deeper position. If he's higher up the pitch being man marked I doubt he's got the pace from a standing start or the trickery to get into a position to deliver crosses with his left peg. On the right I think he'd be shown outside all day long to stop him pinging inswingers with his left foot. What I would do is give him every free kick from the right so he can play some wicked inswingers in towards the far post.

Still if you were Mancini looking at a bench with only SWP or Jo to change a game why not give it a try if we're struggling in a match?

I'll be interested to read from Doug whether SWP is being put through his crossing paces in training. I know he's not involved today because he's got a slight injury. If his uncle cares about him he should tell him what a fantastic, last chance he has to rescue his career here rather than feeding him nonsense about being underpaid. Mancini should tell him that too.

Finally please please play both Kolarov and Richards tomorrow. Richards really needs to be given a vote of confidence after yesterday. Obviously Birmingham is a different kettle of fish from Notts County but he's playing with confidence and needs to feel the manager has confidence in him as well. By all means rest him for the home match with West Brom but I'm sure he's good for 90 minutes tomorrow.

[Ted Hughes]

Don't think Micah's fit.

Agree with everything about SWP. He could & should be a lot better than he is currently & if he had the balls & brains to produce the goods, rather than looking for excuses, he could be one of those players for us, like the rags have, who comes in & does a good job, when players are rested.

[blues2win]

Fuck I'd forgotten that late injury. Anyone know how bad it is, what it is.

[Alioune DVToure]

He may be a bit of a sore thumb on the right but in theory, he would be able to bomb some dangerous diagonal balls into the box from there. I was just thinking that, if things went well v WBA for instance, we could try pushing him forward, later in the game, & see how it looks.

As said I agree this as an experiment 100%. With AJ out we lack natural width.

Definitely something to try when we're:
a) Comfortable or,
b) Desperate for a goal

I wouldn't line up like that but we've a wealth of competent full-backs so it's a good Plan B.

[DoomMerchant]

Bellamy?

[kinkylola]

no mate, bellamy is at cardiff, have you forgotten?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Just for info,one of the formations Mancini played with today included Kolarov wide left as part of a 5 man midfield.

[CityFanFromRome]

Not a bad shout as a left winger, but on the right it would leave me a bit perplexed; AJ is much more adaptable so he could pull it off, but Kolarov...I'm not sure.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Not a bad shout as a left winger, but on the right it would leave me a bit perplexed; AJ is much more adaptable so he could pull it off, but Kolarov...I'm not sure.

I am sure he couldnt.

[Alioune DVToure]

Just for info,one of the formations Mancini played with today included Kolarov wide left as part of a 5 man midfield.

Interesting.

Even more interesting than [strike]IBH[/strike] Beeks's form table a few weeks ago. And that's saying something.