Gael Clichy

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I thought we were playing him as a left winger at some points on Saturday! Nice touch and ghosted past players a couple of times. I still have slight reservations about him defensively. Certainly a good extra weapon when trying to break teams down.

[Wooders]

I think he showed saturday that he's also a talented tackler, add that to his pace with catching people unawares and I think we've got a decent little left back
sure a kenwyn jones of the league is likely to swat him out the way - but we've other big bruisers

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

[BlueinBosnia]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

[Original Dub]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

oops..

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

Eh X2? Where did I call him shite? I said he is good going forward and suspect defending. He has proved for us he is fantastic going forward when he has space. He hasn't proven that he can defend under pressure for us or Arsenal.

And I STILL wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. I actually thought Kolarov did pretty well against Bolton and for change was quite good defending when we WERE back against the wall in final minutes.

[BlueinBosnia]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

Eh X2? Where did I call him shite? I said he is good going forward and suspect defending. He has proved for us he is fantastic going forward when he has space. He hasn't proven that he can defend under pressure for us or Arsenal.

And I STILL wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. I actually thought Kolarov did pretty well against Bolton and for change was quite good defending when we WERE back against the wall in final minutes.

You didn't call him "shit" per se, but your opinion has mellowed considerably since the idea of him joining was first mooted. Especially with regard to his defensive capacities.

[Wonderwall]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

Eh X2? Where did I call him shite? I said he is good going forward and suspect defending. He has proved for us he is fantastic going forward when he has space. He hasn't proven that he can defend under pressure for us or Arsenal.

And I STILL wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. I actually thought Kolarov did pretty well against Bolton and for change was quite good defending when we WERE back against the wall in final minutes.

Alan Hansen is backing you here Antti!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... perch.html

[avoidconfusion]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

1. You said Clichy is "just another fullback who cannot defend" .... "just another" means he is not better what we had before which is/was Kolarov, Bridge and Cunningham. I remember you slating all of these in the past.

2. I am not a Bayern Fan, if anything I am affiliated to TSV 1860 due to my father's side of the family.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

1. You said Clichy is "just another fullback who cannot defend" .... "just another" means he is not better what we had before which is/was Kolarov, Bridge and Cunningham. I remember you slating all of these in the past.

2. I am not a Bayern Fan, if anything I am affiliated to TSV 1860 due to my father's side of the family.

So I didn't call him "shit" then did I? And I don't think he is huge improvement on Kolarov. I DID say he is better than Bridge though and Cunningham..... give me a fucking break.

I'm 100% certain you have admitted to being Bayern fan.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Waiting for NQDP to wade in and lecture us about how shit Clichy is.

Eh?

When have I said Clichy is "shit"? Your bum chum Lahm is shit but that doesn't expand to every single fullback in the world. I'm sure as Bayern supporter that's hard concept for you to understand. For you and your homeboy Karl-Heinz Rummennigge.

It remains to be seen how Clichy will react when we are backs against the wall. He sometimes struggled in those situations with Arsenal. So far so good though and he seems to be enjoying all the space created by our world class attacking players.

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

...And I didn't say shit about being attackminded. I said he can't defend. Which is more or less a fact.

Eh X2? Where did I call him shite? I said he is good going forward and suspect defending. He has proved for us he is fantastic going forward when he has space. He hasn't proven that he can defend under pressure for us or Arsenal.

And I STILL wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. I actually thought Kolarov did pretty well against Bolton and for change was quite good defending when we WERE back against the wall in final minutes.

You didn't call him "shit" per se, but your opinion has mellowed considerably since the idea of him joining was first mooted. Especially with regard to his defensive capacities.

Of course it's mellowed. He plays for us now and I have to give him benefit of doubt.

Truth is though that he hasn't been tested yet. In Arsenal against better teams he was struggling time and time again while against weaker teams seemed world class. I want to see how he copes against top teams for us before making my mind either way. It's possible that better centerbacks that we have will help cover his weaknessess.

In general, the reason why I don't like attacking fullbacks was there for all to see during last winter. It forces you to play with more than one defensive midfielder covering for them. The sheer attacking productivity of these fullbacks doesn't cover for the loss of replacing positive midfielder with negative one. If you look at world's best attacking fullbacks, they give couple of assists and maybe score about a goal a season. That's no substitute to having creative midfielder instead of defensive one.

Furthermore, I think Pablo Zabaleta is better leftback, yes that's LEFTback, than either of Clichy and Kolarov. He offers the kind of attributes I myself look from fullback. He is hard tackler, good at defending and on top of that all he is very much capable of surprising opposition with some surges forward every now and then.

Alan Hansen is backing you here Antti!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... perch.html

I'm not quite sure whether that's good or bad thing though!

[Kladze]

Of course it's mellowed. He plays for us now and I have to give him benefit of doubt.

Truth is though that he hasn't been tested yet. In Arsenal against better teams he was struggling time and time again while against weaker teams seemed world class. I want to see how he copes against top teams for us before making my mind either way. It's possible that better centerbacks that we have will help cover his weaknessess.

[highlight]In general, the reason why I don't like attacking fullbacks was there for all to see during last winter. It forces you to play with more than one defensive midfielder covering for them. The sheer attacking productivity of these fullbacks doesn't cover for the loss of replacing positive midfielder with negative one. If you look at world's best attacking fullbacks, they give couple of assists and maybe score about a goal a season. That's no substitute to having creative midfielder instead of defensive one.[/highlight]

Furthermore, I think Pablo Zabaleta is better leftback, yes that's LEFTback, than either of Clichy and Kolarov. He offers the kind of attributes I myself look from fullback. He is hard tackler, good at defending and on top of that all he is very much capable of surprising opposition with some surges forward every now and then.

Afraid to say though Antii that, as I pointed out to you a few times last season, it's Mancini's clear philosophy (imo) to provide much of our attacking width with our full backs. If you don't accept the likes of Clichy and any perceivable defensive drawbacks then you have to refuse to accept Mancini's mode d'emploi.

[carl_feedthegoat]

GC has been fucking excellent for us and if you cannot see that then you need help.

I cannot remember the last time we had a left back that was fast as fuck, had dribbling skills and could cross a ball.

[Wonderwall]

GC has been fucking excellent for us and if you cannot see that then you need help.

I cannot remember the last time we had a left back that was fast as fuck, had dribbling skills and could cross a ball.

Stephen Jor............... me neither

[Ted Hughes]

Fair points from Hansen in theory, but when you actually see how Utd defended against Barca, it would be difficult for Lescoot & Kolarov to come up with anything worse than what happened for Pepe's opening goal. Then they just stood & watched as Messi took aim & scored the 2nd unchallenged. In the previous final, they allowed Messi to score with a free header.

Bob would be rightly gutted if our defenders conceded any of those goals.

[Alioune DVToure]

In my opinion, games and tournaments are won and lost in midfield. Look at the really good sides of recent years - Munes in '99, Arsenal in '02-'04, Chelsea in '05-'08, Barcelona and Spain now. In all of these cases it's the midfield that's outstanding.

I'd argue that England have the best strength in depth defensively of any country in the world at the minute. The quality peters out as we get up the pitch and that's why we're not good enough. These are amazing defensive options in my opinion:

Richards-------------Ferdinand----------------Terry------------------Cole
Smalling---------------Cahill-------------------Lescott---------------Baines
Johnson---------------Jones-------------------Jagielka--------------Gibbs

Those are miles better options than the likes of Spain, Italy and France have at their disposal.

90% of every football match is contested in midfield. We're building an awesome one at City, and that's why I'm boldly predicting that we'll get to the semis of the CL this season.

[Blue in North London]

I have been impressed with his defending, especially his anticipation, the speed in which he gets back into position and his decision-making. What I like about him most is that he looks forward as soon as he gets the ball. Very encouraging.

[Slim]

He's not too bad on FIFA either, scored on debut. :p

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I wonder what he will look like if a team decide it is worth attacking us through the left back area. I've seen him look dodgy in the past. If he can past that test with flying colours then we can get excited.

[Slim]

I think where we excel and Arsenal didn't is the defensive screening provided by Barry and de Jong, they squeeze space on the flanks and force the play to move quickly or fuck up. Having athletic fullbacks and some of the best defensive midfielders in the league like we do means we can stop wingplay easier.