Gael Clichy..

[Bridge'srightfoot]

This isn't just a knee jerk reaction.
But What's been up with him lately? He just doesn't seem the same player he was in his debut season.
He's never been the best going forward but he was always solid defensively. This season however he's been really poor in both aspects. Like Chelsea's first today, he got done so, so easily by Torres, then later on in the game, he was rounded with similar ease by Ivanovic. I also think back to Bayern's second against us where he just let his man run unchallenged to the ball, whilst he stayed and watched him put it in the net.
When he gets forward, i almost sigh when he receives the ball in a crossing position because 9/10 times he'll stop, look up, not put the ball in, pass back to Yaya. During which time the opposition have got everyone back.

And then there's the improvement of Kolarov also. Not so long ago we would have laughed at the thought of Kolarov being first choice ahead of Clichy but he seems so much better of the two at the moment. We know he's not great defensively but he's terrific going forward and will give you at least 3-4 very decent crosses every game.

Something doesn't seem right with Clichy.

[Sideshow Bob]

This isn't just a knee jerk reaction.
But What's been up with him lately? He just doesn't seem the same player he was in his debut season.
He's never been the best going forward but he was always solid defensively. This season however he's been really poor in both aspects. Like Chelsea's first today, he got done so, so easily by Torres, then later on in the game, he was rounded with similar ease by Ivanovic. I also think back to Bayern's second against us where he just let his man run unchallenged to the ball, whilst he stayed and watched him put it in the net.
When he gets forward, i almost sigh when he receives the ball in a crossing position because 9/10 times he'll stop, look up, not put the ball in, pass back to Yaya. During which time the opposition have got everyone back.

And then there's the improvement of Kolarov also. Not so long ago we would have laughed at the thought of Kolarov being first choice ahead of Clichy but he seems so much better of the two at the moment. We know he's not great defensively but he's terrific going forward and will give you at least 3-4 very decent crosses every game.

Something doesn't seem right with Clichy.

Not moving well at all this season...pace used to be his strength but he's getting beaten to the end line routinely.

[clawbaggio]

His one and only quality is/was his pace and he's been done a few times by that this season.
He NEVER gets tight on his man and is an absolute liability Imo.
And piss poor when we have the ball. Clueless. . Would have been happy to bin Kolarov last season but he has to be ahead of Clichy now.
Still need a decent left back

[nottsblue]

Needs to either step up or ship out. Been poor for a while. Kola is ahead of him now.

[Blue Since 76]

I detest Kolarov as a defender, but the last few games he's looked better, although still not a top 4 or CL defender. Today I wanted him brought on.

Clichy has looked very poor when he's played this season and whilst there have always been weaknesses in his game, pace hasn't been one of them. The way Torres waltzed past him today is a worry, but hopefully it's a fitness thing, as if he's fully fit, we've got a problem.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I detest Kolarov as a defender, but the last few games he's looked better, although still not a top 4 or CL defender. Today I wanted him brought on.

Clichy has looked very poor when he's played this season and whilst there have always been weaknesses in his game, pace hasn't been one of them. The way Torres waltzed past him today is a worry, but hopefully it's a fitness thing, as if he's fully fit, we've got a problem.

So do most of us, but Kolarov has been slaughtered to death on here for far less than Clichy's howlers this season.
I think as you and others have said he looks to have lost about 3 yards of pace.
Maybe it's a confidence thing?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I detest Kolarov as a defender, but the last few games he's looked better, although still not a top 4 or CL defender. Today I wanted him brought on.

Clichy has looked very poor when he's played this season and whilst there have always been weaknesses in his game, pace hasn't been one of them. The way Torres waltzed past him today is a worry, but hopefully it's a fitness thing, as if he's fully fit, we've got a problem.

So do most of us, but Kolarov has been slaughtered to death on here for far less than Clichy's howlers this season.
I think as you and others have said he looks to have lost about 3 yards of pace.
Maybe it's a confidence thing?

I have never thought Clichy was quick.Not really slow but certainly not that quick and I was very worried today when Torres got the run on anyone including Clichy.Torres is actually quite quick and strong on the run so beating Clichy was no surprise at all.

Not sure if anything is wrong with him but Kolarov is having a better time than him defensively as well obviously in attacking.

[kinkylola]

Was extremely surprised when Torres left him for dead ... Prefer kolarov at this point

[sheblue]

He has had injuries, give him a little time.
Kolarov is not somebody to rely on at left back.

[Burt]

I raised this question a few weeks ago and the OP makes reference to when he says he stops then passes to Toure. The thing is that he is said to be naturally LEFT footed but every time he goes down the line on the left hand side and I mean EVERY time, I am screaming for him to cross the ball naturally with his left foot but he never, never, ever does. He always checks onto his right and then releases it. You can count on one hand how many times in a full season that he actually pings the ball over with his left foot and I ask again..................WHY???

[Dubciteh]

I raised this question a few weeks ago and the OP makes reference to when he says he stops then passes to Toure. The thing is that he is said to be naturally LEFT footed but every time he goes down the line on the left hand side and I mean EVERY time, I am screaming for him to cross the ball naturally with his left foot but he never, never, ever does. He always checks onto his right and then releases it. You can count on one hand how many times in a full season that he actually pings the ball over with his left foot and I ask again..................WHY???

He is naturally right footed but point stands. He crossed one ball just before their goal, just a hit and hope was pathetic, he has let his own high standards drop since the title winning season.i hate to make the comparison but this is why bacon face was so successful, he shipped out players regardless of who they were once they let their high standard,maybe we need to be as ruthless.

[gillie]

Ratboy made reference during yesterday's commentary that he thought Clichy had'nt recovered from his nightmare game in the cup final.He may have a point with Clichy's form so far this season.

[Cit.revenge]

Hes awful this season , what happen to the guy ?

[Burt]

I raised this question a few weeks ago and the OP makes reference to when he says he stops then passes to Toure. The thing is that he is said to be naturally LEFT footed but every time he goes down the line on the left hand side and I mean EVERY time, I am screaming for him to cross the ball naturally with his left foot but he never, never, ever does. He always checks onto his right and then releases it. You can count on one hand how many times in a full season that he actually pings the ball over with his left foot and I ask again..................WHY???

He is naturally right footed but point stands. He crossed one ball just before their goal, just a hit and hope was pathetic, he has let his own high standards drop since the title winning season.i hate to make the comparison but this is why bacon face was so successful, he shipped out players regardless of who they were once they let their high standard,maybe we need to be as ruthless.

Sorry, I did mean his RIGHT which he never crosses with mate.

Your last point doesn't make sense though as Shrek was critisised a few times and dropped by Taggart but still held the swamp to ransom and constantly demanded transfers which resulted in him becoming bigger than the club didn't he?

Also remember Dumbo Ferdinnad when he was banned for 7 months as a convicted drugs cheat and he then proceeded to hold Taggart to ransom whilst serving his ban, as his contract was running down and he smashed the wages structure by caving in and giving him £120k per week?

Too many myths ahave gone around about that old piss stained, whisky nosed, bacon faced, lying, two faced cunt I'm afraid.

[bobadji]

I detest Kolarov as a defender, but the last few games he's looked better, although still not a top 4 or CL defender. Today I wanted him brought on.

Clichy has looked very poor when he's played this season and whilst there have always been weaknesses in his game, pace hasn't been one of them. The way Torres waltzed past him today is a worry, but hopefully it's a fitness thing, as if he's fully fit, we've got a problem.

So do most of us, but Kolarov has been slaughtered to death on here for far less than Clichy's howlers this season.
I think as you and others have said he looks to have lost about 3 yards of pace.
Maybe it's a confidence thing?

I have never thought Clichy was quick.Not really slow but certainly not that quick and I was very worried today when Torres got the run on anyone including Clichy.Torres is actually quite quick and strong on the run so beating Clichy was no surprise at all.

Not sure if anything is wrong with him but Kolarov is having a better time than him defensively as well obviously in attacking.

agree with you here Doug, think Torres did well really for the first goal. It was the number of times Ivanovic easily sprinted past that has me worried.

[blues2win]

He's not been the same since his atrocious performance in the Cup Final.

[Moonchesteri]

I had to dig this thread up as I don't get it. what is going on with this bloke? he used to be so reliable but I find myself biting nails if I see him in the starting line-up. come on Clichy get your head sorted out!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I had to dig this thread up as I don't get it. what is going on with this bloke? he used to be so reliable but I find myself biting nails if I see him in the starting line-up. come on Clichy get your head sorted out!

Looks a nervous wreck when defending and getting skimmed on a regular basis. Add to the fact he's terrible going forward.
Kolarov is the far better player atm and should be starting.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Thought he looked better last night than he has done. Disappointing though to see him get done again for the penalty which should have been a free kick.

[Ted Hughes]

I recon Clichy was the best lb in the country 2 seasons ago. I wouldn't have swapped him for anyone. He wasn't as good last season, but he was still better than most. This season he has been shit, really really shit. He still has moments of really great defending but that doesn't matter, if you make really awful mistakes on a regular basis.

This was happening pre season, it's not just come about because of pressure. He was really terrible before the season even started.

We definitely need a left back now, because this is what happened to Clichy at Arsenal & there is no guarantee he will recover.

Kolarov has been miles better but he is not good enough either.