Aleks Kolarov: Redeemed?

[Alioune DVToure]

Much improved this season and last. For me, his performances have outstripped Dale Cliché's this year and he should be our starting left back at the minute.

Mancini and Pellegrini have both showed a lot of faith in him and he finally looks like the player we thought we were getting; very dangerous going forward and very calm and tidy at the back. He deserved the armband for those two European matches.

Hats off.

P.S. I also reckon he's the best crosser of the ball that the Premier League has seen for years. Maybe the best since Beckham.

[Dronny]

Tend to agree that he's outshone Gayle Clucky this year and we should stick with our very own Serbian hitman

[twosips]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

[Alioune DVToure]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

I don't think it matters a great deal who captains the team in two (effectively) dead rubber European games, but I thought it was good man-management from Pellers to show such faith in a guy who's been in and out of the team for four seasons without ever kicking up a stink (and who continues to improve). Why does Demichelis 'deserve' to be captain ahead of Kolarov? Perhaps you should 'give the fuck over'.

Besides which, I'm sure he must have some leadership qualities that are more evident to those who see him train every day.

[ashton287]

He still can't defend. But that just doesn't stand out as much anymore because we can't defend in general.

It stood out with Mancini because he played in a very defensive minded way. So when kolarov got skinned it stood out from the norm. He hasn't changed anything, he is still a shit defender. But now he is just one of many shit defenders and is also one of many great attacking threats we have and is the best crosser we have.

Zaba has suffered a few times this season in the opposite sense.

[Beefymcfc]

I like him. The fact that he gets stuck in when there's a bit of a ruckas gives him that extra edge and in an attacking sense, which is what we are after now, then he's just as good as many wingers.

Can we change the song to 'Yaya, Yaya Yaya ................... Toure - Kola, Kola Kola .............. Aleks

OK, it doesn't work ;-)

[bigblue]

He's a great balance for Navas. While he doesn't have the same speed, but can deliver some great balls. And if a cross gets over hit, it'll just go to the other who can put it right back in. holistic

[halnone]

he's fucking brilliant this season isn't he. Hopefully the rumours of him leaving in the next window are false. He's a great asset to the team.

[JamieMCFC]

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

Apparently the squad seems to disagree with you. From the sounds of it when it comes to the pecking order in the squad he is third behind Vinny and Yaya as far as leadership goes.

[ruralblue]

Have enjoyed watching him get forward this season. Still makes me a bit edgy when at the back. Sharpen that right back position a bit and we've got an excellent player on our hands!

[Goaters 103]

Prototype wing back - good in possession, good in final third, cant defend Im afraid.

Yes I agree he's outshone Clichy this season but if we are going to play with a back 4, against the better teams he is a liability defensively - eg first Bayern goal in the CL.

Kolarov is a very useful squad member though, especially in home games where we will dominate possession and be on the attack all the time like Norwich, Cardiff, Villa etc at home.

[Breks]

Good crosser of the ball and great at freekicks. However he can't defend, he's too slow and doesn't look comfortable in posession of the ball.

[zuricity]

Good crosser of the ball and great at freekicks. However he can't defend, he's too slow and doesn't look comfortable in posession of the ball.

Why are you discussing Lescott ?

[bigblue]

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

Apparently the squad seems to disagree with you. From the sounds of it when it comes to the pecking order in the squad he is third behind Vinny and Yaya as far as leadership goes.

In a captain, you want someone who (roughly in order):

- Is respected and looked up to by the rest of the team
- Is a more senior member of the club and understands what playing for Man City means
- Thoroughly understands the manager's methods and tactics
- Is consistent and steps up in big games/tense moments (leads by example)
- Isn't a keeper. The captain needs to communicate with the team, ref, and manager. The keeper is too removed to do so effectively.

Vinny and Yaya are the obvious 2 default leaders.
Micah is in there too because he is now Mr. City compared to the rest of the players. His muscles just don't let him play enough.
Milner would be a good shout if he was in the default lineup. Especially how he steps up in big games (Bayern away) and is a model professional. But does seem to be a bit shy compared to other players.
Negredo and Jovetic were both leaders at their past clubs and would be a good choice once they have spent a season or two performing well at City. JoJo has to actually play first.
Sergio, Silva, and maybe even Nasri would be up there, but I don't think they are vocal enough or natural leaders

Kolarov is a very strong character and has been at City longer than many others in our starting lineup. Don't see a problem at all with him being captain on occasion.

[dazby]

That free kick v Leicester was a worldy. Pheo nommy nall.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

I don't think it matters a great deal who captains the team in two (effectively) dead rubber European games, but I thought it was good man-management from Pellers to show such faith in a guy who's been in and out of the team for four seasons without ever kicking up a stink (and who continues to improve). Why does Demichelis 'deserve' to be captain ahead of Kolarov? Perhaps you should 'give the fuck over'.

Besides which, I'm sure he must have some leadership qualities that are more evident to those who see him train every day.

Guy was kicking off with his own supporters only last spring.

[kinkylola]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

I don't think it matters a great deal who captains the team in two (effectively) dead rubber European games, but I thought it was good man-management from Pellers to show such faith in a guy who's been in and out of the team for four seasons without ever kicking up a stink (and who continues to improve). Why does Demichelis 'deserve' to be captain ahead of Kolarov? Perhaps you should 'give the fuck over'.

Besides which, I'm sure he must have some leadership qualities that are more evident to those who see him train every day.

Guy was kicking off with his own supporters only last spring.

ya, fucking hang him!

think that is/was a total non-issue. coping personal abuse from fans (not good natured ribbing), and working under Mancini in a locker room that had more than a few bust-ups. I have no issue forgetting that incident.

If the team have no qualms about him being higher up in the rung for captain, neither do i.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

I don't think it matters a great deal who captains the team in two (effectively) dead rubber European games, but I thought it was good man-management from Pellers to show such faith in a guy who's been in and out of the team for four seasons without ever kicking up a stink (and who continues to improve). Why does Demichelis 'deserve' to be captain ahead of Kolarov? Perhaps you should 'give the fuck over'.

Besides which, I'm sure he must have some leadership qualities that are more evident to those who see him train every day.

Guy was kicking off with his own supporters only last spring.

ya, fucking hang him!

think that is/was a total non-issue. coping personal abuse from fans (not good natured ribbing), and working under Mancini in a locker room that had more than a few bust-ups. I have no issue forgetting that incident.

If the team have no qualms about him being higher up in the rung for captain, neither do i.

Total non-issue? He gets paid millions to do his job and doesn't do it. Then people who spend a huge chunk of their hard earned to see these millionares vent their feelings, you think it's ok for him to get involved? And even give armband to that sort of character?

Well I don't agree at all. And he has been bit better this season but he was fucking horrible before AND he is still liability when we are under pressure.

[kinkylola]

He's better but he's still not great. He's good going forward, yes, but he's still weak defensively. Having said that i don't mind him as a squad player at all but we still could do with a LB as good as Zab on the other side.

Him as captain though? Give the fuck over. Never in a million years should he have been captain in those games.

Richards. Hart. Lescott. Aguero. Milner. Fernandinho. Demichelis. Nasri. Any of them! All those players started and they all deserved to be captain ahead of Kolarov. Kolarov and Garcia were the last two players on the pitch that i'd have made captain of City.

I don't think it matters a great deal who captains the team in two (effectively) dead rubber European games, but I thought it was good man-management from Pellers to show such faith in a guy who's been in and out of the team for four seasons without ever kicking up a stink (and who continues to improve). Why does Demichelis 'deserve' to be captain ahead of Kolarov? Perhaps you should 'give the fuck over'.

Besides which, I'm sure he must have some leadership qualities that are more evident to those who see him train every day.

Guy was kicking off with his own supporters only last spring.

ya, fucking hang him!

think that is/was a total non-issue. coping personal abuse from fans (not good natured ribbing), and working under Mancini in a locker room that had more than a few bust-ups. I have no issue forgetting that incident.

If the team have no qualms about him being higher up in the rung for captain, neither do i.

Total non-issue? He gets paid millions to do his job and doesn't do it. Then people who spend a huge chunk of their hard earned to see these millionares vent their feelings, you think it's ok for him to get involved? And even give armband to that sort of character?

Well I don't agree at all. And he has been bit better this season but he was fucking horrible before AND he is still liability when we are under pressure.

sorry, buying a ticket doesn't entitle anyone the right to verbally abuse another person. Such a pathetic and ridiculous mentality.

As I said, being captain can be about more than being the best player on the pitch, and if he's 3rd choice behind yaya and vinnie, maybe it's because of his standing in the dressing room?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Lot of people buy the ticket so that they can say things they can't otherwise. You go to work and take shit from your boss and/or employees all week, then you go home and listen to your missus whining and moaning and your snotty kids whining and complaining and you take all that with smiling face. But few times a month you go to games and you can swear and call some cunt a cunt. And after that you are ready to go back home and start all over again. I'll even expand it, you do the dishes and take care of the kids and do your office job, there are no battles to get involved and you don't have to hunt your food. It's a place where you can relieve your primal instincts.

Now that is NOT me. I take my pleasure of football other ways and don't feel these primal instincts but I can understand people who do. They can be found on every football ground in the world. And they are mostly hilarious. What does my fucking head in are the holier than thou people, who can be equally found in every ground, who start to fucking moan at these people. What I can't understand are the millionaires who can't take it. There are fucking semi-pros earning in year what Kolarov makes in a week who take it because..... well that's what you signed up for. If you don't like it, there are plenty of office jobs available.