Joleon

[dazby]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

Again, you're talking about other stuff than what he was put on the park to do: STOP SUAREZ!

He did make some good passes too.

[john@staustell]

He stepped in, fair play to the lad. But nowhere near this level. Still goes down as a great servant, just makes me nervous as hell!

[aaron bond]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

Again, you're talking about other stuff than what he was put on the park to do: STOP SUAREZ!

He did make some good passes too.

Lescott's passing was actually very good in the first half - he played some good balls into the midfield, particularly an excellent pass down the left wing to the Silva. He was under more pressure in the second half and he doesn't look as comfortable ball in those situations, however, as you pointed out, that isn't his main job.

Kompany, on the other hand, carries the ball out of defence, runs up the pitch, loses it almost every time and is then hopelessly out of position. Yet he is cheered on by the crowd for this because it 'looks good'. It's quite astounding.

If we had played Demichelis, with his headless chicken routine, against Suarez, we would have conceded more. If we had played Nastasic, with his...well, zero defensive attributes, we would have conceded more. Suarez's movement on and off the ball is quite exceptional, and he moves with such speed around the pitch - any defender would have a tough time against him considering his form at the moment. Lescott didn't get everything right but Demichelis has been turned easily by far lesser forwards this season, and Nastasic's attempts to avoid doing any real defending wouldn't have helped us against Suarez.

The other thing that annoys me about the Lescott criticism is that any player is bound to be a bit rusty when he doesn't play regularly. Demichelis makes mistakes week-in, week-out so why is that allowed? Nastasic has shown over nearly 18 months that he is not good enough for a team of our level. Anytime Lescott has had a run in the team, he has played well, and his partnership with Kompany is the strongest out of any of our options. Yes, we still need to try and bring in a new centre back but to give us more depth in that area, but the weakest options currently are Demichelis and Nastasic, not Lescott.

[Sister of fu]

He played against arguably the best player in the prem right now and did ok. What do people want from him? He doesn't play week in and week out so will be rusty. I like Joleon, he does what a defender should do, defend.

[xavi6]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Stop the best striker on the planet at the minute from having a sniff at goal, job done. Well played Joleon.

[Im_Spartacus]

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

Thank fucking god somebody has dug these stats out.

I find it incredible the criticism that Lescott gets for his 'on the ball' ability, when as someone else has said, Kompany is culpable for losing the ball far more but gets cut slack because he is more likeable and it looks good when he runs forwards.

I just want my defender to defend, and the other footballing aspects of Lescott game have come on immeasurably in the last few years under Mancini. He is also worth half a dozen goals a season, which is probably more contribution than goals he would be directly responsible for.

He certainly isn't the perfect defender, but when criticising him in favour of demichelis or nasty, it seems that their basic ability to stop attacking players gets overlooked. It really makes me wonder just what the fuck some people on here, who generally speak sense most of the time, gets into their heads when it comes to evaluating defensive play and defenders.

[sheblue]

More jolean please less martin.
If lescott got a run of games he would be better than him.

[Cocacolajojo1]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

Thank you for these stats.

And a big up to Dazby for starting this thread.

I was more worried about Kompany's charges on Suarez than I ever was when Joleon was defending against him. Joleon was very good yesterday. As was Kompany btw, but he was clearly a bit too... over excited. Lescott was not.

In fact, I'd like to give the entire team a thumbs up for their defending in the second half. Liverpool came close on a couple of occasions but on the whole, we stifled them really well. Pellegrini clearly won the coaching match yesterday, despite Rodgers and his notepad doing their best.

[Ted Hughes]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

Thank you for these stats.

And a big up to Dazby for starting this thread.

I was more worried about Kompany's charges on Suarez than I ever was when Joleon was defending against him. Joleon was very good yesterday. As was Kompany btw, but he was clearly a bit too... over excited. Lescott was not.

In fact, I'd like to give the entire team a thumbs up for their defending in the second half. Liverpool came close on a couple of occasions but on the whole, we stifled them really well. Pellegrini clearly won the coaching match yesterday, despite Rodgers and his notepad doing their best.

The Count has either told Vinny to charge out & nick the ball off attackers/mids, or Vinny has picked it up through playing next to Demichelis. The number of times he was caught in no mans land yesterday would not have happened in 5 games last season, or ten the season before.

If it's instructions from the Count & Lescott has to play as the only option for a period, then we have a big problem because Lescott will not be able to do it, & will be even worse than Demichelis/Nastasic once Pellegrini gets into his head.

If it's purely down to misjudgement from Vinny though, then the opposite will happen & playing next to Lescott will remind him how to defend properly.

The idea that Lescott is slower than Demichelis by the way, is nonsense. He isn't. That's a fact. I'd recon he's about 5 yards faster over 35 judging by when they both sprinted back together a few weeks ago.

Had Demi played yesterday, City would have lost.

For us to do what the Count is asking, we need a cb who is 5 yards quicker than VK & JL in order to cover it imo.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

Thank you for these stats.

And a big up to Dazby for starting this thread.

I was more worried about Kompany's charges on Suarez than I ever was when Joleon was defending against him. Joleon was very good yesterday. As was Kompany btw, but he was clearly a bit too... over excited. Lescott was not.

In fact, I'd like to give the entire team a thumbs up for their defending in the second half. Liverpool came close on a couple of occasions but on the whole, we stifled them really well. Pellegrini clearly won the coaching match yesterday, despite Rodgers and his notepad doing their best.

The Count has either told Vinny to charge out & nick the ball off attackers/mids, or Vinny has picked it up through playing next to Demichelis. The number of times he was caught in no mans land yesterday would not have happened in 5 games last season, or ten the season before.

If it's instructions from the Count & Lescott has to play as the only option for a period, then we have a big problem because Lescott will not be able to do it, & will be even worse than Demichelis/Nastasic once Pellegrini gets into his head.

If it's purely down to misjudgement from Vinny though, then the opposite will happen & playing next to Lescott will remind him how to defend properly.

The idea that Lescott is slower than Demichelis by the way, is nonsense. He isn't. That's a fact. I'd recon he's about 5 yards faster over 35 judging by when they both sprinted back together a few weeks ago.

Had Demi played yesterday, City would have lost.

For us to do what the Count is asking, we need a cb who is 5 yards quicker than VK & JL in order to cover it imo.

I believe it is under instruction from Pellegrini, the amount of times we see either Kompany or Demichelis diving in in midfield suggests it is. I also think this is why he doesn't fancy Lescott, as this idea of stepping into midfield to win the ball wouldn't be Lescott's forte.

It's extremely high risk but when it works it means we can counter at lightning quick pace.

I'm struggling to come to terms with this style of defending but I have a feeling that I'm just going to have to get used to it.

[Blue Since 76]

Don't get the obsession with the passing - if that's such a big deal, play Silva or Nasri there. The reason you wouldn't is that they can't defend.

I'd love to have another Kompany, but we haven't got one and Lescott with Kompany is still out best pairing, especially if they were given a run of games together.

For those criticising Lescott, which other Premier League centre half would you go and buy? Ignore cost or availability, who would you have next to VK? Premier League only, not some obscure Vietnamese player who would shit himself against Palace or Stoke.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Will be sold soon and we need a replacement...he got away with 2 fuckign possible penalties against us , one was probably the most needless fucking stupid foul in the corner of the box I have seen for a long time...no need at all for that( And 2 wrongs don't make a right so you can forget about mentioning skirtle doing the same to Vinnie!)

I thought he was average as Vinnie ,but he will never, ever in a month of Sundays be a first teamer, barring everyone else being injured.

As for him having Suarez in his pocket""...probably the most fuckign stupidest comment ever made on this site for the last 15 years..Take a bow SPazby!!

[Ted Hughes]

This thread really makes me worry about forums.

He was truly, truly awful. No balance on th ball and when 'passing', and I use the term loosely.

Slower than Demichelis at best and enough clumsy challenges to lose 3 matches.

And what his fans dont seem to see is how his inability to pass and hold the ball safely nullifies a lot of our forward movement.

His pass completion percentage was higher than any other defender and the same as Yaya.

He misplaced five out of 41 passes the whole game, two of which were long passes so were never going to cause any immediate danger.

As well as that, his stats for clearances (100%) and tackles (75%) were more than adequate so the facts suggest that he certainly wasn't "truly, truly awful".

Thank you for these stats.

And a big up to Dazby for starting this thread.

I was more worried about Kompany's charges on Suarez than I ever was when Joleon was defending against him. Joleon was very good yesterday. As was Kompany btw, but he was clearly a bit too... over excited. Lescott was not.

In fact, I'd like to give the entire team a thumbs up for their defending in the second half. Liverpool came close on a couple of occasions but on the whole, we stifled them really well. Pellegrini clearly won the coaching match yesterday, despite Rodgers and his notepad doing their best.

The Count has either told Vinny to charge out & nick the ball off attackers/mids, or Vinny has picked it up through playing next to Demichelis. The number of times he was caught in no mans land yesterday would not have happened in 5 games last season, or ten the season before.

If it's instructions from the Count & Lescott has to play as the only option for a period, then we have a big problem because Lescott will not be able to do it, & will be even worse than Demichelis/Nastasic once Pellegrini gets into his head.

If it's purely down to misjudgement from Vinny though, then the opposite will happen & playing next to Lescott will remind him how to defend properly.

The idea that Lescott is slower than Demichelis by the way, is nonsense. He isn't. That's a fact. I'd recon he's about 5 yards faster over 35 judging by when they both sprinted back together a few weeks ago.

Had Demi played yesterday, City would have lost.

For us to do what the Count is asking, we need a cb who is 5 yards quicker than VK & JL in order to cover it imo.

I believe it is under instruction from Pellegrini, the amount of times we see either Kompany or Demichelis diving in in midfield suggests it is. I also think this is why he doesn't fancy Lescott, as this idea of stepping into midfield to win the ball wouldn't be Lescott's forte.

It's extremely high risk but when it works it means we can counter at lightning quick pace.

I'm struggling to come to terms with this style of defending but I have a feeling that I'm just going to have to get used to it.

The trouble is; if it is indeed the plan to do that, then Vinny can't do it very well, Demichelis & Nastasic can't do it at all.

Lescott at least, doesn't even try to.

We need a younger, quicker centre back who is accomplished at playing in the manner Pellegrini wants, not an ageing cb who has never played in the Prem, trying to steal the ball from younger, faster players.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

My first viewing of Demichelis was a 45 minute run out for the under 21's and I would say he naturally takes chances by trying to get in front of a player or read which way he is likely to turn.He did it quite a few times in that one half.When it comes off it's great when it doesn't it's embarrassing and leaves the defence wide open.

I also think Vinnie tends to do the same so I don't think it's under orders from the boss although anyone can see it's a good idea to stop the ball getting to Suarez rather than dealing with him on the ball.

No way did Lescott or anyone have Suarez in their pocket but to be fair I don't remember Suarez having one attempt on goal (free kicks don't count) because we kept tight on him when he was close.That made him do his main work outside the box and he was still dangerous as hell setting stuff up and of course was involved in all their best moves.

Bottom line is he didn't score,didn't assist and we won 2.1.

[london blue 2]

Lescott was hit and miss as was kompany. To suggest lescott can't pass is ridiculous, I seem to remember a lovely weighted ball up the wing to merlin. I've said before and will repeat joleons main problem with fans and pundits is that he always looks awkward on the ball whether what he does comes off or not.

[Dameerto]

The Count has either told Vinny to charge out & nick the ball off attackers/mids, or Vinny has picked it up through playing next to Demichelis. The number of times he was caught in no mans land yesterday would not have happened in 5 games last season, or ten the season before.

If it's instructions from the Count & Lescott has to play as the only option for a period, then we have a big problem because Lescott will not be able to do it, & will be even worse than Demichelis/Nastasic once Pellegrini gets into his head.

If it's purely down to misjudgement from Vinny though, then the opposite will happen & playing next to Lescott will remind him how to defend properly.

The idea that Lescott is slower than Demichelis by the way, is nonsense. He isn't. That's a fact. I'd recon he's about 5 yards faster over 35 judging by when they both sprinted back together a few weeks ago.

Had Demi played yesterday, City would have lost.

For us to do what the Count is asking, we need a cb who is 5 yards quicker than VK & JL in order to cover it imo.

I'm fairly sure it's instructions from Pellegrini inorder to cause a bit of mayhem with the opposition's defending/marking and help to overwhelm them either in midfield or in our attacking third occasionally. It seems to be whoever is playing at right central defence, and it's a few times per match.

[DoomMerchant]

Who is this shit hot , young, fast as fuck CB we are in for who can play a high line, take defensive risks, pass like a sweeper and win everything thrown at them?

[Mase]

It always looks different watching it on TV

[DoomMerchant]

It always looks different watching it on TV

Well said.