Kolarov

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I know a bunch of you will debate until the end of time about his defensive abilities, but if we can park that for a second.

Have we ever had a better crosser of the ball? I struggle to think of many in my lifetime at least. The man must have a fair few assists this season. I would imagine more than any other fullback (haven't checked so correct away), but on top of that last few games he's put a bunch of lovely balls in that deserved to be finished.

For an overlapping fullback he really is fucking ace right now for me. Can't say I've ever been firmly in either camp, but he's really impressed me lately.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I know a bunch of you will debate until the end of time about his defensive abilities, but if we can park that for a second.

Have we ever had a better crosser of the ball? I struggle to think of many in my lifetime at least. The man must have a fair few assists this season. I would imagine more than any other fullback (haven't checked so correct away), but on top of that last few games he's put a bunch of lovely balls in that deserved to be finished.

For an overlapping fullback he really is fucking ace right now for me. Can't say I've ever been firmly in either camp, but he's really impressed me lately.

Petrov maybe, he was a wonderful crosser of the ball.
You're right though, his crosses are nearly always dangerous, he loves to drive them in low which causes defenses all sorts of problems.
Also how many times over the years have we said 'great ball from Kolarov, shame no one was attacking it'

It gives him the edge over Clichy. Think back to the Barca game where Clichy had acres of space inside their box to either shoot or cross, he instead played a backpass to their keeper under no pressure.
However he is NOT A LEFT MIDFIELDER. Never has played well there and never will.

[nottsblue]

Ricky Holden was a great crosser of the ball. No pace and didn't track back but he'd drop his shoulder, leave his man and whip a great ball in. Proper winger

[Dunnylad]

Mark Kennedy and Peter Beagrie were better crossers of the ball - it does highlight though that Kolarov is not a left midfielder and for all his attacking play from left back, even if we brought another player in who defends better but is still attacking, we ultimately lack the equivalent of Navas on the left - not saying that Navas' crossing is perfect, but there is a semblance of a coterminous relationship between Navas & Zabaleta that we lack down the left

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Speaking of linking up down the left. It seems like all of our players are clued up on playing in front of Kolarov wen hes in steam train mode, for him to whip it straight in, but fucked if I know why Dzeko constantly puts it way too far in front of him. Watch the last 5 games and count seriously.

[Im_Spartacus]

I know a bunch of you will debate until the end of time about his defensive abilities, but if we can park that for a second.

Have we ever had a better crosser of the ball? I struggle to think of many in my lifetime at least. The man must have a fair few assists this season. I would imagine more than any other fullback (haven't checked so correct away), but on top of that last few games he's put a bunch of lovely balls in that deserved to be finished.

For an overlapping fullback he really is fucking ace right now for me. Can't say I've ever been firmly in either camp, but he's really impressed me lately.

I'd agree with his crossing, but for me he is just that little bit too direct and seems to lose the ball too often before he gets into the position to make the cross as he lacks a bit of finesse and a trick. Clichy has (for what it's worth), also swung some exceptional crosses in this season in the same danger area, so I'd say we have two decent fullbacks on the left in an attacking sense.

Because of the defensive aspect though, I would upgrade both of them for a zabba type player and a decent left winger with Navas' workrate - as that would make us a really terrifying prospect that can switch play and attack from any angle in a second.

Mark Kennedy was the best crosser I've seen at City - also the last player I saw with the true ability to get to the byline and whip it in almost every time he had the ball, on many days he was unstoppable but the prem was just a touch above the level of his all round game unfortunately. I believe he was still playing for Ipswich last season - at left back!!!

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

there is a semblance of a coterminous relationship between Navas & Zabaleta that we lack down the left

[branny]

He gets to the byline and puts decent crosses in. Wish Clichy would do the same. He has the pace but always seems to stop when he gets level with the penalty area.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I know a bunch of you will debate until the end of time about his defensive abilities, but if we can park that for a second.

Have we ever had a better crosser of the ball? I struggle to think of many in my lifetime at least. The man must have a fair few assists this season. I would imagine more than any other fullback (haven't checked so correct away), but on top of that last few games he's put a bunch of lovely balls in that deserved to be finished.

For an overlapping fullback he really is fucking ace right now for me. Can't say I've ever been firmly in either camp, but he's really impressed me lately.

I'd agree with his crossing, but for me he is just that little bit too direct and seems to lose the ball too often before he gets into the position to make the cross as he lacks a bit of finesse and a trick. Clichy has (for what it's worth), also swung some exceptional crosses in this season in the same danger area, so I'd say we have two decent fullbacks on the left in an attacking sense.

Because of the defensive aspect though, I would upgrade both of them for a zabba type player and a decent left winger with Navas' workrate - as that would make us a really terrifying prospect that can switch play and attack from any angle in a second.

Mark Kennedy was the best crosser I've seen at City - also the last player I saw with the true ability to get to the byline and whip it in almost every time he had the ball, on many days he was unstoppable but the prem was just a touch above the level of his all round game unfortunately. I believe he was still playing for Ipswich last season - at left back!!!

Clichy is dreadful going forward mate. We certainly don't have two attacking left backs. Sure he'll put in a nice cross now and then but more often then not he'll cross will hit the legs of the first defender or he'll spend an age deciding what to do and end up passing the ball back.
At his best he's great defensively but I think the large majority will agree that the large majority of the time he's feckin useless going forward.
As I said, look at his 'cross' when he got into Barca's penalty area in acres.

Kolarov is superb at crossing, certainly the best on the team and is consistent at it too.

[Ted Hughes]

Clichy has actually put in some fantastic crosses recently, but often nobody has been able to find the legs to get in the 6 yard box to convert.

Better crossers than Kolarov: Summerbee, Barnes, Tueart, White, Hinchcliffe, Beagrie off the top of my head. All were able to do something most current City players can't when on the run: pick out a man, especially at the far post.

Colin Bell was the best I've ever seen at the 'driven' cross. Like a howitzer.

[Slim]

Clichy has actually put in some fantastic crosses recently, but often nobody has been able to find the legs to get in the 6 yard box to convert.

Better crossers than Kolarov: Summerbee, Barnes, Tueart, White, Hinchcliffe, Beagrie off the top of my head. All were able to do something most current City players can't when on the run: pick out a man, especially at the far post.

Colin Bell was the best I've ever seen at the 'driven' cross. Like a howitzer.

Kennedy doesn't make your list?

[Ted Hughes]

Clichy has actually put in some fantastic crosses recently, but often nobody has been able to find the legs to get in the 6 yard box to convert.

Better crossers than Kolarov: Summerbee, Barnes, Tueart, White, Hinchcliffe, Beagrie off the top of my head. All were able to do something most current City players can't when on the run: pick out a man, especially at the far post.

Colin Bell was the best I've ever seen at the 'driven' cross. Like a howitzer.

Kennedy doesn't make your list?

Not for me, for the simple reason of oppo quality vs output. I found him very very disappointing v decent opposition on the whole. On his day, he could put a good ball in, but so could Nigel Gleghorn or Kevin Horlock etc.

[beehive's dodgy pint]

I know it is a thread about his crossing but anyone notice how often Kolarov buys a free kick. He has a tendency to have a bad touch and hit the deck at the merest touch. He is pretty shrewd at that. As for crossing there was always something rather amazing with the way Holden was able to cross a ball without getting anywhere near passed his right-back.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

To think plenty on here said they never wanted to see him play. Been the best left back in the league this season. There's not a better crosser anywhere.

[roblues]

When we decide that, to break down a whole team on the edge of their own box, we are going to stand still, walk a bit and then pass it two yards sideways, Aleks is our biggest threat as he is willing to be a bit more direct. Great asset.

[aaron bond]

He's having an excellent season. He'll never be brilliant defensively, but he has definitely improved this season, and his immense crossing ability is a huge asset for us.

From his header back to Pantilimon, to his sprint down the wing, to his cross for Nasri, the second goal showcased completely what he's brought to the side this season.

It must also have been a big confidence boost for him to start ahead of Clichy in the final, considering he's largely been second choice for the past couple of seasons. He definitely deserved to start based on this season's form.

[Slim]

I think he's one of those players you play if you can get away with it. If the opposition isn't particularly strong down that side, he plays, if we need better cover, Clichy plays.

[branny]

Clichy hasn't been the same player since McManaman gave him a torrid time in the cup final. He's never been great going forward but he's had some bad games defensively, especially in the champions league.

[london blue 2]

Clichy hasn't been the same player since McManaman gave him a torrid time in the cup final. He's never been great going forward but he's had some bad games defensively, especially in the champions league.

shit start but Gael had his best game of the season when we beat Chelsea. He was awesome that game.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Clichy has actually put in some fantastic crosses recently, but often nobody has been able to find the legs to get in the 6 yard box to convert.

Better crossers than Kolarov: Summerbee, Barnes, Tueart, White, Hinchcliffe, Beagrie off the top of my head. All were able to do something most current City players can't when on the run: pick out a man, especially at the far post.

Colin Bell was the best I've ever seen at the 'driven' cross. Like a howitzer.

I always thought Dave Wagstaffe was a decent crosser, as well.