The Kolarov/Sterling conundrum

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Blue Smarties

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I've been saying this for a while now, despite a purple patch in the early part of the season, I am getting incredibly frustrated with Kolarov's persistent stifling of our attacks. We see the best of Sterling without the burdance of Kolarov ambling in front of him, screaming for the ball, only to blast it into the stands.

If we want the best out of Sterling then Kolarov needs to realise he does not deliver a Hollywood ball every time he's forward. If we're being honest he'll get one or two in a decent area within ten attempts.

Last night once again proves that Sterling flourishes without feeling inclined to stand his man and play Kolarov in.

One of my summer signings would be Bertrand. The linkup play that he and Raheem share for England is fantastic.
 
It isn't a conundrum, Kolarov hampers us more often than he helps us. Any Left back who can defend and doesn't demand the ball every time is an upgrade! Bertrand/Cresswell take your pick, both would be better. For now Clichy has to be first choice.
 
Watched a lot of the Bayern v Juve game the other night and it was interesting to see that Bayern's full backs were tucked in field allowing Robben and Costa to go one on one with their full backs. It also meant that if the ball was lost the midfield was shored up by the full backs. We tend to push out wider players in field as the wide spaces are occupied by the full backs who are far more advanced
 
Eds said:
Watched a lot of the Bayern v Juve game the other night and it was interesting to see that Bayern's full backs were tucked in field allowing Robben and Costa to go one on one with their full backs. It also meant that if the ball was lost the midfield was shored up by the full backs. We tend to push out wider players in field as the wide spaces are occupied by the full backs who are far more advanced
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Yes, I noticed that. Think its a Pep trademark.
 
Occasionally they link up very well, like at the start of the season. But Sterling seems to play better with Clichy, it's like he has free reigns then.
 
Yet Clichy gets moaned at when he doesn't offer support in attack. Kolarov isn't in Sterlings way. Sterling often waits several seconds for Kolarov to overlap, there's plenty of opportunity for him to run with the ball instead if he chooses. It's pretty clear to me that the Kolarov overlap is a specific instruction from pellegrini, they're both just doing what is asked of them, not their fault what they are being asked to do is pointless when there's nobody in the box.
 
Clichy or Kolarov is simple for me.

I have always been a Clichy fan, I think you need to defend first and support attacks second. Kolarov is a slow paced left winger playing as a left back. Always looking to get forward even if there is no need. Clichy is not the best LB in world but he does all the right things at the right time.
 
tramazi said:
Dont know about the Sterling being freed up with no Kolarov thing, but I do think Kolarov slows us down, he isnt even that good as a full back
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I don't think it helps Sterling's game having Kolorov there, it seems to predictable what he's going to do with it and makes it an easy ball for him to play.

Sterlings work for silva's goal was exceptional last night more of the same thing.
 
Gaudion M said:
Clichy or Kolarov is simple for me.

I have always been a Clichy fan, I think you need to defend first and support attacks second. Kolarov is a slow paced left winger playing as a left back. Always looking to get forward even if there is no need. Clichy is not the best LB in world but he does all the right things at the right time.
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I much prefer Clichy to Kolarov but he gets drawn in far too easily. Last night he kept getting the wrong side of his man and that seems to be a trademark of his. That being said, at least he puts the effort in and doesn't smother whoever is playing ahead of him on the wing.
 
Was saying this to my dad. Kolarov as a defender aint good enough. Its not a question of full backs first priority being to attack or defend. Its not hat simple. But they should be able to, certainly. And he is a liability.
 
Tugay One Cup said:
I much prefer Clichy to Kolarov but he gets drawn in far too easily. Last night he kept getting the wrong side of his man and that seems to be a trademark of his. That being said, at least he puts the effort in and doesn't smother whoever is playing ahead of him on the wing.
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Agreed but with Clichy you have one thing that Kolarov doesn't possess and that is pace to recover. Clichy is also underrated with his passing, the pass to Sergio for the second goal last night was perfectly placed so that Sergio could hold it up without the keeper coming out. In fact, thinking about it when Kolarov got injured in the derby warm up last season, and Clichy then had a good run he actually set up Sergio early quite a few times. Sergio loves the ball earlier something he often gets starved of. Kolarov would never play that sort of pass opting to either hammer it across field or tap it inside. For me - Clichy first choice until the seasons end then a dip into the market for a left back that fits Pep's style.
 
Mr HJ said:
Agreed but with Clichy you have one thing that Kolarov doesn't possess and that is pace to recover. Clichy is also underrated with his passing, the pass to Sergio for the second goal last night was perfectly placed so that Sergio could hold it up without the keeper coming out. In fact, thinking about it when Kolarov got injured in the derby warm up last season, and Clichy then had a good run he actually set up Sergio early quite a few times. Sergio loves the ball earlier something he often gets starved of. Kolarov would never play that sort of pass opting to either hammer it across field or tap it inside. For me - Clichy first choice until the seasons end then a dip into the market for a left back that fits Pep's style.
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Yup, some would prefer Kolarov because they think being able to assault a football equates to decent attacking play whereas Clichy has more finesse and brain cells.
 
The space Sterling was running into past his full back would of been exactly where Kolarov would of been. Kolarov doesn't think when he goes forward he just runs as fast as he can and hits the ball as hard as he can. Clichy has always be the more measured full back and I'd have him every day over Kolarov
 
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