Lescott take a bow

[rnblade]

After his performance I wonder if that's the end for him, pity really, he looked lost at times and like Bambi on ice.

 

[aguero93:20]

I thought he had a mixed game, some very good interceptions on the front foot and good headers won but he was useless when barca starting running at us and ultimately it was too much for VK to cope with on his own. needs to be upgraded tbh although i'll be sorry to see him go.

 

[Blue Is the Opposite of Blue]

No

I guess I'll have to explain.

Demichelis has his faults, but he can control a football, he can pass out from the back and he reads the game better than Lescott.

well let me explain , demichelis does not read the game better , he constanly dives in , commits himself on the half way line several times a game , gives penalties away , gets sent off , doesnt cover fellow defenders . No doubt he was a good defender TEN years ago , but he is past it , but if you think all is forgiven because he can control a football and pass , you have no idea of the basic attributes of a defender.

Demichelis does read the game better than Lescott, his pace just lets him down on occasion.

I've no doubt Lescott was a good defender two or three years ago when we won the title, but he's past it as well.

But if all is forgiven because of a soppy interview on the official site then you have no idea what kind of defenders we need at this club. Defenders who are comfortable on the ball (Kompany, Demichelis, Nastasic) and defenders who wouldn't mind stepping into midfield (Kompany, Demichelis).

Your view of defenders is incredibly traditional and short-sighted. Defenders aren't just things you stick in front of a goal to stop other teams from getting through, they can also start attacks with a wide range of passing abilities (Kompany, Nastasic, Demichelis). Can Lescott do that, other than with a 40 yard lump? No, he can't.

That's why he's going this summer and Demichelis isn't.

 

[sir baconface]

I guess I'll have to explain.

Demichelis has his faults, but he can control a football, he can pass out from the back and he reads the game better than Lescott.

well let me explain , demichelis does not read the game better , he constanly dives in , commits himself on the half way line several times a game , gives penalties away , gets sent off , doesnt cover fellow defenders . No doubt he was a good defender TEN years ago , but he is past it , but if you think all is forgiven because he can control a football and pass , you have no idea of the basic attributes of a defender.

Demichelis does read the game better than Lescott, his pace just lets him down on occasion.

I've no doubt Lescott was a good defender two or three years ago when we won the title, but he's past it as well.

But if all is forgiven because of a soppy interview on the official site then you have no idea what kind of defenders we need at this club. Defenders who are comfortable on the ball (Kompany, Demichelis, Nastasic) and defenders who wouldn't mind stepping into midfield (Kompany, Demichelis).

Your view of defenders is incredibly traditional and short-sighted. Defenders aren't just things you stick in front of a goal to stop other teams from getting through, they can also start attacks with a wide range of passing abilities (Kompany, Nastasic, Demichelis). Can Lescott do that, other than with a 40 yard lump? No, he can't.

That's why he's going this summer and Demichelis isn't.

I suspect they'll both be going as I assumed Demi was essentially a one-season emergency backup.

However I strongly agree with your criteria for modern defenders. We are now at the top table, playing a distinctive brand of attacking football. Everyone, defenders included, needs to be comfortable on the ball and possess an eye for an opening.

If Demi were younger he'd fit the bill nicely.

 

[BurnCK]

I'd have had Lescott over Demechelis at many times during this season, but now I'm wondering if I actually would.

I've never seen a top level footballer look so uncomfortable with the ball at his feet as I have with Lescott recently.
If Nastastic was fit I wouldn't give Lescott or Demechelis another look in this season.

 

[steviemc]

I think our current style of play is where Joleon's weaknesses are now more exposed. It used to be quite acceptable that the main attributes of a full back were that he needed to be strong in the air and strong in the tackle. Ball control was not a major essential as it was not really a full backs remit to play attacking football. Stopping the ball dead and clearing the danger was far more important.

The modern role of the full back seems to have changed. Ball control, pass selection and pace have now become major factors when playing with a back line higher up the field in a more pressing style.

Both Joleon and Demi have had good games for us, but neither has been able to do this consistently. I wouldn't like to be the one having to choose between the two, as there are currently too many weak points to guarantee either one a place.

 

[ifiwasarichfan]

He did his best last night and the one genuine mistake cost us badly.
He s a good defender and has been a good player for us, alas he does have a mistake n him like dunny did but not as often.
Like dunny he is just not there to be at the very top, no shame in it only a handful of players are.

I was actually very impressed with some of his passing and movement last night beyond that of basic defense.

I really hope Nastasic gets last seasons form back and keeps focused.

Excellent post mate.

One moment just before half time saw three Barca players racing in at him as he was in the left back spot. He cut inside and knocked a 25 yard ball through their midfield to Ferny which set us on the attack.

It is time for him to move on but he has been outstanding for us overall, City have just moved passed him.

 

[wythenshaweblue£££]

Shame about there goal last night through his legs but played really good pellegrini needs to see that lescott is a better defender doubt he will tho

 

[Newtoncc]

I thought he had a mixed game, some very good interceptions on the front foot and good headers won but he was useless when barca starting running at us and ultimately it was too much for VK to cope with on his own. needs to be upgraded tbh although i'll be sorry to see him go.

Totally agree, but remember this guy plays 1 in 10 games so cant be too critical, however when he makes a mistake it looks so bad. Been a good player for city but time to try someone else.

 

[Wilf Wild 1937]

Shame about there goal last night through his legs but played really good pellegrini needs to see that lescott is a better defender doubt he will tho

That's how I see it. Pellegrini needs to be pragmatic for the next couple of months. Kompany & Lescott is currently our best pairing for
PL matches. Joleon will be gone in the Summer and if we want to win the CL he isn't the player to do it. His lack of technical ability limits
him at that level. He was out of his depth against Messi but apart from Kompany how many other CBs in the world are there that aren't?
Very, very, few. We obviously need to find one in the Summer or hope that a fully fit Nastastic steps up to that level. I thought Joleon
actually handled Neymar very well but games against the likes of Hull & Fulham are where I would expect him to excel. He can still
do a job for us this season.