Very good points!
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Our glaring weakness at LB, will it be fixed?
- Thread starter NipHolmes
- Start date
GStar
Well-Known Member
Deserves quoting again.I've tried to hold off commenting on this thread, but the ridiculous bashing of Kolarov has reached Richard Edgehill & Ian Brightwell proportions, and bare little to no relationship to actual fact!
People seem to ignore the fact that Kolarov is often our main attacking creative threat, especially in games when Silva is struggling.
As for the garbage spouted about his defensive abilities, the truth is, he has played around 170 games, and nobody will be able to give more than a handful of examples of times he has been exposed... I guarantee I'll be able to give more examples of times he has made last ditch tackles or blocks which have saved us, and I am certain that the number of times he has been seriously exposed will be similar to the number of times which Zabba has been at fault, and fewer occasions than when fault can be laid at the feet of Vinny or Clichy.
In those 170ish games, Kolarov has come across some of the best Right Wingers in the world... How many have actually terrorised us? How many have had man of the match performances? Very very few... Actual, you will find that far more times these world class right wingers have had quiet games. FACT!
Seriously... what is it with some blues and fullbacks?... "we" seem to either massively overrate them, or seriously undervalue them!
So what if he had a go back at some idiots abusing him? I'd probably do the same!
So what if he is the first to get annoyed when our home support isn't as vocal as it should be? He's usually right, and surely this actually demonstrates he cares!
The truth is, he is amongst the best left-backs in the league, unquestionably our best left back of the last 20 or so years... and whilst we're at it... name me a better 2nd choice left back in English football than Clichy?
Glaring weakness... Seriously? Get a grip people!
Be careful what you wish for blues!
CTID
(Back to lurking I go!)
Succinct, articulate... good points, well made.
Lovebitesandeveryfing
Well-Known Member
I quite like Kolarov, butI do think that he can be exposed too easily, and I do see him as back-up for Clichy. Clichy, last season, had a nightmare first month, then had a better season overall than Zab over on the right (and I love Zab, but I really don't think his season was all that good). I think a case can be made for claiming that overall, Clichy was the best of that back line last season along with, arguably, MDM. I don't think there's a crisis over on the left, but I do think part of Mangala's problem is that he's not confident a) of what's going to happen on his left and b) what's going to happen on his right, if Vinny's there. I still say that our best back line is Zab (can't lose my confidence that he'll come good to top form again), MDM, Mangala, Clichy, for the time being. But that is not graven in stone. It's difficult for me to imagine that Vinny will not play himself back into form.
But that is not graven in stone. It's difficult for me to imagine that Vinny will not play himself back into form.
Sadly I kept saying that for the whole of last season.
I've tried to hold off commenting on this thread, but the ridiculous bashing of Kolarov has reached Richard Edgehill & Ian Brightwell proportions, and bare little to no relationship to actual fact!
People seem to ignore the fact that Kolarov is often our main attacking creative threat, especially in games when Silva is struggling.
As for the garbage spouted about his defensive abilities, the truth is, he has played around 170 games, and nobody will be able to give more than a handful of examples of times he has been exposed... I guarantee I'll be able to give more examples of times he has made last ditch tackles or blocks which have saved us, and I am certain that the number of times he has been seriously exposed will be similar to the number of times which Zabba has been at fault, and fewer occasions than when fault can be laid at the feet of Vinny or Clichy.
In those 170ish games, Kolarov has come across some of the best Right Wingers in the world... How many have actually terrorised us? How many have had man of the match performances? Very very few... Actual, you will find that far more times these world class right wingers have had quiet games. FACT!
Seriously... what is it with some blues and fullbacks?... "we" seem to either massively overrate them, or seriously undervalue them!
So what if he had a go back at some idiots abusing him? I'd probably do the same!
So what if he is the first to get annoyed when our home support isn't as vocal as it should be? He's usually right, and surely this actually demonstrates he cares!
The truth is, he is amongst the best left-backs in the league, unquestionably our best left back of the last 20 or so years... and whilst we're at it... name me a better 2nd choice left back in English football than Clichy?
Glaring weakness... Seriously? Get a grip people!
Be careful what you wish for blues!
CTID
(Back to lurking I go!)
I have to wholeheartedly agree. Whilst I think it would be ideal if we could match Kolarov's attributes with Clichy's undoubted mobility I don't think he's a 'glaring weakness' either.
He has played in largely a very solid defence for some time now. I can't think of too many occassions where he directly cost us goals. Has he made mistakes, lundged in on occassion. Even been skinned now and then. Certainly.
Considering we've had no natural attacking left sided forward of required ability since the take over I think he's done well in general.
He offers an attacking threat in open play, when he's up for it he drives us forward. His passing and ability to pick out a man is not bettered in the Prem by any fullback. His set pieces are a huge asset.
Could his attitude be better now and then? Yes.
Kolarov is a real form and consistency player. If he starts the season as he finished last we'll be ok. Sterling will help him greatly.
Could he be bettered, most likely, but you get bet your bollocks that those that slag him, consider him a liability or 'glaring weakness' would be able to offer no alternative, not one that they could say they've seen much of.
Are there better lefts backs? Yes. Are they the ones we've linked with? How long was the thread on the Spanish left back that went to Liverpool? All last summer fans were clambering for the likes of Moreno and Rojo. Then there was the guy from Monaco that couldn't get in the Monaco side after Christmas.
I like Kolarov, teams seem to attack down our right, so other teams don't consider us that weak at left back.
Kolarov did a better job in Messi than the lads at Juventus, Bayern and PSG...
MadchesterCity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 12 Sep 2009
- Messages
- 18,265
I've tried to hold off commenting on this thread, but the ridiculous bashing of Kolarov has reached Richard Edgehill & Ian Brightwell proportions, and bare little to no relationship to actual fact!
People seem to ignore the fact that Kolarov is often our main attacking creative threat, especially in games when Silva is struggling.
As for the garbage spouted about his defensive abilities, the truth is, he has played around 170 games, and nobody will be able to give more than a handful of examples of times he has been exposed... I guarantee I'll be able to give more examples of times he has made last ditch tackles or blocks which have saved us, and I am certain that the number of times he has been seriously exposed will be similar to the number of times which Zabba has been at fault, and fewer occasions than when fault can be laid at the feet of Vinny or Clichy.
In those 170ish games, Kolarov has come across some of the best Right Wingers in the world... How many have actually terrorised us? How many have had man of the match performances? Very very few... Actual, you will find that far more times these world class right wingers have had quiet games. FACT!
Seriously... what is it with some blues and fullbacks?... "we" seem to either massively overrate them, or seriously undervalue them!
So what if he had a go back at some idiots abusing him? I'd probably do the same!
So what if he is the first to get annoyed when our home support isn't as vocal as it should be? He's usually right, and surely this actually demonstrates he cares!
The truth is, he is amongst the best left-backs in the league, unquestionably our best left back of the last 20 or so years... and whilst we're at it... name me a better 2nd choice left back in English football than Clichy?
Glaring weakness... Seriously? Get a grip people!
Be careful what you wish for blues!
CTID
(Back to lurking I go!)
Excellent post, factually correct and straight to the point
Ethan23
Well-Known Member
I've tried to hold off commenting on this thread, but the ridiculous bashing of Kolarov has reached Richard Edgehill & Ian Brightwell proportions, and bare little to no relationship to actual fact!
People seem to ignore the fact that Kolarov is often our main attacking creative threat, especially in games when Silva is struggling.
As for the garbage spouted about his defensive abilities, the truth is, he has played around 170 games, and nobody will be able to give more than a handful of examples of times he has been exposed... I guarantee I'll be able to give more examples of times he has made last ditch tackles or blocks which have saved us, and I am certain that the number of times he has been seriously exposed will be similar to the number of times which Zabba has been at fault, and fewer occasions than when fault can be laid at the feet of Vinny or Clichy.
In those 170ish games, Kolarov has come across some of the best Right Wingers in the world... How many have actually terrorised us? How many have had man of the match performances? Very very few... Actual, you will find that far more times these world class right wingers have had quiet games. FACT!
Seriously... what is it with some blues and fullbacks?... "we" seem to either massively overrate them, or seriously undervalue them!
So what if he had a go back at some idiots abusing him? I'd probably do the same!
So what if he is the first to get annoyed when our home support isn't as vocal as it should be? He's usually right, and surely this actually demonstrates he cares!
The truth is, he is amongst the best left-backs in the league, unquestionably our best left back of the last 20 or so years... and whilst we're at it... name me a better 2nd choice left back in English football than Clichy?
Glaring weakness... Seriously? Get a grip people!
Be careful what you wish for blues!
CTID
(Back to lurking I go!)
Get this man a beer.
The amount of goals and assists Kolarov provides for us goes so under the radar. The way we play under Manuel means no matter who we have at fullback we are going to look a little suspect from time to time. Kolarov is the ultimate professional and adds great experience to the team. Clichy is also very solid. Knows the premier league inside and out and very rarely let's a winger get the better of him over 90 minutes
Following blue zippy' post I took five minutes to see which left backs we've been linked to or our fans have suggested in the last year or so. I'm sure most will agree to not honestly knowing they would improve our 'glaring weakness' at left back or to have seen many of them play.
Alex Sandro. I doubt many have seen much of him to suggest he'd solve our 'problem'. Are we really going to deal with Porto again?
Danny Rose. Better than Kolarov or Clichy? Not for me. Not even close.
Ashley Cole. Honestly?
Creswell. Seriously?
Baba. Do many watch Ausberg? Can people honestly say he'd improve us?
Gaya. Kolarov a defensive liability? This guy is no where near ready for the prem.
Rojo. Ha ha ha.
Moreno. Ha ha ha ha.
Van Anholt. In my opinion the best shout to date.
George Friend. Come on.
Willems. Worth looking at, but surely no one would suggest he's ready to replace either Kolarov or Clichy. Imaging Kolarov in a dominant PSV. He'd be the best player in the league.
Kurzawa. Seems to have dropped off the map. Looks like he may have the physicality for the Prem.
So whilst I think Kolarov or Clichy could be improved upon, not by many out there. And not obvious as some seem to think.
I'd only swap Kolarov or Clichy for the lad at Chelsea, and he's a right back.
Baba? Gibbs, Monreal, Shaw, Rojo, Moreno, Enrique, Rose, Baines, Garbut, Bertrand, Targett.
They are the left backs at the top 6 in the Prem.
Are we really that weak?
Alex Sandro. I doubt many have seen much of him to suggest he'd solve our 'problem'. Are we really going to deal with Porto again?
Danny Rose. Better than Kolarov or Clichy? Not for me. Not even close.
Ashley Cole. Honestly?
Creswell. Seriously?
Baba. Do many watch Ausberg? Can people honestly say he'd improve us?
Gaya. Kolarov a defensive liability? This guy is no where near ready for the prem.
Rojo. Ha ha ha.
Moreno. Ha ha ha ha.
Van Anholt. In my opinion the best shout to date.
George Friend. Come on.
Willems. Worth looking at, but surely no one would suggest he's ready to replace either Kolarov or Clichy. Imaging Kolarov in a dominant PSV. He'd be the best player in the league.
Kurzawa. Seems to have dropped off the map. Looks like he may have the physicality for the Prem.
So whilst I think Kolarov or Clichy could be improved upon, not by many out there. And not obvious as some seem to think.
I'd only swap Kolarov or Clichy for the lad at Chelsea, and he's a right back.
Baba? Gibbs, Monreal, Shaw, Rojo, Moreno, Enrique, Rose, Baines, Garbut, Bertrand, Targett.
They are the left backs at the top 6 in the Prem.
Are we really that weak?
I've tried to hold off commenting on this thread, but the ridiculous bashing of Kolarov has reached Richard Edgehill & Ian Brightwell proportions, and bare little to no relationship to actual fact!
People seem to ignore the fact that Kolarov is often our main attacking creative threat, especially in games when Silva is struggling.
As for the garbage spouted about his defensive abilities, the truth is, he has played around 170 games, and nobody will be able to give more than a handful of examples of times he has been exposed... I guarantee I'll be able to give more examples of times he has made last ditch tackles or blocks which have saved us, and I am certain that the number of times he has been seriously exposed will be similar to the number of times which Zabba has been at fault, and fewer occasions than when fault can be laid at the feet of Vinny or Clichy.
In those 170ish games, Kolarov has come across some of the best Right Wingers in the world... How many have actually terrorised us? How many have had man of the match performances? Very very few... Actual, you will find that far more times these world class right wingers have had quiet games. FACT!
Seriously... what is it with some blues and fullbacks?... "we" seem to either massively overrate them, or seriously undervalue them!
So what if he had a go back at some idiots abusing him? I'd probably do the same!
So what if he is the first to get annoyed when our home support isn't as vocal as it should be? He's usually right, and surely this actually demonstrates he cares!
The truth is, he is amongst the best left-backs in the league, unquestionably our best left back of the last 20 or so years... and whilst we're at it... name me a better 2nd choice left back in English football than Clichy?
Glaring weakness... Seriously? Get a grip people!
Be careful what you wish for blues!
CTID
(Back to lurking I go!)
Funnily enough i actually think that clichy is weaker than kolorov at LB. Kolorov might not be the finest defensive LB, but he's good going forward.
Clichy is a bit better defensively, but offers nothing like the threat going forward. "Fucking home grown" though...
Last edited:
eversince 76
Well-Known Member
Kolarov or Clichy? Easy vote for the former. Goals scored, assists, you name it. Kolarov wins. Clichy is not bad though and maybe a better defender marginally.
It's on here that people without a mind of their own follow what the majority says without actually checking facts. Or the ones that want changes for changes. Kolarov: the best Santa ...
It's on here that people without a mind of their own follow what the majority says without actually checking facts. Or the ones that want changes for changes. Kolarov: the best Santa ...
xgorton
Well-Known Member
Funnily enough i actually think that clichy is weaker than kolorov at LB. Kolorov might not be the finest defensive LB, but he's good going forward.
Clichy is a bit better defensively, but offers nothing like the threat going forward. "Fucking home grown" though...
He looks like Les T the old boys will know who I mean.
birchwoodgingerste
Well-Known Member
Kolorov is exellent in the system we employ keep him all day long.
PragueBlue
Well-Known Member
Would like to see him played regular, i might be wrong saying this, but from what i can recall he's never had a really long run...where as, again from ltd memory, clichy has.
They're both players that seem to struggle at the start and get better with a longer run in the team and therefore not ideally suited to rotation. Personally I much prefer Clichy but for now Kolarov should continue in the starting 11 until injury or suspension. Then it's up to Clichy to take his chance. I hope for both their sakes that they're not going to be continually rotated.
Isn't this the conundrum with Kolorov and Clichy. Most people see them as having different qualities and different weaknesses, Clichy slightly better defensively but poorer going forward , Kolorov the opposite. In theory that should mean that rotation depending on the opposition is the best policy to get the best results from them as a pair. But then most people believe that neither player performs to his potential when he is continually rotated and needs an extended run of games. I think Pellegrini needs to make a choice and stick with it or find a replacement that can do both aspects of the job.
FantasyIreland
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 29 Oct 2008
- Messages
- 64,698
Good post pal,just about sums up our little problem.Isn't this the conundrum with Kolorov and Clichy. Most people see them as having different qualities and different weaknesses, Clichy slightly better defensively but poorer going forward , Kolorov the opposite. In theory that should mean that rotation depending on the opposition is the best policy to get the best results from them as a pair. But then most people believe that neither player performs to his potential when he is continually rotated and needs an extended run of games. I think Pellegrini needs to make a choice and stick with it or find a replacement that can do both aspects of the job.
Jazzman
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%.Isn't this the conundrum with Kolorov and Clichy. Most people see them as having different qualities and different weaknesses, Clichy slightly better defensively but poorer going forward , Kolorov the opposite. In theory that should mean that rotation depending on the opposition is the best policy to get the best results from them as a pair. But then most people believe that neither player performs to his potential when he is continually rotated and needs an extended run of games. I think Pellegrini needs to make a choice and stick with it or find a replacement that can do both aspects of the job.
GaudinoMotors
Well-Known Member
Can you do a summary of all the threads?Isn't this the conundrum with Kolorov and Clichy. Most people see them as having different qualities and different weaknesses, Clichy slightly better defensively but poorer going forward , Kolorov the opposite. In theory that should mean that rotation depending on the opposition is the best policy to get the best results from them as a pair. But then most people believe that neither player performs to his potential when he is continually rotated and needs an extended run of games. I think Pellegrini needs to make a choice and stick with it or find a replacement that can do both aspects of the job.