The Aleksandar Kolarov appreciation thread

[Floptastic7]

Even Roberto Carlos had a better shots/goals ratio

 

[Maineman55]

Miles better than Clichy going forward,

Another myth.

Other than having a dangerous cross,he isn't particularly good at anything.

That's funny ! Then why did Mourinho try to sign him for Madrid, before he signed for us ?

 

[ramsdale4]

I like him. Is he as good as Clichy? Probably not, but he's still got a place at City for sure.<br /><br />-- Thu May 24, 2012 3:22 pm --<br /><br />

Miles better than Clichy going forward,

Another myth.

Other than having a dangerous cross,he isn't particularly good at anything.

Not a myth at all. He's is better than Clichy going forward by a long way. In fact he was often our most dangerous player mid season.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

I really like Kolarov. Got a great strike and offers a lot going forward. Some times he makes defensive mistakes but not as often as people on here will make out. Also it's worth noting that he will only get better if he stays under our coaching staff.

Also if he is our "backup" (I think it's more of a shared role than a 1st team/second team scenario) to Clichy, you won't find any better.

Kolarov is happy to play and also happy to sit on the bench if needed for certain games for the benefit of the team. He also gets on well with the team, and from the inside city videos on the OS and other videos he seems like a good laugh and good edition to the dressing room.

Wish people would cut him some slack, I think he's a great player and wouldn't have our fullback situation any other way. In the fullback position we're primed for a long time, as all are fairly young.

Well said.

Agreed. Don't think we could ask for a better back-up really. Offers something different to Clichy if necessary to change the game and obviously is a presence within the dressing room with his personality. Can't remember which game it was in Europe at home when our players were getting a bit bullied down the left. Kolarov didn't take any shit and the bullying stopped. Key squad member. Hope he stays around. Tough guy.

 

[krdskrm]

Kolarov is known to possess an extremely powerful shot. I always chuckle every time his free kick hits the wall or his shot hits a player's face.


And look how he destroyed Lavezzi and knocked a referee out:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWE6JCny3k[/youtube]

 

[greasedupdeafguy]

I think eveyone agrees he is a good back up but will he be happy to be 2nd choice and only play cup games and the odd league game. Clichy is so far ahead of him and unlike this year I think he will play every CL game and most premier league games. If kolarov is prepared to be 2nd choice then fine keep him but if not I would sell as we could get 10mill plus for him easily.

 

[brian the blue]

All he lacks is pace. He's a great attacking full-back but if he comes up against pace he gets caught out.

Always been interested, for anyone who watched him before he moved here, did his injury when he first joined us (away at Spurs in the 0-0 opening day game) affect his pace in any way? He looked a lot sharper in pre-season friendlies for us and in video's of him at Lazio.

 

[Stellactid]

I like Kolarov, the beast from the east. Certainly doesn't take any crap from anyone. I can't remember which match it was, but Silva got shoved off the ball quite roughly and Kola cheekily trod fairly hard on the culprits foot as he made his challenge, unquestionably in response to Silva being knocked around. If there is a scuffle, he is right there having stern words with the other team's players, giving them what for.

I'd play him against any United team, just so he could leather them with some of his lethal free kicks, like he did in the FA Cup derby.

Is Clichy the best choice for left-back? Yeah, probably, but Kola has his attributes too. I think it's worth keeping him around.

 

[Colins Bellend]

Miles better than Clichy going forward,

Another myth.

Other than having a dangerous cross,he isn't particularly good at anything.

That's funny ! Then why did Mourinho try to sign him for Madrid, before he signed for us ?

Before. I'll bet he wouldn't sign him now. Bought as a left back and can't defend

 

[adrianr]

I like Kola because he's clearly just double fucking 'ard. The guy isn't phased by anything.

Terrible defender like. Never pick him ahead of Clichy.

 

[cccc]

All he lacks is pace. He's a great attacking full-back but if he comes up against pace he gets caught out.

Always been interested, for anyone who watched him before he moved here, did his injury when he first joined us (away at Spurs in the 0-0 opening day game) affect his pace in any way? He looked a lot sharper in pre-season friendlies for us and in video's of him at Lazio.

I've said this since that game, he seemed to have lost some explosiveness.

He is actually pretty fast over a long distance at top speed.

 

[Fulop's Reflex]

As the OP you know that I rate Kola but I don't think Clichy is weaker in term of attacking ability.

I still remember Clichy assists to Aguero and especially Yaya (newcastle away).
Kola is better than Clichy at freekick and crossing though.

 

[MC ID]

I personally think he's fantastic, but I do understand some of the blame leveled against him defensively though sometimes it seems every little mistake is blown out of proportion, I feel some players get a lot more criticism than others.

But anyway, he's done a great job and rescued us in some vital games and I think he's much better suited to games where the opposing team park the bus, he should be starting a lot of the home games next season if things carry on as he won't ever have to defend.

On a side note, I've always fancied seeing him as a winger or even centrally (just to see in some carling cup game against a league two side) but I'm lead to believe he just can't play anywhere but LB. Is this true or can he play elsewhere?

 

[Fulop's Reflex]

I personally think he's fantastic, but I do understand some of the blame leveled against him defensively though sometimes it seems every little mistake is blown out of proportion, I feel some players get a lot more criticism than others.

But anyway, he's done a great job and rescued us in some vital games and I think he's much better suited to games where the opposing team park the bus, he should be starting a lot of the home games next season if things carry on as he won't ever have to defend.

On a side note, I've always fancied seeing him as a winger or even centrally (just to see in some carling cup game against a league two side) but I'm lead to believe he just can't play anywhere but LB. Is this true or can he play elsewhere?

If David Beckham can play RM why can't Kola play LM. I really don't understand it.

 

[greasedupdeafguy]

I personally think he's fantastic, but I do understand some of the blame leveled against him defensively though sometimes it seems every little mistake is blown out of proportion, I feel some players get a lot more criticism than others.

But anyway, he's done a great job and rescued us in some vital games and I think he's much better suited to games where the opposing team park the bus, he should be starting a lot of the home games next season if things carry on as he won't ever have to defend.

On a side note, I've always fancied seeing him as a winger or even centrally (just to see in some carling cup game against a league two side) but I'm lead to believe he just can't play anywhere but LB. Is this true or can he play elsewhere?

If David Beckham can play RM why can't Kola play LM. I really don't understand it.

Quite simple he has no pace and hasn't got any skill to go past players

 

[Boney]

I personally think he's fantastic, but I do understand some of the blame leveled against him defensively though sometimes it seems every little mistake is blown out of proportion, I feel some players get a lot more criticism than others.

But anyway, he's done a great job and rescued us in some vital games and I think he's much better suited to games where the opposing team park the bus, he should be starting a lot of the home games next season if things carry on as he won't ever have to defend.

On a side note, I've always fancied seeing him as a winger or even centrally (just to see in some carling cup game against a league two side) but I'm lead to believe he just can't play anywhere but LB. Is this true or can he play elsewhere?

If David Beckham can play RM why can't Kola play LM. I really don't understand it.

Quite simple he has no pace and hasn't got any skill to go past players

not unlike beckham

 

[BigJoe#1]

Another myth.

Other than having a dangerous cross,he isn't particularly good at anything.

That's funny ! Then why did Mourinho try to sign him for Madrid, before he signed for us ?

Before. I'll bet he wouldn't sign him now. Bought as a left back and can't defend

Great Free Kick though. Without that late strike at home v Sunderland we would not be Premiership Champions 2012!!

 

[LHarper]

I like him, I hope he sticks around. He's great back-up for Clichy and because of the system Mancini implements, the full backs cover a lot of ground and make a lot of purposeful movements; so rotation is key. For being such a 'hard ****' though he always turns his back on crosses into the box instead of manning up and taking a hit. Hopefully he cuts out the back turning nonsense next season.

 

[Ubiquitous]

I think his inability to block a cross coming into the box has directly led to too many chances and ultimately, goals conceded during his two year spell at the club. His lack of pace is also worrying.

A good player, but nothing more.

 

[pudge]

What an odd bump?