Whilst a 2-1 victory over a side who is currently bottom of the Premier League is rarely something worth celebrating with much gusto, I’ll forgive those Manchester City fans who are feeling fairly pleased with themselves following the Blues victory over West Ham on Sunday. There were great performances all over the pitch and even Mario Balotelli looked fairly impressive despite toiling away without much reward.
I was disappointed with one performance however, from a man who has failed to impress me throughout the course of this season. City may well have one of the best defences in the country, but as far as I can tell at the moment it has one major weakness and his name is Aleksandar Kolarov.
It may be a little harsh to judge the Serbian left-back after just one season in the Premier League, but thus far I’ve seen little to suggest that he has the ability to make it in a team that hopes to challenge for silverware. Kolarov joined City last summer from Lazio for a fee of £16m and he came complete with an excellent reputation.
Watching him play, however, has been another matter entirely. He’s not as great going forward as was originally believed and he lacks conviction in his defensive duties. Just look at his half-hearted challenge in the build-up to West Ham’s goal on Sunday. Can you imagine Vincent Kompany or even Joleon Lescott make such a weak attempt to win the ball?
If it weren’t for Micah Richard’s injury it’s highly unlikely that Kolarov would be getting the chance he’s currently getting and he’s hardly grabbing at the opportunity with both hands is he? Richard’s injury necessitates Zabaletta playing at right-back and opens up a space in the left-back position.
As far as I can tell Kolarov isn’t a good passer, needs to work on his tackling, doesn’t read the game too well and can often lose track of his man. He’s distinctly lacking in pace and doesn’t get up and down City’s left-flank anywhere near as fast as is desirable. On the positive side, I will grant that the Serbian has a ferocious shot. It’s rare, however, that he manages to get these shots on target.
There will be fans who argue that it’s unfair to judge a player after just one season in the Premier League. To some extent, I’d agree, but for me to support Kolarov I’d have to have seen more from him this season that what he has offered up. You’re more inclined to grant players time to adjust if they show ‘signs’ or ‘flashes’ of brilliance or ability, but that’s simply not the case with Kolarov.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Serbian was moved on in the summer and a replacement was brought in to add more competition in City’s defence.
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I think I’d take you more seriously had you spelt pabzabs name right. As you haven’t, this seems like the media (and I use the word loosely in this articles example) are running out of axes to grind. Sounds desperate. Oh and, let’s give the lad another season, nobody wrote off Henry or Ronald after their dodge first seasons now did they?
Whats makes you qualified to judge if a player is fit to where the city shirt just because he may not be the best best player at the club? Thats why we have a manager, and not a 2nd rate jurno to pick the team. Admittedly he has his faults, does’nt everyone. Go and pick on someone who is a disgraceing his club by shagging team mates wives, or in some cases worse. Not someone that has one the whole had a good debut season. DICK
Now, now, don’t be catty.
I just don’t think he’s good enough for this City side and I’d like to see that dealt with in the summer.
Catty?
I think ‘pissed off’ is a better description and why not?
The title of your ‘article’ is downright bloody insulting to a lad who has a lot of quality and plays his heart out. He isn’t the best defensively (neither was R Carlos Esq) but he is a real asset going fwd. Our defense is now second tightest in the division so they sem to be coping with any shortcomings there. It’s his first season, he will get better. Last season there were people slagging off DJ and Lescott but they aren’t now are they? You’re no City Supporter in my book if you throw ordure at our players in such an unjustified and random manner. You’re just an attention seeker
Nope, I’m going to stick with “catty”.
I appreciate the passion and ire, but I stick by my point. There’s a reason why a bunch of City fans have agreed with me in the comments. Your defence has done well this season, I’ll grant you that, but you admit yourself “isn’t the best defensively”. Bearing in mind that he isn’t one of the better offensive full-backs in the League (too slow, not enough awareness)I’m not sure what your argument is.
Both DJ and Lescott showed some signs of being the player’s the have blossomed into this season. I don’t see that in Kolarov. Now forgetting the provocative title, don’t you see my point? Or are players suddenly beyond critique?
What’s the hoo-ha about? Watch him closely. I’d say he’s pretty damn worthy of the shirt – he plays all over the pitch, chases and closes down and stops people doing things, even if he doesn’t always get the ball. He works hard, and that’s more than can be said of many players that have come and gone over the last three seasons.
So there. Stick it up yer arse.
Im not a big fan of him myself,but he has not had any help,nobody in front of him.Zab has A.J.in front of him who has this lad had,who covers for him when he goes forward?
at the end of the day this is a player who WAS wanted by mourinho so give him time. now that says something!!!!
He’s miles better than Wayne Bridge.
Pablo Z used to look weak, but he’s got better this year. He’s a battler with a good footballing brain. He finishes every game bandaged, and playing in a different position from the one he started. I’ve never seen Zab ever beat another player for pace.
Kolarov is quite fast, much more attacking than defensive, and has a fearsome left foot. I think I prefer Balotelli taking set pieces,because he’s nearly always on target.
Not a fan of Kolarov at all … wouldn’t be disappointed to see him moved on at seasons end for a half decent fee … on the proviso we replace him with something better.
I’m sure Roberto has this covered.
In the meantime let’s give the bloke our support !
you didnt judge him, you fully raped him.
I think he will get better next season if he gets the chance. He has had some injury problems this season plus the adjustment-factor. But when you think about it, there arent that many good left-backs that would do better really. At least not available. I think we should keep him although i must admit he could have done better this season…
I agree with the author, Kolarov has never had a good game for us. I could forgive his terrible passing, poor positioning, weak tackling and non existent pace if he showed the heart of say De Jong, Kompany Zabaleta etc.. But alas he certainly does not and instead bottles out of every 50/50 challenge. Other than that he’s well worth the 17 odd mill..
He is without doubt the worst player I’ve seen in a City shirt…. And I’ve seen some bad one’s!!! his defending is woeful – see how he turned away from Kuyt’s goal at Anfield… Shocking !!! If AC have offered 12m I’ll drive him there
He hasn’t been great. Looks like it will be another summer, another left back. Shame, he might be ok if he bothered to stretch his legs instead of just jogging about like it doesn’t matter.
He has been very poor this season, and the poster is right, we haven’t seen any flashes of the sort of left back we need.
He gets beaten too easily, too often.
You said it yourself, we have one of the best defences in the country and AK is a part of that. Enough said.
Half the team is new and only playing their first season together, still a lot of lads finding their feet (pardon the pun). As for the first paragraph stating that beating a team bottom of league is not worthy of celebrating, I would totally disagree. That may be true in mid season but at this stage of the season the bottom 5/6 clubs are much more dangerous then the mid table teams who have nothing to play for. Those bottom teams are fighting tooth and nail to stay in the division and a taking 3 points from them no matter how you do it IS DEFINITELY WORTH CELEBRATING.
It might help if he had someone decent in front of him? If he played at Right Mid with a fullback with him he’d look a damn sight better. Bloody ell were 4th in the Prem and in the FA cup final for gods sake!!