Or is it just me?

He seems to have lost a good few yards of pace. He was almost afraid of Walcott yesterday and gave him all the room in the world.

The biggest problem is his crossing. He has no trouble getting into good positions but his crossig is terrible. Yesterday he should have had 3 or 4 assists to his name but his crossing is just so poor.

Bertrand or PVA in those positions would have fired the ball in but Ashley doesn't seem to have any power whatsoever.

I think PVA is going to be a cracking player and hope he continues his development this season at Wigan because I'd like to see him play a big role for us sooner rather than later.

I think PVA is going to be a cracking player and hope he continues his development this season at Wigan because I'd like to see him play a big role for us sooner rather than later.

He hasn't even made the bench in their last 3 games, so that's not looking good at the moment.

Ashley's never been a great crosser. It's ironic how much flak Bossy gets for this but Ashley's far worse IMO. However he's a great defender and a great marauding full-back, who times his runs perfectly and has bags of energy. I regard him as a bloody good footballer.

Walcott is lightning quick so I'm not surprised Ashley backed off him.

He hasn't even made the bench in their last 3 games, so that's not looking good at the moment.

Yeah which is a big shame. I watched him play for them against Everton and seen a few other highlights and he did fairly well. Can't understand why he's been so under used.

Ashley's never been a great crosser. It's ironic how much flak Bossy gets for this but Ashley's far worse IMO. However he's a great defender and a great marauding full-back, who times his runs perfectly and has bags of energy. I regard him as a bloody good footballer.

Walcott is lightning quick so I'm not surprised Ashley backed off him.

Finally somebody else sees it too! Bosingwa's crossing is far from perfect but it's nowhere near as bad as Ashley's.

But let me ask you this. What's the point of Ashley being such a great marauding fullback but when he gets in great positions to cross and create goals he can't do it to save his life? What's the point? He was in acres of space at one point yesterday with not one but two Chelsea players unmarked and begging for the ball but it never came. And that wasn't the only time it happened.

He goes up extremely well but there is very little end product so what's the point?

Edited October 30, 201113 yr by Epic

Ashley's short passing is useful and usually him just being in the attacking positions is enough to force an extra opposition player to cover, or move slightly towards him which makes attacking in general easier. I do agree that his crossing is awful, but as has been said, it always has been. I remember mentioning to people years ago that Bridge was a far better crosser of the ball... I'd still say that Ashley adds a lot to the side even with poor crossing.

He certainly hasn't been his usually superlative self this year, but he's still been above average and good at times. He may well be losing a couple of yards of pace, but hopefully Bertrand will be making the grade just in time. PvA's defending still worries me a little too much - he makes Bosingwa look competent.

I don't think Ash has been right for a while, surprised Baines hasnt got his England place. I think Bertrand is the better prospect.

He's still a great player but has possibly now lost the half yard that made him world class. Often you now see him stand off an attacker, possibly unsure he can match them for pace. His crossing always has been a bit suspect and for all the great positions he manages to get into,I would bet very few result in goals.

I have really worried about him. He seems to spend more time complaining then actually defending this year. Right before Theo scored yesterday he was showed just moaning at the ref. Maybe if he would focus and just play he wouldn't have such problems.

He's still a great player but has possibly now lost the half yard that made him world class. Often you now see him stand off an attacker, possibly unsure he can match them for pace. His crossing always has been a bit suspect and for all the great positions he manages to get into,I would bet very few result in goals.

He does this a lot and it's so frustrating. Walcott took advantage of this yesterday by whipping in balls or moving in-field with the ball. He concedes about 5 yards of space and you're screaming get tighter for gods sake!!!

You see Baines with great delivery. Evra's fantastic cross yesterday for Hernandez to score the winner. If Ashley had their delivery we would be scoring 12-15 goals more a season.

It may seem petty but the thing I find most frustrating with Ashley is his total one footedness, he appears loathe to use his right foot and I find it staggering the amount of times he elects to make a negative pass with his left rather than attempt some fairly easy progressive passes with his right. It's a total momentum killer.

It may seem petty but the thing I find most frustrating with Ashley is his total one footedness, he appears loathe to use his right foot and I find it staggering the amount of times he elects to make a negative pass with his left rather than attempt some fairly easy progressive passes with his right. It's a total momentum killer.

Sturridge one footness is worse considering he is playing on the right. Prime example yesterday

finally someone starts a topic about a player who for my mind has been flying under the radar waaay too long.when other players have been criticized ,the amount of plaudits cole has picked up on this and other forums has staggered me.when you read things like 'great game from ash,didnt put a foot wrong' you wonder if you saw the same game when he constantly (as sweet waffle said )elects not to use his right foot, and gives a f**@ed up pass to the opposition!

you may have gathered by now i dont buy into the best left back in the world view,never did. and how many times does he get caught out of position,trying to play the hero when there are more than enough attackers up the park,thereby having to scamper back and commit a desperate foul once we lose possession? im not a big fan of bosingwa either,but cole (who i do think is a good player believe it or not,just not a great one) has similar limitations, as in crossing the ball for instance. brew crew mentioned that he seems to spend more time complaining,than actually defending this year.imo he hasnt changed since he became a professional footballer,he was just as bad at arsenal.

lastly one example that stands out of him 'getting away with it' if you like,the 3-3 draw with villa last season.jeffrey bruma got absolutely slaughtered for being unable to stop heskey outjumping him for his goal yet hardly anybody said anything about cole not stopping downing from getting the cross in on his weaker foot.

other people have given their views on him over time and i respect them,but for me his pro`s dont out weigh his con`s

finally someone starts a topic about a player who for my mind has been flying under the radar waaay too long.when other players have been criticized ,the amount of plaudits cole has picked up on this and other forums has staggered me.when you read things like 'great game from ash,didnt put a foot wrong' you wonder if you saw the same game when he constantly (as sweet waffle said )elects not to use his right foot, and gives a f**@ed up pass to the opposition!

you may have gathered by now i dont buy into the best left back in the world view,never did. and how many times does he get caught out of position,trying to play the hero when there are more than enough attackers up the park,thereby having to scamper back and commit a desperate foul once we lose possession? im not a big fan of bosingwa either,but cole (who i do think is a good player believe it or not,just not a great one) has similar limitations, as in crossing the ball for instance. brew crew mentioned that he seems to spend more time complaining,than actually defending this year.imo he hasnt changed since he became a professional footballer,he was just as bad at arsenal.

lastly one example that stands out of him 'getting away with it' if you like,the 3-3 draw with villa last season.jeffrey bruma got absolutely slaughtered for being unable to stop heskey outjumping him for his goal yet hardly anybody said anything about cole not stopping downing from getting the cross in on his weaker foot.

other people have given their views on him over time and i respect them,but for me his pro`s dont out weigh his con`s

He has a brilliant left back throughout the years. How many LB's do you know who go forward as well as Ash and defend just as well? Baines is vulnerable when defending, Evra is not as effective as Ash attacking or defending, gael clichy also doesn't play the attacking wing-back role as well as Ash. You can't blame him for our defence's incompetence. I don't think any defenders can keep up with walcott as well. I admit he is very left-footed but the amount of times he has put Drogba, lamps, nico, kalou etc in on goal is very high. Best LB in the world this season and possibly last season Im unsure, but he has still be an excellent asset to the team. I would prefer to clichy or evra any day.

I think Bertand is ahead of PVA in terms of replacing Ashley at the moment. The game he played not that long ago (everton i think) he was really good. I think he should be given more games. Everyone talks about Josh playing more but i think Ryan should be getting a lot more game time considering when Ashley steps down only Ryan or PVA can take over. Josh plays in the midfield where we have lots of options already.

I think Bertand is ahead of PVA in terms of replacing Ashley at the moment. The game he played not that long ago (everton i think) he was really good. I think he should be given more games. Everyone talks about Josh playing more but i think Ryan should be getting a lot more game time considering when Ashley steps down only Ryan or PVA can take over. Josh plays in the midfield where we have lots of options already.

I think there is a big difference between options and numbers. Josh should be getting game-time as he gives us a totally different option whereas most of our other midfielders offer much of a muchness.

As for Mr Cole, he is still a very good full back but is not playing to the standards he set himself and it would be good (and is going to be essential) that Bertrand & PVA get more game time going forward. We need to establish who is the better player between the two (from what I've seen, both are good but I have been more impressed with PVA).

Seriously?

Personally I would hate to think who could replace him...I don't think anyone could... First name on the team sheet for me...

Very little gets by on that side of the pitch.

Easily beaten for the winner. Offers nothing going forward.

Best leftback in the world? Laughable.

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by Epic

Seriously?

Personally I would hate to think who could replace him...I don't think anyone could... First name on the team sheet for me...

Very little gets by on that side of the pitch.

Sad to say this but thats bollocks, he has been on the slide since the start of the year.

He's the most overrated player to ever put on a Chelsea shirt.

Good for the double season, but someone on here was calling him a legend hte other day, f**k off.

sadly his is getting to old and coming to the end of his career and there's lot more of them at Chelsea and that's what's wrong with Chelsea.AVB has big b[g job to do big

I have never rated him.

As i mentioned in the Liverpool match thread...for me, he doesn't offer enough going forward to warrant the exposure at the back that his forward forays create. Given that we are leaking goals left right and centre, i would like to see Ash told to hang back and defend as a priority.

I have never rated him.

The best LB in England and probably the world for some time and you have never rated him? Great stuff

Ashley Cole, one of the best LB in the world!!!????

I don't think I can ever take another post on this forum seriously, ever again after that?

EDIT---

Sorry mate, I shouldn't have a go at you, I'm just in a bad mood.

I've not felt this upset in a while, and I've taken it out on you and the board.

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by Six Times

So who has been a better LB then Ashley Cole over the years? in England Evra is the only one that has competed with him and in Europe we have Lahm etc.

Players around the world wouldnt constantly be praising Ashley Cole if he was so sh*t as you seem to think.