Not to be overly defensive of Chamakh (because I agree he needs to go), but his best form for us came when he was playing with the first team. Since being relegated to the B squad, he's suffered. Maybe there's a connection?
I have this suspicion that if Chamakh were given a game with the first team, he wouldn't appear as bad as he's been recently (not saying he'd be good, just not bad). Reason being that the major deficiencies in his link-up play (poor dribbling, overly quick passing, lack of vision) would be compensated for by the much more technical members of the first team. Whereas the B squad isn't nearly good enough technically to compensate for Chamakh's deficiencies.
You see Chamakh play a lot of quick one-twos with the midfield because he doesn't trust himself to hold the ball or run at the defender. If the players around him can't do anything with the ball either, then these one-twos are pointless and lose possession. But if the player receiving the ball can do something with it, Chamakh comes off looking not so bad (for example, AOC's rocket against City was set up by a one-two with Chamakh).
I would be really curious to see how Chamakh fairs in one game with the first team. All of his appearances so far have been with Arshavin, Park, etc. But with Theo and Gervinho on both sides, it's possible he could get himself in some great scoring positions. Not sure if he'd finish them though.
