Has anyone read Theoklitis' wiki entry?Record holder for longest withourt conceding a goal in the Australian league and goalie of the year award......
That isn't want our passing has been like. We mix it up. We have scored some great goals this season. We certainly aren't sticking with the long ball as you seem to suggest. It got us great goals against Manchester United and Chelsea to name two. Yes, it's not passing like Swansea or Barcelona but it's effective. Also, consider our counter-attacking goals against West Brom, set-piece goals such as against Bolton away and Newcastle at home. Look at how we countered Swansea's play in both games. How about the play leading up to Hoolahan's goal against Wigan. Holt's fantastic header from a brilliant Pilkington cross against Liverpool?
what you have to remember is that carrabuh has been well and truly wrong about how our summer signings would adapt to life in the premier league. he has to try and find any crumb of comfort to suggest we are not worthy of where we currently are. i'm with you wonky - our passing, especially when fox is in the team, has been excellent but its our ability to 'mix it up' which is what has stood us in such good stead. if you watch manchester united, they do exactly the same. its called 'winning football'. we've played some exquisite football at times this season but they've rolled their sleeves up and got mud on their shorts when necessary.
No, we fully deserve to be where we are, I don't disagree with that but I do not think the football we have played is as good as what most seem to think and that we use the long ball far too much for me to appreciate it. Getting stuck and rolling the sleeves up is not the same as kicking it long, I don't know why you are trying to confuse my statement , the first is necessary the second is only necessary when the players aren't quite up to possession football. We have passed it well in some games but I wouldn't call us a "passing team", not yet anyway. Alot of City fans seem to really begrudge the praise Swansea get, I just don't understand why, they are a much, much better footballing side than us, why get upset because others say so. Its true, and those good footballing traits should be encouraged by all. Instead of getting jealous we should be expecting the same from our team not "kick it up field" as some of the morons near me shout. I would dearly love to be able to say that about us. Of the players we have signed preseason, I would hand on heart say they are nothing special, just average players of which Lambert is getting there absolute best on such a consistent level. The fact of the matter is they are also playing against teams which are nothing special, crap in most cases, the football in this league has been really disappointing. Stoke City should just be relegated. I ****ing hate them on a par with Ipswich.
can't agree, unsurprisingly, with any of what you've said carrabuh. in fact, i think you couldn't be more wrong if you tried! 1000% wrong
I often disagree withMr Pjs, but I echo his sentiments completely in this case. The views expressed by the carrabuh seem more likely to emanate from a inhabitant of planet zog
What I can't understand is in a crowd of 27,000 people, 26,990 see the same, positive thing, the other 10 phone Canary Call!
And what exactly do you find so disagreeable, do you not think we have passed it well in some games, everygame perhaps? How would you describe a passing team? Why do we play the big strikers so often? Does Morison, Wilbraham (perhaps a little harsh to tarnish Wil with the same brush) and Jackson have those footballing skills so adept to pass and control? Why have we scored so many headed goals? I includea long ball as a cross in the air from a wide position. Should Swansea not receive the credit they do because they are below us in the League? Are points the most important thing? Are our players really really good? Or as I think they are of average standard playing to there best consistently, I don't think that remark is disparaging of the team at all, it is in essence what sums the whole Lambert ethos, no stars, no standout players, emphasis on teamwork etc etc. Do you not get fans shouting the defence to boot it upfield? Lucky you, I have to endure it everygame. I fail to see how that constitutes "crap". Makes perfect sense Wonky, are your perceptions a little Jens Berthal of the quote you replied to.
Evening Carrabuh - good to see you are getting the debate going! I agree with an earlier quote that differing views are to be encourged to promote discussion. I work at UEA and encourage my students to discuss various , quite often sensitive subjects. It is my favourite teaching style. It does have to be managed to avoid metaphorical "blows" being traded, but sometimes we need a completely different angle on a subject to promote discussion and understanding of why people see things differently. There have been times this season where I think we have passed well but other games we have given the ball away too often for my liking. Look at the first half against Wolves that saw Ruddy come out and have a go at Ward for putting us under pressure. Fox can give the ball away as much as he spreads the play in a game. Hoolahan has been very bad at this recently (not sure how he got MoM against Everton as Ryan Bennett was superb). Swansea can pass well but never pass the half way line. No threat there then, but when they do find an opening it is superb to watch. We can do that too but having a direct approach and mixing it up can also be effective. There are times when I want to see the passing game but also getting the 3 points is more needed. One thing you do get from a Lambert team is a never say die attitude and good team spirit that can lift average players as individuals into a team, which is why we have had a decent season.
Surgery I do hope you don't moan at Hoolahan for giving the ball away, he has the hardest job on the pitch. We can't make him scared to take on a pass, or skip round a player. He was excellent until he tired for the last 20 mins against Everton. Bennett as you said should have got MOM, he looks a real star.
Not a moaner TBH Carra,leave that to the River End. He frustrates me at times though when he gives the ball away but then can produce a moment of magic. Was not sure how he would perform out on the left against Everton but he did OK. Still thought Ryan Bennett was more deserving of MoM. He looks superb as you say. In fact I also think an Ayala/ Bennett CB pairing would be very productive, although Ward has been improving. Thoughts?
Yes, Ayala looked atrocious for his first two games, one as a sub and the MK Dons, since then he looked good, but Benett against Everton was the best player defensive performance this season. He was always in position, never found chasing back after players, won his tackles, really really like him on what I've seen so far. Anyway, I have to go, don't know if I'll be back, far to much to do. I do miss the articles but I have principles about crass design which I don't really to endorse by using it regularly. Plus, don't really want to get back into spending hours on a computer in the evenings again. Bye bye
So is what you are saying Carrabuh is if Foxy hit a rasping 50 yard pass out to Pilkington scampering down the wing that would be a long ball and not a pass to a team mate? And a cross from the by line that travels 25 yards into the area to be met by the head of Holt thundering it into the back of the net is also a long ball too! Interesting philosophy on the beautiful game!
Keep dropping in now and again when you have the time Carrabuh as an alternative view is always welcome in my mind. I am on less than I used to be but still like to contribute when possible.
