[video=youtube;3kmRhiaPzHo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kmRhiaPzHo&feature=player_embedded[/video]
To be fair, average positions will always be more central. Compact defensive formations when not in possession, and the fact the whole team moves across the pitch towards the ball when it's on either flank, means the wide players will logically spend a lot of time more central than their positions would indicate. Equally, wingers who switch sides will appear in the centre. I'm not saying there's nothing to that chart, just that it might give a false reflection.
We don't need to get behind fullbacks. When teams sit back, there's rarely room behind them. That's why Rodriguez has issues; he can't run past anyone when they give him space. That "heavy first touch" is because he's so used to trying to kick it past people and chase, instead he ends up just kicking it to them. When the defense sits back you need to create a bit of space and take a shot, not try and get behind the defense.
But we created our best chance when we did. You don't have to pin your whole gameplan on doing it, but its nice to have it as an option. Comes back to seemingly that Poch has a Plan A... and not much of a Plan B from what we've seen so far in his reign.
Having Lambert, Osvaldo and Rodriguez on together is not the answer. Gaston or Davis ought to have started today or at worst come off the bench. It would have provided a better balance to the side. A big positive is that our whole back 4 was extremely solid today so I am confident we can get something at Anfield.
Thought it was a frustrating game. West Ham came for a point, and got it, and we dominated the ball and chances. However, we only really stepped it up in the 2nd half where we looked very strong going forward, but our final ball was missing. Thought Osvaldo was very good and must have been frustrated by the others failure to read his passes/flicks and their inability to control a ball. The first touch of Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Lallana and Rodriguez was appalling. J Rod improved late on, when Lallana came off. Had some good chances, but Jaaskelainen was superb. A truly terrific performance from him. Frustrating, but at least we aren't conceding goals. Just need luck to fall our way up front.
I agree with this apart from maybe the terrible part, it was an average display but you are absolutely right in saying its about what ACTUALLY happened. Its another game, like Sunderland, where we seemed to lack the clinical finishing that we need to have in the Premier League. We only managed 5 shots on target as well, considering how much we dominated the game that's not great.
Poor Poor Poor. Despite, on paper, having one of the best attacks in the league ... why the **** is it our weakest link? Lambert, Rodriguez & Osvaldo have a lot to answer for. And why does Adam Lallana keep getting taken off? He's been our brightest spark last 3 matches. Think we miss Jack Cork in the middle, Morgan & Wanyama (although early days) don't have a great partnership thus far. West Ham came with the usual dirty, aggresive, negative football you would expect ... if this performance was a once off from Saints, I'd understand, but it's now (at least) the 3rd game in a row we've played like it. Only positive I can take is the defence is looking fairly solid. Now the attack worries me. Also, what has happened to Cork & Yoshida? Very unfair what's happened to them this season.
I don't understand why people are being so negative about the performance. We were poor in the first half sure, but dominated the 2nd half and on another day would have had 2 or 3 goals easily. I actually thought that the 2nd half performance was the best we have played all season.
I'd agree with that. Opened them up at times, but some of our control and decision making was appalling. Plus, Jaaskelainen was immense.
Just to cheer us up the KUMB are moaning about their team just like we are. Difference is they aren't suggesting the opposition are poor like we are Some are complementary about us saying we were unlucky or should have won by 'X' to 0 but I prefer their negativity towards their own team to cheer me up:
Everyone seems to be getting on JayRod's case but he set up arguably our three best chances in the match, he was no less effective than Adam and Rickie today IMO.
There's gotta be a scapegoat, and it ain't going to be our record signing or our england international.
It's not all there yet, but everything will be ok. West Ham had five shots and three of them were from Jaaskelainen That is (probably) all.
Spot on....its an option we haven't got and should of been addressed in the summer. MP clearly thinks not but I hope it doesn't bite him in the bum as our last home victory seems a distant memory back in March. The opposition since then has been mediocre at best.
Carroll being out until Jan is a huge deal for them. But saying that, Sam should keep them ticking along in mid table. You could call them a physical side. (ie. they defend their own half really well)
