What is the answer to our lack of creativity?

I presume it is not just me with this view?

Aside from the issue of our lack of options up front (which I think we all agree on), with Austin, Zamora and Remy (hopefully) as our 3 current options. We certainly need at least 4 to choose from.

However, for me a great concern is the lack of creativity from the rest of the side. Strikers like Austin and Remy finish chances rather than create, and we do very little of that. We had this issue for the whole of last season, and probably stretching back to our last season in the Premier League.

I remember countless times last season saying in my match reports that we had little to no shots on target - and today was the same. As it has been in all of the preseason games.

What is the answer though?

Surely we have the players that can create chances? I thought the change in formation to a fluid 3-5-2 would solve our problems but it hasn't. We look unable to carve defences open, just passing the ball from side to side.

I do agree however that we look very solid, and hard to break down, but to win games we need to score - and we couldn't do it with frequency against Championship defences. Now with the step up it will only get tougher.

 

First person to mention the "A" word gets banned from the board for six months.

 

It starts with T and ends with T and has loads of As in it.

 

Oops, just realised I may have started ANOTHER thread on that subject!

I think the point I am getting at really though is that surely it can't be down to players now, surely it is tactics. But as I said, our new formation still hasn't solved it. It is just so frustrating to watch yet another keeper not tested enough.

And whilst I would be in favour of bringing 'A' back into the team, he probably isn't the sole answer to the problem.

 

Barton has been the mainstay of midfield and let's be honest, he ain't very good. He consistently passes sideways and gives the ball away too often when trying the spectacular.
Adel is the only player we have who can run from a central position at a defence with the ball at his feet. Defenders hate that as it causes mayhem. We lack pace in our midfield and Faurlin won't be the answer to that as well. O'Neill, Barton, Niko Henry etc have no pace. That's the key.

 

Thats a good point, but I think having a player like Barton/Henry etc.. does help. Someone to just break up play and turn possession over. Barton has in the past made some great cross field passes into space, but often we don't capitalise on them.

 

I didn't watch today's match, but would hope that a fit Matt Phillips will give us some degree of creativity, especially if prompted by an on-the-ball Ale Faurlin. Failing that, De Guzman will offer something going forwards should we be lucky enough to sign him. Hoilett ended last season well, so I wouldn't write him off, but have little expectation for Traore. Isla? Lets pin our hopes on him.

I'd love to add Yun, Petrasso and Sutherland to that list, but I'd be wasting my time, they aren't going to play.

 

We need a coach. Like we needed a coach when Steve McLaren left last season.

Our creative midfielder is therefore Glenn Hoddle. Sign him up, 'Arry. Or Tony.

 

I would also have high hopes for Phillips but I can't see how he fits into our new system. Can he play in the position that Hoilett has been taking up (i.e. behind two strikers)?

But Hoilett has performed very well in pre-season, but was quiet today for some reason.

 

Some of Ale's and Mutch's passing showed real signs of quality, maybe it is letting our current side to "gel" ??

And I hate to just bang on about SWP, but it doesn't help when his passes almost always either went backwards or astray !!

 

I just can't see where Phillips can fit into a 3-5-2 unless he can convert to striker. I didn't see the game today either, but the starting line-up was every bit as baffling as some of last season's.

 

Euthanise your manager.

 

Mutch is described like that by the Cardiff fans. So hopefully we got two now able to break from midfield with the ball at feet.

 

I resent such a comment. You sir obviously know nothing about our club.

For the record, haven't you notice that our beloved Tonz has poured millions of pounds into establishing the worlds best retirement farm.
Why the hell then would we even consider euthanasia ............... it just wouldn't make sense.

 

Moroccan No 10....

 

Philips-Put one on Charlie's head, who contrived to miss from 4 yard out

 

YOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!! A player similar to Ross Barkeley. Wheres Petrasso?

 

For me the answer is the lack of ambition within our play & this is due to the choice of our management.

Our current formation can be played with either a defensive or attacking emphasis. Guess which one we play!

Although the first half yesterday showed an improvemnet with intent, IMO the only creativeness we displayed was Faurlin trying to play Mutch in behind the defence plus SWP or Hoilet running at defenders (both unsucessfully).

However, it must be taken into account that this was only the second worthwhile friendly we have played this pre-season (Orient the other one) & PAOK are certainly a good enough side to be able to survive in the Premier.

 

The answer is sitting right in front of the ol färt wearing the No 10 shirt. I read him being quoted yesterday in Get West London think it was, as saying Adel hadn't even been fit enough to train yet but maybe next week. Either he is a lying ol färt or a few of our posters who said Adel looked sharp and fit at the open day training in Ireland are! Arry will probably let Adel go for 4 million less Spurs cut to Milan, then pay 25 million to Liverpool for Jan Molby!