There's the central forwards chasing down the central defenders and there's the midfielders and wing-backs who should be pressing the opponents wing/full backs IMO - it's not as simple as "Attacker closing down defender" - more the position of the defender is in. I want the team pushing to win the ball back bri - but I wouldn't be pissed off to see a central forward not chasing a really pacy full back. If we were playing 4-4-2 then the wingers would be expected to do that - Jones should've been pushing on with one of the 2 more defensive midfielders (Seb/Rodwell) dropping in to cover the full back defensive slot - don;t want us playing a different way - just not wanting the central striker pushing the full backs personally. I suppose with everyone in red and white my glass is half full - even Danny Graham!!
Jones has just come back from injury and had to run a full flank for 90 minutes. He needed help. Both Connor and DG were deployed to cover the full backs as well though mate, the heat maps prove it. I don't think it asking much for the fresh legs to put themselves about a bit, Connor did it. It's always going to happen when we've only got one wing back on each flank given the task of running an entire flank on their own. It's the fundamental flaw in the system mate but dealt with with fit, fast wing backs. Jones was running out of steam towards the end which is why Defoe didn't cover left back but DG did(not very well). Fletch covered right back for the whole game as did Connor when he came on. This tells me PVA is still a bit away from match fitness. When you've got 2 wingbacks who've just returned from injury running their flank on their own, they're going to need help from other positions. Vergini and Brown both covered the spurs inside forwards out to the flanks to protect the wing backs, even though it left O'shea in the middle to deal with a forward and an AM, where he was helped out by Rodwell dropping back into a cb. Everybody needs to cover everyone, not everyone minus Danny Graham which is what happened. Not a matter of half full half empty with me. I'm an optimist, but I won't let it blind my view of what i'm seeing. It's just my opinion fella, and his heat map show him standing still far too much which isn't acceptable considering he only had a 15 minute job to do, his heat map should have been showing next to nothing as heat maps register when a player stops running and increase density the longer they stay in that spot. I'm not relying on the heat map either. (i get lambasted for using stats these days from some)My thread went up before the info was even available.
Was hoping to but after bills and shopping this week I just don't have the money. Nevermind, It's just making the wait till Burnley even worse.
Oh aye. Some bugger has taken my seat which is right near the back. Dropped a little bit lower as I can't see the scoreboard from my usual seat. I'll get another game off from the moaner who stands next to me too. Happy days. You in the south stand marra?
I will be..... Due to not knowing how many I'm taking (son/nephews etc), it'll be a buy on the day. Glad you got a lift sorted.
Cheers fella. It will be good to be back. I missed Hull on Boxing day I a didn't have a lift and i missed the Liverpool and Leeds game ill. I'm having withdrawals. This is your second cup game isn't it? Have been in the league yet? Going to the Burnley game? Is that enough questions?
Obviously only been home a few weeks but got to the Leeds game... Was down South for the Liverpool match. Looking forward to Saturday and next games for me will be QPR / WBA.
Fingers crossed Bri... Although I'll happily celebrate 1 as long as we keep a clean sheet!! I'm gonna see what I can do with regards Burnley as I'd like to meet a few of the lads in the Victory. It would be an opportunity missed if I didnt... But it's gonna be difficult.. I'll keep you posted!
