There's an interesting point here about his distribution. Sadly, as I get to few games these days, most of my watching is through the tv screen and it's hard to tell. Whenever Mig collects the ball he runs out to the edge of his box then stops and looks around but doesn't release it. The cameras have zoomed in so you can't see the layout of the field in front of him. It always appears as though he can't see a quick ball out, yet he does seem to be looking for one. So, is there no decent pass on for him or is it just that he has no confidence in his ability to pick someone out?
Not a chance he'll come to us. Hasn't he just signed a new long term deal? Totally agree with your analysis and choice though
Ming needs to work on his kicking, it's awful. The rest of his game has improved. On setpieces he needs more protection, you an't just let keepers fend for themselves on set pieces, it makes it easier for keepers when they have to come out for the ball. The distribution is one of the easier issues to address in training at least.
I've seen several games live when a good throw would have us on the counter.....I do mean good though, it's in the tool box of top keepers. Your point is a good one though.....and it works in reverse too. As a player, do you get used to not receiving the ball on a quick counter from your keeper? Look at yesterdays game, Swansea swamped us when Migs had the ball in hand......even rolling it out to a CB became difficult. If he had the ability to accurately throw/kick over these, we'd have taken 4 or 5 players out of the game. Instead, the entire team came deeper to offer an outlet for the short ball, bringing the pressure onto ourselves.....and making a quick break impossible! I'm talking precision passing here, a semi accurate lump upfield would serve no purpose with our midget forward line
i'd have to ask then, why no improvement in his time with us? I just don't think he'll ever be that good at it
All the best with that, I'm expecting more Swansea / Saints type signing. Maybe from Stoke this time...
It's not the best, though all is not lost entirely - if the midgets put some sort of pressure on the receiving defender we can often pick up the second ball. If he has time, Mig tries to pick out the WBs with his clearance rather than punting it down the middle, and the problem with that is that his lack of accuracy often ends with him putting it out. The move that baffles me though is when he passes it out to the CBs or DM and they play pass the parcel with it for a bit, then give it back to him under pressure and he then whacks it anywhere. I'd rather the defenders attempted a long pass if they can't work it through the middle. This is clearly the way BR wants it though, and perhaps with time they'll get better at it. At the moment they're not letting much through, and that's the important thing.
Hmmm.....maybe it is all BR wanted to build from the back....or me being starry eyed about the times when Reina used to send our FB's on the attack with an inch perfect throw to the half way line.....Like you say, as long as we keep clean sheets and keep the attacking threat, ultimately that's all that matters.
Don't get me wrong Saint.....I'm just looking for those small differences that will take us from regular top 4 challengers to title winners.
We were definitely spoilt with Reina when it comes to distribution. There are only a handful out there who can do it, and I think we need to compete regularly at the top before we can attract the top players.
I don't mind that since they're trying to play it out but its just not worked. What bugs me is when Migs passes it to a defender and they are forced to immediately give it back to Migs for him to boot it. That's just inviting pressure.
