A number of people have commented that teams have worked us out. It looks as if we are struggling against teams getting 2 banks of four or more between us and goal. I am sure Laudrup and team realises this and perhaps this is why he mentioned in tonight post match interview that he will be glad of a full week before the next game. I suspect the squad need some time on the training ground to work on plans rather than travelling. Thought we could discuss our views on what is missing or what we need to do differently. To get things going, here are a few of my thoughts: 1) Lost some of our counter-attacking speed A number of times tonight our wingers got the ball on the counter and stopped mid-run, the defence re-organised. Vasquez made a number of runs but the through ball or ball over the top never came. 2) Crossing Our final ball has been poor, Hernadez can produce some good balls and last year I think Tiendalli seemed to be ok but not now. We seem to determined to get to the goal line before crossing, by then the wide man has been crowded and defence organised, we rarely look for an early cross. 3) Set Piece and corners Generally we rarely successful compared to other teams with regard this aspect. Amazes me how we seem to get our heads on the ball when defending corners but not when attacking. Not sure what the answer is here? Better quality set pieces, taller players? 4) Passing games I am sure we are trying to continue the possession game but with more pace and penetration. So often the precision is not quite there and we fractionally miss the killer pass. I think we have to continue we this, but sometimes I think the players are trying to be too clever, all trying to play Laudrup type touches and passes. We have to know our limitations. (someone else may have also made this point) 5) Breaking down the two line of four defenders. This where I think Hernadez and sometimes Poz can be effective in taking on players and pulling them out of formation. But I think if we offered even an occasional threat from a long shot, defenders could not afford to stand off in formation. Just a thought? 6) Formation Michu may prefer playing AM and may be our best AM but pundits have mentioned he wont score when playing deep. As our strikers seem to be struggling, should Michu be asked to lead the line and use other combinations in midfield. 7) Free Kicks and penalities Today WH seemed to be looking for free-kicks in certain areas, and got them. We seem to do really badly when it comes to getting ref calls, we all the possession we get surely we should be getting more? We should stay within the rules of the game but I remember Gomez seemed to get fouled a lot going forward?? 8) Did miss out in the transfer market Pointless question now I know but does anyone know if we looked at Lukaku, Borini or Shane Long in the Summer I am no expert but have just been a little frustrated watching the Swans recently and wanted to see what others thought?
This article says it all, brilliant. Well done neath jack best and most constructive thread I've read on here for a while.
Yes, a well-thought out thread, asking lots of questions. Hopefully ML can provide some of the answers.
Ye realy thought our final touch took far too long allowing wh to get back, would could have scored a couple had ,Pablo come on early . Thought rout was not on form he played crap. Bony should have been on sooner. If we play like that up the RD those blue birds could take a point off us.
Really good thread mate and a pleasure to read, put far better than I could ever do that's for sure There are aspects to our game that amaze me and frustrate me in equal measure that's for sure !
