Seems to be struggling to me in the last 4 or so games. Looks slower than he was and rarely attempts to get to the byline. Now that maybe down to Poch not wanting him to get too far up the pitch and leave space behind on the counter. But last night he had plenty of opportunities to take on the Villa right back and didn't do so, putting in early crosses instead that weren't effective. Carrying a knock? Drop in confidence? Saints style restricting him? Had his head turned by constant transfer rumours?
Possibly carrying a knock but think it's more down to tactics. First half he was arguably our best player. No he doesn't get to the byline when he has the opportunity, but perhaps with all the enforced changes to the team and the route one counter attacking displayed by Villa, he didn't want to be too far up the pitch. Didn't see the Chelsea game so can't comment on that. But with all the injuries to our defensive players (including the DMs) he probably feels he shoul/has been instructed to concentrate on the defensive side of his game and not get caught out on the break.
He is a young player and the defensive changes probably affected him more than an older player with more experience. He would feel his defensive responsibilities keenly. He may also not be fully recovered. Rumours wouldn't affect him....he's got his head screwed on right.
Odd time for this post considering he had his best performance in a while last night. If anything we didn't use him enough, he had a lot of space and was one-on-one against Bacuna who is not really a defender.
Actually think Bacuna (I think) did a very good job at getting across and doubling up with a CB on Shaw if he did come into any space out wide. And with no over lap, as good as Luke is it's not always easy to take on 2 players down the line. He did it a few times and got shielded out of play or knocked off the ball. So he passes backwards to JWP to retain possession and to hopefully draw a very defensive (counter attacking) Villa team out creating space for others. Also think as mentioned a few posts earlier, the speed in Villa's counter attacks probably limited him somewhat.
For most of the first half, there was no one in the box so little point getting to the byline and whipping in a cross. At one point Rodriguez played a beautiful ball square across the Villa goal and no one was even trying to get on the end of it. It was only after Dani came on that we started getting players in around the Villa goal. Whilst it would be nice to see Luke running at defenders from time to time, there's no point doing that if you just run into a blind alley, which is what tends to happen against a well organised deep defence like Villa's last night.
Yeah I thought he was good last night as well, but granted he doesn'r really seem to have improved on last season, probably because of tactics. I'm not worried just yet.
Hadn't really noticed a drop-off in play from Shaw. I thought he had definitely improved starting near the end of last year and going into this year as far as getting forward and becoming a a big offensive threat. But I suppose it's true he hasn't been as much of a factor these last few games. Still, two tough games and having to do more defensive work due to injuries will do that to you. It could be a bit of fatigue as well. We still don't know how MP's grueling training might impact the squad over the full season, and Shaw always seems to be carrying some niggling injury or other. Still feel like he's been one of the better players on the pitch for Saints even in the recent games.
That's the thing, he was one-on-one and very frequently used (second most touches after Davis) against a player who isn't even actually a defender and what did he create? He made 8 crosses and didn't find a teammate with a single one. He's obviously not the finished product and has a lot more refining of particularly his attacking game left to do but you'd think given his ability we could have got more joy out of that match-up. I don't think it's a drop in form so much as instruction from the manager but it's something I've been taking note of in the last couple of months.
I agree with CBK. He is an excellent player, but he doesn't play high enough up the pitch. By this, I mean he doesn't push beyond the opposing full back. Clyne does it a little bit more, but still not enough. They are both excellent players and I am sure this must be instruction from the boss, but I remember how dangerous it was when Frazer Richardson used to get to the byline (I am not suggesting he is better in anyway). Shaw hit the first defender too many times as well. Remember Mark Dennis? The goal against Liverpool as an example... all the way to the byline and then whip it in. I've been saying for months, this season and last season that we need our full backs to get beyond opposing full backs.
Before JWP went off, Luke was always ahead of him in every forward move, that had to change when we changed the system, he did enough for me, except not getting right down to the by-line before crossing, always seemed to get so far then turned back, often into trouble and losing possession.
My point is one I have made for months and his highly (and maybe unfairly) critical of a highly talented 18 year old. Maybe it's because he has so much talent that I want him to drive on that bit more. I just feel that he more often than not seems reluctant to take on the full back and his starting position is always deeper when he could enjoy the space he is often afforded, that little bit more. He is without doubt an extremely talented fella.
