NW has often said this season that having a lot of possession was never going to be the case in the Prem, but have we taken that too far? I can understand that approach against the top clubs, but is it really necessary to adopt that policy against everyone?
It's difficult to win games when you manage only 30/40% possession and concede the rest to the opposition. Allowing the other side the ball and playing on the counter attack means you've got to take your chances when they come along - hence our problem. The opposition gains confidence rather than fear - Everton anyone? - and we try to feed off scraps without a clinical finisher.
We lack a striker who can put the ball away on the odd half chance to do that, but we do have players who can score when set up by the right shape and formation - I'd put Reid in that bracket along with Murphy despite his defensive failings.
For all his pace and effort, Niasse has no finishing ability, his record at Everton shows that, but he will worry defenders into a mistake for someone like Reid or Murphy to capitalise on when given the service. Leaving him up on his own waiting for support is a waste of time.
It's time we changed tack and played more on the front foot as a team rather than defending deep and trying to pinch the game on the break - we just haven't got the out and out clinical front men to make a success of it. West Ham at home is as good a game as any to start otherwise we're going to get done up like a kipper again.
Sitting there witnessing 8 goals conceded while standing off against Watford and especially against Everton was soul destroying. Playing with two defensive midfielders playing so deep in Gunnar and Bacuna at home against a confidence-lacking side must be the writing on the wall - we must change our philosophy.
If we're going to go down then that's fair enough, but I'd like to see us give it a go rather than bowing out just trying to keep the opposition out.
It's difficult to win games when you manage only 30/40% possession and concede the rest to the opposition. Allowing the other side the ball and playing on the counter attack means you've got to take your chances when they come along - hence our problem. The opposition gains confidence rather than fear - Everton anyone? - and we try to feed off scraps without a clinical finisher.
We lack a striker who can put the ball away on the odd half chance to do that, but we do have players who can score when set up by the right shape and formation - I'd put Reid in that bracket along with Murphy despite his defensive failings.
For all his pace and effort, Niasse has no finishing ability, his record at Everton shows that, but he will worry defenders into a mistake for someone like Reid or Murphy to capitalise on when given the service. Leaving him up on his own waiting for support is a waste of time.
It's time we changed tack and played more on the front foot as a team rather than defending deep and trying to pinch the game on the break - we just haven't got the out and out clinical front men to make a success of it. West Ham at home is as good a game as any to start otherwise we're going to get done up like a kipper again.
Sitting there witnessing 8 goals conceded while standing off against Watford and especially against Everton was soul destroying. Playing with two defensive midfielders playing so deep in Gunnar and Bacuna at home against a confidence-lacking side must be the writing on the wall - we must change our philosophy.
If we're going to go down then that's fair enough, but I'd like to see us give it a go rather than bowing out just trying to keep the opposition out.
