We're obviously capable of it but nothing like as good as the other teams. We've seen it from Rs sides only a couple of times since we got promoted (Toon home last year and Spurs away this year). Instead we seem to promote the keepy, dribbley, get caught in possession game. Not only Adel but SWP, Diakite, M'bia, Cisse and even Jamie Mackie. The funny thing is Traore's just as bad but seems to recover at the last minute with improbable side foot passes even into danger areas! Whilst most fans love a bit of 'possession' play, especially on the rare occasions it works, it's not the way the game's played at this level. It's all about simple stuff played at speed with accuracy and force. Meantime we're left ragged and threadbare. Odd thing is that none of our managers or coaches have done anything to put our collective foot on the ball and adopt a fresh (albeit conventional) approach. Watching so many of our players receive the ball and ignore the simple ball for a foray forward into cul-de-sac territory, is sooo League 1. No wonder we can't score to (literally) save our lives. You can't blame the owners for any of that - but surely someone on the playing side would have noticed the biggest difference between us and the other sides? Have you?
Agree Brix. We run into opposition and lose possession so often. Pass and move is the way, we just can't do it, or aren't told to. SWP loses possession so often it's embarrassing; if he countered it by taking on and beating players to create chances, great - but he never, ever does! No ball, no possession, no chances! Simples!
Brix i watched Everton today and said to young Ellers 'i wish our team played like that'? They are everything we are not. No over paid muppets but a good honest team that work for each other. As i said in a previous thread, we need to go back to basics (the whole club). Forget stadiums/Training grounds/Planes and concentrate on a good working team that want to play for the badge.
I said the exact same thing Ellers. They're a selling Club that turns a profit and in turn invests in youth. And they have a top Manager presiding over all of that. Moyes is the polar opposite of Hughes in every way.
Too often our players try and fail with some fancy trick-pass in midfield and give the ball away (Adel one of the worst offenders) when a simple, accurate pass would do (such as we saw in spades from Liverpool today). Fine, try a trick in the opposing box to get an edge with the possibility of high reward, but don't risk losing possession in the rest of the pitch...you get punished at this level
Diakite was shocking today. If you said to him....." Samba.. Get the ball.. And then lose possesion of it. " he succeeded .
Yep. Diakite was always looking for an opportunity to shine, couldn't quite see a gap and got caught thinking about it. What they don't seem to realise is that the longer they hang on to the ball, the more likely we are to lose the initiative going forward - plenty of time for the opponents to get back and cover. The odd thing is no one ever seems to mention this obvious constantly negative and costly feature of our game: not us, not the playing staff nor even the pundits, including the all seeing, all knowing Gary Neville - and yet it's one of the main reasons for our demise. Question is, what's happening about this on the training ground? Are the coaches really blind to it or are our wannabe prima-donnas ignoring their instructions?
Good call Brix. We had one decent move (which resulted in a lame curled shot from M'bia) where the ball was moved quickly and accurately. I suspect I am a lone voice but I thought Granero tried to do this when he came on, but there was usually no one to pass to. But most of the time it's hold the ball, turn in a little circle, then lose it. A chunk of the Loft was yelling at Adel when, yet again, he ignored the quick forward pass. Net result is no forward momentum and too few players getting into the box. How many of our goals this year have been long range/individual efforts? All welcome of course, but we are not creating the opportunities for the simple tap ins.
Far Too Little Quick Pass and Move Agree not much flow to our play ... I also noted however that they scored three more goals than us. Confidence is low at the moment and can't get much lower. Should be a massive lesson to all posters on here who wanted Hughes gone and Harold in .. i said it wouldn't make much of a difference until the confidence is back. It's Harold's job to now pull the strings and get them playing as we all know they can
We made that look easy too. Having watched a lot of Everton, they have had the same problem for years - good moves that happen too infrequently. Then this year, with the addition of some quality and their continued stability, some of the best play in the league. Can't see us having that stability for a while sadly. I would be showing the players re-runs of the Spurs game (minus the three disastrous minutes) to remind them what can be done in possession. I'd also show them the recent Fulham game as a reminder of what to do without the ball. As you say Stand, we still need players in the box but, barring Cisse and Mackie, have nothing but off form long shot specialists. Harry does need to be calling his nephew about now (or finding the next Michu).
That's all that's wrong in a nutshell - great post. Confidence gives everyone extra energy, an extra yard of pace, the break of the ball and would show the "journey men/mercenaries" as the great players they really are.
I'm sorry Matt but I know you're on the wind up here. More luck to you. Everyone's entitled to a good laugh now and again!
If all that's needed is confidence then the Rs are in something of a vicious circle, aren't they? Confidence comes from the knowledge that you're capable of beating the opposition, that your teammates will play their part and that your own ability and belief transcends everything.
