Its been pointed out the last few games...but why? I say why because the same players have been there all season, JV at FB and Bale as LM. The City game highlighted a problem, Arsenal had a look at that and appear to have exposed it even more. This has been backed by Gary Neville with some analysis on MNF before the Spam game, and interesting it was too. Against City, if you divide our own half of the pitch into 3, left , mid and right, 45% of their attacks came down our left, 30 through the middle, and 25 down our right. The Goon game was split very similar, 20% right, 30% middle, and a whopping 50% down our left, this figure surprised even Neville, who looked into it further. He came up with JV being isolated, something a few of us noted, but more glaring was...where's Bale? His defensive contribution, meaning getting back pressing the ball and or spare attackers has been poor. He highlighted a couple of instances, a goal conceded in the City and Goon game quite rightly saying that being a LB, Bale should be doing better, instead, he didn't track back with any urgency and stayed up the pitch for one, and when we were defending deep on the other one, he just drifted up the pitch to make himself available as an outball, leaving the defending to others who then became stretched in his absence. Neville likened his play to that of a Ronaldo, on the pitch for one reason only...going forward. Well Gareth as good a player as you are, you are not that kind of luxury yet, and you've disappeared in the majority of both games, get your head back down to basics, and help your teammates, we've conceded indirectly because of you.
Hi Spurf, I think the whole bloody team look knackered in the last half hour of all our games! our fitness level looks poor at this stage of the season imo compared to everyone else and I feel that subject deserves a thread of its own.
Surprising for a player who started out at LB to lack the motivation to get back and help out and defend. Where as Lennon tracks back a hell of a lot (though he has to seeing as Walker can't defend himself!), so much that at times it hinders him getting forward as he's so far back he already has the opposition's striker/ wingers on him before the full back! Credit to him though, I've been really impressed with Azza this season. Praise needs to go to AVB too as he's not looked this good for a while in my opinion.
Thinking about it more Spurf, I think Bale is wasting a lot of his energy popping up all over pitch, he'd do better and conserve more energy being more disciplined positionally. I think Harry giving him the idea of a free role could be detrimental.
good thread Notso, Interesting stats! there's been talk of us switching to a 352, and this is what my concern was, with out actually knowing the stats. Lennon gets back to help out much better than Bale. Bale's lack of defensive work would result in Vertonghen (left CB) being pulled wide which could cause messy gaps in the centre for the opposition to exploit. staggering statistics you've just pointed out. If we're already suffering 45-50% attacks down that side, 352 is not an option for me anymore. I had no idea it was as bad as that.
You're not suggesting that we need to rotate, are you Notso? One of the problems with Bale is that his lung-bursting runs are the most dangerous aspect of his game, but they're bloody tiring. Add that to his general lack of rest, a new child and Wales running him into the ground every time they play and it's probably not surprising that he's struggling to track back well. It's compounded by our lack of an actual left-back at the moment too, so the area has two weaknesses and looks a far easier target than the middle or the opposite flank.
Hi SoS, another very good point highlighted by Neville too, he came up with figures to show how often Lennon is close to his FB when we're defending compared to Bale being close to his. Credit to Lennon on his game.
Its the last thing I'm suggesting,and if you think I am, you've misread my post. Had there been a series of lung bursting runs I might agree with you, but there wasn't in either game, the other excuses are just that...excuses, if anything he had extra rest missing 2 games over the new bab. Knowing JV is not our 1st choice LB should make Bale doubly aware of his defensive duties, requiring extra focus.
S Caulker Knock 25th Nov 12 M Dembele Hip/Thigh Injury 25th Nov 12 B Assou-Ekotto Knee Injury no return date Y Kaboul Knee Injury 27th Dec 12 S Parker Achilles Tendinopathy no return date From physio room. Looks like Benny has had a set back as I'm sure there was a return date last time I looked.
Physioroom used to be good, but it seems to have lost it's accuracy over the past couple of seasons. I've noticed that they set dates and then just put 'no return date' if the player's still not back when the day comes.
The Chelsea match was another where we conceded most from attacks down the left. I mentioned before about kind of "see-sawing"(probably not a technical term) our wingers so that the when we're attacked down one wing they're doubled up on whilst the other provides an out ball for when it's (hopefully) cleared. I thought Bale had tracked back a fair bit this season but I guess I was wrong. My main beef was with both Bale and Lennon not actually putting in challenges when they do trackback.
Spot on, IMO. My kids are grown up now ( well physically, anyway!) but I can still remember how draining it can be having a young kid.
At least if we could get Kaboul back, and give Gallas the rest that he looks so desperately in need of ( preferably a permanent one) we should be ok defensively.
Are you serious about using a new baby as reason??...why?? Raheem Sterling is on his 3rd kid!...doesn't seem to have affected his performances, there's loads of players with new babies that don't affect their form. This is rubbish guys.
I think that demanding Bale gets back as cover constantly would prevent him from being such an attacking threat. He is quite often left on his backside against the advertising boards after a 60 yard run and a cross from the byline, he does that an awful lot more than lennon does. There perhaps needs to be more cover from Huddlestone/Sandro rather that getting bale to hang back more, id much rather him further up the pitch. But agreed something needs to be done.
