I agree we need a centre forward but I don't think this lack of one explains the poor possession stats we keep achieving. There must be something else we're not doing as well as the opposition? You might be right there. I think it was Chelsea we had about 48% possession in the end (ignoring the first 30 minutes it would have been more like 60%) but we created less in that game than any other. Traditionally possession was always an indicator of dominance, is that no longer the case? Sagbo did exactly that yesterday and weirdly our finishing has been a bit better this season considering we're getting very few shots on target but still seem to be winning games, although the penalties against Norwich and West Ham perhaps skew it somewhat, which is kind of why I'm asking the question.
Sagbo scored a nice goal yesterday. Gedo hasn't played yet. Are we writing either of those two off, as goalscorers ?
I think the stats are a bit misleading. I think in PL games so far this season we've looked really comfortable, though we do sometimes sit off and give established PL teams possession, it is generally in reasonably harmless areas. At Everton we had some particularly good chances, or should that be Faye had some particularly good chances? From memory he won 3 headers in the Everton area from corners - he could and should have scored one of those which was scrambled away. I think we are a mid table team with a bottom 5 strike force - if only we had got Shane Long through the door.
We definitely should have scored from one of those set pieces. We seemed to win the header from every corner but just failed to really connect with them properly.
Forgot Davies blazed a header over too. I was actually genuinely surprised at how crap Everton were at defending set pieces!
I can see us doing well at WHL and maybe picking up 1-1 draw but then losing to sunderland when we all expect to beat them.
On the performances so far were good enough to stay up, its still a long way to go and i hope we dont suffer due to injuries or the team just running out of steam. Its the best team I,ve seen to wear the shirt.
I think the possession issue is due to two factors. Firstly, belief. Although we have plenty of Premier League experience in the first team, as a group they are new to each other and it will take time for them to have the confidence to trust each others ability. At the moment we "clear" the ball far too easily, other teams are more patient and trust their ability to pass their way out of situations. Secondly, I think some of our playesr either haven't the technical ability to pass the ball as well as is required, or they are not strong enough to withstand attempts to tackle them. Rosenior, Elmohamady, Aluko, Faye give possession away too easily for the team to be able to match the Premier Leagues established teams' possession stats. That is not to say they are bad players (Elmo's crossing, Faye and Rosenior's superb defending, Aluko's assists and chance creation) but the simple fact is that they don't retain possession. In truth, I don't mind about possession. So long as we can catch teams on the counter, which we currently aren't doing, we will be fine, at least in terms of survival. That's why I think a player like Long would be ideal. He's quick and he's clever and he's savvy. Just what a counter attacking side needs.
Before the Everton game I was a bit concerned at how many of our goals/points had come from set pieces (Davies' header against Cardiff was arguably from a corner, even though it was cleared to Hudd; Brady's two penalties, Elmo's goal against Newcastle) which skews our position somewhat, but Sagbo reassured me somewhat. As many are saying, you need someone who can score goals from minimal shots, which is exactly what Sagbo did. Livermore, Aluko, Davies and Faye all had great chances to slot a second, no idea how they all missed, but we really need to tighten up on that. Bizarrely we look a great threat from set pieces when last season it was our biggest weakness. We'll finish 12-16th at this rate, so we're a bit over-valued at the moment, we'll slip up when we expect to win, and we'll grab points unexpectedly, it's all part of the ride. A long way to go!
Apart from the 1st 25 mins against Chelsea in the first game of the season we have not been overwhelmed by any team. Lets face it, every team we've played so far this year were above us last season, so that in itself shows we have progressed significantly. The 3 games we have lost so far were against teams that were "light-years" ahead of us in talent & resources & recent success profiles. We were not murdered in any of those games.We certainly do not look out of place in this division, and for most of the games so far we have shown we can play football with the big boys. Possession stats do not say an awful lot unless a team is constantly losing as a result of low % possession in a game. Clearly we are not constantly losing. We seem to be capable of managing low % possession in a positive way - i.e. keeping the opposition away from taking advantage of their high % possession in a game. Admittedly we are missing a natural predator up front - we are still an unfashionable prem league team with low financial resources, yet we are holding our own. Bruce (& the Allam ownership) are taking a prudent approach to sustainability...and as far as I'm concerned it's working fine. The players seem to be together, Bruce is instilling harmony, which cannot be said of a number of our potential rivals in the lower third. Other more fashionable & successful teams are now starting to view us as a potential threat & not a walkover. We are doing very well, sensibly, and will survive this season, which will go a long way to allowing us to improve/progress next year. Not the finished product, not European contenders, but we are doing very well. PS. Admittedly I have not seen a "live in- the- flesh" game this season, but have seen all games on TV. As a team, from many perspectives, they are much better than our previous Premier League edition.
Spot on TC. We have been in every game except the first 20 minutes or so against Chelsea, where arguably we were the better team in the second half. We should have been 2 up at Man City and scored 3 in the first half against Everton. Our back five is as good as any in the Prem. Davies is England quality. McGregor is the GK we've been missing for years. Garth Crooks choice of Jagielka over Davies in this weeks "Team of the Week" is a joke. Our MF is hugely improved over last year. Obviously we are short in the striker department. Long would be a great acquisition in January and Gedo is ready to play. Sagbo could be a big surprise. This is definitely our best team ever IMO. I'm not bothered by our possession stats. That's Bruce's style. Lay deep and soak up the pressure and rely on the quick break. We should comfortably avoid the relegation zone...14th/15th this year and build from there. We haven't wasted ridiculous money like Cardiff, Sunderland, and Palace. Lots to be positive about. Just hope we can get Livermore signed in January...he's been outstanding.
We are probably better than we have ever been in terms of the quslity of our squad and the football we are playing - but we are also in a season long relegation battle. Not too bothered about possession stats as they are often deceptive + include a lot of the opposition passing the ball around their back 4 which we are happy to let them do. We need to strengthen in January with 1 or 2 strikers added to the squad to maximise our chances of staying up.
I think you're vastly better than you were last time around. The only area where you look a bit light is up front. If you can keep clear of injuries then I can't see you having any problems in staying up this season, which I'm sure is what their goal was back in August.
I think the general feeling regarding this thread is that we have a very good side goals may be a problem (hopefully not) Injuries another concern but overall everyone as got to be happy the way we have competed we do look a decent premier team. At the same time we realise its going to be a fight all the way but hopefully we can get to January and be able to strengthen. Games at home in the coming weeks are so important against teams such as Sunderland and palace because winning one game in three with the position we are in could be enough to stay up. At the same winning these games would give you a bit of leeway when it comes to games away from home such as our next two at Spurs and Southampton and again later on when we are at Arsenal and Swansea
Totally agree with TC & CT , and, along with many other other areas, this "We haven't wasted ridiculous money like Cardiff, Sunderland, and Palace." is perhaps what has impressed me the most, especially after our previous foray into the Promised Land! Even if we were to go down, which I don't think for a second we will, then we wouldn't have a huge debt mountain to overcome...superb management of the club in many more ways than one!
What's also impressed me is we haven't been absolutely hammered in any 'tough' games so far. Away at Chelsea, Man City and Everton we've seen them rack up the goals before. Losing by the odd goal to these teams is certainly no disgrace. But for better officiating on Saturday Everton would have had the first goal disallowed and Barry would have been sent off.
Figeroa is going to be a key player against Spurs and he will have to be on his game to handle Townsend. I can see Brady having a more defensive role for this game.
Possession Stats are misleading when you look back at teams like Aston Villa ,West Ham and even Norwich who spent more time passing the ball back and forth across the field just inside their own half trying to draw out our solid defensive set up. However we need to break quickly and need a holding player upfront to control the attack and then get in a striking position in the box.I'm not sure Shane long is the complete answer he isn't a prolofic scorer in the Premiership. I read somewhere ALF was to be loaned out this season by Reading , he could be a possibility.
