Here are some damning statistics about how we struggle when we concede the first goal (via Jack Watson): Since the start of 08/09 season, we have lost 42 matches in the Premier League. We conceded the first goal in 34 of these matches. 09/10 season - we lost 11 games in total, 9 of those games was when we conceded first. 10/11 season - we lost 14 games in total, 11 of those games was when we conceded first. 11/12 season - we lost 14 games in total, 12 of those games was when we conceded fist. It's clear to see that our heads drop when we concede the first goal. This is probably linked to our inability to score goals. We seem to get frustrated and annoyed when we don't score an early goal and it just creates more pressure. Another reason (which has already been highlighted in another article) is the lack of leadership on the field. Gerrard is a captain who leads by example, notably by grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. His personal performances have been poor for a few years now and now he looks disinterested at times. There is no inspiration in the team whatsoever. If only Suarez could finish, then would we be having this discussion? Based on the trend, scoring the first goal is vital for us. However, we seriously need to work on fighting back when we concede first. There is a reason why Man Utd score a lot of goals in the dying seconds of matches and that's because they never stop trying.
Dunno what Suarez's problem is with finding the net, getting this 'good player but can't finish reputation' - we've seen some stunning finishes from him but he seems to fluff the easier opportunities.
To be fair, games are rarely high scoring nowadays and you do usually lose if you go behind. For the same period, fancy showing the stats of games that we have won after going behind? Or better still, show the outcomes of all games where we have gone behind? A select few doesn't cut it IMO
It is quite bizarre, considering his prolific stats for his country and Ajax. He was also pretty deadly in his first 6 months here but since 11/12 season, he has struggled. There is a lot of pressure on him to deliver as he is our main attacking threat. I hope BR brings in a proven goal scorer in the next few days ...
I understand what you're saying but I'm not really fussed about how well we used to fight back in the 80's. This is a current trend which is relevant to our poor results over the past few seasons. I think it's a clear indication that unless we score first, it's highly unlikely that we'll win or even draw a game.
Really? I thought he was pretty good - I remember against Fulham when he was 1 on 1 with the keeper and took it brillianty (I suppose thats just one memory that sticks in my mind!).
I'm not disagreeing, I just don't think showing only the games we ended up losing justifies what you are saying. I'm sure we would have drew or won a couple of games having gone behind in the period you have highlighted. It won't be anywhere near as much as it should be but still...
He is in the main our ONLY attacking threat. This desperately needs to change, Gerrard is the only other 'match winner' in the side and unfortunately that is only from a historical perspective. I would at least try to get Gerrard further up the pitch where he can use his composure and his the ability to arrive late in the box and supply the ammo.
Honestly, yes. There was a few games and chances that he fluffed in that first six months that suggested he wasn't a goalscorer to me
I think in some ways this is what you get when you have only one really class front player. There is way too much emphasis, pressure on Suarez and for most of his time with us thus far the responsibility is on his and only his shoulders. Imagine Suarez with the likes of Tevez and Silva too, I think knowing there are others who can make a difference lessens the pressure to an incredible extent!
There are some chances which he should score (that header against WBA was a sitter) but then there's chances when he does brilliantly to wriggle his way through the defence, twisting and turning and then scuffing his shot. He's probably knackered by the time he shoots. I agree that we need more attacking outlets, players who want the ball and aren't afraid to dribble and beat the man. IMO, Downing has the ability but not the game intelligence or confidence. I fear the same could apply to A Johnson if he were to join. As mentioned earlier, we only have two match winners in Suarez and Gerrard, with the latter struggling for form. Perhaps Assaidi could be another one?
suarez should play right side forward where as i've said lots of times he's world class... he missed 7 chances that i counted on saturday, 3 real sitters too. downing is muck still and very "weak" and "indecisive" Borini doesn't look worth it yet and isn't in the general play enough at all. look, allen and lucas looked disciplined and allowed the full backs to move forward, they did ok but kelly didn't look up to speed while Johnson suffered from being on the left. 20/20 hindsight might have put kelly at left back and shored that side up? Suarez does need to have a hard look at himself cos he did miss 3 sitters to score and had 4 other efforts just blazed wide. I honestly believe he'd be better in downings role where he could terrorise and get a proper guy up top.... unfortunately we're not going to do it IMO
I am not saying that the OP is wrong but without being too pedantic about it he uses the wrong stats to prove his point. When most teams lose they have usually conceded the first goal. If you look at the defeats of the top teams,Man City, Man United, Chelsea,Arsenal, they have in most of those conceded the first goal. What we should be looking at is the number of occasions we have conceded first goal and then of those the % we have won, drawn and lost. This will the show our Ability to change the course of a match.
Suarez made is name as an outside forward, left or right. He is not a lone front man. Kenny bought him to play alongside Torres, that could have worked as both have excellent movement and link up play
Question. Is Luis Suarez the opposite to Dirk Kuyt? It seems to me that when Suarez has to rely on instinct..he misses. Whereas when he has the time to think about what he's going to do..he executes it. Dirk Kuyt was at his best when he relied on instinct, but when he tried to think about what he was going to do, he missed.
