Part of the problem is that he tries to shape on everything to use his right foot...there are times when a little poke with his left would be the better option. Has still been very good, but if he can gain enough confidence to use his left when played in, he'll finish more chances.
Whatever he can & cant do with his left or right foot i am just enjoying watching young JRod playing for Saints at present. His partnership with Rickie Lambert is really good now and over the past half a dozen games they have been really exciting - and the results keep coming. I also thought his interview last night on motd showed him up be a nice lad, and he speaks with a bit more substance than most footballers do when being interviewed considering he is one of the younger players.
He's been fantastic and one of our best players since Pochettino took over. Adkins didn't really use him properly, Pochettino has and now we're reaping the rewards. He's improving game by game and him and Rickie are forming a very very strong partnership.
The advantage of the pressing style we play is that as well as being tough on the opponents, it gives a player less time to think. You charge through and take a shot...some will miss and some will go in. If you are not considering the goalie, he has less time to consider you. Of course, no system is foolproof because there are always countermeasures...but speed has that advantage.
... and of course that will happen. No player takes every chance, or makes every pass. That chance sort of went un commented on in the after match of that victory, and rightly so. He was in the right spot and he takes most of those chances, but no-one akes them all.
And the more chances he creates because of his quality, the higher the exposure so greater risk that he will miss more. The proportion that he misses is always likely to increase the more attempts at scoring he makes. But he'll also score more. I'd happily see him miss a few chances a game if he's also putting away a brace.
It looked like the Virgin Mary, but I could be wrong. Strong possibility with his Spanish roots that he is a catholic lad
Yeah spot on. Ramirez is class, he will come good with a bit more time. Also noticed he wins the ball back quite often. Not just the flare player. Yesterday Ramirez swap for Lallana worked very well. Can't always have these two on the pitch at the same time.
I don't really have a problem with Rodriguez's finishing. I like that he's aggressive and willing to take shots. There's been some he's flubbed, but also quite a few goals he has coolly slotted home where others might have missed. I'm sure he'll improve further, but I don't view it as a problem. I think where Rodriguez has really improved is in his tactical understanding. He had a tendency to always try and run behind the defenders the first chance he got, which was useful sometimes on counters but not so great when we had possession. Now he uses his quickness and not just his speed and times his runs well. He also runs into open space that ISN'T behind the defenders so it's not just a track meet with him all the time. He does a good job helping with the press. I think he passes much better as well. The two goals he scored on give-and-goes the last two weeks I'm not sure would have happened earlier in the season. One thing about Rodriguez I always liked though is he worked really hard. Even at the beginning of the season where he couldn't get much going for him he was always running his hardest. I think his skills have improved now to the point where he actually can play on the wing now if we need him, though since he is playing so well centrally the point is probably moot.
Yes, I noted that as well. Made me smile the way Lallana was referring to Rodriguez as a lad. Adam's still wet behind the ears himself. Jay strikes me as shy Burnley lad who finds all the attention a little too much, at present.
