Are we looking to score the perfect goal or is it just a lack of confidence from our players in not taking the shooting opportunities?
To break down a low block you need to stretch them and make the pitch wide. Our wingers need to get to the byline and turn the defence around. With such dominance we can have our MF breaking into the box. Our inverted wingers invariably turn inside into a crowd of defenders. their set piece delivery was much better than ours anyway but there is absolutely no variation to put questions in their minds.
The players are just looking for that extra pass all the time. Gnonto doesn't lack confidence in his shooting ability but today's example was the pass between the defenders legs to Bogle that Bogle didn't read. Bogle probably assumed he was going to shoot.
Matt Smith would of loved it here right now as he would get ample balls to his head I would love a big striker in January even on loan just so we can mix up some of our play chasing a goal bring him on for 20 mins. as its all one dimensional at the moment everyone knows what we are trying to do need to throw a spanner in the works sometimes
The system utilises the full backs for the width whilst the inverted wingers effectively become the two 10's. That's why we control possession so well. If you move the two 10's out wide and leave the full backs in defence then we won't be able to control possession as easily. I know the system is a bit boring sometimes and it frustrates some fans but it is highly effective. The limiting issues we currently have is a lack of quality in the final third. We squander chances in front of goal but we also squander too many chances when the final ball is poorly executed. I know it's old school but I genuinely think we'd be better with a proper no.9 up top as a focal point.
I like him. Had a shaky moment today but he has a really good touch and can spray a 40 yard pass. He adds a physical presence too. Wouldn't suprise me if he starts a few games over the next 3 or 4 months.
The problem is that when they pack the box turning inside plays into their hands. We have Gnonto facing 6 players, there's no space. I understand the full backs overlap but just now and then why cant our wingers drive to the byline? We are way too predictable, exactly the same with set pieces, no variation. We got joy when Struijk, Rodon and especially Rothwell drove forward. The defenders had something different to deal with. just my thoughts
And yet again the system he operates meant another game where the opposition didn’t register a single shot on target.
On a positive Tanaka and Rothwell have done a great job in the MF when we thought we were fkd. Aaronsson has been very good in most games, Bogle has stepped up and Struijk and Rodon have been excellent. Ain't all bad
I agree. There are limitations to the system. The reason we build up slow is to give time for the full backs to be the 'wide men'. I think it's quite balanced when Firpo and Bogle play as Firpo is left footed and Bogle is right footed. It's not great when Byram plays on the left as he also wants to cut inside on his right foot. Last year, it turned into the Summerville and Rutter show and that's great when they are in form but they were poor at the end of the season and it cost us. This year it is the Aaronson and Gnonto show. As you suggest, I'd much rather balance it out. Hopefully Ramazani is back soon.
We're 2nd in the league. We've played nearly all of the best sides. Our Captain (and best player) Ampadu is injured. His midfield partner/deputy is injured. Our in-form winger in Ramazani is injured. We've also dealt with injuries to Solomon and Dan James. We're doing okay. Just need the bounce of the ball to go in our favour a bit more and we'll piss this league.
You'll get the bounce of the ball in your favour presumably if you take a chance on that said ball perhaps ricoching off an opponent when you effing shoot more...
That damn Pickford played a blinder today to get Everton a point. He virtually keeps them up on his own but I can’t stand him
