One thing that bugs me is that when we have the ball in the final third our game becomes so slow and inefficient. We move too slow and don't make incisive runs so a lot of times the player with the ball plays it backward or sideways. Also when we're in possession our players must search for the empty space and make use of it. Also it's very important role of the attacking midfielder. I think the best player in our squad for the job is Granero. But it seems he really must grow a pair. A lot of times he has the opportunity to play an attacking pass he seems reluctant to play it and just pass it to Adel and let him do the job. We've seen his assist to Adel and to Hoillet (when he chipped the ball over the defense and Hoilett scored from offside) so I think he has it in himself just need some confidence We really need a player that can keep the play fluid when we're in the final third and I sure hope Harry will be able to get the best out of this team. We must keep in mind they only had one, maybe two trainings under Harry and I expect us getting better week after week. Although I suggested midfield trio of Mbia, Diakite and Granero some time ago I would like Faurlin to play. I think Diakite is great player but maybe Faurlin would help our game more than him. --------Mbia--------Faurlin---- ------------Granero----------- Your thoughts? And yes can somebody tell Cisse that he can pass the ball rather than blasting it away every time he receives a pass.
Teams with low confidence, who are used to losing and not having things work out for them tend to do this. Players are reluctant to try things and don't want the ball, and if they have it want to get rid of it quickly for fear of getting caught in possession. Nothing succeeds like success, and success will not happen unless you have the confidence to try. Tricky thing to turn around, that first elusive win would help, then build on that. Villa perhaps.
I saw the game last night and by far the most frustrating aspect was that we were really pressing well from defence and midfield and often stealing the ball off their midfield and attack. There would then be several options but as you pointed out it would invariably be passed to Adel. Now don't get me wrong here, both my boys have Adel on the back of their shirts and we love him but last night especially, when receiving the ball his first movement was a backwards one. This was allowing Sunderland to regroup in numbers and momentum lost so having to paly slow build up. On the occaisions where play was sped up our passing in the final third was poor. Was really surprised with Granero especially, and he's still playing too deep in my opinion, he's a top of the diamond player and that's where he should be if we're to get the most out of him. Must say was far more impressed with Mbia's runs and overall play than Diakite's. Overall though, mustn't complain as this was a tremendous step forward from the previous regime, but we must find GOALS!!
I've seen a lot of times when Granero steals the ball and we have a chance of counter attack he would pass the ball and then jog his way to the goal. It feels like he's afraid to go forward but with Mbia as anchor man I think he should give it a try and get involved more in the final third, Yesterday he had Diakite and Mbia and as danissqp said he was to deep in our opposition. But he must realize that if he plays attacking midfield role he shouldn't be going to our CBs to get the ball thus leaving a hole where he should be. Let the CM do it. Just maybe his last season in Madrid change affected his style of play.
Agree that Faurlin has better vision and his distribution can be very good which may give the option to Harry of being more attacking with Ale or more defensive with Samba, yet keeping the same shape.
Its what I want too, that's how the middle would look in a 4231 and if Granero doesn't work there, we can have a 3 of Hoilett, Taarabt and Mackie. Even Diakite might be worth a go there and he can really glide by players and he wouldnt run the risk of a red card every match.
Harry was delighted with a powerful midfield of M bia, Diakite and Granero. Each of these will have to be on their game to keep out Faurlin or a dependable Derry. At the moment Granero IMHO is the weakest of the three. M bia and Diakite were both very very powerful last night and both went passed players at their ease. Granero may just be lacking confidence but he will have to considerably up his performances if he wants to stay in the side. Faurlin has an eye for a pass. He has already proved that. Granero can't live on his reputation alone. We don't need 3 holding players. IMO the other two are better DCMs than Granero which means he needs to start showing some attacking prowess or he could be forced out by more attack minded players.
This seems to come with the territory with most strikers. Try telling Defoe or Drogbha not to shoot on sight. Rooney is perhaps one of the few who has that rare combination of vision and shooting boots. Cisse could start to improve his form just by making the effort to stay onside...
Faurlin has the flair to sort this out, but what we need short term is a solid win. The 11 starters last night looked good enough to do it. I wouldn't say that Ale is a luxury player, rather a player who can control the midfield when things are going our way. He has never been player to 'get stuck in'. Give it a few games with clean sheets and hopefully goals from us and he will be back raring to go I reckon. Harry has been a massive improvement. Under MH we would have lost last night.
He was leading the league in tackles before he did his leg in. Hes not a thunderous tackler but he wins most of the headers and uses his intelligence to get the ball back rather than brute force.
Without doubt, but what I am talking about is a blood and guts midfielder, that, Ale ain't great player that he is.
Don't remember Cisse being offside last night, someone wrote he wasn't. According to stats they showed on the TV, we only had 1 offside whole game!
I'm sorry but I don't agree. Last match Cisse had 2 players in front of him and was in a very narrow angle. Of course his shot was blocked. It struck me as he knew he would get blocked but decided to do it anyway
Pirate, like you i am a massive fan of Granero and honestly believe that if all our players were playing thier top game, he would be in the top 2. Problem is his confidence has been smashed by MH and playing right wing in a losing team will have done him no good. you know as well, if not better,than me that he has the ability and skill to run the midfield. Seems like he is just scared, like the rest of the midfield of what is going to happen behind him in defense.. No we'll get some comments about Granero "living on his reputation"etc..but we have " other high profile players" that are also living on past reputations and what they have done in the past!! lets hope they think before they post !! I'm also a masive fan of ALi but he is not as good as G-man and has far less experience. Having said that though, these 2 players can & will take us forward. Both absolute class...!!
Queenslander I agree- I think we could play entertaining and effective football with Faurlin Granero in the team. I think of them as our Xabi Alonso and Iniesta. No Xavi sorry
We are all entitled to our opinions Queens, it's what makes any decent forum. If you read my post again you will see that I do rate Granero but TBH he has done nothing yet to merit the accolades that you are lavishing on him. While I don't doubt that he is a talented footballer and may well go on to be a huge player for us I can only comment on what I have seen so far. Anybody is entitled to disagree with me but I don't see him being a better DCM than M'Bia or Diakite. The energy levels that these two have are just immense. So where does this leave Granero? All I said above was that IMHO he has not shown enough attacking acumen or creativity YET to be guaranteed a place in our team. His reputation and previous record is impressive but he has not risen to those heights YET for us. I know playing under MH will not have helped. I only hope he shows us what he is capable of. Your point on other players also living on previous reputations is a very valid one. We have a team of under performing pre madonnas.
I think something happened to him mentally, he was behind Hughes and even begged for more time, then he was the worst offender in the Saints match for effort after he was put out wide then he hasnt got back to his old game since. He also had that excuses tweet as well.
