Over the weekend , I posted a thread about left footed players and people seemingly being played in positions which they were not comfortable ( Raylor), and the thread threw up loads of cases of lads who felt at that level, EPL players should be two footed. Well, another case in point is the ability to cross a ball, either stationary or at pace. Now we don't expect Beckham-like silky skills from all but certainly I can think of Jonas, Overtan, Simmo who really struggle to cross the ball ( Milner in the past was also guilty). I'd add Jonas is an outstanding player except his last touch, he keeps getting crowded out due to his inability to get rid of the ball at pace ( or because opposition knows he's eventually going to try to put ball on his right foot) . So, would crossing lessons help?
I think that the squads ability to cross from the wings has improved from last season. I recall far too many crosses last season; especially when Carroll had left, were usually over hit as the target man we used to aim at was missing. That forced the team to adapt a new ethic. As for this season, I've noticed more balls played to the feet of the strikers than last year and that's improved our ability to get shots off either in or just outside the box. I do think that once the LB position is secured by Santon and Jonas feels able to get forward more without having to assist the LB we'll see far more attacking opportunities down the left. Our crossing has improved but the style of play has also changed since last year.
Fact is you can look all the way through the Premier League and find examples of quick wingers who can't cross for the life of them, which is probably why so many headed goals come from set pieces and centre mids drifting outwards (Barton!). For every Downing there's ten Walcotts, Wright Phillips etc etc.
