In today’s lunch time press conference, Jol said that everyone has survived their International stints, although we might have to wait on Bryan who came off early in the second half of his game with a knock. Parker, Berbatov and Hughes are all due for a full training session tomorrow. So, Stekelenburg (of whom there was no specific mention) and Briggs are the sole (main) injuries.
Dejagah, Jol said, was nearly 100% fit but the Palace game may be too early!??
I know statistics create mixed reactions. However there are three concerning the team at the moment which are indisputable and badly need sorting. The first is that we’re allowing the opposition far too many attempts on goal - over 20 per game.
Primarily the reason is because we don’t close players down in the critical area between our own penalty box and the half way line. Also though, it’s because of the wide gaps we leave between the CBs and the midfield. We‘re often spread too thin and easily caught out of position. The answer is to strengthen the midfield line by playing three immediately in front of the CBs and one central player in front of them.
The second statistic is that we don’t get enough shots away - less than 9 per game. Mainly because our attacks are in ’penny numbers’. They are either; an isolated player pushing forward and the opposition are able to stifle him by shere numbers; or slow/predictable making it easy for the opposition to get men behind the ball. Just as importantly though is that we don’t seem to be able to sustain attacks. We don’t harras the opposition enough in their own half and/or force them into making mistakes. The answer is the same as before.
The third statistic is our accuracy of crossing - less than 16% of our crosses are successful. That’s in free play, not corners or free kicks (both of which are a concern and an issue in their own right. And the problem is in part technique but also because the potential crossser has few options. The answer is in coaching and practice.
In any event I’m not sure our crossing ability is at stake against Palace. Currently they are third in the table of ‘winning aerial duels’ - ironically a position we have consistently bettered in the past! What we need is do is attack them head on and get beyond them.
So the new watchword is strength. Forget ’balance’, in the sense that Jol has used it with high wide players. We should set up to hold them in the centre and push them back. My starting line-up would therefore be pretty much the same as I’ve been advocating for the last couple of weeks:
…………………Stockdale…………
..Riether…Senderos..Hangeland…Amorebieta..
…Zverotic…….Boateng…….Richardson…
…………………Parker……..
……………..Kasami………
…………………..Bent……
Both Zverotic and Richardson will move in fairly straight lines; Boateng and Parker are interchanchangeable in which one moves forward and which one cover the central position. I wouldn’t play Sidwell for the simple reason that he spends his time chasing the ball and is a main factor in why the gaps appear in our midfield.
As mentioned before, this team gives us pace on the flanks. But it’s strong right across the pitch.
PS Bent is my choice. Berbatov will no doubt be Jol’s.
Dejagah, Jol said, was nearly 100% fit but the Palace game may be too early!??
I know statistics create mixed reactions. However there are three concerning the team at the moment which are indisputable and badly need sorting. The first is that we’re allowing the opposition far too many attempts on goal - over 20 per game.
Primarily the reason is because we don’t close players down in the critical area between our own penalty box and the half way line. Also though, it’s because of the wide gaps we leave between the CBs and the midfield. We‘re often spread too thin and easily caught out of position. The answer is to strengthen the midfield line by playing three immediately in front of the CBs and one central player in front of them.
The second statistic is that we don’t get enough shots away - less than 9 per game. Mainly because our attacks are in ’penny numbers’. They are either; an isolated player pushing forward and the opposition are able to stifle him by shere numbers; or slow/predictable making it easy for the opposition to get men behind the ball. Just as importantly though is that we don’t seem to be able to sustain attacks. We don’t harras the opposition enough in their own half and/or force them into making mistakes. The answer is the same as before.
The third statistic is our accuracy of crossing - less than 16% of our crosses are successful. That’s in free play, not corners or free kicks (both of which are a concern and an issue in their own right. And the problem is in part technique but also because the potential crossser has few options. The answer is in coaching and practice.
In any event I’m not sure our crossing ability is at stake against Palace. Currently they are third in the table of ‘winning aerial duels’ - ironically a position we have consistently bettered in the past! What we need is do is attack them head on and get beyond them.
So the new watchword is strength. Forget ’balance’, in the sense that Jol has used it with high wide players. We should set up to hold them in the centre and push them back. My starting line-up would therefore be pretty much the same as I’ve been advocating for the last couple of weeks:
…………………Stockdale…………
..Riether…Senderos..Hangeland…Amorebieta..
…Zverotic…….Boateng…….Richardson…
…………………Parker……..
……………..Kasami………
…………………..Bent……
Both Zverotic and Richardson will move in fairly straight lines; Boateng and Parker are interchanchangeable in which one moves forward and which one cover the central position. I wouldn’t play Sidwell for the simple reason that he spends his time chasing the ball and is a main factor in why the gaps appear in our midfield.
As mentioned before, this team gives us pace on the flanks. But it’s strong right across the pitch.
PS Bent is my choice. Berbatov will no doubt be Jol’s.
Shame because AJ does do a lot of running, where as Adel...well lets just say he does like that running thing !
