Not for the first time recently, we got into some dangerous positions with balls behind the full backs last night. Other teams would end up scoring or at worst forcing a save from the keeper. But our player making the run never had anyone to pass to so it ended up being a hopeful ball across a crowded penalty area which always found a defender.
Why is it that we never seem able to create space for ourselves whereas our opponents find it so easy? Is it down to a lack of movement, a lack of natural ability to recognise a situation, or is it that other teams go through these scenarios on the training pitch until everyone knows where they should run to? We get opened up so easily by opposing players in acres of space, whereas our players are never more than a couple of yards from an opponent when they get the ball. And the constant being closed down as soon as they got the ball with very few options available looked like it was getting to some of the players last night. El Khanouss lost it for a while and some of the tackles were getting close to the edge. It is an all-round mess.
I have to agree, Fosse, the manager has to leave Cordova-Reid and Ayew on the bench. Ayew works his socks off, but there is no cutting edge or end product, which is not always his fault. Maybe making sure we aren't beaten has to be the priority, which is easier said than done with this bunch of players, but the addition of Coady in a central defence of 3 has to be worth a try. Digging in and scoring on the break might be our best hope. But I think we'll need 2 out and out wide men who are prepared to run at and commit defenders in order to give ourselves some space but who are also prepared to track back. Basically we need 100% from every player on the pitch. The problem with that is that some players' 100% will never be enough because there isn't the ability behind it. But we are where we are, and doing the same thing every match with the same players is the ultimate madness, because the result will always be the same. Onwards and upwards! No sense in sitting and feeling sorry for ourselves.
