For sure Jammy. I just took a look at the stats compared to last year for comparison. We go long more often… and we hit our man less frequently when we do… this year than last. That said last year we were still bottom of the table in terms of retaining possession from keeper clearances. But you’re right… going long is safety first - and marsch isn’t too bothered about losing possession as much of his philosophy is based on winning it back in dangerous positions.
Sorry l ristac but selling Meslier is a no no at any price. One of main reasons we’re still in pl and might survive this year. We’ve had years of suspect keepers and don’t want to take a chance on anymore. This nonsense of selling our best MUST end. That was Bates policy and why were mikes behind
Narks me off though when we have a free kick mid way in our own half and then go back to Meslier as happened (just before the 2nd goal) on Wednesday. Watching from the stands it's a clear as day that everytime we go backwards it leads to players being under pressure and either a lumped clearance or a turnover of possesssion as happened to Aaronson. Now obviously we're not suited to be a long ball team and therein lies the problem.
We all know that playing out from the back is a numbers game- as doc says the idea is to draw pressers to the ball and if you have spare men you pass around those pressers… if the opposition commit more men to the press you have no short option but there should therefore be gaps/unmarked men for that longer ball - often that floated one that gives us all kittens. It needs clear and confident decision making by the keeper, good execution and of course as LoL says men in space to hit. It’s that halfway house chip ball that Marcos refers to that I hate. It’s usually a hospital pass by the time it gets there and it’s a dangerous place to concede possession. If we’re not going to win it anyway we might as well lose it higher up the pitch. So our swarm press can win it back hopefully.
totally agree… from his comments after the game… it p*sses marsch off too. that said… the second goal you can’t legislate for. There was no West Ham press - when aaronson under no real pressure picks out scamaca - he’s the only West Ham player in shot with 4/5 Leeds players. You can’t play so safe to try and legislate for a player missing his team mate by 5 yards with a 10 yard pass. It was just terrible from aaronson.
But we’re not going to ever stop selling our best when they are in the PL shop window. They don’t want to be scrapping at the bottom, they want to be winning things and playing Champions League football. If Radz is going to sell us to someone with funds able to take us forward then I agree keep the best. I think Meslier is a very good young keeper with a good future ahead of him but looking at the league table, which top of the 10 clubs would he be able to push for a starting spot? Actually how many teams in the entire PL would he be guaranteed a start, there would not be many
Radz has to sell. There is no other way forward and he realises it. Most of the fans copping into it now too
