At the risk of sounding too much like AVB, it's also good from a defensive point of view when we win the ball early. In the first half they quite litterally couldn't get the ball out of their half for long periods and so failed to create any chances. I'd like Holtby to get close to the striker too and not drop so deep at times but I often find he's dropping deep when we actually have the ball rather than when he's closing players down. Holtby does generally seem to press from the number 10 area which helps our defenders with winning possession as the pass they make is then rushed. What I like about Eriksen though is that he always closes down a centre back which makes us look more like a 442 when they have the ball and in turn creates a more man-for man situation which deserves to have more success than it has so far. For me Holtby's at his best when he's playing like Ozil does, getting into space for a pass, bringing the ball forward and passing to a runner, and also looking to get into the box quickly too. He loves to get stuck in though and tries to take on too much, as is shown when our defence has the ball and he comes all the way back to receive the ball and try to get us moving forward which is Sandro/Dembele and Paulinho's job. That's why I think he might work on the left, it allows him to be tenacious without us losing our link to Soldado. Holtby can also quite clearly cross the ball, both he and Erisken have sent in some excellent freekicks that have been begging for someone to get on the end of and given how narrow sides have been against us I think Holtby will have the time to pick his cross when he stays out wide.
I see what you're saying YV that the dropping deep part of Holtby's game can be beneficial from a defensive point of view but I think that comes at the cost of going forward and I don't like that. I'd rather he play his more natural role than have to come deep and then have no or barely any options to pass too when on the attack, perhaps AVB is more to blame than him in terms of not thoroughly impressing as he maybe under certain instructions? To be honest it's not just Eriksen who closes them down in their own half, that's something AVB has installed in all players. I've seen Soldado, Eriksen, Townsend, Lennon, Holtby and even Gylfi all close down the CBs/ FBs and that's something I praise highly, doing that has a higher chance of the opposition losing possession so I'll definitely give the players/ AVB a on that. Barca do it too and it works out so well for them on many occasions (mainly because they have to do it as their actual defence is ****! ). You're right about the crossing side, both have great technique when getting a cross in, Eriksen especially in my opinion (how did we not score from that whipped FK vs Everton?!). Maybe putting Holtby out wide could benefit Soldado massively and so I'd definitely be for it in the hope we can finally get the guy firing on all cylinders. I feel really sorry for Soldado, he's come in for a lot of stick from the media/ opposition fans yet it really isn't his fault, the guy is getting minimal/ no service and something needs to change, if Holtby/ Eriksen can find him with crosses then it's a no brainer to start the two, at least for a few games to try it out.
whenever you hear defenders talk about what they find hard to mark or defend against one thing that is always up there is players switching. This causes confusion in the defence as to who is picking up who and can pull defenders out of position if they stay with the switching player. With Holtby-Eriksen-Townsend i think we have 3 that could do a job in any of the positions. If AVB did a little bit of a Redknapp and said "go out and express yourselves when we have the ball" to those 3 then we'd start firing i think. He can still tell them to get their arses in gear without the ball.
Another option could be to play both Holtby and Eriksen out wide, with Townsend through the middle. It'd certainly confuse teams. Not saying I'm expecting Townsend to do a Bale but he's not afraid to run at any player, so letting him drive through the middle with Holtby and Eriksen whipping crosses from the outside, could be quite interesting. Hmmm... Football Manager 2014 here I come!
I'm not saying it's only Eriksen but he often leads the closing down, along with Soldado. Obviously when we're already committed forward it and lose the ball it's more a case of whoever's near closes down but when both sides are lined up in a normal structure, Eriksen doesn't waste a second closing down the centre backs, whereas the wingers and Holtby lack the same level of intensity. I think it tires Eriksen out but it's good to see. I was just making a point that whilst they are similarly creative when they're on the ball, they're quite different outside of the final third which shows a different mentality and style. I think we're better off with a player like Eriksen who is more likely to stick further up the pitch but if you compare the two players performances, I prefer Holtby as I think he has always offered something whereas Eriksen is more likely to drift into the periphery of games. I'd agree Soldado has been harshly treated but against Everton he didn't make the most of the opportunities he did have.
From what I've seen of both, I definitely prefer Eriksen if I had to choose between one or the other. Feel he offers more creativity and I'm someone that prefers more flair and style rather than grit when it comes to the CAM role, which I think he has. As for Soldado, probably wasn't expecting the ball, may have been a shock to his system seeing someone knock the round thing on the pitch too him!
I have tried but I just can't see what Holtby offers as the creative player. As an all rounder he is okay , but as we lack any real penetration , he is not good enough in that role. Eriksen has been hit and miss but has offered more and has more vision and technic . We have an army of talented midfield workers but Eriksen is our only artist . Maybe another option is to play Llamela centrally behind Soldado. Hardly anything will change as AVB is so rigid ,we will slog on and huff and puff, as last season was boresville this looks exactly the same. He does not have the ability to change
Holtby reminds me of Chris Waddle's play ie lots of running but not getting anywhere. Waddle often made jinky runs which fell completely flat in the final third or way over on the line near the corner flag. Rant over I'm going for a home win 2-0. We scored a lot against them 5-0 was it, I can't see that happening again unless this is the match we finally let loose.
I'm torn between Holtby or Gylfi on the left with Eriksen. If you go with they're all **** theory, it's Gylfi, because he's **** that puts the ball in the net, whereas the rest are just ****. That is a little harsh, though. I think Eriksen and Holtby have both looked good in flashes at CM, but no more than that, so far. A faster buildup and I think we'd have a much better chance of scoring. Consider how tight that Paulinho winner had to be. It was a very nice diagonal ball from Holtby, a brilliantly pacy outside of the boot cross from Lamela, and a spinning backheel finish. If the box isn't crammed with defenders, you don't need to cut the margins so fine. Anyone know how to get this to AVB? Seems useful.
Neither Holtby or eriksen can be blamed IMO. They have no space to produce anything. They can't create any space because there is no space, and that's through our own setup. Until things change, we are going to continue to witness the same thing. It feels very similar to this point last season. - a year ago we were all saying "square pegs in round holes". - It's not the case now as we've signed the right players, but it certainly feels like it. - especially with andros showing similar characteristics to Bale aswell. "1 man team" again! I admire how robust AVB has made us at the back, but the setup has sucked the life out of our attacking play. This needs to change pronto, or we're going to be up **** creek if the opposition scores first.
If Pardews got any sense, he'll park the bus and sit deep. A handful of clubs have already shown how easy it is to stop us. - just need to play for a point . Then hope for the best with your counter attacking players, like you say.
If he does'nt park the bus and play's a high line,he could be playing right into our hands,and our wingers can use their pace in the space their high line leaves
Makes you wonder then why we've bought all these flair players when so far, the system AVB seems to be looking to deploy is a rigid one with minimal creativity. Might as well just re-sign Crouch and have Dawson play route one to him
I'd have thought it would take about half an hour with a bit of pre match traffic but I'm taking a bit of a punt on that, it's not a journey I've ever done. I might be way out on this so others will hopefully correct me if I am. My advice would be to stick to the tube and walk/bus the last bit, that'll take about half an hour too. What time does your train get in? Bit of a **** kick off time for you lot I'd imagine.
Sunday sees Newcastle play the first of six scheduled Premier League games in London this season, when they journey to White Hart Lane for the ludicrously early kickoff time of Noon. That scheduling comes at the behest of Sky Sports, who are showing three live Premier League games back to back. This is our fifth successive live TV fixture and seventh of the season in all competitions so far. All away section tickets have now been sold, with prices unchanged from last season - a small concession. The fans don't count, it's all about TV these days.
Yeah, United have the same in a few weeks time. I'm sure our fans would be upset if it was reversed too. On the plus side you'll have plenty of time for sightseeing afterwards
