by Ace Ventura » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:29 pm
I have skimmed over the last couple of pages of this thread, as i have already clearly stated my opinion that the players and Rafa did well to come back from 2 down away at one of the trickier fixtures this season i wont harp on.
Just a side note about what Stu (fo dne) was talking about.
How deep are midfield and team in general are at times. I dont think necessarily it is because of who is playing there. It can be Gerrard and Alonso at times and they are still imo far far too deep, then the wide players dont push on and the full backs are static - as ours are not naturally attacking players and it all becomes very predictable and easy to defend.
I think Stevie although brilliant against Everton doing this can be too deep trying to be disciplined (because Rafa has criticised him in the past) and then the whole team struggles to know when to push forward, especially as none of our defenders do this as they are scared of being exposed with balls over the top on counter attacks etc.
Its why imo we struggle to exert enough pressure i games we dominate and why at times we are far to easy to defend against.
It would take guts on Rafas part to trust his players but i feel at times he would rather be tight and try and nick a goal than really have a go.
Thats why the last 15 at city i was so pleased, Rafas subs in this game and the positions the players were taking up underlined a totally different approach, not settling for what we had (like in the past) but really having a go.
Am not sure if we will continue to see Rafa play a five man midfield in difficult games then change things near the end in the future if we are i with a shout or if it was a one off.
Lets hope its a sign of things to come, as his usual substitutions were a full back for a striker when we were behind etc.
Anyway...thoughts on how deep we play at times....or should that be in another thread ?
ALLLRIGHTY THEN !!