Posted:
Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:50 am
by Sabre
We should realise that sometimes it's better to pass back the ball to Alonso, and try through the other wing of the pitch, rather than trying a difficult one on one, or a difficult combination with the striker.
There's no need to hurry, and once we move the ball properly that way, we'd realise that the opposition is deep enough in order men like Finnan sum the attack. And our strikers might increase the chances of receiving crosses like the one Etoo received against Shítski. I think that we have skill and capabilities to make more passes in each possesion, and we're not doing it.
Despite some mistakes that every team has, defensively we have no problems, we're one of the best defences in Europe, if not the best. Not talking only about Hyppia-Carra, but the whole defensive team work, including the strikers. BTW, one of the reasons for not criticising Kewell, is that I reckon he does a decent and grateful defensive work for the team. Many skillful wingers like him, do not bother, or do not know doing that.
I also think it's a shame Rafa's been accused of being defensive, when half Europe thinks that playing two forwards is quite attacking approach. The manager that likes to talk much about us, played DEEEEEEEEEP before the red card, if anyone didn't notice. Bástard.
Posted:
Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:18 pm
by Cool Hand Luke
I definitely agree that we are not creating many good chances for our strikers and I don’t really know why. Maybe we aren’t moving the ball on quickly enough, maybe are movement hasn’t been good enough.
My personal feeling is that opposition teams know that by stopping Kewell and Gerrard on the left and right, they will stop us creating chances. The central midfielders sit deep in this formation and try to release the wingers and the strikers. Our strikers are simply not good enough to create chances for themselves, they are pretty useless without good supply, you couldn’t really call any of them “dynamic” or creative.
Gerrard and Kewell are the 2 players that have the capability of creating chances, thats why they are playing in attacking roles and have been given the freedom to roam. Teams are identifying these 2 as the key, when they are stopped, so are we. I can’t see a good way of remedying this without bringing in new players.
Maybe the best solution for now is to play Garcia off Crouch. For all the bashing many have given him(including me), he does offer that ‘unpredictable’ quality that we seem to be missing in an around the box.