67 - 50 - 68 - 82 - 73 - 77 - 80

[kpturner]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[derry]

The bloody problem is a negative approach in the last half hour. We usually make changes from about 65 minutes, take off attackers and bring on negative players, then we defend deeper and deeper, have fewer outlets up front and start hoofing the ball out and waiting for it to come back in.

 

Last night was classic, We take Waigo off whilst he was running them ragged, ok he was offside a few times, we left James on and brought Antonio on wide right. It would have been better in a defensive sense to leave Waigo and Lambert up front and bring Antonio on in place of James wide right.

 

Mellis for Schneiderlin added nothing and Wotton heading the ball back to the opposition and giving the ball away half the time or passing it back the rest of the time was asking for trouble.

 

I think the manager has an Achilles heel, he is essentially workmanlike but errs on the side of caution.

 

Bringing on negative players at the end doesn't make it safer and easier to defend as it means as there are fewer outlets and a mass of players retreating towards their own goal, the initiative and possession is handed on a plate to the opposition at a time when they should be at their most vulnerable.

 

I come from the school of thought, that leaving for arguments sake Waigo and Lambert up front plus Antonio right midfield and Lallana left midfield with a normal centre midfield tightening up in front of the back four gives better possession and greatly enhanced opportunity to attack the opposition if they throw caution to the winds which they do with impunity the way we go negative.

 

I think the mere fact the opposition can't press forward because of the extreme pace now up front plus Lambert and Lallana would take the pressure off the defence and stop the ball continually being lost. Besides the wide men would still track the opposition's wide men.

 

Having the slow Wotton and James on at the same time reduces the team's ability to break out and keep the ball and makes us play backwards and deep..

Edited 2 December, 2009 by derry

[Supersubpuckett]

We have scored a few late goals too to be fair.

 

I do agree on the general defensive concerns - we lack both pace and intelligence at the back (central). Saw Harding for the first time against Norwich, thought he looked excellent.