Why doesnt anyone want to "have a go" ?

[Channon's Sideburns]

The 3 central midfielders - Hammond, Schneiderlin and Cork - are all defensively minded really. You could argue that all can be box-to-box players but the Cork particularly seems to lack confidence when he gets to the edge of the box. Nigel seemingly bidding for Commons probably suggests we're after a goalscoring midfielder, and I'm sure that it'll be addressed in the summer.

 

Although, the defence minded nature of the above mentioned players has helped us at times this season, so as long as the goals come elsewhere - it isn't really too much of a problem.

 

THIS is why we're missing Chaplow.

 

I texted Solent on Tuesday night from the Chapel with two words - JUST SHOOT!

 

Frustrates the hell out of me.

[Saint Fan CaM]

That's a really good point.

 

One of the most dangerous places on the pitch is around "the D" on the edge of the box. It's amazing how many half-clearances end up there, and every one of them is a half chance - don't control it, just hit it and accept that some will hit the roof of the stand, but some will go in.

 

We have nobody in our midfield who's consistently capable of that or even interested in it - Hammond occasionally, Schneiderlin not (other than a bit of a freak against Forest), Corky not.

 

It's a key strategic zone and I think we waste it.

 

Absolutely true. Plus also, I suspect many of our goals have come from poaching following up on a shot. If you don't get a shot off in the first place and test the keeper, the likes of Connolly, Barnie and possibly even Sharp will get slim pickings indeed. I don't think we tested the keeper ONCE in the Brum game and the conditions were such that spills from wet icy gloves would be more likely.