sageyefc
Player Valuation: £90m
Lot of debate on the going on about why we're not being such a threat going forward and look abit slow, in my opinion it starts from the back,
First Baines, he was so so last year but still contributed and fair enough he did look like Baines of old for a run of games earlier on in the season and his stats are impressive on assists and goals but hes been so poor for so many matches this season, spends half his time fannying about with his bonce, he doesn't look arsed, Baines of old as soon as he receives the ball charges forward now he stops it looks about for a while, passes back to Distin and stays very static, in the final third he looks devoid of any imagination, in our own half hes very slow to close down cross's and gets caught out a few times, shocking set pieces too. When Oviedo is back to fitness or even Garbutt wouldnt hesitate in giving either one a crack
The center halves, Said in a few other threads, we desperately lack a ball player in there, with Distin and Jags in there, they lack the intelligence to play out, when the midfielder drops back to collect it, they need to split to create the angle and what usually happens it they stay still until the midfielder basically looks there way to tell them to get a move on by that time all momentum and pace in the game is lost, and with Distin mainly, which really grates on me is how often when receiving a pass he just stands there and lets the ball slow down to a treacle til it comes to him, it takes so much pace out of play and a few times allows the opposition to close down. With Stones or even Alcaraz in there, you see them making the angles, bringing the ball out when the pass isn't on, playing the ball forward at pace into feet, not aimless hoofs, makes a world of difference instead of the other two passing between themselves until it goes back to Howard to hoof
Right backs been a problem, Coleman looks like hes still got a knock and half fit so that leaves hibbo in there, hes done Ok defensively, the problem is he offers nothing in possession, he receives the pass thinks about it, then some more, then turns back on himself and plays a suicide pass to Jags or pointless pass to his winger who then has to give it back because hes being pressed, leads to many mistakes.
Two lads in Defensive Midfield, think Roberto got it wrong in the first few months of the season, there shouldve been more rotation instead of leaving Barry and McCarthy run themselves silly, leading to Fatigue and injuries. And at times think we could do with just the One defensive Mid and be abit more offensive in there.
IMO these issues have a big effect on our forward play. A lot of momentum and pace in play gets lost between the back 6, sets a ponderous tone further up the pitch, also allows the opposition to stay in shape, doesn't drag anyone around
Theres many other things like Fatigue, injuries among other players and Robertos team choices but there being discussed in other threads.
Hopefully Stones and McCarthy arent to far away and Alcaraz doesnt break down again
First Baines, he was so so last year but still contributed and fair enough he did look like Baines of old for a run of games earlier on in the season and his stats are impressive on assists and goals but hes been so poor for so many matches this season, spends half his time fannying about with his bonce, he doesn't look arsed, Baines of old as soon as he receives the ball charges forward now he stops it looks about for a while, passes back to Distin and stays very static, in the final third he looks devoid of any imagination, in our own half hes very slow to close down cross's and gets caught out a few times, shocking set pieces too. When Oviedo is back to fitness or even Garbutt wouldnt hesitate in giving either one a crack
The center halves, Said in a few other threads, we desperately lack a ball player in there, with Distin and Jags in there, they lack the intelligence to play out, when the midfielder drops back to collect it, they need to split to create the angle and what usually happens it they stay still until the midfielder basically looks there way to tell them to get a move on by that time all momentum and pace in the game is lost, and with Distin mainly, which really grates on me is how often when receiving a pass he just stands there and lets the ball slow down to a treacle til it comes to him, it takes so much pace out of play and a few times allows the opposition to close down. With Stones or even Alcaraz in there, you see them making the angles, bringing the ball out when the pass isn't on, playing the ball forward at pace into feet, not aimless hoofs, makes a world of difference instead of the other two passing between themselves until it goes back to Howard to hoof
Right backs been a problem, Coleman looks like hes still got a knock and half fit so that leaves hibbo in there, hes done Ok defensively, the problem is he offers nothing in possession, he receives the pass thinks about it, then some more, then turns back on himself and plays a suicide pass to Jags or pointless pass to his winger who then has to give it back because hes being pressed, leads to many mistakes.
Two lads in Defensive Midfield, think Roberto got it wrong in the first few months of the season, there shouldve been more rotation instead of leaving Barry and McCarthy run themselves silly, leading to Fatigue and injuries. And at times think we could do with just the One defensive Mid and be abit more offensive in there.
IMO these issues have a big effect on our forward play. A lot of momentum and pace in play gets lost between the back 6, sets a ponderous tone further up the pitch, also allows the opposition to stay in shape, doesn't drag anyone around
Theres many other things like Fatigue, injuries among other players and Robertos team choices but there being discussed in other threads.
Hopefully Stones and McCarthy arent to far away and Alcaraz doesnt break down again
