billycopper
Player Valuation: £40m
I don't think that the personnel we put out matters too much. It's more to do with shape, desire, attitude and effectiveness. We're bringing subs on and they're unable to make an impact because our pattern of play remains predictable and unsubtle.
A couple of seasons ago Baines was getting to the byeline on a regular basis and whipping quality balls in. For whatever reason he's hanging back a lot more or running towards the box himself. Bily is capable of putting fantastic crosses in, but he mostly comes inside himself to try and grab a goal. On the opposite flank it sounds like Hibbo got forward well and had a really good game today but, with due respect, he's unlikely to provide too many assists. Pienaar is another who prefers to drift infield rather than beating the fullback. So where will the service come from?
Because we're so narrow the opposition rearguard is able to remain compact, meaning that our lone striker is often surrounded by three or four defenders. It doesn't help that we're so static upfront and, especially in Saha's case, stand rooted waiting for the ball.
We've been playing the same way for atleast four years. The likes of Blackburn, Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham have figured it out and are now beating us at our own game. It's time to approach things with a bit of intelligence and to try some tweaks to help us to regain our edge. I don't think we particularly need any new players. I think we need to make better use of what we've currently got.
Redknapp has converted Bale to a left winger at Spurs with fantastic effect. If we're chasing a game, why doesn't Moyes throw Coleman on as a right winger and tell him to get at the full back? He would put ball after ball into the box. Arteta and Fellaini have both had purple patches infront of goal. Why don't we switch things round so that Cahill covers defensively ala Scholes or Van Bommell, whilst Mikel or Marouane present the opposition with a different problem.
The gaffer has stuck with one up top in both matches. Saha and Beckford looked like they could strike up a partnership in pre-season. Why not sacrifice a midfielder and go 4-4-2?
I imagine that we'll steel our resolve and start grinding out results again before too long. That's all well and good but, with the players at our disposal, I would like to see us play with more flair and adventure.
A couple of seasons ago Baines was getting to the byeline on a regular basis and whipping quality balls in. For whatever reason he's hanging back a lot more or running towards the box himself. Bily is capable of putting fantastic crosses in, but he mostly comes inside himself to try and grab a goal. On the opposite flank it sounds like Hibbo got forward well and had a really good game today but, with due respect, he's unlikely to provide too many assists. Pienaar is another who prefers to drift infield rather than beating the fullback. So where will the service come from?
Because we're so narrow the opposition rearguard is able to remain compact, meaning that our lone striker is often surrounded by three or four defenders. It doesn't help that we're so static upfront and, especially in Saha's case, stand rooted waiting for the ball.
We've been playing the same way for atleast four years. The likes of Blackburn, Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham have figured it out and are now beating us at our own game. It's time to approach things with a bit of intelligence and to try some tweaks to help us to regain our edge. I don't think we particularly need any new players. I think we need to make better use of what we've currently got.
Redknapp has converted Bale to a left winger at Spurs with fantastic effect. If we're chasing a game, why doesn't Moyes throw Coleman on as a right winger and tell him to get at the full back? He would put ball after ball into the box. Arteta and Fellaini have both had purple patches infront of goal. Why don't we switch things round so that Cahill covers defensively ala Scholes or Van Bommell, whilst Mikel or Marouane present the opposition with a different problem.
The gaffer has stuck with one up top in both matches. Saha and Beckford looked like they could strike up a partnership in pre-season. Why not sacrifice a midfielder and go 4-4-2?
I imagine that we'll steel our resolve and start grinding out results again before too long. That's all well and good but, with the players at our disposal, I would like to see us play with more flair and adventure.
