Lumping it forward

[Ihaters]

Their strikers ensured we had to hit it long from the keeper, the last 15 minutes though were particularly poor with more long ball play than short passing, the rest of the game was a pretty good mix, mainly played on the floor. 4-4-2 didn't help either as we had even less options in midfield. I think the players were simply too knackered to get into space to receive the ball.

 

[perks]

Long balls can be very effective if they are played to the flanks. Played to the middle the opposing center half will get his head on the ball, or the striker will be pulled up for backing in. If a flick on is won, very rarely will there be anybody running on anticipating it so it runs through to the keeper. If played to the flanks, the full-backs usually aren't as competent at dealing with them as their central defenders are, so there is more chance they will put the ball into touch. With this the wide men need to be running on to the ball rather than being underneath it.

I thought last night was a really good match, both teams gave their all and had some good chances. Full credit to the referee as he let a lot of tough tackles go from both sides. It was good to see that when anybody went down at a little shoulder barge he waved them up and play on. Barkley had a good game, he wasn't afraid to put his foot in and was very unlucky not to score.

 

[bluehelmet]

It is more a case of good long balls and bad long balls. A long accurate pass is very effective. An aimless or poorly executed bunt forward is not so effective. Mixing styles is good, poor execution is bad. Back to distributuon school messrs. Jagielka and Howard...

Never forget lads...

It's called a LONG BALL if Everton kick it more than 30 yards to a player.

It's called a LONG PASS if LFC/Gerrard kick it more than 30 yards to a player.

Let's get it right fellas