Our problem is deeper than playing two forwards....

[BlackToffee]

I've said this a number of times, but I'm going to reiterate my concern throughout the pre season.

1. During pre season we play with two strikers, more to ensure that everyone gets a game. We don't seem to try out new formations while in pre season.

2. When we come to league games we revert to 4 -5 - 1. We play a forward who is clearly not a lone striker. I know that Cahill supports, but he's not really a "play behind the forward" type of midfielder. You either play him in midfield or attack.

3. My most stinging criticism is of the way we play. When a player gets the ball he is expected to beat two players then pass to his own team mate. Players don't seem to get given more than one option to pass to a team mate, players don't seem to run into space. Arsenal are good because players run into space.

In all honestly, I'd love the pretty football to come back when we held onto the ball, played it around, slowed the game and then made goal chances.

We are playing like a team ready for relegation. No penetration, no urgency.

 

[Roztitute]

Very true.

Hopefully (please God), we can beat Sheff Utd midweek to get our confidence up.

 

[MoreCows]

We gotta get our more technical players further forward. Cahill and Beckford is hopeless. Not surprising everything breaks down with those 2 up front.

Osman or Barkley supporting Saha would be much better, at least there would be some link up play.

 

[bflefc]

I must be blind, but I would have sworn we've been playing like this - bereft of any real attacking guile or bite - for a few years now. Tepid, sterile and lacking real cutting edge.

 

[Lien]

I must be blind, but I would have sworn we've been playing like this - bereft of any real attacking guile or bite - for a few years now. Tepid, sterile and lacking real cutting edge.

This. Time and time and time and time again we look utterly hopeless in the final third. The blueprint to beat us (at Goodison in particular) is alarmingly simple - sit back with 7 or 8 behind the ball, keep alert and be solid, and you'll invariably get a couple of chances at our end as it showed and you'll get something due to our absolutely amateur defending.