JCR and his "crossing"

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mattbianco1

mattbianco1

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I've said it before and i'll say it again.

What is wrong with this bloke? He is clearly one of, if not the most gifted player we have in our squad. He will beat players for fun and tie defenders in knots... Then, all of a sudden he's created a fantastic crossing opportunity. AND THEN IT ENDS!

What a frustrating player. Surely all he needs to work on in training is his crossing. Everything else is there.

I was moaning about him in the first half the other night and the blokes infront looked at me almost questioning me on my vocal disappointment that I was making. So, in the 2nd half I counted.

He crossed the ball in EIGHT times from open play. EIGHT times in 45minutes. That is some going, however, TWO were met by United players. The other 6 were met by the opposition or beat everybody.

The goal against Rochdale was a bloody cross too!!
 



mattbianco1 said:
I've said it before and i'll say it again.

What is wrong with this bloke? He is clearly one of, if not the most gifted player we have in our squad. He will beat players for fun and tie defenders in knots... Then, all of a sudden he's created a fantastic crossing opportunity. AND THEN IT ENDS!

What a frustrating player. Surely all he needs to work on in training is his crossing. Everything else is there.

I was moaning about him in the first half the other night and the blokes infront looked at me almost questioning me on my vocal disappointment that I was making. So, in the 2nd half I counted.

He crossed the ball in EIGHT times from open play. EIGHT times in 45minutes. That is some going, however, TWO were met by United players. The other 6 were met by the opposition or beat everybody.

The goal against Rochdale was a bloody cross too!!
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What everyone fails to realise that if this guy could cross a ball, he would not be plying his trade in the Third Division !

Also another point in fact that our support players & 'striker' consistantly fail to anticipate crosses so are yards behind anything coming across from the wing !
 
I think you are over stating his ability. Campbell-Ryce is a perfect example of a player who has relied on pace throughout his career, and now that pace is starting to fade.

Put him up against a full back with any modicum of speed about him and JCR disappears from the game.

His crossing, of course, isn't helped by the fact that if he has one man in the box to aim for, he is lucky.
 
My impression on the night was that JCR's crossing was OK and we didn't make the most of it. Although their full back did manage to get a slight touch on a couple which sent them straight to the 'keeper, I thought JCR had him beat pretty much every time.

For me, he was our 2nd best player on the night after McEveley.

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk...me-wingers-for-blades-lack-of-goals-1-6987262

There can be all sorts of reasons for a talented team failing to score and bad luck is usually the least of them. Which is why Sheffield United, after collecting just two points and two goals from four home games, are a subject for some concern.
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Normally I reckon it comes down to one of two things - poor finishing or lack of a final ball. But here the mystery deepens. From what I’ve seen, there haven’t been anywhere near enough clear chances created to blame the finishing. And yet the final ball - or cross into the box - has often been good.
Explain that one. Well, let’s start with Jamal Campbell-Ryce and absolve him of the blame that unfairly comes his way at times. Here’s a much travelled 31-year-old winger in the Autumn of his career producing, arguably, some of his best ever form.
How many crosses did he conjure in the games (five days apart) with resourceful opposition in Notts County and MK Dons? Having seen both, I wish I’d counted. I didn’t but would suggest 30 as a conservative estimate. Cue complaints that he failed to deliver a goal (you’re factually right there) and that this explains why players of his type are often labelled luxuries.
For me, wrong on both counts. More often than not, Jamal got those crosses in early. And most, if not all, were delivered to what the professionals call “dangerous areas.”
But where were the heads and feet? Where were the runners from midfield?
I think that, when Nigel Clough has time to reflect, he’ll concede that there is a problem to solve. However poor the referee at Bramall Lane on Tuesday (and he was), he was only part of the frustration as United dipped 1-0 in a game they dominated but failed to enforce.
With this squad - under-achieving on its results so far - I’d still expect a strong promotion challenge. Maybe the away form will take things back in that direction.
But Bramall Lane has to be conquered – by the home team. At this point, I hear you again - is 4-5-1 too negative, should Clough bow to the clamour for 4-4-2?
Personally, with so many attack-minded players in the side, I think that argument is too simplistic. Look, you had Jamie Murphy, Campbell-Ryce, Stefan Scougall and, in Ryan Flynn, a winger at right back on Tuesday. And Jose Baxter coming off the bench.
It’s not so much about questioning the attacking intent and quality as maybe the speed of action. Then there is the imponderable over prestige signing Chris O’Grady, who succumbed to his calf injury on debut and sits out Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Plymouth to target a return at Fleetwood the following week.
Would O’Grady he have got on the end of one of Campbell-Ryce’s second half deliveries? A fair bet he would. A fair bet he will. That said, however polished United may look up to the final act, it would be wrong to gloss over the problem they have. It’s easier said than corrected. But the potential answer is being DELIVERED - just not CONVERTED.
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He should pick the ball up on the half way line like he does and instead of going down the wing he should head towards goal with it.
He'd be on the edge of the 6 yard box (eventually) and from there owt could happen.
 
IMO Ryce rarely actually beats a man but does create space for the crosses regularly. Because he doesn't leave the man behind he doesn't often get to the real danger areas ie. byline or direct at goal. One cross from the byline is worth say 10 from deep.

Crosses from out wide and further than 20 yards upfield from the byline still have value if there are enough players in the box with the ability to score goals with headers. We have two - Higdon and McNulty. Murphy scored one this week but that's a rarity.

We don't play Higdon and McNulty together and we usually only have one striker in the box to meet crosses. If its late in the game we might have a few more in there but Baxter, Scougall, Murphy, Flynn do not really compete in the air. Basham does but without good technique at that end of the field.

So, in effect Ryce has a target of one who is up against 4/5 defenders and a keeper. That one has to compete for the ball amongst bodies. If he manages to create a loose ball we never have enough men in the box to pick it up.

These last 3 games have seen Ryce get loads of crosses in and 95% have not reached the penalty spot or half way across the goal.. After the Notts game Clough said they had been practising near post crosses. Nobody seems to have told our striker!
 
his crossing is poor no doubt, but how many players do we have in the box when he gets in good positions, needle in a haystack
 
sheffielder said:
Said it before and I will say it again. He needs to stop cross and start passing balls across the box.
Redknapp got Lennon working this way. Beat your man, look up and pass it.
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Couldn't agree more. Hopeful crosses are generally an overrated tactic unless they are sent in when the defence is out of position and unless there are enough players around to pick up any second ball. It's worth noting however that getting on the end of crosses is Higdon's (only?)strength. Without him in the side Ryce is peeing in the wind.
 
It is usually easier to find your man when doing early crosses than late crosses. With late crosses there is limited space and you have to find the right height, line and speed and there are usually more defenders in the box (late crosses are usually better driven than being floated). With early crosses you can find more space to float the cross allowing your team mate to time his run to meet the ball also there will be less defenders in the box (just like Murphy's goal against Notts County)
 
Silent Blade said:
It is usually easier to find your man when doing early crosses than late crosses. With late crosses there is limited space and you have to find the right height, line and speed and there are usually more defenders in the box (late crosses are usually better driven than being floated). With early crosses you can find more space to float the cross allowing your team mate to time his run to meet the ball also there will be less defenders in the box (just like Murphy's goal against Notts County)
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Agree, as I said above.

JCR doesn't know what an early cross is though. Nor do we have "early presence" in the box.
 
His crossing only looks poor because no one in the box is hungry enough to get on the end of them. He was obviously told to hit low near post crosses the other night ,he did it ,4 great crosses and not one was attacked. He is the most dangerous player we have had in a long time ,its lack of anticipation in the box that is the main problem.
 
All he needs to do is work on having his cross hit the first defender more consistently, then invite down a load of premier league scouts, telling them we've found their perfect set piece taker. then take the money and don't spend it on a striker
 
The best thing I have heard about crossing and strikers getting in the box was from Sam Allardyce. He said if you're going to cross the ball from deep you need two strikers, one to run to the front post and one to the run to the back. This way the front post runner will keep the goalie on his line because if he comes out for the cross and the first striker gets a slight touch on it, it's an easy goal. With that keeping the goalie on his line more often it gives the back post runner more chance of the ball coming to him.

All we seem to do is get one man in the box who is near the goalie, not front or back post. JCR's crossing isn't always the best but more often than not, he gets the ball in or wins a corner.
 



Mousey said:
The best thing I have heard about crossing and strikers getting in the box was from Sam Allardyce. He said if you're going to cross the ball from deep you need two strikers, one to run to the front post and one to the run to the back. This way the front post runner will keep the goalie on his line because if he comes out for the cross and the first striker gets a slight touch on it, it's an easy goal. With that keeping the goalie on his line more often it gives the back post runner more chance of the ball coming to him.

All we seem to do is get one man in the box who is near the goalie, not front or back post. JCR's crossing isn't always the best but more often than not, he gets the ball in or wins a corner.
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What Allardyce means is " one to hamper the keeper while the other heads it"!

As a rule of thumb I do not like "crosses from deep". By nature they are speculative and hopeful. Not many players can do much with a ball that's coming from way behind them and turn it with power on target unless the keeper makes a total hash of it.
 
People can have a go at JCR all they like and Keith Edwards on RS, but getting "across" your defender is what it is all about. Some may dislike KE, but he is absolutely correct - the word is movement. One of my issues at the moment is Baxter - play a pass and admire it instead of moving and looking for the next one.

For those who have never played football at any level, then I am sorry some don't know what you are talking about.

Please note Sitters post above.

If want to know how to do it - watch Aguero's 4th goal v Sunderland - ok, he is a top top striker, but as a centre forward YOU hold all the cards as a defender ONLY reacts after you have gone. It's not difficult and think back to Scoogs goal v Hull in the semi.

Why we don't do it more is a mystery - perhaps the players just do not think fast enough or are just thick.

UTB
 
Fulwood Blade said:
People can have a go at JCR all they like and Keith Edwards on RS, but getting "across" your defender is what it is all about. Some may dislike KE, but he is absolutely correct - the word is movement. One of my issues at the moment is Baxter - play a pass and admire it instead of moving and looking for the next one.

For those who have never played football at any level, then I am sorry some don't know what you are talking about.

Please note Sitters post above.

If want to know how to do it - watch Aguero's 4th goal v Sunderland - ok, he is a top top striker, but as a centre forward YOU hold all the cards as a defender ONLY reacts after you have gone. It's not difficult and think back to Scoogs goal v Hull in the semi.

Why we don't do it more is a mystery - perhaps the players just do not think fast enough or are just thick.

UTB
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Fulwood Blade . It is not that they don't think fast enough or they are thick . It is one thing , and one thing only ,which is missing that Harry , Brayford and Coady instilled last season --- belief and class.

UTB
 
Silent Blade said:
It is usually easier to find your man when doing early crosses than late crosses. With late crosses there is limited space and you have to find the right height, line and speed and there are usually more defenders in the box (late crosses are usually better driven than being floated). With early crosses you can find more space to float the cross allowing your team mate to time his run to meet the ball also there will be less defenders in the box (just like Murphy's goal against Notts County)
Click to expand...
It was an early cross by Harris that we scored from..the opposition were still running towards their own goal.JCR often delays and delays until the opposition are facing the ball or our players in the box,who are probably stationary having already made their run,and have no longer the advantage on the defender...I always think cross it early or get to the byline and pull it across the face or pull it back to on rushing players.
In my opinion,NC needs to tell JCR he only needs to beat his man once,and as soon as he's got half a yard..cross it(preferably having had a look up to pick someone out) or curl it in behind the defense for someone to run onto..or run in behind and pull it back for someone following in from the byline.
JCR did put in some decent crosses in his first game for us if I remember right,but recently he's been poor,although I didn't see the MK game to be fair.
 
We are talking about near post crosses essentially I think because Ryce never gets a cross any further.

I suppose football is the ultimate team game when it gets near the opposition box. When a winger gets the ball his striker/s need to have a good idea where it's likely to go. Clough reckons they planned for near post crosses but in fact nobody moved there and never showed any inclination to get there.. Did Ryce produce perfect near post crosses? It's academic really because the essential ingredient wasn't there - the crosses did not find a team mate.

If there's only one of you anywhere near goal it's a big move to go in front of the near post and get the perfect touch to beat the keeper. Of all the United players over the years I can only recall Tudor, Deane and Addison having that particular skill, maybe there were more but it's a tough skill to perfect. Funnily enough I don't remember Edwards scoring many diverted goals at the near post.

By all means get across the front of defenders per se, but when there is one of you and four of them it is a major gamble to go right across the front of the near post defender and leave the rest of the area vacant. Playing the percentages, you might get a touch 30/100, you might test the keeper 10/100, you might score 1/100. If you get a touch and wrongfoot the defence, what's the point if there's no other team mate anywhere near.

As for the Scougall goal at Wembley, didn't Murphy play it back from the byline? Isn't that the key? Nor was Scougall at the near post actually. Ironically Fulwood, Baxter's goal at Wembley will probably have been a better example of the near post strike.

P.S. Afterthought: Higdon scored a good near post goal late on in a game at the Lane, just swept a ball in on the angle, then Murphy scored a great winner v. ?
 
Last edited:
Dnblade said:
It was an early cross by Harris that we scored from..the opposition were still running towards their own goal.JCR often delays and delays until the opposition are facing the ball or our players in the box,who are probably stationary having already made their run,and have no longer the advantage on the defender...I always think cross it early or get to the byline and pull it across the face or pull it back to on rushing players.
In my opinion,NC needs to tell JCR he only needs to beat his man once,and as soon as he's got half a yard..cross it(preferably having had a look up to pick someone out) or curl it in behind the defense for someone to run onto..or run in behind and pull it back for someone following in from the byline.
JCR did put in some decent crosses in his first game for us if I remember right,but recently he's been poor,although I didn't see the MK game to be fair.
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Absolutely right.
 
Woodwardfan said:
We are talking about near post crosses essentially I think because Ryce never gets a cross any further.

I suppose football is the ultimate team game when it gets near the opposition box. When a winger gets the ball his striker/s need to have a good idea where it's likely to go. Clough reckons they planned for near post crosses but in fact nobody moved there and never showed any inclination to get there.. Did Ryce produce perfect near post crosses? It's academic really because the essential ingredient wasn't there - the crosses did not find a team mate.

If there's only one of you anywhere near goal it's a big move to go in front of the near post and get the perfect touch to beat the keeper. Of all the United players over the years I can only recall Tudor, Deane and Addison having that particular skill, maybe there were more but it's a tough skill to perfect. Funnily enough I don't remember Edwards scoring many diverted goals at the near post.

By all means get across the front of defenders per se, but when there is one of you and four of them it is a major gamble to go right across the front of the near post defender and leave the rest of the area vacant. Playing the percentages, you might get a touch 30/100, you might test the keeper 10/100, you might score 1/100. If you get a touch and wrongfoot the defence, what's the point if there's no other team mate anywhere near.

As for the Scougall goal at Wembley, didn't Murphy play it back from the byline? Isn't that the key? Nor was Scougall at the near post actually. Ironically Fulwood, Baxter's goal at Wembley will probably have been a better example of the near post strike.
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Just got me thinking ..what happened to the near post flick on header? I can't remember anybody scoring from one of these for ages..either from a corner or a cross,a flick on header at the near post..bypassing the opposition back line for someone to profit at the back stick....must be a dying art or tactic that used to result in many a goal...sometimes the flick on header would loop over into the far corner of the goal...Bring back the near post flick on header.
 
Dnblade said:
Just got me thinking ..what happened to the near post flick on header? I can't remember anybody scoring from one of these for ages..either from a corner or a cross,a flick on header at the near post..bypassing the opposition back line for someone to profit at the back stick....must be a dying art or tactic that used to result in many a goal...sometimes the flick on header would loop over into the far corner of the goal...Bring back the near post flick on header.
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Hard to achieve if you're the only forward in the box.


Brian Deane had the skill to flick the ball with pace over his shoulder towards the back stick and scored like that once. He just used the pace of the ball and dinked it over his shoulder.
 
Plenty in the box for corners though Woody...needs to be brought back,used to happen all the time in the 70's and 80's,although we sometimes were on the receiving end.
 
Woodwardfan said:
Hard to achieve if you're the only forward in the box.


Brian Deane had the skill to flick the ball with pace over his shoulder towards the back stick and scored like that once. He just used the pace of the ball and dinked it over his shoulder.
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Did it twice didn't he?
 
mattbianco1 said:
I've said it before and i'll say it again.

What is wrong with this bloke? He is clearly one of, if not the most gifted player we have in our squad. He will beat players for fun and tie defenders in knots... Then, all of a sudden he's created a fantastic crossing opportunity. AND THEN IT ENDS!

What a frustrating player. Surely all he needs to work on in training is his crossing. Everything else is there.

I was moaning about him in the first half the other night and the blokes infront looked at me almost questioning me on my vocal disappointment that I was making. So, in the 2nd half I counted.

He crossed the ball in EIGHT times from open play. EIGHT times in 45minutes. That is some going, however, TWO were met by United players. The other 6 were met by the opposition or beat everybody.

The goal against Rochdale was a bloody cross too!!
Click to expand...

Mate, if he could cross, he would be playing in the Premier League. I get the feeling that his poor crossing ability is why he's never made it past being a mediocre Championship player at best.
 



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