Come from away
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- Jul 16, 2006
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At the end of last year we suddenly started to play well and win games. We had Martin on the left and Cotterill on the right, we could attack and score. We did not get Martin but did get Cotterill, though he is now out of style. Now we play Quinn and Halford and have the best defensive record in the league - can't seem to score much from open play. What's wrong? Anything?
Seems to me it's a matter of choice. Play two wingers like Martin and Cotterill and they will go past the fullback right to the goal line and pull the ball back. At worst creating a 50:50 chance, at best 60:40 for us as the defender is either facing his own goal or trying to cover for the fullback and leaving BT open. On the down side they don't always beat their man and playing wide and going forward alot means they are slack on defense.
Now Quinn and Halford put in a lot of crosses, with a solid defense we get a lot of the ball, so lot's of chances BUT at best it is 60:40 in favour of their defense. Why? Cause most of the crosses are coming in from much deeper, in front of the penalty box, so defenders have their backs to the goal, can see the ball all the way as well as the man they are marking.
All in all we get lots of half chances, and don't give much away. If we want to spark up the offence I believe we have to go with at least one real winger - I would prefer somebody on the left side as I see Quinn as our weakest link. Not sure there is a point in playing any of our right foot dominant wingers on the left as all they will do is cut inside, which just plugs up the middle.
If you want to go at teams, you have to have a player who can take on and beat players, upset the defense. Otherwise we best stick with four midfield players across the middle and play BT and Hendo up front. Afterall the days of mud are coming soon and blood and guts football will be key. It's all about choices.
Seems to me it's a matter of choice. Play two wingers like Martin and Cotterill and they will go past the fullback right to the goal line and pull the ball back. At worst creating a 50:50 chance, at best 60:40 for us as the defender is either facing his own goal or trying to cover for the fullback and leaving BT open. On the down side they don't always beat their man and playing wide and going forward alot means they are slack on defense.
Now Quinn and Halford put in a lot of crosses, with a solid defense we get a lot of the ball, so lot's of chances BUT at best it is 60:40 in favour of their defense. Why? Cause most of the crosses are coming in from much deeper, in front of the penalty box, so defenders have their backs to the goal, can see the ball all the way as well as the man they are marking.
All in all we get lots of half chances, and don't give much away. If we want to spark up the offence I believe we have to go with at least one real winger - I would prefer somebody on the left side as I see Quinn as our weakest link. Not sure there is a point in playing any of our right foot dominant wingers on the left as all they will do is cut inside, which just plugs up the middle.
If you want to go at teams, you have to have a player who can take on and beat players, upset the defense. Otherwise we best stick with four midfield players across the middle and play BT and Hendo up front. Afterall the days of mud are coming soon and blood and guts football will be key. It's all about choices.
:cry:
