Can Anyone Tell Me?

[Guest Budo]

Why we've just added two skillful, pacey wingers to the team, but we're still hoofing it up to front line? (and it's not just to crouch either, we we're lumping it to Fowler and Bellars against sheff utd).

 

Now I know it's going to take time for the new players/system to bed-in, so why don't we start playing the way the team has been set-up to play?

[sean]

Why we've just added two skillful, pacey wingers to the team, but we're still hoofing it up to front line? (and it's not just to crouch either, we we're lumping it to Fowler and Bellars against sheff utd).

 

Now I know it's going to take time for the new players/system to bed-in, so why don't we start playing the way the team has been set-up to play?

 

 

The first gmes you referencing this 'style' of football was away to a newly promoted side on the first day of the season, with a huge European tie looming. The second game was the said European tie, in which it was a precrious scoreline going into it. We're 2 games into the season. I don't expect we'll find proper rhythm for about 6 games. Until then we need to hope we're strong enough to get the results.

[Earl Hafler]

We've also seen some very good football - especially Xabi switching the play.

They're a decent side and learned from the first leg not to give our wingers too much space.

[anny road]

We've also seen some very good football - especially Xabi switching the play.

They're a decent side and learned from the first leg not to give our wingers too much space.

 

 

thought for 70 minutes (discounting the 1st 10 - 15 and for 10 mins around when they scored) we were good last night........we stretched the play, found the flanks......i thought all the playes woked very hard...Agger was great, as was Aurelio.....Crouch worked his nuts off....as did Gonzalez.....

[Guest Budo]

Xabi wasn't switching it last night?

 

I know we have to sometimes change the tactics against different teams, but if the tactic (ie: Sami hoofing it) isn't working and hasn't worked for some time then why not try 'The Other Option' which we didn't have before.

 

I've got to say I don't understand why Rafa is tinkering with the team and style so often.

[anny road]

Xabi wasn't switching it last night?

 

I know we have to sometimes change the tactics against different teams, but if the tactic (ie: Sami hoofing it) isn't working and hasn't worked for some time then why not try 'The Other Option' which we didn't have before.

 

I've got to say I don't understand why Rafa is tinkering with the team and style so often.

 

 

he is tinkering with the team because thats what he does and he will do it all season......i dont know what you were atching last night, but we played ok

[Swipe]

Both Chelsea and United have shown so much consistancy in their one league game so far...

[fyds]

Why we've just added two skillful, pacey wingers to the team, but we're still hoofing it up to front line? (and it's not just to crouch either, we we're lumping it to Fowler and Bellars against sheff utd).

 

Now I know it's going to take time for the new players/system to bed-in, so why don't we start playing the way the team has been set-up to play?

 

I demand you release the erstwhile sensible Budo and return to the dark depths from which you sprang!

 

 

BTW....'Bellars'? I mean...who are we signing next, Drippy and Strangley-Browne?

[Huyton_Red]

I think we looked a bit sluggish last night, which was understandable considering where we played and the period of the season we are currently in

 

I agree though, we do not look cohesive at all, but with lots of new players and one or two players getting injured every game it is difficult to find that cohesion.

 

We need to grind out a win against West Ham on Saturday and then regroup after the international break for a very, very tough September that could end our title hopes if we are not at 100%

[sean]

Can we make the use of the name 'Bellers' a bannable offence from now on?

[Poolfrog]

I must have been watching a different team last night. I thought we were all over the place. A lack of understanding between the midfield and the strikers (still). It was poor. Terrible defending for their goal too.

 

With the team we put out we should have gone through easily and we shouldn't have conceded such a soft goal.

 

In the Premiership, I'm worried that we're going to drop too may points early on again. The chavs and utd are looking good from the off. They've already got the cohesion we seem to lack.

 

I'm sorry but "...the chavs and utd are looking good from the off..." is a tad over the top. They've played 1 game each (and the chavs didn't look too clever 6 days before in Cardiff) at home against two shocking teams, one of which - Fulham - will be lucky not to be relegated and the other - City - will do well to finish above 15th. Let's keep a sense of proportion.

[jimmylibel]

Can we make the use of the name 'Bellers' a bannable offence from now on?

 

If we sign his former teammate will it be Bellers and Nellers?

[JohnnyH]

If we sign his former teammate will it be Bellers and Nellers?

 

Playing like Helen Kellers?

[anny road]

I must have been watching a different team last night. I thought we were all over the place. A lack of understanding between the midfield and the strikers (still). It was poor. Terrible defending for their goal too.

 

With the team we put out we should have gone through easily and we shouldn't have conceded such a soft goal.

 

In the Premiership, I'm worried that we're going to drop too may points early on again. The chavs and utd are looking good from the off. They've already got the cohesion we seem to lack.

 

i am not sure what u were watching eother

 

i have just watched the game again, and it was comfotable apart from a shaky 10 minutes....our passing was ok, work rate good...we created 6 or 7 good chances.....

[realtarragona]

I've always thought we played it long too often in games but you can't argue with the points tally we got in the league last season, so can't really complain too much. Once the newer players are settled and if Agger has a more prominent role in the side then hopefully we'll start playing much better football.

[Cunny]

i agree to some extent with the original post, there was quite a bit of mindless long high balls to no one in particular.

I thought Xabi still looked well below par.

 

It wasn't a bad performance though, we could easily have been 2 or 3 up at half time and that would have pue a different gloss on the game.

[Romario]

It was a massive bananna skin. The players were edgy

[Guest spk]

Why we've just added two skillful, pacey wingers to the team, but we're still hoofing it up to front line? (and it's not just to crouch either, we we're lumping it to Fowler and Bellars against sheff utd).

 

Now I know it's going to take time for the new players/system to bed-in, so why don't we start playing the way the team has been set-up to play?

 

i can tell you exactly why. sheffield united had a narrow pitch in the championship. since being promoted they have narrowed the pitch by a futher 2metres. it's very hard to have pacey wingers properly utilised when they lack the space to run into!

 

*end*

[Guz]

I've always thought we played it long too often in games but you can't argue with the points tally we got in the league last season, so can't really complain too much. Once the newer players are settled and if Agger has a more prominent role in the side then hopefully we'll start playing much better football.

 

It's my only gripe with the defence last season but everytime someone mentioned it they were shot down in flames. We do play the ball long too often, especially when crouch is in the team. Riise, Finnan, Sami and Carra were all culprits. It's ok once in a while or on the break but I dont understand why we bypass such an able midfield so often. It's not like we do it all the time and more often than not our football last season was good but certainly room for improvement.

 

It's not a major concern because its not as if all we do is lump it forward aimlessly but when we do play it long it's frustrating because when we get the ball down and play it fluently we're a great side. It certainly coincides with us being 'edgy' I think. Give it a couple of weeks for the season to properly start (i.e. after the internationals) and I think we'll be better. It's part of the natural progression of Rafa's team.

Edited August 23, 2006 by Guz

[Stevie H]

It was a massive bananna skin. The players were edgy

absolutely, always worth remembering. edgy and without the calming influence and leadership that is carra. thought sami did a good job of leading the back five in carra's absence.

[JRC]

In the first leg, I said to my Lad that Pennant must have thought he'd died and gone to heaven, the way Xabi looked for, and found, him, glued to the touchline, at every opportunity. Let's nit jump to any conclusiond, or write the season off, just yet

[Rimbeux]

Why we've just added two skillful, pacey wingers to the team, but we're still hoofing it up to front line? (and it's not just to crouch either, we we're lumping it to Fowler and Bellars against sheff utd).

 

Now I know it's going to take time for the new players/system to bed-in, so why don't we start playing the way the team has been set-up to play?

 

 

First game I thought the midfield ducked the ball, and left the defence with no other options, we looked poor. Second game, they couldn't cope with Crouch, so it worked, and we were in control. Different games and reasons for me.

[sutty]

THE SEASON IS LOST!

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

[McBain]

What's that about the new season of lost?

[Bootle Buck]

That moment of brilliance from Pennant to set up the goal is what we have been waiting for for years. It will soon be a big part of our game. However, we can't change overnight.