Lack of width still concerns me

[RafaShanks]

The problem is we only have two natural wingers in our squad in Kewell and Pennant.

 

Harry is class, but hardly ever plays (prays he will stay fit) and Pennant, I don't rate (and Ginge is utter s***e )

 

Babel and Yossi are good players (and bigger goal threats), but are not wingers, as more times than not are always looking to go inside when they get the ball.

 

When they do, we invariably look very narrow and limit ourselves in options making opposing teams to get players behind the ball. The fair occasions they do go out wide, they invariably look lost and don't know what to do.

 

Nearly cost us today, but thank feck Torres came on and did what he did.

 

How do we solve this problem?

[alias75]

Think we have to use our full backs more to provide the width. Arbeloa does it well whenever he plays, Aurellio doesnt have his engine but he has good quality on the ball. Lets hope he can stay fit.

[Maldini]

I don't think it was a problem today at all, the lads on Setanta were just looking for something to blame for the fact we hadn't scored. Our full backs provided plenty of width today, as I'm sure Rafa had intended.

 

Thought we played very well today, about as well as Tuesday, it was just one of those games were the chances don't go in.

[Lark]

the solution is simple.

 

1) have a good goalkeeper

2) have two fullbacks(one left, one right) - who have the balls to get over the halfway line, know when to whip a cross in - oh and can also defend.

3) have two centre halfs, who are first and formost comfortable with the ball at their feet, who have enough position nounce, can head it, are sufficiently strong, know when to go on a mad forray into the opposition half, know how to force the play in the opposition half.

4) have two central midfielders who are capable of both attacking and defending with equal aplomb. Know how to dictate play, know when a simple pass to a red shirt to maintain possession is sometimes more fruitful then attempting either a rushed 40 yarder or attempting the near impossible thru the eye of a needle type pass. Two midfielders who understand that retaining possession means the opposition cant attack.

5) have two wide midfielders who know how to hog the touch line to widen the game when required and on the rare occassion we lose possession know how to come inside and narrow the midfield and know when to double up with the fullback.

6) have a creator supreme - who also knows when to drop deep n support but most of all - how to play just behind the opposition midfielders - escaping the attention of both fullbacks and centre halfs.

7) to have a creator supreme who almost telepathically knows the when and what typs of runs our first choice striker is likely to make.

8) to have a creator supreme who knowing the above can play that all important pass either to onrushing centre halfs, fullbacks, wide players, or striker.

9) having a creator supreme.

10) a striker who has pace, skill, movement, strength, can head a ball and can finish.

11) a manager who knows the above

 

simple innit.

[Stevie G]

The problem is we only have two natural wingers in our squad in Kewell and Pennant.

 

Harry is class, but hardly ever plays (prays he will stay fit) and Pennant, I don't rate (and Ginge is utter s***e )

 

Babel and Yossi are good players (and bigger goal threats), but are not wingers, as more times than not are always looking to go inside when they get the ball.

 

When they do, we invariably look very narrow and limit ourselves in options making opposing teams to get players behind the ball. The fair occasions they do go out wide, they invariably look lost and don't know what to do.

 

Nearly cost us today, but thank feck Torres came on and did what he did.

 

How do we solve this problem?

 

Problem is though that if you have two players that just stay out wide they are easier to mark. By benayoun drifting infield to help with our play he's harder to pick up and what should then happen is that our fullbacks push up to offer us the width. That's why you find with most wide players that they drift infield at times. This is also why benayoun will score more goals in one season than pennant will in 3.