The Anfield pitch

[Gunga Din]

Is this part of the reason for our inability to beat poor sides at home. its not a new phenomenon, us struggling to beat s*** teams at home, and over the past few years its been getting worse, and i'm just wonderng whether the Anfield pitch being on the small side is hindering us on our attempts to stretch the opposition enough to break them down easily. organised teams haven't as much ground to cover, and we cant find the space that better players should be better at exploiting

[Epic Swindle]

It's tiny, one of the smallest in the league and teams can sit back and defend deep the space quite comfortably. Hasn't surprised me that we've tried more of a counter attack approach at times.

 

That said, Highbury's pitch was tiny as well and they were usually rampant at home under Wenger. Think we've needed a bit more guile and craft for ages.

Edited November 6, 2011 by Masuka

[Ethan]

Nah - some of the best sides ever to play football have done the business on that pitch - our current problem is a crop of underperforming players

[Falconhoof]

I was very impressed with Swansea's use of the space in the 2nd half yesterday, for that 20 minute spell when they really troubled us. Always had options, passed it crisply.

[NeilJ]

Is this part of the reason for our inability to beat poor sides at home. its not a new phenomenon, us struggling to beat s*** teams at home, and over the past few years its been getting worse, and i'm just wonderng whether the Anfield pitch being on the small side is hindering us on our attempts to stretch the opposition enough to break them down easily. organised teams haven't as much ground to cover, and we cant find the space that better players should be better at exploiting

I've wondered that. Both mancs have pitches 6 yards wider than ours.

Although Highbury was even smaller I think.

[Gunga Din]

Nah - some of the best sides ever to play football have done the business on that pitch - our current problem is a crop of underperforming players

 

they have yes, but the game and tactic s have changed massively, and even when we wee winning everything, we still struggled at home on occassion.

[Epic Swindle]

The pitch is even smaller these days with the new safety regs. Used to be really wide years ago.

[Ethan]

they have yes, but the game and tactic s have changed massively, and even when we wee winning everything, we still struggled at home on occassion.

 

Maybe so but at the same time both teams have to play on it - I see your point that teams can come and play a restrictive game at Anfield whereas that same tactic would be more difficult to play on a wider pitch.

[New York Red]

Another reason to move.

[Gunga Din]

I was very impressed with Swansea's use of the space in the 2nd half yesterday, for that 20 minute spell when they really troubled us. Always had options, passed it crisply.

 

yes, but unlike them, we hadnt got 11 behind the ball every time they had it. which is sort of the point i'm making

[Ronnie#5]

Nah - some of the best sides ever to play football have done the business on that pitch - our current problem is a crop of underperforming players

Sums it up for me.

 

You're reaching with this one mate!

[Maldini]

It's definitely a factor IMO, not the cause but certainly a factor.

[aka Dus]

There's lots of factors behind this voodoo pattern of us not being able put away s**** under successive managers.

[Nebraska Red]

I was very impressed with Swansea's use of the space in the 2nd half yesterday, for that 20 minute spell when they really troubled us. Always had options, passed it crisply.

 

 

and they did so by moving the ball quickly and putting it into the acres of space between our defense and the rest of the team.

 

when we get it, we move at glacial speed and do our best to let the opposition defense get back. we make way too many sideways or backwards passes when we have possession. right now, the only 2 players who look comfortable moving forward with the ball at their feet are Enrique and Agger. Downing always seems to get the ball when he is standing still and Henderson looks almost afraid to run at players.

[Gerrardrules]

Quality will make difference.

We're to slow in our play to break them down. The times the players choose the safe way and pass it backwards is annoying.

[Cobs]

c**k all to do with the size of the pitch

 

The goal is still 24x8ft and that's what we're having problems with

[yellow jumper]

That said, Highbury's pitch was tiny as well and they were usually rampant at home under Wenger. Think we've needed a bit more guile and craft for ages.

 

and struggled as soon as they moved to a larger one. easier to attack on a bigger surface maybe, easier also to come unstuck defensively. it's not like these games have all been 0-0s.

 

we've routed s*** clubs and big clubs alike on that pitch in very recent history.

[Cooldude]

s*** all to do with it

[Billy Dane]

Going on another thread it would seem that the seats are now too small for our taller fans, this is surely affecting the ability of fans in the ground to get behind the team like they did in the 60's and 70's.

[dorgie]

More to do with lack of pace in midfield than anything else.

 

The only time we stretch teams is when our pacy full backs (Enrique in particular) do the business.

[Leo No.8]

Always felt it to be a factor Gunga - we need to have a huge pitch like OT for our new ground. So much harder to defend a massive pitch like that, I certainly think it would help us.

[MarkD]

Might be but way down the list. Might be;

 

- lack of movement

- lack of ability to play a pass of the correct weight and ahead of the player to move onto

- lack of creativity

- lack of ability to put the ball in the net

- too many average players

- manager's stubborness

[Gunga Din]

Might be but way down the list. Might be;

 

- lack of movement

- lack of ability to play a pass of the correct weight and ahead of the player to move onto

- lack of creativity

- lack of ability to put the ball in the net

- too many average players

- manager's stubborness

 

 

we have created more chances than anyone else in the league. we sort out sticking the ball in the net, the other problems disappear

[Cobs]

we have created more chances than anyone else in the league. we sort out sticking the ball in the net, the other problems disappear

 

 

hence it's f*ck all to do with the pitch size

[MarkD]

we have created more chances than anyone else in the league. we sort out sticking the ball in the net, the other problems disappear

 

By creativity, I'm meaning a player or players who can create space through intellignet running, player a pass that opens a defence regularly, the ability to change play accurately and with pace, the ability to beat men.

 

We look ordinary.