Originally Posted by TK421
Probably too often, but far too often? When you look at the possession stats, which I know are not conclusive, we normally hold our own against the big teams and dominate possession against inferior teams. I think our biggest problem is converting chances and turning possession into goals.
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Possession stats can be misleading. How much ball retention consists of playing the ball sideways and backwards, whoever we're playing against?
I know that, at least up until our winning run this season, I've found myself getting just as exasperated as I did under Houllier at seeing the man on the ball isolated and most of our players stood still instead of making a meaningful run. I find this particularly frustrating because of Rafa's emphasis on player fitness. Surely if our players have more stamina they should be able to run more off the ball when we're in possession, just as they do to close the opponents down when we're not?
I also think that too often our players hold on to the ball too long when under pressure, or play a rushed pass when they're not under pressure. For me it's a question of basic footballing intelligence and awareness of what's going on around you, which can be drilled into players through repeated practice on the training ground. Maybe it's not as big a problem as I think it is, it's just that it's such a pet hate of mine that I go ballistic when it keeps happening.