Our attacking play: Individuals, tactics, rotation or luck ?

[M_B]

This quote from Red Nick on another thread got me thinking.

Originally Posted by Red Nick We havent kept a clean sheet away from home in the premiership

Very true. However we've also only scored one goal, which was a penalty.

For me our problem is exactly the same as last season. We are unable to break down a defence and I don't think its an issue of individuals or rotation - Our attacking play is too rigid, nervous and predictable. Infact it reminds me of England during the World Cup.

Our attacking options seem to be

1: Shoot from long range.

2: Engineer the move into an oppotunity to cross the ball in from the top edge of the area for someone's head....... and then try to get on the resulting second ball.

3: Play the ball along the floor behind the full backs for the winger to get on the end of and hit it across or maybe the winger just tries to beat the full back to do the same.

4: Try to release a striker (Bellamy) on a quick counter.

And that's it. Surely there has to be more options going forward or am I just getting old ? Is that infact all there is to football ? Do Arsenal, Chelsea and the scum do the same ? Last year we scored 57 while Chelsea got 72, the scum 72 and Arsenal 68

If we were scoring 2 or 3 a game, the frailties of our defence would not seem so important. Are we too focused on our defending ? Are we just not very good at attacking ? Is it actually that our individuals aren't as good as other teams or do we have a fundamental flaw in our attacking play?

........... and we never, ever, ever score from corners.

[Rashid]

Pass and Move died under Houllier - Oh how I wish it would return some day.

[sh#t waffle]

Originally Posted by Rashid Pass and Move died under Houllier - Oh how I wish it would return some day.

Hang on a second - Some of the football we produced once we got going last season was a joy to watch - think Gerrard's goal against Newcastle - and was very much 'pass and move'. We have one, admittedly major problem - we are too slow to get out of the blocks at the beginning of a season. We look jaded and therefore one dimensional. But the style of football Rafa had us playing by Christmas last year, with Agger, Bellamy and Duyk added, will be exceptional.

[Bob Spunkmouse]

i think it is a number of things. firstly our most creative midfielder hasnt been playing well, which will undoubtedly impact on the number of chances we create, secondly we are accommodating a number of new attacking players, of which only Kuyt has really fallen straight into line. Bellamy works terrifically hard, however his runs are often mistimed or the pass misjudged due to a lack of understanding. Gonzalez has looked good but has played relatively few times and Gerrard, who we can rely upon has suffered from being played in a number of positions including the left, which doesnt suit him properly. Also with Alonso not being up to scratch, it has often left Stevie pushing inside to generate things leaving nothing out wide for him to use.

I think it is a case of things settling down, plus a little more luck, plus some easier fixtures away from home (chelsea, everton, and Bolton are no pushovers even though we'd expect to win 2 of them) and it will start to look good.

I personally think that we should play garcia more while chances are at a bit of a premium, he makes things happen.

[attacking_play]

Originally Posted by M_B This quote from Red Nick on another thread got me thinking. Very true. However we've also only scored one goal, which was a penalty. For me our problem is exactly the same as last season. We are unable to break down a defence and I don't think its an issue of individuals or rotation - Our attacking play is too rigid, nervous and predictable. Infact it reminds me of England during the World Cup. Our attacking options seem to be 1: Shoot from long range. 2: Engineer the move into an oppotunity to cross the ball in from the top edge of the area for someone's head....... and then try to get on the resulting second ball. 3: Play the ball along the floor behind the full backs for the winger to get on the end of and hit it across or maybe the winger just tries to beat the full back to do the same. 4: Try to release a striker (Bellamy) on a quick counter. And that's it. Surely there has to be more options going forward or am I just getting old ? Is that infact all there is to football ? Do Arsenal, Chelsea and the scum do the same ? Last year we scored 57 while Chelsea got 72, the scum 72 and Arsenal 68 If we were scoring 2 or 3 a game, the frailties of our defence would not seem so important. Are we too focused on our defending ? Are we just not very good at attacking ? Is it actually that our individuals aren't as good as other teams or do we have a fundamental flaw in our attacking play? ........... and we never, ever, ever score from corners.

The team is playing good football in the middle of the park, and I believe, varied attacking oportunities result.

Its the finishing. Its the usual story of a very low strike rate.

This is where guys like Kuyt will be an asset.

He was on the pitch for his debut, and in a very short spell, rattled up several oportunities on goal. The sign of a hard worker, with creativity.

Any salesman will tell you its a numbers game...get enough leads, and you make a sale. Kuyt has already created many more chances than Bellamy: result: Kuyt 2 bellamy 0

he reminds me of kevin keegan. Kuyt should start every game, baring injury or drop dead exhaustion.