two simple tactical changes

[allez les rouges]

1. Spreading the play. on wednesday and saturday there was non of it. We played short passes and generally kept the ball in the same area. consequently the opposition were able to outnumber us quite easily in these spaces. as a result, our play often broke down. However the two wide players, pennant in particular yesterday were very narrow. Often a move would break down because the players were central and there was no pass from out from the back. Only when we went behind in both games did we play with some width, which made a big difference. However it is pointless if the wide players are offering width, if no one spreads the play. Over the last two games we have faced teams who simply try to out number us in areas, and it has worked. spread the play from central midfield and the players will have a lot more freedom. but to spread the play, give the players an option to pass it to them by finding space.

 

2. Counter attacks. this is more of a long term problem. there are lots of occasions when the two center backs win the ball back, and we have an option of a counter attack. however due to lack of ability/confidence/belief, our two center backs give the ball away alot! consequently its quite easy for our players to be outnumbered, when we are playing short simply passes without any width! I believe the composure of all three of our squad center backs has deteriorated over the last year. this is clearly something that the players need to focus on in training which should see a big improvement to our attacking play.

 

[_00_deathscar]

I have a proposal too, rather simple:

 

Score, keep clean sheet.

 

Easy.

[John am Rhein]

Just win all the remaining games in all competitions and we'll have an unprecedented quadruple.

[allez les rouges]

the point is, that there are problems are not simply down to s***e players in s***e form. there are real tactical problems why the team has not been performing. over the last two games we have been very poor in possession because the opposition has ganged up on us, and we have not switched the ball quick enough. Only when we were getting beat did swich the play, and the team improved alot.

Edited October 8, 2007 by allezlesrouge

[Billy Dane]

pass and move, pass and move.

[John am Rhein]

I'm not at all convinced it's down to tactics. Have the tactics changed?

 

Looks more like the squad is collectively lacking it fitness/sharpness for whatever reason - there are some plausible theories - and confidence has declined (perhaps due to the fear of rotation perhaps just due to bad results). I also suspect not having Agger has resulted in our back 4 having to play deeper and this has knock-on effects to what we do in midfield - hard to see that on TV, though. What do Anfield regulars think of that?

[Mike]

pass and move would be a great start.

it certainly seems beyond that useless c*** pennant.

 

 

and riise, obv.

[Guest Sabre]

Alonso makes both those things happen.

[Bailo]

Alonso makes both those things happen.

Who will "Alonso" us when he can't though? Is Lucas his young up-and-coming replacement (assuming someone as good as Xabi wouldn't sit on the bench when he's fit)?

[kopindian]

Put Gerrard on the right & start with Alonso & Mascherano on the centre.Play 4-5-1.Sell one of the strikers in january.

[honourablegeorge]

A bit of f***in' hard work would be nice. Hard work, coupled with lots of effort, plenty of graft, players giving 100%, and everyone doing their best.

[Guest Sabre]

Who will "Alonso" us when he can't though? Is Lucas his young up-and-coming replacement (assuming someone as good as Xabi wouldn't sit on the bench when he's fit)?

 

If you ask Lennon (where is that fella?) he'll say Mascherano - he sets the tempo just as well as Xabi

 

If you ask a lot of fans, they'll reckon that our best/most important player can do this...I think he's MIA though

[John am Rhein]

Mascherano may not be as good a passer as Alonso, but he's surely the natural man to take on the passing role. It's a bit much to expect the stand-in for a role to be as good as the first choice man.

[Guest Sabre]

Mascherano may not be as good a passer as Alonso, but he's surely the natural man to take on the passing role. It's a bit much to expect the stand-in for a role to be as good as the first choice man.

 

He's just nowhere near as good unfortunately but I mean that more as a compliment to Xabi

[John am Rhein]

He's just nowhere near as good unfortunately but I mean that more as a compliment to Xabi

 

Fair comment, but what can you do? Occasionally Souness was injured/suspended so someone (Jimmy Case in the 1981 League Cup final) had to play for him. They can't be as good, but they can do a job. Other areas of the team have to take up the slack as well.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

don't play Sami or Riise

[Guest Sabre]

Fair comment, but what can you do? Occasionally Souness was injured/suspended so someone (Jimmy Case in the 1981 League Cup final) had to play for him. They can't be as good, but they can do a job. Other areas of the team have to take up the slack as well.

 

Aye, which is why we need Gerrard to pull his finger out

[John am Rhein]

Aye, which is why we need Gerrard to pull his finger out

 

Gerrard offers a different set of strengths, though. Directing the attack through intelligent passing isn't one of them - even if he thinks it is.

[allez les rouges]

Alonso makes both those things happen.

 

that was 100% my opinion in both games. however we still need to add a bit more width when we are at home. the ball often breaks down from the back becuase everyone is marked, and there is no space to create a passing angles, becuase everyone is on top of each other.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The longer Xabi is injured the better he gets.

At this rate by the time he comes back he'll be Kaka, Souness, Messi & Molby rolled into one.

[anfield11]

The longer Xabi is injured the better he gets.

At this rate by the time he comes back he'll be Kaka, Souness, Messi & Molby rolled into one.

 

 

ROTFLMAO!!

[Smith]

The longer Xabi is injured the better he gets.

At this rate by the time he comes back he'll be Kaka, Souness, Messi & Molby rolled into one.

 

Does this apply to Harry as well?

[John am Rhein]

Does this apply to Harry as well?

 

The new Duncan Edwards

[Knox_Harrington]

Who will "Alonso" us when he can't though? Is Lucas his young up-and-coming replacement (assuming someone as good as Xabi wouldn't sit on the bench when he's fit)?

If Xabi doesn't play we arguably need one of Lucas or Benayoun to play, the former looks as if he can keep things ticking over and the latter has such perpetual movement that he can offer for sixty minutes.

 

We're missing Garcia at the minute.

 

We also need to t*** Riise in his abs.

[Molby]

If Xabi doesn't play we arguably need one of Lucas or Benayoun to play, the former looks as if he can keep things ticking over and the latter has such perpetual movement that he can offer for sixty minutes.

 

We're missing Garcia at the minute.

 

We also need to t*** Riise in his abs.

you should have asked for sponsorship

 

still laughing at yesterday's rant in the Oakie