Anticipation & 1st touch

[vish]

Since kenny took over we seem to be much better at cutting out opposition passes. It's one of the basic elements of the game, trying to anticipate what your opponent might do.....

 

we were brilliant at it yesterday

 

also noticed the players are making much better first touches. Guess that could just be confidence, but possibly an area that has been concentrated on

[Mike]

do you think kuyt got the hook because of his rapey touches then?

[Leo No.8]

Definitely - there's a noticeable change in what the players are doing which is testament to Kenny's influence just a few games in (and Clarke's probably).

 

One player whose first touch hasn't improved is Dirk. I think his touch is down to being jaded to be honest. He is very flat this season by his standards, I can't understand why nobody at the club has felt he needs to be rested after playing all through last season non stop, then all the way through the World Cup non stop to the final and coming up to February this season again barely missing a game. I know he has incredible stamina and he may still be covering a lot of ground but I think his game has suffered.

 

I don't think he's doing enough to not be rested anyway, he needs to recharge his long life batteries a bit with a few weeks of only playing every other game.

Edited January 27, 2011 by Leo No.8

[Stevie]

Definitely - there's a noticeable change in what the players are doing which is testament to Kenny's influence just a few games in (and Clarke's probably).

 

One player whose first touch hasn't improved is Dirk. I think his touch is down to being jaded to be honest. He is very flat this season by his standards, I can't understand why nobody at the club has felt he needs to be rested after playing all through last season non stop, then all the way through the World Cup non stop to the final and coming up to February this season again barely missing a game. I know he has incredible stamina and he may still be covering a lot of ground but I think his game has suffered.

 

I don't think he's doing enough to not be rested anyway, he needs to recharge his long life batteries a bit with a few weeks of only playing every other game.

Kuyt has had spells out being injured this season.

[Tosh]

Good job we did as last 20 minutes, Murphy had all the time and space in the world to pick a pass...

 

It seems that our basic energy levels and ability to harry to get the ball back have increased immeasurably in the past 2 weeks

[smithdown]

Good job we did as last 20 minutes, Murphy had all the time and space in the world to pick a pass...

 

It seems that our basic energy levels and ability to harry to get the ball back have increased immeasurably in the past 2 weeks

 

 

Was almost as if we were standing off him and saying 'go ed then fatty, what you got?'

[Tosh]

Was almost as if we were standing off him and saying 'go ed then fatty, what you got?'

you say that but in the last 5 minutes he kept up with Torres and nicked the ball off him

[D.Boon]

Torres needs to sort out his touch as its garbage currently.

[johngibo YPC]

Torres needs to sort out his touch as its garbage currently.

 

I think he is trying to do too much with his first touch at times

Kuyt is f***ed if we keep playing this style. Shocked we're not in for a wide player as i don't think Kenny likes any of them

[Raj]

Kuyt is f***ed if we keep playing this style. Shocked we're not in for a wide player as i don't think Kenny likes any of them

 

I think Kuyt really needs a rest. He looks knackered

[ManxRed]

Didn't see the Fulham game but v Wolves there was WAAAAY more movement from the players than I ever saw under Hodgson.