Goals

[psl]

So we all know about the departures from a squad that already scored too few goals and the failure to bring someone in before the transfer window closed and seemingly afterwards. So we have what we have and the question is, how are we going to get enough goals out of the squad to get us at least until January with acceptable results?

 

Naturally the only strikers that we have are Suarez, Borini and Morgan. Suarez is our best player but clearly not the most reliable of goalscorers. I would definitely give Borini a go down the middle with Suarez in one of the positions either side. In any event, those two are going to have to split that role between them in the league. I would imagine Morgan will play up front in the league cup and some Europa League games. I don't see any one else in the squad capable of playing that role with the exception of Gerrard, who is probably the best finisher in the squad but I'd imagine unlikely to be given the role up top. Maybe Ngoo will be given a chance.

 

Concerning the two positions either side of the centre forward, we have Sterling, Downing, Cole and Assaidi. This is very thin but I imagine that these four will share the role between them, with Downing being used at left back in some home games. Hopefully Assaidi is f***ing amazing as I can't see many goals coming from that lot. Sterling does look as if he poses a goal threat but it is big ask for him to play a starting role all season. I still think Joe Cole could offer something to the squad but is unlikely to stay fit. I would definitely consider putting Gerrard in this bracket in the circumstances, and using Henderson, Shelvey etc to fill any holes left in the three behind them. Shelvey has shown himself to be a threat to the opposition goal also and should therefore play more often than not in my opinion.

 

Essentially, we're in a real quandry and appear to be in for half a season at least of scoring infrequently. Still, what we have to do is get the best out of Suarez, Borini and Gerrard who appear to be our most potent threat and I would therefore try Suarez on the left, with Borini in the middle and Gerrard on the right, with Shelvey, Allen and Sahin in the mid-field until Lucas returns and comes in for Shelvey. Glen Johnson should be encouraged to get forward whenever possible, particularly at home as he too can make things happen in the opposition penalty area.

 

Finally, lets hope Skrtel and Agger are good for a handful each!

 

What would anyone else do with the squad we have to try and maximise the goal threat posed?

Edited September 5, 2012 by psl

[Earl Hafler]

I would have Gerrard central, Suarez and Borini in the inside forward positions, working the fullback and respective centre back. This way we can also afford Johnson bombing forward without constant fear of the counter

 

-------------------Allen---------------

--- ---Shelvey-----------Sahin------

------------------Gerrard------------

--------Suarez-----------Borini-----

 

Have others taking set pieces with Agger, Skrtel and Gerrard in the area, Johnson outside the area.

 

 

 

Be surprised if we saw any changes for Sunderland though.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I would have Gerrard central, Suarez and Borini in the inside forward positions, working the fullback and respective centre back. This way we can also afford Johnson bombing forward without constant fear of the counter

 

-------------------Allen---------------

--- ---Shelvey-----------Sahin------

------------------Gerrard------------

--------Suarez-----------Borini-----

 

Have others taking set pieces with Agger, Skrtel and Gerrard in the area, Johnson outside the area.

 

 

 

Be surprised if we saw any changes for Sunderland though.

 

Given our squad, I think there is plenty of merit in the diamond midfield especially seeing how far up the pitch we push our full backs. We need men in the box and keeping 2 strikers fairly central will be key, we cant afford isolation upfront.

 

Even for experimentation, we could put Sterling there and just tell him to float about.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

We had 19 shots on Sunday, 4 were on target & 2 of those from Shelvey

 

Making the right decisions will go a long way

[schmuckdonald]

By being better at football in general and focusing not on who gets the last touch and more on how the team play together.

[Molby]

by making the move longer, allowing players to roam around the pitch (cover for them, regroup when the ball is lost or out of play) and by treating possession of the ball on the oppo's 18 yard line with the same care as on our own 18 yard line

[goodrobotusses]

by making the move longer, allowing players to roam around the pitch (cover for them, regroup when the ball is lost or out of play) and by treating possession of the ball on the oppo's 18 yard line with the same care as on our own 18 yard line

This.

 

Our possession – sloppy moments aside – has been largely good in the first two thirds of the pitch, but then we act like horrible idiots in the final third. Chill out, guys.

[Nebraska Red]

by shooting on site in and around the box. too many times we see players take that one extra touch, or try to beat one more player and see the chance disappear or become more difficult.

 

and yes Suarez, I am talking to you!!!

 

you would hope the law of averages would dictate that more amd more shots would lead to goals, but even the law of averages hates us.

[Molby]

by shooting on site in and around the box. too many times we see players take that one extra touch, or try to beat one more player and see the chance disappear or become more difficult.

 

and yes Suarez, I am talking to you!!!

 

you would hope the law of averages would dictate that more amd more shots would lead to goals, but even the law of averages hates us.

 

yes there's always that way too

[Falconhoof]

'blammers'

The answer is to train the players to have feet like traction engines. The goalkeepers will be rooted to the spot.

[Beardsley]

-------------------------------Borini

Suarez............................................................Gerrard

-----------------------------Shelvey

....................Allen...........................Sahin

Enrique.......Agger..................Skrtel............Johnson

.......................................Reina

 

 

Think this will maximize our scoring potential.

Suarez & Gerrard both have licence to drift.

Shelvey comming in late towards the box.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Beardsley

[Chewie]

-------------------------------Borini

Suarez............................................................Gerrard

-----------------------------Shelvey

....................Allen...........................Sahin

Enrique.......Agger..................Skrtel............Johnson

.......................................Reina

 

Think this will maximize our scoring potential.

Suarez & Gerrard both have licence to drift.

Shelvey comming in late towards the box.

 

This front three all day..

Maybe Henderson in beside Allen..Sahin at the front of the three

Maybe downing for Jose

 

But otherwise, this.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Chewie

[Hassony]

by shooting on site in and around the box. too many times we see players take that one extra touch, or try to beat one more player and see the chance disappear or become more difficult.

 

and yes Suarez, I am talking to you!!!

 

you would hope the law of averages would dictate that more amd more shots would lead to goals, but even the law of averages hates us.

 

great tactics

 

but I'd rather go with what Molby suggested and be more patient

[épieur]

I would have Gerrard central, Suarez and Borini in the inside forward positions, working the fullback and respective centre back. This way we can also afford Johnson bombing forward without constant fear of the counter

 

-------------------Allen---------------

--- ---Shelvey-----------Sahin------

------------------Gerrard------------

--------Suarez-----------Borini-----

 

Have others taking set pieces with Agger, Skrtel and Gerrard in the area, Johnson outside the area.

 

 

 

Be surprised if we saw any changes for Sunderland though.

 

That's not a bad idea.

 

I think it's going to be 4-3-3 all season though, player material be damned.

[Owen1978]

This.

 

Our possession – sloppy moments aside – has been largely good in the first two thirds of the pitch, but then we act like horrible idiots in the final third. Chill out, guys.

 

Exactly, keep possession, pass it, if the opening is not there dont try to force it, just continue to pass it around.

We just need once chance and if we are patient it will come.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Owen1978

[psl]

We just need once chance.

 

We really don't.

[fred milne]

I would have Gerrard central, Suarez and Borini in the inside forward positions, working the fullback and respective centre back. This way we can also afford Johnson bombing forward without constant fear of the counter

 

-------------------Allen---------------

--- ---Shelvey-----------Sahin------

------------------Gerrard------------

--------Suarez-----------Borini-----

Kind of like Spain at the Euro's with Gerrard in the Fabregas role? I'm not convinced myself.

 

I think the bigger problem on Sunday was that an out of sorts Gerrard and Sahin was one passenger too many in midfield against decent opposition. Remember a midfield of Allen, Shelvey and Gerrard largely got the better of De Jong, Toure and Nasri the previous week.

[muleskinner]

Kind of like Spain at the Euro's with Gerrard in the Fabregas role? I'm not convinced myself.

 

I think the bigger problem on Sunday was that an out of sorts Gerrard and Sahin was one passenger too many in midfield against decent opposition. Remember a midfield of Allen, Shelvey and Gerrard largely got the better of De Jong, Toure and Nasri the previous week.

 

Something that gets forgotten in amongst the immolation taking place this week.

[goodrobotusses]

Something that gets forgotten in amongst the immolation taking place this week.

Last week's optimism is so last year. This week's apocalypse is so now.

[Knox_Harrington]

by making the move longer, allowing players to roam around the pitch (cover for them, regroup when the ball is lost or out of play) and by treating possession of the ball on the oppo's 18 yard line with the same care as on our own 18 yard line

In one.

[fred milne]

In one.

There is a balance to be struck. You don't want to be cavalier with possession anywhere on the pitch but you would want to take a few more risks in the final 3rd than you would in front of your defence.

 

Put another way even when he is on top of his game I'd expect Gerrard to have a worse pass completion rate than Allen or Lucas.

[Chili Palmer]

There is a balance to be struck. You don't want to be cavalier with possession anywhere on the pitch but you would want to take a few more risks in the final 3rd than you would in front of your defence.

 

You definately do as you should, in a perfect world, take no risks in defence. However, if you are playing the possession game you really need to tire the oppo out mentally, pass, pass, pass. We're still far too rushed in the final third.

[Knox_Harrington]

There is a balance to be struck. You don't want to be cavalier with possession anywhere on the pitch but you would want to take a few more risks in the final 3rd than you would in front of your defence.

 

Put another way even when he is on top of his game I'd expect Gerrard to have a worse pass completion rate than Allen or Lucas.

Agree. Currently though it is the next thing to sort. Loads more patience required.

[Molby]

There is a balance to be struck. You don't want to be cavalier with possession anywhere on the pitch but you would want to take a few more risks in the final 3rd than you would in front of your defence.

 

Put another way even when he is on top of his game I'd expect Gerrard to have a worse pass completion rate than Allen or Lucas.

 

 

true - I didn't mean it literally but it wouldn't be a bad thing in the readjustment process, to take it as almost literall

 

 

tell you what would be interesting: individual pass completion/misplaced pass stats for the Spain team, or Barca

 

see who loses the ball most and who completes the most passes and if it matches our ideas of what it should be

 

 

 

eg for Barca, someone like Iniesta top and Alves bottom

 

 

 

or maybe Messi bottom as he only manages to beat 2 men and score twice out of three times he tries it

[Earl Hafler]

That's not a bad idea.

 

I think it's going to be 4-3-3 all season though, player material be damned.

 

That is a 4-3-1-2 / 4-3-3. Gerrard is that type of player and many still consider him just a central midfielder.

 

From this position Gerrard can make runs down either flank, and surge into the area. Against Hearts and Arsenal he was getting involved in too many passages of play away from the opponents area and leaving us with only two players in the final third. We have a glut of goalscorers - Gerrard should be in attack

 

And if it has been 4-3-3 so far, Henderson or Shelvey have not been listening to the managers instructions. Not convinced it has been 4-3-3 every game though

Edited September 6, 2012 by Earl Hafler