Composure on the ball

ArnieArdiles wrote:our main problem ...When to make the pass , when to hold on to the ball

DJSR wrote:There should always be at least 2 or more players supporting the man with the ball, we can see it, why cant they??

ArnieArdiles wrote: I think we have some good technical players at our club, Ekotto included and composure on the ball is not the problem for me bar one or two for example Keane , Dawson ... I see our decision making as our main problem ...When to make the pass , when to hold on to the ball ... For me the game is all about moving the ball to a team mate with speed and accuracy ...If it can be done with one touch all the better, if not one touch, then the second will do.... What we seem to have is a few players that need to many touches before releasing the ball .. The obvious pass should be made to a better placed team mate if its on, rather than a player looking to turn on the ball to better position himself with a few touches .. Wilson and Jermaine Jenas in games has been the worst offenders in this regard ... For me , Spain, Barca and them down the road are better than most at this aspect of the game , making the simple obvious pass rather than looking for the killer one .....

Our decision making also in our opponents third of the field is at times very poor... .. There are times when I have heard TV pundits say they've over passed it but I think its more often the case that teams have under passed it .... How many times have we seen the striker go for goal instead of simply squaring it to a better placed team mate? ... Crouch lately seems to have caught the Defoe Greedy Virus and I cant recall Keane making an attempt on a goal assist either, bar the one for Pav away to The Young Boys .. Many of our goals seem to be from crosses or made from the wings, there is not enough one twos on the edge of the penalty box ending with either a shot on target or a player clean through on goal, its usualy Lennon and Bale providing from out wide ... There is no front two pairing at our club that seem to have any understaning between them ... It seems the lack of goals is weighing on their minds and is making them look for personal glory rather than a team mate ....
Maybe like you Lobo Im being to critical but this is the overall feeling I sometimes get from watching our team ... Hopefuly with Luca and VDV in the team things will change ...COYS !

lewspurs wrote:

Are,nt these player faults rather than team faults arnie ? those players you mentioned , jenas, wilson, keane just give the ball away cheaply (as you say) perhaps that is why they havent been first choices for harry.

Defoe is greedy but his job is to score goals, keane has had his day, his heart isnt at whl as far as i am concerned.

ArnieArdiles wrote:I think with Gallas rather than Dawson in defence we will see less long ball and we will be fools if we bypass VDV and Modric in midfield ....

LOBO wrote:

ArnieArdiles wrote:I think with Gallas rather than Dawson in defence we will see less long ball and we will be fools if we bypass VDV and Modric in midfield ....

yea for sure, VDV really impressed me on saturday he's really starting to find his fitness and feet , i hope Modric comes back soon i wanna see how they play togeather because i have a feeling they will strike up a good understanding being they are both world class players who could get in anyteam .

ArnieArdiles wrote:

LOBO wrote:

ArnieArdiles wrote:I think with Gallas rather than Dawson in defence we will see less long ball and we will be fools if we bypass VDV and Modric in midfield ....

yea for sure, VDV really impressed me on saturday he's really starting to find his fitness and feet , i hope Modric comes back soon i wanna see how they play togeather because i have a feeling they will strike up a good understanding being they are both world class players who could get in anyteam .

Lobo, I were wondering and was not to happy why we wernt snapping up Eidur during the transfer window as I thought him and Modric were looking good together when they were both on the field ... Now its clear, VDV obviously is the reason why and Im happier with this .... Happy no Joe Cole too ...Vans the man ....