What are we trying to do at the start of games? what are our patterns of play? why can’t we make simple passes and why is our movement so poor? Also, why on kickoffs, do we just lump it forward?
Midfield is seriously lacking pace and power, we just can’t support the attack and when we do we are powderpuff from the edge of the box. The only one really stepping up is an 18 year old, Thiago is not a box to box midfielder and although Keita does ok he has no legs or pace to burst through or away from his marker and he had a couple of opportunities but his shots are weak.
Our defensive players are making too many mistakes and are not good enough in breaking a press, with the opposition forcing us to play pasees to our fullbacks out wide and then trapping us with the only option of either trying to go back to our CB’s/GK or lump it forward.
Finally our defending, this is the hardest bit because we are making too many individual mistakes and then not being committed or switched on to be in position to cover potential errors, also we are not winning the personal battles enough. Our CB’s are really struggling when being pressed. I also think we need a Left sided centre back that has a good left foot, as both Gomez and VVD are right footed and when a ball is played back to them from the LB under pressure they can’t pick out a good enough pass.
Our forwards just aren’t good enough maintaining possession, as I lost count of how many balls played into their feet just bounced off them. The only threat seems the ball in behind for Nunez to move onto. Also we had several times where Mo and Gakpo got down the line but being on their weaker foot and struggle to pick out a player or pacy cross. This used to happen with overlapping full backs but this is getting rare especially down our right hand side.
Subs, who at the moment do we have that can change a game or create a threat? The only one to get us off our seat is Doak, but he his 16 and not at the right level at the moment.
As for our coaches what are they doing in regards to improving us, especially in possession? Because we cant cope with the press from the opposition. For me the 4 3 3 isn’t working, the 6 is working well with young Stefan but Thiago should be playing alongside him, so maybe we go to 4 2 3 1, especially with the players we have in midfield.
Do we press or not, 1st half we sat off and they controlled the game 2nd half we pressed and caused them problems but without the reward due to powderpuff finishing.
Question is for our management/ coaches is, do we continue with what isn’t working or do we set up a formation for the players we currently have available?
