May I Make An Observation?

First a positive... Allen is so so good! His passing is perfect and his movement is very clever and sensible and very simple. He is always available.

Now the improvement point... We are trying to play a passing tiki taka style of football, which for the record I am a huge huge fan of. Football is at its best when played like what is being requested. However, and I am sure we all know this we are not 'there' yet.

We have the basic idea of passing it short and safe when in need, not lumping it up the pitch. There are plenty of options behind the ball at the moment! What I have noticed, from the first half at least is that the options in front of the ball are more often than not across pitch or on the last defender. Both options are important but more important options are those 10 yards or less ahead of the ball.

Movement in the opposition half is less than fluent. It's inconsistent and often rushed. I noticed that we have players on the 18 yard line and no one inbetween there and the half way line. Positions need to be staggered. That's all. And this will come with practice and confidence. The most frightening but also most exciting area of the football pitch is in the centre of the opposition half. Once that area is tamed through confident passing and bodies we will be far more effective but this is the often vacated area, at least by red shirts.

I do hope we can equalise and go on to win. We look pretty good.