Just posted a comment on another article about this. Thought it deserved a thread of its own, though.
Thus far this season, we've scored 13 goals (hardly setting the world alight). How many were from open play? 4.
This is simply shocking. 10 games and 4 goals from open play.
Why do people think this has happened?
For me, it links to the SKD v N'Gog thread, in that SKD wins fewer flick-ons, and, when he does, they tend to be errant. Also, build-up play along the ground is so slow when it goes through SKD. I think N'Gog is much better at bringing others into play and keeping the momentum of attacks going.
The conundrum, of course, is that SKD is scoring goals. I think to progress as a team, though, that we have to drop SKD to progress (short term pain, for hopefully long-term gain). I think we have other players capable of scoring from set-pieces (albeit none as good as SKD in the air), and our chances of scoring from open play will also improve.
A further reason is that we were used to playing a wide and expansive game. Now, however, we are very narrow, with Eagles and Mavies always coming inside. They want to come inside to collect the ball as much as possible. I was at the game yesterday, and they were often within 5-10 yards of one another.
It's also noticeable how many fewer crosses we put in these days. It was also obvious how much free space on the pitch wasn't being utilised - it was like watching kids' football in that sense.
The solution? Eagles in behind N'Gog, with two natural wingers in Lee and Petrov.
That's my view, anyway. What do you, my fellow unqualified numpties, think?
Scoring from open play
posted on 7/10/12
i've said it more than once and i will say it again, SKD deserves his place and is scoring goals.
If we played Ngog in SKD's place the way we play would not change one bit. We would still look to use Ngog as a target man which he can do up to a point but he offers no goal threat whatsoever.
The way we play won't change until Coyle instucts the team to pass it more or we get 2 centre backs who can actually pass a ball and not just welly it as every opportunity.
posted on 7/10/12
Dutty , if you want him dropped ahead of any other player forward or not and with his scoring record, set against all others except Eagles, you are disrespecting him . Don't try and say you aren't because it doesn't wash.
Also you have started your article with stats so don't rubbish anyone else that quotes stats. That's the hight of hypocrisy.
Enough said.
You have started your article
posted on 7/10/12
By the way if you are a statistician, What does that prove. Idiot.
posted on 7/10/12
Bloody hell SWIE, I'm not sure the OP deserved that mate... Have you gone an hour without making love...?!
For my view and what it's worth, the argument over our 4 strikers is irrelevant until we stop the stupid goals...
If you play a decent system based on stats and players abilities and capabilities, we have enough to win the league.
I suspect a forward line of Ronaldo, Messi & Villa would struggle under Coyle... Big Sam had success with Ian Marshall up front in this league & Henrik Pederson as a left back in the prem!!!! Systems, endeavour and players knowing their jobs outway the problems now!!
New manager with the right skills & this squad will be fine.
posted on 7/10/12
SWIE - not sure where I've said "I'm not disrespecting him, but..." I'm calling for him to dropped, which people can view as they wish. I'm not saying it is or isn't disrespectful.
As for the use of stats - I have no problem with that at all. All I'm saying is such stats cannot be used to deduce which players bring the most to a team (that's very subjective). I think that's a lot less cut-and-dried than "we don't score many goals from open play."
Anyway, not getting into a slanging match, in spite of the name-calling. My original riposte was sarcastic, but I do think the old at the end of your post warranted a little sarcasm.
posted on 7/10/12
MT - agree in a sense. No doubt we need to tighten the defence up (and I also agree that it should be our priority); however, I think we also need to score more goals. I don't really care where they come from, but, with a change in management and personnel, I think we can be a lot more fluid from open play and score more that way.
posted on 7/10/12
Sordell had a record of 27 in 81 for Watford, exactly 1 in 3.
I bet most were from open play as well...play him, and to his strengths...and he will match that record again.. I fully expect him to infact better it. Sordell is apparently the best finisher at the club...add him to Ngog link up play, and i think we have a good combination.
The issue fans have, well i have, isnt that Davies. It's that with the correct system, and correct players...we would win this league. We would. I genuinly believe we have the strongest 11.
But, its no good only playing half of that side. We need to play a balanced 11, one which has pace, and ability, and movement. We will not score many from open play this season until thats the case. Unfortunately.
posted on 7/10/12
Totally agree with HH. Phew it was difficult HH but I had to say it. It's not coyle that will stop us from going up now its Gartside. It's universally recognised that we need a change to someone able to utilise these players better. The person capable of actioning that is PG.
posted on 8/10/12
Dutty, OK nI shouldn't have called you an idiot. I apologise.
I didn't say that you said that you disrespected KD, but that is what you did and that was my take on what you wrote.
You can't single one guy out of a team of eleven, under performing players as the main reason for our bad results and the poor performance of the team of the whole. You have done that by suggesting that he alone should be dropped. That is with the knowledge that there is only him and Eagles who are scoring goals.
Sorry if you don't agree but that is how I see it.
posted on 8/10/12
Ne worries, SWIE - I've had worse!
Anyway, the focus of this article was on scoring goals from open play. I named a team at the end of the article that included Lee and Petrov (natural width). For what it's worth, I'd drop SKD and Andrews to accommodate them. We all know about Mavies' shortcomings in centre mid, but, having seen Andrews on Saturday (when he did nothing), I think we'd be better placed playing someone who can occasionally do something brilliant with the ball at his feet.
So, that's Lee, Mavies, Spearing, and Petrov across the middle, with Eagles in behind N'Gog. The conundrum, of course, is that SKD is scoring at the minute, so it'd be a big decision to drop him.
I haven't focused on defence in this article, but have discussed it elsewhere. Personally, I'd drop Mears and Mills in favour of Ricketts and Ream. Really looking forward to Wheater's return - he's our best centre-half by a country mile! Also think he can form a decent partnership with Ream at this level.