Pace, Purpose, Width and Fear?

Fellow Yidos, (hope i don't get arrested for saying that)

I don't often write on here, mainly due to time, but i will always read articles posted. Today, like most Saturday or Sunday I sat down at home to watch us play. I would love to go to the games more often than I do but I'm not quite sure I can justify the money it costs; but thats another issue for another time.

Now I am no AVB, I am no football manager, except spending large amounts of time where I should be socialising playing football manager, I have no qualifications in tactical football management. But after todays game I have noticed the following things:

Pace: Last season we had without a doubt the fastest attacking line in the premier league. Lennon, Bale, Walker, Defoe, can all shift, and especially under Harry, we took advantage of this, attacking so directly at fullbacks with our pace, striking them with fear, and carving teams open. It was a joy to watch. But sadly now I don't see this anymore. I fail to remember a winger going against a fullback , round the outside a ripping him open. Now although personnel has changed slightly, we still have pace in the team, but don't seem to exploit this anymore, which frankly not only worries me but bores me. I am a huge fan of keeping possession but this slow keep ball game is easy to play against.

Purpose: This leads me to my next point. I see players now, creative players looking to go back and keep the ball, instead of going for that risky pass or turning and running. Soldado drops off and I admire his flicks which should be encouraged more, but more and more players look for that easy ball. Now i am by no means slagging off keeping the ball, or playing simple, but if all 11 players do it, with no PURPOSE, then it becomes invalid, and personally this needs to be addressed.

Width: Fairly self explanatory. Inverted wingers work, and I'm sure when Rose is back the full backs will have a licence to play as wingers themselves with an inverted player such as Chadli Townsend or Lamela cutting in. But this not only clogs up the centre not allowing central creative players their space, but is far too predictable and I'm not a fan. Stretching teams through width makes so much space for players like Eriksen and Holtby.

Fear: this sits in with purpose. Are the players scared to run at a team, lose the ball, everything about our play is so cautious, and i personally believe that if this play continues then it will be a long and frustrating season.

Coys

BigSpur