[Albion] On this performance

[Kneon Light]

You can have 10 attacking players start, but if they all sit on the 18 yard line then they’re just attacking players who are being asked to defend all game. Izquierdo spends most of every game in Bong’s shirt they’re that close!

When the opposition have the ball we get back and defend sure but this is the same tactics and formation that outplayed Man Utd and scored 3 in the first half.
The problem for me is not the formation or tactics it's that our passing has gone to pot meaning we don't have long spells of position to push the opposition back.

 

[Dick Head]

I've had a drink, watched some porn and had a nap. I'm over it. Onwards and upwards!

 

[Dave the OAP]

There are 3 worse teams than us. In Hughton I trust.

Well the bottom clubs are all winning at the moment....good job we won them three on the trot,

 

[dadams2k11]

Well the bottom clubs are all winning at the moment....good job we won them three on the trot,

Palace haven't kick off yet [emoji3]

Edit. Only Newcastle winning now which take palace out the bottom 3 on gd.

 

[OzMike]

Bissouma’s second touch is abissmal.

 

[Weststander]

Disagree entirely I thought he was a major plus point

Montoya played alright. One on one, he was fine, only exposed when went to sleep allowing them to attack with 2 against Montoya alone.

 

[Kneon Light]

Montoya played alright. One on one, he was fine, only exposed when went to sleep allowing them to attack with 2 against Montoya alone.

I was referring to Andone with this but agree with you about Montoya

 

[OzMike]

Hi think that TB’s strategy is for CH to keep playing this way to consolidate our position for at least 3 seasons and then once that is done we will get a flair continental manager into push us on.
After all what is the point of playing with only mid table obscurity to look forward to.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

When the opposition have the ball we get back and defend sure but this is the same tactics and formation that outplayed Man Utd and scored 3 in the first half.
The problem for me is not the formation or tactics it's that our passing has gone to pot meaning we don't have long spells of position to push the opposition back.

But why has our passing game gone to pot? Is it because of the players we’re missing or because there’s consistently no outball for players and because the players are struggling to hold on to the ball as they’re receiving it so deep and consequently under immediate pressure from opposing attackers?

For me, it’s a bit of both, but more the latter. If you sit two banks of 4 in front of your goalkeeper it makes it incredibly difficult to transition into the offensive phase, particularly when you don’t have a well rounded, quick attacker up top to worry the opposing defence as they’re going backwards.

 

[zefarelly]

Hardly knee jerk, we've only really played well once this season, in particular, we've been bad for 5 games on the trot and getting worse.

I love these knee jerk threads after a defeat

 

[the right footed denilson]

But why has our passing game gone to pot? Is it because of the players we’re missing or because there’s consistently no outball for players and because the players are struggling to hold on to the ball as they’re receiving it so deep and consequently under immediate pressure from opposing attackers?

For me, it’s a bit of both, but more the latter. If you sit two banks of 4 in front of your goalkeeper it makes it incredibly difficult to transition into the offensive phase, particularly when you don’t have a well rounded, quick attacker up top to worry the opposing defence as they’re going backwards.

The players aren't set up to pass the ball. Like you say, they're deep and flat. they need to be stretched out and in triangles to pass and move, it's simple football but we clearly can't do it as first and foremost the players are told to keep their defensive shape.
When we stretch teams we look great, thrilling at times- but that isn't on the agenda at the moment.

You look at the grief AK and Jose are getting, but they're effectively playing as a fifth and sixth defender most of time- it's no wonder they've forgotten what to do when they have the ball in the attacking third.

 

[Icy Gull]

Hardly knee jerk, we've only really played well once this season, in particular, we've been bad for 5 games on the trot and getting worse.

Don’t disagree but this is the first time I’ve seen “we’re in a relegation battle” thread for a long time. I call that knee jerk. One defeat against a poor side, an absymal ref and blind linesmen not seeing an offside goal is not worth that reaction....imo

 

[Weststander]

But why has our passing game gone to pot? Is it because of the players we’re missing or because there’s consistently no outball for players and because the players are struggling to hold on to the ball as they’re receiving it so deep and consequently under immediate pressure from opposing attackers?

For me, it’s a bit of both, but more the latter. If you sit two banks of 4 in front of your goalkeeper it makes it incredibly difficult to transition into the offensive phase, particularly when you don’t have a well rounded, quick attacker up top to worry the opposing defence as they’re going backwards.

Also too many touches. Before the sending off, we had several nice little moves in CM, opponents beaten with good skill. But followed one clever touch too many, handing back possession. Instead of driving or passing forward with pace. Great opportunities lost. Kayal, March, Knockaert and Izqiuerdo all complicit.

 

[zefarelly]

Agreed, I also notice a lack of either understanding, or, it appeared today, more like a lack of cooperation as a team, why didn't Isquierdo pass to Andone? Why doesn't March look before crossing, why doesn't Knockheart play any better than my dog . . . . Who can run at 25 mph with a ball on the end of his nose and no one can get near him . . . But he always runs into a wall/fence

I have to agree. We set up to allow the opposition to have more of the ball. They then dominate and dictate the play leaving us throwing bodies at shot after shot with little attack. We have the lowest shots on target in the league and I cannot help feel it is because we are simply trying to defend without allowing creativity going forward.

 

[zefarelly]

Because Isquierdo has a very small brain and doesn't know where to be . . . . It seems to be a winger trait, they're like cheetahs, fast with a few excellent talents, but thick as pig shit, as opposed to say a leopard . . . . Or a strong creative/attacking midfielder

Which is what we don't have

You can have 10 attacking players start, but if they all sit on the 18 yard line then they’re just attacking players who are being asked to defend all game. Izquierdo spends most of every game in Bong’s shirt they’re that close!

 

[zefarelly]

It was such an incompetent school boy ping pong, the offside was the least of my worries compared to the rest of it. We deserved to lose. I say that knowing it was the shittest side we've played.

Don’t disagree but this is the first time I’ve seen “we’re in a relegation battle” thread for a long time. I call that knee jerk. One defeat against a poor side, an absymal ref and blind linesmen not seeing an offside goal is not worth that reaction....imo

 

[Kneon Light]

But why has our passing game gone to pot? Is it because of the players we’re missing or because there’s consistently no outball for players and because the players are struggling to hold on to the ball as they’re receiving it so deep and consequently under immediate pressure from opposing attackers?

For me, it’s a bit of both, but more the latter. If you sit two banks of 4 in front of your goalkeeper it makes it incredibly difficult to transition into the offensive phase, particularly when you don’t have a well rounded, quick attacker up top to worry the opposing defence as they’re going backwards.

I think it's mainly the players we are missing. Propper a very good passer and Gross far better at holding the ball than March. There was no outball once we went down to 10 men but before that there was and we still kept passing to the opposition (although we had 58% possession until the red card).
In terms of the well rounded attacker with pace I'm hoping Andone can be that player - was impressed with him today.

 

[zefarelly]

Agreed, when Andone came on I had some hope. Gross and March don't compare in any way shape or form. Which isn't a sad thing to say, March had so much promise. Which kind of makes me think our coaching staff need an upgrade. And some of our players need a cranial upgrade.

I think it's mainly the players we are missing. Propper a very good passer and Gross far better at holding the ball than March. There was no outball once we went down to 10 men but before that there was and we still kept passing to the opposition (although we had 58% possession until the red card).
In terms of the well rounded attacker with pace I'm hoping Andone can be that player - was impressed with him today.

 

[Weststander]

It was such an incompetent school boy ping pong, the offside was the least of my worries compared to the rest of it. We deserved to lose. I say that knowing it was the shittest side we've played.

A draw would’ve been a fair result. Two poor teams, average Cardiff failed to take apart ten average men (bar the brilliant Dunk and Duffy). The Cardiff fans were pretty quiet for 90 minutes despite it being a ‘cup final’ for them, picked up on by the Sky commentators, showing our inept their team was.

 

[Weststander]

Agreed, when Andone came on I had some hope. Gross and March don't compare in any way shape or form. Which isn't a sad thing to say, March had so much promise. Which kind of makes me think our coaching staff need an upgrade. And some of our players need a cranial upgrade.

Perhaps there’s a ceiling to every player’s ability? Rather than March’s lack of progress being the fault of club staff.