2 midfielders in double figures (league goals)

[Frogfish]

[quote author=aqua.Lai.ni link=topic=35818.msg943635#msg943635 date=1252976392]

we still have the aquaman. he seems capable of scoring 10 or at least near? ???
[/quote]

Welcome to the site mate !

Aquilani isn't a 10 goals a season man yet - although he may be in our team if he can survive a full season without serious injury.

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=35818.msg943626#msg943626 date=1252974107]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35818.msg943384#msg943384 date=1252944425]
We scored 9 more goals than United last year and 8 more than Chelsea.

It means little in isolation.
[/quote]

That's quite an interesting stat isn't it? I mean out of the three teams, we're probably viewed as the least attacking/goal threatening.
[/quote]

And we have more shots on target than any other team in the league this season so far too.

We are a far more attacking team thatn we are given credit for - it's just that our patient build-ups and strong defence often mislead commentators into thinking we are a defence minded team.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=aqua.Lai.ni link=topic=35818.msg943635#msg943635 date=1252976392]

we still have the aquaman. he seems capable of scoring 10 or at least near? ???
[/quote]

He's never scored more than 4 goals domestically

And that was in 03/04.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943693#msg943693 date=1253003403]
I don't get this. Why do we seriosly need to improve ? Were we not top scorers in the league last season - with Torres & Gerrard missing for big chunks of the year ? And indeed if memoery serves me correct and without going back to check there or therabouts for the last 3 seasons ?

We already have the players to score the goals - it's about making sure that the balance in each game is right between goals scored and goals conceded !
[/quote]

You wanted us to sign another attacker or two this summer just like everyone else.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943696#msg943696 date=1253003685]
[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=35818.msg943626#msg943626 date=1252974107]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35818.msg943384#msg943384 date=1252944425]
We scored 9 more goals than United last year and 8 more than Chelsea.

It means little in isolation.
[/quote]

That's quite an interesting stat isn't it? I mean out of the three teams, we're probably viewed as the least attacking/goal threatening.
[/quote]

And we have more shots on target than any other team in the league this season so far too.

We are a far more attacking team thatn we are given credit for - it's just that our patient build-ups and strong defence often mislead commentators into thinking we are a defence minded team.
[/quote]

No it isn't - it's our home draws against Everton, Hull, Stoke, Man City and West Ham which have led to people thinking we're lacking in firepower.

Last year when we were on song we scored heavily, the difficulty came when we desperately needed a goal but one didn't materialise.

 

[spider-Neil]

aquaman isn't going to get into double figures, I'll be amazed if he gets more than 5.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=aqua.Lai.ni link=topic=35818.msg943635#msg943635 date=1252976392]

we still have the aquaman. he seems capable of scoring 10 or at least near? ???
[/quote]

Lets hope so!
Welcome to the site aqua.Lai.ni.

 

[aqua.Lai.ni]

[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943695#msg943695 date=1253003552]
[quote author=aqua.Lai.ni link=topic=35818.msg943635#msg943635 date=1252976392]

we still have the aquaman. he seems capable of scoring 10 or at least near? ???
[/quote]

Welcome to the site mate !

Aquilani isn't a 10 goals a season man yet - although he may be in our team if he can survive a full season without serious injury.
[/quote]

Good day! ;D

pray he doesnt visit physio as often as dear Harry

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=35818.msg943706#msg943706 date=1253004589]
[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943693#msg943693 date=1253003403]
I don't get this. Why do we seriosly need to improve ? Were we not top scorers in the league last season - with Torres & Gerrard missing for big chunks of the year ? And indeed if memoery serves me correct and without going back to check there or therabouts for the last 3 seasons ?

We already have the players to score the goals - it's about making sure that the balance in each game is right between goals scored and goals conceded !
[/quote]

You wanted us to sign another attacker or two this summer just like everyone else.
[/quote]

Yes I did. Because I am seriously worried that Torres will get injured and be out for an extended period of time. It would have been expedient to have all our bases covered.

In addition signing Silva (for example) would IMO have made us outright favourites. However none of that negates the fact we were top scorers last season and if Torres & Gerrard can remain relatively injury free this season then there is no reason why we can't acheive that again. It doesn't guarantee the title of course (as we saw last season) but it does give us a good shout.

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35818.msg943707#msg943707 date=1253004772]
[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943696#msg943696 date=1253003685]
[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=35818.msg943626#msg943626 date=1252974107]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35818.msg943384#msg943384 date=1252944425]
We scored 9 more goals than United last year and 8 more than Chelsea.

It means little in isolation.
[/quote]

That's quite an interesting stat isn't it? I mean out of the three teams, we're probably viewed as the least attacking/goal threatening.
[/quote]

And we have more shots on target than any other team in the league this season so far too.

We are a far more attacking team thatn we are given credit for - it's just that our patient build-ups and strong defence often mislead commentators into thinking we are a defence minded team.
[/quote]

No it isn't - it's our home draws against Everton, Hull, Stoke, Man City and West Ham which have led to people thinking we're lacking in firepower.

Last year when we were on song we scored heavily, the difficulty came when we desperately needed a goal but one didn't materialise.
[/quote]

I don't dispute your last sentence for one second. However your first makes no sense in regard to why people think of us as a defensive team. An inability to break teams down does not mean we played defensively - which is what many commentators claimed.

 

[mark1975]

Have many (any?) teams had more than 4 players scoring 10+ goals?

I think our biggest problem is that Masher, Lucas, Riera and the defence don't score anywhere near enough between them. If an average of two or three goals came from those 6 or 7 positions it would make a massive difference.

 

[aqua.Lai.ni]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35818.msg943703#msg943703 date=1253004410]
[quote author=aqua.Lai.ni link=topic=35818.msg943635#msg943635 date=1252976392]

we still have the aquaman. he seems capable of scoring 10 or at least near? ???
[/quote]

He's never scored more than 4 goals domestically

And that was in 03/04.
[/quote]

xabi doesnt cost 30mil back in 03/04 too 😉

anyway, its just high hopes from myself for the man

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35818.msg943734#msg943734 date=1253008158]
Have many (any?) teams had more than 4 players scoring 10+ goals?

I think our biggest problem is that Masher, Lucas, Riera and the defence don't score anywhere near enough between them. If an average of two or three goals came from those 6 or 7 positions it would make a massive difference.
[/quote]

We were still top scorers last season. How many goals do people expect us to score a season ? Serious question not rhetorical.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35818.msg943739#msg943739 date=1253008502]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35818.msg943734#msg943734 date=1253008158]
Have many (any?) teams had more than 4 players scoring 10+ goals?

I think our biggest problem is that Masher, Lucas, Riera and the defence don't score anywhere near enough between them. If an average of two or three goals came from those 6 or 7 positions it would make a massive difference.
[/quote]

We were still top scorers last season. How many goals do people expect us to score a season ? Serious question not rhetorical.
[/quote]

if I may;
I expect gerrard and torres (striker and forward respectively) to score +15 league goals each
I expect kuyt (and one other probably yossi) to score double figures in the league.
the reason I say this is because I expect next to no goals from elsewhere.

 

[keniget]

It's not the number of goals, it's the ability to get them consistently that we needed to improve upon. Last season we'd go a few games really struggling to score and then go on a goalscoring spree. That lack of consistency makes it difficult to win the title and it's something that everyone has identified as an area of improvment.

Pundits and commentators may have called us defensive at times, but when you're drawing 0-0 at home, still playing with two defensive midfielders and waiting till the 70th minute to make any sort of meaningful change, you are going to get people questioning your approach.

People can all moan about these guys not understanding the subtleties of the game, misunderstanding our tactics yada yada yada, but we've since seen our manager and our players come out and say what everyone has been saying for a few years now - that we need to be able to demonstrate a more adventurous approach when the occasion demands it and find that cutting edge when previously it has eluded us.

 

[Frogfish]

The second half of last season we upped our level and played brilliant attacking football at times, and even though Xabi has now gone I expect no less this season.

So far this season Lucas has often been seen further forward than Xabi often was. On occassion Xabi often sat too deep - I'm hoping Aquilani will rectify that and add the extra creativity that Lucas & even Xabi lack at times. Johnson has already been a big gain in that dept too.

 

[LarryHagman]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35818.msg943225#msg943225 date=1252925246]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35818.msg943221#msg943221 date=1252924877]
you said 2 wingers
[/quote]

I said two wide midfielders as kuyt patently isn't a winger but is a shoe-in to start.
[/quote]

So, where are we with this at the moment given that Yossi got 3 from middle of the park last Saturday plus Kuyt finishing one one off from the centre of goal on a rebound. i.e. NONE out wide. What's the grand total? Nil or one? Hurry up, my insomnia is crippling.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=35818.msg943919#msg943919 date=1253029310]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35818.msg943225#msg943225 date=1252925246]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35818.msg943221#msg943221 date=1252924877]
you said 2 wingers
[/quote]

I said two wide midfielders as kuyt patently isn't a winger but is a shoe-in to start.
[/quote]

So, where are we with this at the moment given that Yossi got 3 from middle of the park last Saturday plus Kuyt finishing one one off from the centre of goal on a rebound. i.e. NONE out wide. What's the grand total? Nil or one? Hurry up, my insomnia is crippling.

[/quote]

okay to clear up the issue;
I class, gerrard/torres/voronin/ngog as strikers/forwards
I class babel/yossi/kuyt/riera as midfielders
because 9/10 that's where they will start or be expected to play, I'm not really bothered about a game in isolation. yossi is a midfielder and has three league goals (I couldn't care less that he started behind torres).

 

[Red Mullet]

Why dont you make it easier for yourself and say attack or defence

Attack - gerrard/torres/kuyt/yossi/ngog/voronin/babel
Defence - reina/mascher/carra/agger/skitles/johnson ..... oh bollocks.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=35818.msg943919#msg943919 date=1253029310]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35818.msg943225#msg943225 date=1252925246]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35818.msg943221#msg943221 date=1252924877]
you said 2 wingers
[/quote]

I said two wide midfielders as kuyt patently isn't a winger but is a shoe-in to start.
[/quote]

So, where are we with this at the moment given that Yossi got 3 from middle of the park last Saturday plus Kuyt finishing one one off from the centre of goal on a rebound. i.e. NONE out wide. What's the grand total? Nil or one? Hurry up, my insomnia is crippling.

[/quote]

What do you expect them to do, shoot from the corner flag?

 

[ibromurph]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=35818.msg943955#msg943955 date=1253033238]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=35818.msg943919#msg943919 date=1253029310]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35818.msg943225#msg943225 date=1252925246]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35818.msg943221#msg943221 date=1252924877]
you said 2 wingers
[/quote]

I said two wide midfielders as kuyt patently isn't a winger but is a shoe-in to start.
[/quote]

So, where are we with this at the moment given that Yossi got 3 from middle of the park last Saturday plus Kuyt finishing one one off from the centre of goal on a rebound. i.e. NONE out wide. What's the grand total? Nil or one? Hurry up, my insomnia is crippling.

[/quote]

What do you expect them to do, shoot from the corner flag?
[/quote]

Haha.. yeah.. it's all about starting position, not where you ended up shooting from.

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=35818.msg943747#msg943747 date=1253009041]
It's not the number of goals, it's the ability to get them consistently that we needed to improve upon. Last season we'd go a few games really struggling to score and then go on a goalscoring spree. That lack of consistency makes it difficult to win the title and it's something that everyone has identified as an area of improvment.

Pundits and commentators may have called us defensive at times, but when you're drawing 0-0 at home, still playing with two defensive midfielders and waiting till the 70th minute to make any sort of meaningful change, you are going to get people questioning your approach.

People can all moan about these guys not understanding the subtleties of the game, misunderstanding our tactics yada yada yada, but we've since seen our manager and our players come out and say what everyone has been saying for a few years now - that we need to be able to demonstrate a more adventurous approach when the occasion demands it and find that cutting edge when previously it has eluded us.
[/quote]

Yup.

We're one of the few teams in recent history to top the scoring and goal difference charts and not win the league.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=35818.msg943955#msg943955 date=1253033238]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=35818.msg943919#msg943919 date=1253029310]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35818.msg943225#msg943225 date=1252925246]
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35818.msg943221#msg943221 date=1252924877]
you said 2 wingers
[/quote]

I said two wide midfielders as kuyt patently isn't a winger but is a shoe-in to start.
[/quote]

So, where are we with this at the moment given that Yossi got 3 from middle of the park last Saturday plus Kuyt finishing one one off from the centre of goal on a rebound. i.e. NONE out wide. What's the grand total? Nil or one? Hurry up, my insomnia is crippling.

[/quote]

What do you expect them to do, shoot from the corner flag?
[/quote]

exactly.