Men in the box

[SummerOnions]

It could just be me, but when i watch any other team play they seem to be able to get their men into the opposition box with abundance.

On Saturday, and on several other occasions this season we've seen balls go into the box and there's no-one fucking there, or Downing trying to land a ball on Carroll's head when they have 5 defenders back.

We don't break or counter-attack with any real intent or effect all that often and i'm convinvec if we poured men forward more often, gave Suarez options instead of making him take on 3 players and leave him without anyone to pass to, we'd fare far better and score more goals.

Is it just me?

 

[Sunny]

Nope. We've been missing bodies in the box when attacking all year.

 

[SummerOnions]

How i'd love to see moves like this:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOB7pcqBH-Y

 

[gkmacca]

The last time I thought we really got men into the box consistently was last season against Fulham. We had two waves of them timing their runs into the box for most of our attacks. Even when we've played really well this season that part of the game hasn't really been evident. It's the only thing I feel sorry about as far as Downing is concerned - even if the poor sod does get crosses and passes into the box there's usually no one there to receive it.

 

[Sunny]

It'll be fine when we sign David Villa next year

 

[SummerOnions]

It's the only thing I feel sorry about as far as Downing is concerned - even if the poor sod does get crosses and passes into the box there's usually no one there to receive it.

Exactly. How do you get assists from crosses if there's no-one to fucking head it?

meireles was very good at this last year, in the summer i'd make a box to box midfielder a priority.

 

[spider-Neil]

the midfielders have no confidence in the forwards and aren't willing to gamble in case we get hit on the break.
I think with the return of lucas and agger we will nature defend higher so will be closer to goal but right now it's a big problem. we are doing everything about 20 yards deeper than we should be, it's painful to watch.

 

[nealmac]

This is actually 90% of our problem. No one to aim for. It's beyond a joke.

 

[Gary25]

This is actually 90% of our problem. No one to aim for. It's beyond a joke.

Doesn't help when Kenny plays 4-5-1 at home...to Wigan.

 

[nealmac]

Indeed. He should have started with Kuyt out wide and Carroll and Suarez up front. Although to be fair, he did make that change surprisingly early. Just a pity we got lazy.

 

[Fabio]

This has been my main criticism all year. THis is solely the reason we're not killing teams off. Is it becuase of tactics or a lack of intelligence from the players?

If its the latter i can't imagine kenny would be overly quiet on the issue

 

[Rosco]

Or is it because of a complete lack of mobility in the team ?

 

[keniget]

I don't think it's the sole reason largely because it's a symptom rather than the cause.

The setup of the team is confused, the make up of the team leans too heavily towards conservative players and underlying all of that there is a lack of killer instinct and hunger.

This has been a problem of ours for years though. Fullbacks in midfield, defensive attacking midfielders, strikers that run in the opposite direction from goal...

We can begin to address this in the summer by buying in more players that actually want to score goals and will bust a gut to get into the box a la Gerrard and Kuyt.

 

[Fabio]

Good point

 

[Athens]

For me it's one of the most frustrating things to see when a team can't get players into the box. It's one of the most basic things to do in football but yet we aren't doing it.

It makes me angry to see a player is ready to cross the ball into the box but there is no one there.

 

[Whitey85]

Gkmacca talked about that Fulham game last season. We had a much better shape to the side that day which was a big factor. Lucas and Spearing holding and keeping us ticking, mopping up all 2nd balls with a fluid 4 all interchanging in front of them. Right now its all a bit static and a mess going forward and we're easier to get at going the other way. Confidence and change of personnel is obviously a factor. Frustrating.