10 Jan 2021 13:52:57
The really big problem is midfield. Until CH sorts that out we are hamstrung. Lack of creativity and pace is the big problem. What Cafu and Arter bring to the party is anyone’s guess, Freeman and Bachirou are permanently injured, Yates and Sow not the most creative. No goals from midfield and lack of support for strikers is evident. Poor old Taylor and Grabban live off scraps or what they manage to create themselves.
What would be interesting though is what tune Warnock or Bielsa would get out of this squad. I bet we wouldn’t be relegation fodder that’s for sure.
10 Jan 2021 14:20:09
I think you are looking at or blaming the wrong players here.
In the system Hughton seems to favour (4,2,3,1) it is not the job of the two holding players to be the main creative force. It is the job of the full backs (with the holders covering when they attack) and the three players behind the striker to be the main providers of assists. So the weakness is the quality of the crossing of the full backs (Bong got an assist Saturday though it should be noted! ) and the intelligence and final ball of the attacking trio. IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE HOLDING PLAYERS WHOSE JOB IT IS TO FREE UP SAID PLAYERS!
So blame Christie (RB), Rebeiro (LB), Lolley (W), Cafu (AM), Knockeart (W), Ameobi (W) and to a lesser degree Mighten (W), Ionnou (LB) and Freeman (AM/ W) for the lack of creativity.
Stop scapegoating the DMs. It is their job to allow the others to create. It would be lovely if they were world beating passing geniuses but the responsibility rests MOSTLY with the other players if chances created are our problem.
10 Jan 2021 14:46:46
Go on Crawley!
10 Jan 2021 15:28:37
Bang on red cyclist.
10 Jan 2021 15:52:09
I'll also add that Samba Sow and Yates or even Colback (whose form has been shocking since he came back to be honest) should be good enough at this level if the players around them are actually making good runs. I don't know what to think of Artur who looks a shadow of his former self. Great attacking players should make it easy for the "donkey" type DMs by making sure they don't have to dwell on the ball before seeing an easy pass.
I don't see the point expecting the DMs to do much more.
10 Jan 2021 16:10:52
Red Cyclist- who is scapegoating DM players?
The stats speak for themselves, but let’s not let facts get in the way eh? 🤣🤣
And I forgot- captain passback. Abysmal.
And if you want to be picky- how many goals has Yates got this season? How many golden chances has he had to score? Plenty.
That said I like Yates- he plays like he cares. Though facts are facts wether you, me or anyone else likes them or not.
10 Jan 2021 16:56:03
Fair play scarlet pedals, that’s a very decent summary mate, it’s exactly what’s wrong.
10 Jan 2021 18:14:01
Hughton is at fault by keep persisting with the same players.
Yesterday he played ameobi when mighten needs a run out he's seen enough of ameobi to know what he brings to the team
He then brings on yates and sow.
Why?
Sorry but Hughton is a total bore and his tactics are worst than Lamouchi.
Had the chance to see a few of the younger players plus could have experimented with a different formation.
All we've got to look forward to is dross while ever he is here and some team is going to seriously thrash before long.
10 Jan 2021 18:16:58
Cyclist, they play too deep for a start. Stoke was the perfect example. First half they were stood on the centre half’s toes.2nd half they stepped up and we improved. Maybe captain or manager should be pushing them out. Fact still remains they hardly play a forward pass to wide players and are very slow to do it when it actually happens. Centre mids dictate play.
10 Jan 2021 18:33:16
The manager just goes out to nick a game one nil up and its shut up shop.
11 Jan 2021 13:29:11
RedFrog, you totally miss my point. Captain passback passes to the available player. The movement from the attacking trio is just not good enough so to keep possession we end up passing sideways/ backwards. And the other point I am making is that the suggestion was that certain DM players were the reason for the lack of goals/ creativity. It isn't their job.
If the DMs get a few assists and goals that is a bonus. If the Attacking trio and full backs are not getting assists/ goals then they are not doing their own job.
We have kept 3 clean sheets in 4 games (and the goal conceded in the other was a mistake from a striker) them I say the DMs are at least doing their basic job, as are the defenders. The players who are not producing are the attacking trio and full backs when going forwards.