Give Bournemouth a bloody nose and faith will be restored

[GJP]

Sorry I cant tell if this is straight or sarcastic. Have to admit I've never really taken much notice of Howson's speed. Most games I've seen him in he seems to be anonymous a lot of the time but pops up with something special from time to time. Not the perception I had of him when he was at Leeds. Though of course I do remember that goal at Man City...

Bassong is probably no slouch, if we're still calling him our player...

No sarcasm. Howson is really quick.

If anyone was to out pace him they'd have to be going some.

 

[mustard gas]

The point I was making about speed is that it causes opponents to defend deeper and be more defence minded. If Redmond and/or Grabban had been coming at that Reading defence they would have been much more cautious in their offensive outlook.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

The point I was making about speed is that it causes opponents to defend deeper and be more defence minded. If Redmond and/or Grabban had been coming at that Reading defence they would have been much more cautious in their offensive outlook.

Absolutely, fear of pace means slower defenders need to drop deeper to compensate and snuff out the space. Always thought we should be looking to play a long ball game with Redmond exploiting the space behind the defence when the opposition has slower defenders. Think Lambert would have the tactical awareness to attempt something like this.

Similarly Whittaker's lack of pace means we really are vulnerable when he pushes up. Whittaker as we all know contributes very well in an attacking sense, but is it worth it when it leaves us so vulnerable? At least in that respect Martin just about has enough pace to get back. Id much rather have Elliott Bennett in that role though. He's just so much more of an all rounder. he's not all attack and no defensive ability like a conventional winger, he is competent in both the defensive and attacking elements of his game and has the pace to recover when he has pushed up - He would be the perfect balance to Olsson on the left. id really like to see him there

 

[morty]

Absolutely, fear of pace means slower defenders need to drop deeper to compensate and snuff out the space. Always thought we should be looking to play a long ball game with Redmond exploiting the space behind the defence when the opposition has slower defenders. Think Lambert would have the tactical awareness to attempt something like this.

Similarly Whittaker's lack of pace means we really are vulnerable when he pushes up. Whittaker as we all know contributes very well in an attacking sense, but is it worth it when it leaves us so vulnerable? At least in that respect Martin just about has enough pace to get back. Id much rather have Elliott Bennett in that role though. He's just so much more of an all rounder. he's not all attack and no defensive ability like a conventional winger, he is competent in both the defensive and attacking elements of his game and has the pace to recover when he has pushed up - He would be the perfect balance to Olsson on the left. id really like to see him there

I don't think Whittakers pace is the main issue, its positioning and lack of spatial awareness that are the problem. Adam Drury wasn't pacey, but he had a knack of being in the right place at the right time.

 

[hogesar]

No sarcasm. Howson is really quick.

If anyone was to out pace him they'd have to be going some.

Really? I'm pretty sure down the left flank Howson was chasing a ball against Millwall at home and was comfortably outpaced by Shittu.

I think his technical control makes him quite quick on the ball compared to others though

 

[GJP]

Don't remember that. And I find it very odd people don't notice his pace.

At one point last season he notched one of the fastest sprints in the Prem.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Olsson is normally like lightning, but he's been done for pace a few times this season, wonder if its his shoulder?

 

[Canaryboy]

Cameron Jerome is up there with our paciest players surely? Certainly pacy for a big man. 

 

[Yellow Fever]

Don't remember that. And I find it very odd people don't notice his pace.

At one point last season he notched one of the fastest sprints in the Prem.

I remember that 'fastest sprint' stat as well. Howson has got good pace and uses it well.

 

[Din]

I think our fastest player is definitely Jerome. Closely followed by Redmond and Olsson. Howson has excellent ball control though, meaning that he can probably run with the ball at his feet faster than the likes of Jerome and Olsson.

 

[cityoldboy]

' bad day at the office.'  what exactly does that mean ?

 

[morty]

' bad day at the office.'  what exactly does that mean ?

It means one of those days where nothing goes right. But you chalk it off and move on.

Its plain to see that things have been on the up in the last three or four games, so I see this as a blip, as opposed to some fans predicting it as us being back to square one.

 

[Dubai Mark]

So, were you in the office or not?    lol

 

[Yellow Fever]

The Bournemouth game is a must win if we are to stay in the automatic promotion race, otherwise we are competing with Watford, Wolves and Blackburn for the final 2 play-off places.

 

[eatonparkboy]

As no fee, self appointed manager for the FA Cup, I would use the Preston game as a pre season type,

We hope Reading was a blip, but have to be aware that any loss using a system we had used for a number of games might have to signal a change because we never really had total belief in that system other than stifling and frustrating the opposition until we took total command.

I love Wes but do find he is not consistent enough anymore, Undoubtedly his better days are over despite commentators still drooling over him. He is/was the man most capable of changing things. But I have doubts about him doing it enough. However against Preston I would give him back his old role. And that would lead me to changing things even more.

I assume Rudd will be playing no matter what.

I would be prepared to try a back three of Martin, Bennett and Cuellar.

A middle of Redmond, Johnson, Howson, Ollson

Wes as a free role

Jerome and Hooper up front.

Nothing to lose in the competition, the pundits will expect a shock result (No, not us winning!) but a chance to find a formula or system the few others play and one not expected.

I know some will accuse me of lunacy but that is about the only system we haven't tried this season.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Hate to say I told you so  

Positivity well and truly restored 

 

[Boyerboy]

Good call Massive.

Today was immense in every way.

I am waiting for someone to say "It was only Bournemouth. It's not as if we beat a Prem team"! There will always be someone carping but I don't care. This was a great performance and result.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Too true BB. The first caller on Canary Call was asked if it was a great resul[SIZE=14.3999996185303px]t and he replied, 'not really, because we should be doing this every week'! Normal day at the office then!  :lol: [/SIZE][SIZE=14.3999996185303px] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.3999996185303px]Immense result though and puts us back into the promotion race big time.[/SIZE]

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

To get a winner against anyone after having gone down to 10 men away is a very good result. Not least playing the league leaders - they're not there by accident