"...lack of creativity..."

[Salopian]

In his post match interview NA pointed out that we had dominated Fulham, but lacked the creativity to capitalise on this.

For some time I have pointed out how many goal attempts we have to manage one on goal. Was it 12 yesterday, of which 2 were on goal? I assume that that the bad penalty miss and shot by Josh, both against the woodwork, would count as misses, so perhaps it was one in five rather than one ins six, if we eliminate these near misses.

This has been about our average, or even better than average. I had believed that the fault was down to the strikers not being clinical enough, and suggested extra training! If the manager is right, however, the fault is as much the poor quality build up and final ball, which limit the striker's chances before he even receives the ball. (I noticed this in several of the opportunities that Ricky VW, remember him?, had last year, so it is not new.)

He didn't specify in what respects the creativity was lacking, and we must hope that he can put it right quickly. I would make only a few comments:

1. A central midfield of Tettey and Johnson, with an emphasis on defence, will never be very creative. It is not their game. I sometimes wonder what hold the latter has over Adams, because he is seldom dropped. I would prefer a central midfield including Tettey and Howson, Vidas, or O'Neill.
2. Wes can make great contributions, but his presence largely determines the other places. He has little defensive ability or pace, so the side has to move at a speed at which he can travel. He is never a winger, and to play him there means effectively a gap down the left side, or else we have to play with only one striker.
3. Redmond is quick, and throws fear into fullbacks, but his final ball can be very variable. If he could become more consistent, and if we were able to play somebody as quick down the left, we could raid with pace.
4. If Hooper rediscovers his Celtic form, and apart from him with have three front men in Lafferty, Grabban and Jerome, what have the two current strikers have to do to be dropped? At present they are misfiring, can we not rotate?

 

[GazzaTCC]

Lack of creativity can have many causes, some of which you've touched on. However, to my mind, this is also about "transition" the speed at which defence is turned into attack (and attack into defence, as this effects goals at the wrong end, as witnessed on Saturday.)

Transition is influenced by tempo, the speed at which the ball is moved from player to player.

How often do we see our back four playing the ball among themselves and the holding two at a fairly moderate pace? Frequently.

Similarly, Wes, when in possession, often twists and turns, rather than recycling the ball quickly.

There are times, of course, when play dictates both of the above approaches, however, all too frequently, we over play the passing, meaning that the opposition has time to regroup into two lines of four, or, a four and a five.

Too often, Johnson and Tettey are playing in front of the opposition, which makes playing through the two lines of defence far more difficult.

Additionally, the cause isn't helped by lack of movement in front of them. Wes, as supposed play maker, is frequently out wide (ish) left and isolated. If he has a free role, he should be the link between Johnson and Tettey and the front one / two, seeking space between the two lines of opposition. How often does this happen.

Finally, even having regard to the above, how often do Johnson and Tettey break forward, trying to break through the two lines of opposition? Again, their cause isn't assisted by lack of movement for give and go's in front of them. But it doesn't seem to be happening often enough to hurt the opposition, or to change the line of attack from the usual wide positions.

As I said, there isn't a single reason, there are a number. Maybe, some of the above can be changed by different players. However, whatever your view, something has to change because we're too easy to play against too often at the moment.

 

[GazzaTCC]

Duplicate post

 

[GazzaTCC]

Sorry, having a mare with duplicate posts!

 

[Din]

Duplicate post

Sorry, having a mare with duplicate posts!

 

[Lone Star Canary]

Duplicate post

 

[GazzaTCC]

Thanks for the sympathy boys!