Remember the great football we got at times last year.
I know there is a case for the tactical outlook SE employs. However, there is something to be said about having the right players. I remember when James played left back and lawerence advanced forward, we had a tremendous ability to bring the ball out of defence and retain the ball due in part to the running and availability of these 2 to stretch the field. This allowed pringle, green and Smallwood to really shine.
The addition of these 2 ( plus I think ledesma on the advanced left ) made such a huge difference.
I believe we have got the right players, it's the wrong style of play that is the problem. I have been to every game this season and you can count on one hand the number of times we have started from the back via the keeper rolling it out to a full back, C.B. or holding mid-field player. Time after time it's been the big boom forward which for me, is very odd. The keeper has the ball, we have 100% possession, he rolls it out to a Millers player, we still have 100% of the possession OR, he bombs it up field and we have at best, a 50 - 50 chance of retaining the ball, even if we win the header it enevitably ends up with the opposition and we are defending again as they have the ball. A lot of criticism has been aimed at the back four (quite rightly in some instances) however, they are defending way to much of the time during a game, we give the ball away far too often and are then defending and chasing for the next minute or so until we get it back, then lose possession again within 10 seconds and the whole scenario starts over. Hold onto the ball when you have it, keep it, pass it to a red shirt and make the opposition chase it.............Play football.
-- Edited by Archie on Thursday 3rd of September 2015 08:28:27 AM
Bang on Archie. Steve said part way through last season that he had learned a lesson then we saw a distinct change in style with Lawrence at the heart of it as Ian describes so eloquently (although I dont remember it being quite as good as Ian does and we were drawing rather than winning games there were positive signs). How then does one explain what we have seen this season? I say play players in their natural positions, play with width and pass the ball.
I agree Archie. we have the players, just not the tactics. Eric Black coming onboard also worries me, as his tactics has gotten more than 1 team relegated.
