Lack of movement, lack of anticipation, panicking, sloppiness... ---> The first 18 minutes against Coventry (and the last 72 were not better)
- Thread starter CroJack
- Start date
Victoria Swan
Key Player
As usual @CroJack, an excellent analysis. I note a very common element in these diagrams is Smith's inability to spot or complete a pass. I know you have defended him in the past (and he did play a good game last time out) but I persist in saying he needs to be dropped to the bench in place of Fulton (who gave a bit of grit, some forward passing and some control of the midfield when he came on for the second half). Thanks for the great pics!
CroJack
Key Player
Smith was extemely poor and lazy against Coventry, but others were not much better. I blame Cooper for our inability to pass & move, and for crumbling under pressure. We used to pass us out of these situations with ease under Potter.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Smith to the bench. Fulton to start.
CroJack
Key Player
Manning and Grimes in central midfield, Fulton as ATM, Cullen and Ayew up front.
I suspect a lot of this is down to a 'play by numbers' style where players are told what position to be in in given situations. This in the name of 'shape'. Very often, when a player realises that he should make a certain run, or take up a particular position, he is reluctant to do so because the shape of the team might be distorted or compromised.
Better teams with more intelligent players can handle this because they are good enough to read the game and adjust/compensate accordingly. Our lot can't do this, which is why they play for us at the level we're at. They are limited; most can't even see/read what's on, which is where good coaching comes in. No coach can install a footballing brain into a player who hasn't got one. BUT there are many passing routines that can be drummed into players through intensive and repeated practise until it becomes second nature.
As @CroJack has said above, as have I until I'm sick of saying it, we have lost the art of pass and move, of keeping possession by doing so. This was started by Flynn then improved and polished under Rodgers and Laudrup. As we all know, this style started to go tits up during Monk's tenure simply because he didn't have either the ability or the DNA to coach it. As a lower league journeyman during his playing career, he didn't know any better, so our footballing ability was first diluted then entirely ripped out of us under his stewardship.
My concern is that Cooper, although well meaning, seems to be failing to get the message across to his players. No doubt he's trying as we see little snatches and glimpses of some really good football at times. BUT WE ARE NOT CONSISTENT. Cooper must be ruthless. If any player fails to deliver what is required then he gets benched, whoever he is (eg captain Grimes). We have some decent options now and I have a feeling that if Cooper stumbles on the right lineup, we could do really well this season. I say 'stumbles' because I don't think he really knows yet who is best options are. But it's his job to find out and find out quickly. Meantime, he and the other coaches should be drilling pass and move until the players can do it with their eyes shut. Maybe then we can start getting back to what we once were.
Better teams with more intelligent players can handle this because they are good enough to read the game and adjust/compensate accordingly. Our lot can't do this, which is why they play for us at the level we're at. They are limited; most can't even see/read what's on, which is where good coaching comes in. No coach can install a footballing brain into a player who hasn't got one. BUT there are many passing routines that can be drummed into players through intensive and repeated practise until it becomes second nature.
As @CroJack has said above, as have I until I'm sick of saying it, we have lost the art of pass and move, of keeping possession by doing so. This was started by Flynn then improved and polished under Rodgers and Laudrup. As we all know, this style started to go tits up during Monk's tenure simply because he didn't have either the ability or the DNA to coach it. As a lower league journeyman during his playing career, he didn't know any better, so our footballing ability was first diluted then entirely ripped out of us under his stewardship.
My concern is that Cooper, although well meaning, seems to be failing to get the message across to his players. No doubt he's trying as we see little snatches and glimpses of some really good football at times. BUT WE ARE NOT CONSISTENT. Cooper must be ruthless. If any player fails to deliver what is required then he gets benched, whoever he is (eg captain Grimes). We have some decent options now and I have a feeling that if Cooper stumbles on the right lineup, we could do really well this season. I say 'stumbles' because I don't think he really knows yet who is best options are. But it's his job to find out and find out quickly. Meantime, he and the other coaches should be drilling pass and move until the players can do it with their eyes shut. Maybe then we can start getting back to what we once were.
CroJack
Key Player
@ivoralljack I don't think pass & move football requires a great footballing brain. Our lot are not stupid (actually, judging by their interviews we have some intelligent players in our squad), and I am sure they can anticipate two passes.
It's all about reading the game, anticipation, and awareness. And, of course, willingness to run into free spaces. I agree with you that Cooper has to be more ruthless and tell the players what (not) to do. Though, I'm not sure he is aware of the problems we face on the pich, especially when pressed high.
I'll give you one example. Have you noticed how our wing-backs are often glued to the side-line waiting for a pass? It's so easy for opposition players to narrow the angle, close them down, and force them to pass the ball back to either Cabango or Guehi. And if Cabango and Guehi are pressed, then we are in trouble. See my post #3, pictures 3 and 4 for Roberts. As a wing-back you have to give yourself some space to either move forward with the ball or to have a better passing angle. Not a rocket science, but why do they do that?
It's all about reading the game, anticipation, and awareness. And, of course, willingness to run into free spaces. I agree with you that Cooper has to be more ruthless and tell the players what (not) to do. Though, I'm not sure he is aware of the problems we face on the pich, especially when pressed high.
I'll give you one example. Have you noticed how our wing-backs are often glued to the side-line waiting for a pass? It's so easy for opposition players to narrow the angle, close them down, and force them to pass the ball back to either Cabango or Guehi. And if Cabango and Guehi are pressed, then we are in trouble. See my post #3, pictures 3 and 4 for Roberts. As a wing-back you have to give yourself some space to either move forward with the ball or to have a better passing angle. Not a rocket science, but why do they do that?
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Victoria Swan
Key Player
Couldn't agree more. HOWEVER, I'm tired of Cooper largely rolling out the same eleven in the name of consistent lineup despite it being obvious (to us on here at least) that some need to be benched. I supposae we saw some glimmer of Cooper improving on this front when he took Gyokeres off at half time last night.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Was Vik that bad. He setup and fed the ball to Bidwell on the overlap on Ayew's goal
Victoria Swan
Key Player
Actually you're right, he wasn't as bad as Jamal Lowe who should have been the one to come off for Fulton.