So what's the way to deal with a parked bus?

[Kronenburg1892]

I took it as a generic question, not specific to the Stoke game.

Because, as BringBackBiscan says, we did break them down and did everything *but* score. I think it was aimed more at the teams that are going to come to Anfield and shut up shop and how we counter that.

It is a generic question. Although the Stoke game got me thinking about it.

Shutting up shop away is pretty much standard. But when the home team sets up the field of battle for a draw, or protected win, we need to be able to deal with it.

Asking for a tricky player to get you passed 3 players is a big ask.

[BootRoom]

Outplay them, and take your chances. If you create decent chances but don't score, there is not a lot you can do.

[Kronenburg1892]

Outplay them, and take your chances. If you create decent chances but don't score, there is not a lot you can do.

I think you can do more than that.

[BootRoom]

I think you can do more than that.

What more can you do other than create good chances? There's not much that can be done if chances are fluffed or the keeper plays a blinder.

If we play a team that has 'parked the bus' and fail to create good chances then we could put it down as a one off. If it happens on several occassions and a pattern emerges then we'll have to look into it. Neither has happend yet.

[Kronenburg1892]

What more can you do other than create good chances?

I think tactics can create better chances.

And I'm not talking about a purely counter attack team here. For me it's about drawing a team out to create space. To do that you need to keep the ball and play a patient game then chose an incision.

But what you definately need, is space.

So when a team is all behind the 18 yard line except the loan striker, playing around the box tends to be nothing more than a pinball game. Which is what happened at Stoke.

[James P]

Part of me believes that sometimes you have to draw an oposing team out of their box, with guile and cunning.

Beer and free porn would probably work better for a lot of men.

[Rich]

How the heck do you draw a team out that is sitting on a lead by not leaving the 18 yard line?

As others have mentioned we opened up Stoke pretty well, just our finishing let us down... We had a variety of chance types too. Headers, short range and long range efforts.

[kris90210]

Width is an obvious one. Passing the ball quickly with intelligent running to pull players out of position is another.

The most obvious solution though, is someone who can beat their man consistently. Players like this automatically create space for the rest of the team because they tend to draw two defenders towards them. Suarez aside, I think we lack anyone who is a really top class dribbler. We could do with another really. Flair.

On top of that having a range of options helps. Having Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll on the pitch would make it very difficult for a defence to predict the nature of our attacks. Well, at least that's the theory as far as Carroll is concerned I think.

[BringbackBiscan]

How the heck do you draw a team out that is sitting on a lead by not leaving the 18 yard line?

As others have mentioned we opened up Stoke pretty well, just our finishing let us down... We had a variety of chance types too. Headers, short range and long range efforts.

It's quite simple. Downing calls Shawcross an inbred tit whilst Kuyt does a fawlty towers Hitler impression to Huth, they then run towards our goal with the enraged defenders running after them.

This draws the players out and Suarez has free roam to waltz through the gaps in the backline. Simple this management lark really.

[Kronenburg1892]

How the heck do you draw a team out that is sitting on a lead by not leaving the 18 yard line?

As others have mentioned we opened up Stoke pretty well, just our finishing let us down... We had a variety of chance types too. Headers, short range and long range efforts.

We did. But too many teams in the lower half come to Anfield and do exactly that.

[Kronenburg1892]

It's quite simple. Downing calls Shawcross an inbred tit whilst Kuyt does a fawlty towers Hitler impression to Huth, they then run towards our goal with the enraged defenders running after them.

This draws the players out and Suarez has free roam to waltz through the gaps in the backline. Simple this management lark really.

You know what? You might be on something there.

[Muddled]

Width is an obvious one. Passing the ball quickly with intelligent running to pull players out of position is another.

The most obvious solution though, is someone who can beat their man consistently. Players like this automatically create space for the rest of the team because they tend to draw two defenders towards them. Suarez aside, I think we lack anyone who is a really top class dribbler. We could do with another really. Flair.

On top of that having a range of options helps. Having Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll on the pitch would make it very difficult for a defence to predict the nature of our attacks. Well, at least that's the theory as far as Carroll is concerned I think.

A good point.

Another McManaman wouldn't go amiss.

[BootRoom]

I think tactics can create better chances.

And I'm not talking about a purely counter attack team here. For me it's about drawing a team out to create space. To do that you need to keep the ball and play a patient game then chose an incision.

But what you definately need, is space.

So when a team is all behind the 18 yard line except the loan striker, playing around the box tends to be nothing more than a pinball game. Which is what happened at Stoke.

What if it's a permanent striker?

Seriously, what's to stop the opposition from just sitting and waiting while the ball is being shuffled between defence and midfield around the halfway line? If they are 'parking the bus' they have no incentive to chase the ball down away from their goal and potentially expose themselves. More guile and subtly would be needed than that.

[Baracus]

Width is an obvious one. Passing the ball quickly with intelligent running to pull players out of position is another.

The most obvious solution though, is someone who can beat their man consistently. Players like this automatically create space for the rest of the team because they tend to draw two defenders towards them. Suarez aside, I think we lack anyone who is a really top class dribbler. We could do with another really. Flair.

On top of that having a range of options helps. Having Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll on the pitch would make it very difficult for a defence to predict the nature of our attacks. Well, at least that's the theory as far as Carroll is concerned I think.

Barca tried that against Inter in 2010 semi final and Failed.

You need that and width. Pace and a way to invite the opposition away from the box. Almost playing the ball around at the back. Then quick attacks down the flanks (not hoofball)

[Corndog]

All good points. Even Clattenburg being banned from LFC games since the 2007 derby, (apparently, can't find the facts on that.)

Even still. Surely there's another way in? Draw the midfield out from the 18 yard line. Or am I the only person that sees that as part of a good performance?

when you are a big team and you are 1-0 down to a team like Stoke it is almost impossible to draw them out, i know its a disgusting way to play but you have to respect their discipline, they play like that because its their best chance of winning and if you were coaching them you'd no doubt tell them to play like that so its impossible to counter except for accurate crosses or extremely well hit long shots! thats just my view anyways