Our style of play

[badpiggy]

We need to be more intricate and try to use the full pitch. There are a lot of pockets that we didn't exploit. We don't play near the corner flags enough.

By playing near the corner flags you stretch teams even more. Think of an elastic.

Hmmm... an "elastic", you say... Fascinating. Need to have a bit more of a think.

[kalesh]

Statistics can be used to explain away any number of deficiencies, however I do think it’s interesting to note that we’ve kept a clean sheet in 37.5% of games this year in the league, second only to Man City (45.16%). We’ve also kept the most home clean sheets in the league (9).

Despite the fact we’d all agree that it’s been our defence that has let us down this year (and the gap between defence and midfield), we’re performing above our league position in terms of clean sheets.

Where it does come unravelled is when you look at the number of goals conceded in games. We’ve conceded one on only four occasions but conceded two an incredible 12 times (second only to Newcastle and Wigan) and three goals on 4 occasions.

So what does this tell us? Maybe, rather than having a technical problem defensively, it’s actually a mental one. When we concede, we lose confidence, look more fragile and are more likely to concede. In this respect, you can see why BR wants more experience and a real defensive leader. That’s why he brought Carra back in (even though if hasn’t really affected our mental fragility).

[dom9]

Or maybe not.

[dww]

I suspect it tells us that we have specific weaknesses that some teams have been able to exploit consistently but in general our defence is otherwise not as bad as we think. Perhaps mentality plays into that but I think teams that break quickly and those with accurate back post delivery + a players who run into that area consistently cause us problems. At times forwards have been able to bully our CBs as well. That could well have a mental aspect to it.

[Vermilion]

Hmmm... an "elastic", you say... Fascinating. Need to have a bit more of a think.

It's obvious no ? We get the ball to the corner flag areas of the pitch, then, when our opponents try to get close to follow us...the elastic will be soooo stretched, that the result will be those opposing players being snapped back to centre circle in a heap.

[Red_Polo]

I suspect it tells us that we have specific weaknesses that some teams have been able to exploit consistently but in general our defence is otherwise not as bad as we think. Perhaps mentality plays into that but I think teams that break quickly and those with accurate back post delivery + a players who run into that area consistently cause us problems. At times forwards have been able to bully our CBs as well. That could well have a mental aspect to it.

Exact

[marksared]

I suspect it tells us that we have specific weaknesses that some teams have been able to exploit consistently but in general our defence is otherwise not as bad as we think. Perhaps mentality plays into that but I think teams that break quickly and those with accurate back post delivery + a players who run into that area consistently cause us problems. At times forwards have been able to bully our CBs as well. That could well have a mental aspect to it.

Your right Glen Johnson gets caught evey f**king time

[Mattshark]

We need more game intelligence in the team. We also need a player like Carroll when teams park the bus.

**** tactic against such teams, exactly what they are best at dealing with. We never need players as poor as Carroll.

[RichC]

**** tactic against such teams, exactly what they are best at dealing with. We never need players as poor as Carroll.

its what they want long balls into the box

[baitman]

better pressing, good counter attacking, not too much fannying about with meaningless passes... looking quite good out there today

have to say that apart for the odd little spells newcastle sat off/failed to step right in and try to cut us down, they allowed us to open the play and tear them a new arse hole

[baitman]

we seem to be doing most of our approach play/attacking down our left flank. we need to ensure we have some variety and mix it up a bit more, keep the other team guessing.

[RedReet]

we seem to be doing most of our approach play/attacking down our left flank. we need to ensure we have some variety and mix it up a bit more, keep the other team guessing.

Not really true, Johnson seen more of the ball than anybody down the right flank, we were just a lot more productive down the left.

[baitman]

three at the back, 3-4-1-2
i think that this has left us a little lightweight in the final third with poor support for the attack. suarez and sturridge were having come deep to make most of their own plays and then have to work through the opposition defence.

three at the back, 3-1-4-2
this will mean we play with just one DM, lucas, or maybe we could utilize one of our better tackling, ball playing CB's as cover [toure, agger?]
with two more advanced midfield players, and then a wing back either side, this would give us a better presence in the opposition half. we would be much better placed to press teams if we lose the ball and would still have three CB and a DM as cover.
the two up front will have more close support, and they can interchange and pull defenders all over the place.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

We have our moments of brilliance, but our play has largely been disjointed, especially in the final third, and I think it's down to the absence of Coutinho, or someone who could have deputized in that position. While Coutinho hasn't quite continued his scintillating form from last season, he still plays the important role of linking midfield to the forwards.

With Coutinho and Allen returning from injury, and Alberto gaining more exposure to the league, I'm pretty confident we'll get better.

[Tee]

We could do with Cabaye IMO. Would work well in our system.