Fulham vs Liverpool - Premier League (18/19 - Game 31)

[Assassin]

I have to say I find the tactics of firing (high) crosses into the box from the fullbacks an odd one. I know that they have decent delivery Trent in particular, but none of our front three are really suited for playing that way, they will score a few headers but 90% of the time you would expect them to be beaten in the air by the CB. It just seems a really low percentage play. It works from set pieces if you are bringing CBs up but not so much from open play.

I dont think it is a tactic. Both fullbacks can do better with crosses. They seem to be rushing their crosses. They need a little more composure on the ball in my opinion

[baitman]

I have to say I find the tactics of firing (high) crosses into the box from the fullbacks an odd one. I know that they have decent delivery Trent in particular, but none of our front three are really suited for playing that way, they will score a few headers but 90% of the time you would expect them to be beaten in the air by the CB. It just seems a really low percentage play. It works from set pieces if you are bringing CBs up but not so much from open play.

Spot on about our puny strikers being out jumped and out muscled by any CB's.
If they are already sitting deep and compact then a ball into the mixer is often a waste.
Its only going to work well for us if we are breaking out and they dont have the bus fully parked.

[BG1973]

I dont think it is a tactic. Both fullbacks can do better with crosses. They seem to be rushing their crosses. They need a little more composure on the ball in my opinion

Agree - Trent hit four first time **** house crosses... total waste.

No need - he’s got the beckham bend it round a defender in the way skill - more conpuare to come please!

[Buzzo]

The tactic with full backs isn’t to punt high balls into the box though (even though sometimes that works).

They make decoy runs out wide off Mo and Sadio. Every time. Sometimes they are played in, other times they aren’t. If they are played in it is typically behind the full back where they are looking to play the ball across the area or pull back.

I’d say it is our most effective attacking area, given the disruption it causes and the success in terms of assists it creates.

There is a lot of chat about last season, but we have to consider last season we had the unknown xfactor of Mo. Teams have had a year of getting used to playing against us so we have had to find other ways. Last seasons success came at a price - goals conceded. This season we are tight defensively and the second most productive team in attack.

Pinging balls into the area for the big number 9 to stick into the net is bygone era football and PlayStation.

We are statistically the best team from set pieces and I would imagine up there in terms of crossing assists.

[Assassin]

The tactic with full backs isn’t to punt high balls into the box though (even though sometimes that works).

They make decoy runs out wide off Mo and Sadio. Every time. Sometimes they are played in, other times they aren’t. If they are played in it is typically behind the full back where they are looking to play the ball across the area or pull back.

I’d say it is our most effective attacking area, given the disruption it causes and the success in terms of assists it creates.

There is a lot of chat about last season, but we have to consider last season we had the unknown xfactor of Mo. Teams have had a year of getting used to playing against us so we have had to find other ways. Last seasons success came at a price - goals conceded. This season we are tight defensively and the second most productive team in attack.

Pinging balls into the area for the big number 9 to stick into the net is bygone era football and PlayStation.

We are statistically the best team from set pieces and I would imagine up there in terms of crossing assists.

Yes. However, we could be much much better. Too many lofted crosses in open play and not enough lofted corners in the last few league games

[Buzzo]

Yes. However, we could be much much better. Too many lofted crosses in open play and not enough lofted corners in the last few league games

I think we have scored 5 headed goals from crosses in the last few games? Thats excluding other crosses that have led to goals (Firmino to Sadio v Fulham, and there will be others).

VVD 2 v Watford.
Sadio 1 v Watford.
VVD 1 v Bayern (corner)
Sadio 1 v Bayern.

[Assassin]

I think we have scored 5 headed goals in the last few games?

VVD 2 v Watford.
Sadio 1 v Watford.
VVD 1 v Bayern (corner)
Sadio 1 v Bayern.

I knew you would come back with this.....This goes to prove the worth of a good cross, we would had a lot more if crossing. Too many low near post nothing corners, especially from TAA. I am not knocking him, its just an observation. We have the heading power at corners, just target them

[BG1973]

The tactic with full backs isn’t to punt high balls into the box though (even though sometimes that works).

They make decoy runs out wide off Mo and Sadio. Every time. Sometimes they are played in, other times they aren’t. If they are played in it is typically behind the full back where they are looking to play the ball across the area or pull back.

I’d say it is our most effective attacking area, given the disruption it causes and the success in terms of assists it creates.

There is a lot of chat about last season, but we have to consider last season we had the unknown xfactor of Mo. Teams have had a year of getting used to playing against us so we have had to find other ways. Last seasons success came at a price - goals conceded. This season we are tight defensively and the second most productive team in attack.

Pinging balls into the area for the big number 9 to stick into the net is bygone era football and PlayStation.

We are statistically the best team from set pieces and I would imagine up there in terms of crossing assists.

Fair but in TAA's case they were all hopeful low % first time crosses, not on to runners. Time and a place. In those scenarios to me they showed a lack of composure rather than following a deliberate plan.

And the lack of composure is where our problems up top stem from IMO.

[danperkins]

I have to say I find the tactics of firing (high) crosses into the box from the fullbacks an odd one. I know that they have decent delivery Trent in particular, but none of our front three are really suited for playing that way, they will score a few headers but 90% of the time you would expect them to be beaten in the air by the CB. It just seems a really low percentage play. It works from set pieces if you are bringing CBs up but not so much from open play.

Was having this exact conversations the other day, although the standard of delivery was ****e

[danperkins]

Fair but in TAA's case they were all hopeful low % first time crosses, not on to runners. Time and a place. In those scenarios to me they showed a lack of composure rather than following a deliberate plan.

And the lack of composure is where our problems up top stem from IMO.

[greenturnip]

I think Mane is a great header of the ball. Unlike Matip!

[BigChief]

I think Mane is a great header of the ball. Unlike Matip!

Another great header of the ball was Sturridge in his prime. Often overlooked because of his brilliant foot work.

[baitman]

Another great header of the ball was Sturridge in his prime. Often overlooked because of his brilliant dancing and cool clothes.