Pre season is here, the World Cup boys are coming, but in the mean time we are getting a good look at the youngsters.
From the games I have seen so far Roy is looking for his players to hold on to the ball in Midfield and wait for the gaps in the channels. This is all good but I have one worry, and that is the gap between our back four and the midfield when we push forward. No matter how good your defence is, a good attack will pass there way through a defence like a knife through butter, as soon as they get they space!
It’s pre season and we have not seen our full capabilities yet, but seeing the kids knocking it around in midfield with pace, was refreshing to see. It has also been noticeable that are wings and full backs are being used a lot more, with the emphasis on crossing into the box. I like this, because if the opposition decide to sit behind the ball and defend, this will be the the best way of opening up those teams, rather than trying to pass our way through a congested midfield.
In all I think we look better than this stage last year, and I guess in the next couple of weeks we will start to see huge improvement as the first team come back. We will also see improvement and a few new additions to the players that we will be calling first team in the coming season!
YNWA
One of the more positive articles I’ve seen lately. I haven’t seen any of our matches but still believe we’re looking better than in the last pre-season friendlies.
We’ve already involved more youngsters than in recent seasons, indeed are more attack-minded, and the passing seems to have been done at pace. I noted praise for Joe Cole and Gerrard’s linkup play.
I still harbor a good feel for the coming season.
The gap between midfield and defence could be sorted with a high defensive line and an offside trap. I’m not sure Roy likes to implement them though…
Im concerned we havent got the invention needed, so far we have yet to score a goal in pre-season. I have seen most of the pre-season friendlies and I do not share the same optomism as others at this point in time. Too slow on the ball and sloppy possesion have been all too abundant.
The players returning from the World Cup should add a bit of resolve to the play, and there were glimpses of great link up play with cole and Gerrard (fingers crossed Torres links up well with Cole too – we truly will have a holy triumvirate!)
Overall, lots of work to do. I hope Roy continues giving youth a chance throughout the season.
YNWA
Jyri- Exactly, basic tactics say that a team should move as one up and down the pitch, maybe the reason. There could be two reasons why this is not happening. It could be that Lucas is supposed to be sitting there and not going forward, but hopefully he will be more disciplined when the rest of the starters get back and playing. If Roy is intentionally holding the central defence back, I fear he may think we are not pacey enough at the back to cover efficiently.
Andy- I agree in a way, but I have to say, from what I have seen, the sloppy play is a result of trying to be inventive and upping the tempo of the game through midfield.
Also the we have to remember we are not getting thrashed by a couple of good sides, where as last season we had most of our first team playing at this time and playing a lot worse! The kids and repeat that, kids are being given a chance.
Really looking forward to seeing how the team plays when everyone is back fit and firing on all cylinders. I’ve had enough friendlies, let’s get down to the real business!