- Jun 21, 2008
- 3,298
- 1,558
WHL has become a fortress under Harry but all good teams pick up points away from home.
If we are to have the season we want next year and finish at least 6th then we are going to have to be better on the road.
Our record in the league last season was;
Played 19, won 4, drawn 4, lost 11, for 24, against 35, points 16.
Wins at West Ham, Man City, Hull and Aston Villa.
Draws at Chelsea, Arsenal, Sunderland and Everton.
We actually picked up 6 points from the teams who finished above us and lost at all 3 relegated clubs. 6 further points were won at City and West Ham who only finished just below us. Not what you would have expected, we were better away against the better teams and dross when playing dross.
Why? What would improve us?
Should we play a different formation away from home? What players would you sign to make us better away?
We conceded 35, that would suggest a better defence is needed but in the latter part of the season we have tightened up a great deal and for me the concern is being able to defend from the front and retain the ball better in order to take the pressure off and dominate posession.
I think a tall striker who can hold the ball up and bring others into the game will relieve pressure and enable us to spend more time in the opponents half. They would also help out when defending set plays.
A central midfield player who can defend with Palacios and pass the ball well, enabling us to retain the ball.
Carrick and Berbatov are gone but we could do with similar players to them, I think we would have a very good side then that would be capable of picking up plenty of points on our travels.
We need to emulate Villa and Everton who picked up 32 and 33 points respectively away from home. Things have improved under Harry but there's a long way to go.
If we are to have the season we want next year and finish at least 6th then we are going to have to be better on the road.
Our record in the league last season was;
Played 19, won 4, drawn 4, lost 11, for 24, against 35, points 16.
Wins at West Ham, Man City, Hull and Aston Villa.
Draws at Chelsea, Arsenal, Sunderland and Everton.
We actually picked up 6 points from the teams who finished above us and lost at all 3 relegated clubs. 6 further points were won at City and West Ham who only finished just below us. Not what you would have expected, we were better away against the better teams and dross when playing dross.
Why? What would improve us?
Should we play a different formation away from home? What players would you sign to make us better away?
We conceded 35, that would suggest a better defence is needed but in the latter part of the season we have tightened up a great deal and for me the concern is being able to defend from the front and retain the ball better in order to take the pressure off and dominate posession.
I think a tall striker who can hold the ball up and bring others into the game will relieve pressure and enable us to spend more time in the opponents half. They would also help out when defending set plays.
A central midfield player who can defend with Palacios and pass the ball well, enabling us to retain the ball.
Carrick and Berbatov are gone but we could do with similar players to them, I think we would have a very good side then that would be capable of picking up plenty of points on our travels.
We need to emulate Villa and Everton who picked up 32 and 33 points respectively away from home. Things have improved under Harry but there's a long way to go.