- Oct 19, 2004
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But if we're putting our forwards in good positions, that they are wasting, then are they just absolved of it because in your opinion the midfield is too "ponderous?" Wastefulness has been a theme of the season. It's alright against most of the PL fodder we encounter, because we monopolise the ball, and create 20+ shots and chances.
Too often we're profligate, another chance comes along, and we're often are OK. But in these top level matches, one must be more ruthless - Chelsea last season were a great example of this - not creating chance after chance, but just killing teams with a quick 1-2 punch.
But Chelsea did that often by being good at transition. By getting forwards into better quality scenarios that make better chances that increase the likelihood of goals.
Look at ManC this year, they monopolise the ball but almost all of their goals are scored from close range.
If we can drastically improve our forwards I’m all for it, but I think it will be much easier to improve a slow and ponderous midfield.
And it’s not just about forward transitions or contributing to creativity.
Dier can’t press well because he’s not dynamic. Our goal against Brighton came from Wanyama pushed right up into their box winning the ball.
Dembele seems to give free kicks away whenever he tries to press. And neither he nor are dynamic enough when we are getting pressed or when other teams are transitioning quick on us. And the games against City, Liverpool, Juve, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal away all had some evidence of this.
I think their has been an issue with poor pressing from some of the forwards too, Alli isn’t great (but did improve in the later half of the season) Son’s not great and Kane was poor early in the season.
But I think finding forwards who will press well and produce what ours do will be harder than upgrading Dier and replacing Dembele’s role. We’ve already got an upgrade on Dier here.