- May 5, 2004
- 24,183
- 48,814
This has been a never ending problem for us. So thought I'd start a little brainstorming session - maybe we can send the results to Poch? (Lol)
Seems to me the main problem is when a team sits deep against us - we're not as able to win the ball high up the pitch and score with quick transitions, which works so well for us away from home. Only one defeat in the league away is testament to this.
When we're asked to break down a team, often the build up is more methodical, and we let them get back into their shape. All of our attacking midfielders play in the area of the pitch that is usually stacked with bodies, and threading the killer ball through is eye of the needle stuff.
The space available is usually wide - and our fullbacks often end up with the ball, and it's fair to say the delivery from both the 1st choice players, Rose and Walker, is nowhere near good enough. Either the delivery is wayward, or we don't have enough bodies in the box.
The three options I can see to improve our output are -
- Get the ball forward quicker, look to bypass the midfield on occasion and use the likes of Kane, Son, Njie and maybe other signings to run the channels and get us up pitch quicker.
- Either improve the delivery from the current fullbacks through coaching or find players who can provide better service.
- Bring in a player to play behind Kane who is happy in narrow areas of the pitch, but also has the pace and dribbling ability of a Hazard, Mahrez or Coutinho to take his marker wide and get behind the defence.
So there you go, some thoughts of mine, but are there other ways of cracking this particular Pulis-shaped nut?
Seems to me the main problem is when a team sits deep against us - we're not as able to win the ball high up the pitch and score with quick transitions, which works so well for us away from home. Only one defeat in the league away is testament to this.
When we're asked to break down a team, often the build up is more methodical, and we let them get back into their shape. All of our attacking midfielders play in the area of the pitch that is usually stacked with bodies, and threading the killer ball through is eye of the needle stuff.
The space available is usually wide - and our fullbacks often end up with the ball, and it's fair to say the delivery from both the 1st choice players, Rose and Walker, is nowhere near good enough. Either the delivery is wayward, or we don't have enough bodies in the box.
The three options I can see to improve our output are -
- Get the ball forward quicker, look to bypass the midfield on occasion and use the likes of Kane, Son, Njie and maybe other signings to run the channels and get us up pitch quicker.
- Either improve the delivery from the current fullbacks through coaching or find players who can provide better service.
- Bring in a player to play behind Kane who is happy in narrow areas of the pitch, but also has the pace and dribbling ability of a Hazard, Mahrez or Coutinho to take his marker wide and get behind the defence.
So there you go, some thoughts of mine, but are there other ways of cracking this particular Pulis-shaped nut?