ealingspur
WHPK 88.5FM Chicago
- Oct 4, 2004
- 1,244
- 358
Before I get into the nuts and bolts of this thread, I realise that we're fourth, and had u been asked at the beginning of the season, you would have taken it. I also realise that we could still make third on the last day, and have more of a chance of getting 3 points than arsenal do.
But, here is my gripe. Harry redknapp has assembled a great team, full of great players. There's no doubt in my mind that a lot of that is down to him. However, he hasnt coached them. He keeps them fit, but he doesnt actually coach them.
A list of all very coachable things that, over the course of the season, seems to have been lost on him:
a) corners + free. we had 19 corners today. how can we, with not a particularly small team, have such a bad ratio? yesterday, when arsenal were really going for it, they put 8 people in the box for a free kick and benayoun won the header. We invariable have bale going near post, ade and the two defenders and thats it.
b) movement. we have decent approach play, but that must be distinguished with penetration. Sandro changes things, but when we wasnt really playing, and ade drifts out wide so often, we have no penetrating threat through the middle. People complain about bale drifting off to the middle, but if he didnt, we would have nothing there.
c) movement II. When we do approach, rarely do we see off the ball movement that free themselves in advanced positions. The sheer number of times I've seen players on the edge of the box staying on the edge of the box instead of making inroads towards goal is infuriating.
Now, onto today's performance. Clearly, Redknapp was happy with the draw, which drew red-eyes of anger from me. As spursking said, this is one of the biggest games in our history, up against a team playing 8 defenders and couldnt attack to save their lives. We get a fortunate penalty goal, and then with the wind in our sails, what do we do? nothing.
It was painfully obvious to almost everyone that a striker ought to be brought on. Someone who gave another option. Defoe to turn and shoot or Saha to work with Ade. Either one really. Instead he bottled it and brought on parker in a move that one can only assume was to defend the draw. The players on the pitch clearly didnt want to play for the draw, but those were the signals from the manager and his decision-making.
It was heartbreaking. He has assembled a very good team, but he himself is not a good coach, and needs to go.
But, here is my gripe. Harry redknapp has assembled a great team, full of great players. There's no doubt in my mind that a lot of that is down to him. However, he hasnt coached them. He keeps them fit, but he doesnt actually coach them.
A list of all very coachable things that, over the course of the season, seems to have been lost on him:
a) corners + free. we had 19 corners today. how can we, with not a particularly small team, have such a bad ratio? yesterday, when arsenal were really going for it, they put 8 people in the box for a free kick and benayoun won the header. We invariable have bale going near post, ade and the two defenders and thats it.
b) movement. we have decent approach play, but that must be distinguished with penetration. Sandro changes things, but when we wasnt really playing, and ade drifts out wide so often, we have no penetrating threat through the middle. People complain about bale drifting off to the middle, but if he didnt, we would have nothing there.
c) movement II. When we do approach, rarely do we see off the ball movement that free themselves in advanced positions. The sheer number of times I've seen players on the edge of the box staying on the edge of the box instead of making inroads towards goal is infuriating.
Now, onto today's performance. Clearly, Redknapp was happy with the draw, which drew red-eyes of anger from me. As spursking said, this is one of the biggest games in our history, up against a team playing 8 defenders and couldnt attack to save their lives. We get a fortunate penalty goal, and then with the wind in our sails, what do we do? nothing.
It was painfully obvious to almost everyone that a striker ought to be brought on. Someone who gave another option. Defoe to turn and shoot or Saha to work with Ade. Either one really. Instead he bottled it and brought on parker in a move that one can only assume was to defend the draw. The players on the pitch clearly didnt want to play for the draw, but those were the signals from the manager and his decision-making.
It was heartbreaking. He has assembled a very good team, but he himself is not a good coach, and needs to go.
