- Aug 31, 2012
- 7,293
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I wrote something similar on the match-ratings thread:
It wasn't an attractive performance, but it's increasingly obvious that one of the main reasons we are not conceding goals is because of the conservative way we are playing. The other team doesn't get the ball in dangerous areas frequently enough to mount attacks and, when they do, we have the World's Fastest Goalkeeper to snuff things out. It's not something I'm wildly pleased about, but we are keeping clean sheets precisely because we often hang onto the ball forever without trying anything daring.
The defence works as a unit, week after week. We keep on keeping clean sheets (12 out of 15 matches this season - we had 14 all last season from 54 matches). Sometimes we look as if we've been caught out, but the opposition still don't score. So the defence is working, but that is in part because they have less work to do than in past years and that, in turn, is a direct result of our slow build-up and interminable conservative passing.
I just wish we didn't look so fucking constipated whenever we try to attack. It's tedious to watch and so frustrating to see all that talent standing around out there, without an actual attacking idea to share between them. If the crowd keeps making frustrated murmuring noises, that's why. We look great over and over and then ... nothing happens when we actually mount an attack.
It seems that every time we grind out yet another 1-0 win, the thread fills with people saying we were "lucky". When you don't concede any goals, winning is not lucky.
There will come a point where we dont fluke a goal or earn a penalty.
The root issue is AvB cant do attacking football. His style is exactly as you described, suffocating the life out of the opponent and nullifying their threat.