10 Nov 2019 00:02:25
ok it's statistics time, and these have shocked me .
2018/ 2019 and 2019/ 2020 seasons
MIDFIELD
PLAYER GAMES ASSISTS
Romeu 43 0
JWP 38 0
PEH 42 3 (0 this season)

so our midfield are not only slow, can't tackle, they have provided ZERO assists this season . and only 3 over two seasons .


1.) 11 Nov 2019
11 Nov 2019 15:23:04
I think it's a bit harsh to judge Romeu based on his assist rate as he is a defensive midfielder that doesn't get forward. JWP on the other hand should have assists next to his name as our primary set piece 'specialist' - although he barely gets the ball passed the first man from corners.

Looking at our overall assists from the first team, no one really adds anything in this field. There is no standout player that has got near 10 assists over the past 2 seasons.

Redmond - 4 assists last season, 0 this year
Ings - 3 assists last season, 0 this year

We are definitely missing a creative head in midfield, but we need a composed CM that can break up play with a composed head and move the ball forward, sort of like Schneiderlin.


2.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 16:25:52
just to add Sofiane Boufal : 2 assists in 4 1/ 2 games!
The name that sprang to mind with a 'composed head and move the ball forward' . STEVE DAVIS . worked his socks off, has great awareness on the pitch, always looking for the forward pass!
Oh we sold him .
there must be a free agent out there somewhere we can sign ASAP.


3.) 13 Nov 2019
13 Nov 2019 08:34:17
I agree Rich, Boufal is probably our most creative player, even though he is wasteful, he gets in good positions on the pitch and is unpredictable. I feel he should be getting more game time than he has been.

RH needs to use the international break to regroup and go back to the basics. If he wants to use his 4-2-2-2 he needs to drill this into the squad. Setting up to defensive does nothing for us. If we utilise and use the 4-2-2-2 formation correctly and press as a squad of players we will create chances. At the moment we are just sitting back and waiting for the opportunity, we need to start getting into the faces of our opponents. Pressing up top will relieve pressure from our defensive, if our defensive shape is good enough then other teams will struggle to break us down.


4.) 14 Nov 2019
14 Nov 2019 00:00:59
I agree with you saintjay . but . pressing is all well and good if when you don't have the ball you can defend/ tackle . and most importantly get the ball back!
I think, like me, you have realised that our midfield is a huge part of the problem. Pressing is good and i love to see it, but let's say we press and yet again one of those stupid 'give away' passes. the opposition are bearing down on us .
our midfield . JWP can't tackle, can't track back quick enough . he's out of the game. Same for Romeu!
So now the opposition have in effect run straight through us .

Sound familiar? Leicester .

there has to be some free agents out there we are allowed to sign now!

More worryingly Ralph has not be sacked . so that means they believe in him? are they watching different games to us? they way he sets up, the way he changes things, his substitutions . his lack of tactical know how . ie 3-1 down playing awful, being over run . no changes til 70+ minutes .

ok so Ralph not sacked . so they believe in him .
so they must think it's the players . well what you going to do about it SFC!


5.) 15 Nov 2019
14 Nov 2019 23:05:51
If we keep with Ralph they have got to provide him with new faces to fit his formation. At the moment drop those who are not performing - Redmond, Bertrand, Vestergard, PEH and JWP. Bring in Vokins, Boufal, Stephens or Yosh, Slattery and Adams. Back in the day Lawrie Mc would have signed Cahill and Toure on frees for decent wages to bring experience to the squad, help in training too. We now need to sign either the best in youth or pay over the top for quality to add. Having said that Ya Ya is still available!