Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season...

We don't seem to be playing anywhere near the tempo of earlier games where we really cut teams open on the counter. We also aren't pressing the ball with the same energy when not in possession. Ensure that those two are put back into the mix and I think we'll see us heading back to winning ways. We have the young fit squad to do that to teams, we should be making the most of those attributes.

Another observation is that we are only leaving one player up field (sometimes none), when we are facing corners etc. If we leave 2 quick players up each time (1 in the middle and the other out wide), the opposing team will have to compensate for that by leaving at least 3 players back to protect from any quick counter attack. Less bodies in the box to have to worry about and we should have the numbers in there to maintain the advantage. We have seen too many times recently where we have won the ball and had zero outlet to move the ball out of defence quickly enough.

Other than that, not much wrong for me.

 

Re: Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season

I'd agree with that. Easly season we played at a fast tempo and passed the ball around quickly. Recently (maybe due to our small squad tiring?) we seem to sit back more and do that horrible long ball that we don't want to see.

 

Re: Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season

It really made the opposition uncomfortable, very visible to see them making misplaced passes etc because of the tempo and pressure we applied. In my opinion it was the best weapon we had in terms of winning matches.

 

Re: Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season

This is one of my old gripes. We should always leave at least one player up, on saturday we did that most times to be fair - but not always. I don't remember leaving two on the halfway line at all.

Do the players make that decision or are they told by the coaching staff?

 

Re: Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season

Don't see the argument against not leaving 2 players up field. Opens up much more opportunity atacking wise and to some extent nullifies some of the opposing teams threat. Too many bodies in the area probably plays to the favour of the attacking team.

 

Re: Think one of the reasons we aren't playing quite as well as earlier in the season

I'm going to have to stop doing this, but told both Brighton and Fulham fans we met, how we always give it a good go and rarely get beaten easily. ☺

Seriously though, we've still scored in every single game but one, having a fair bit of possession in most, but there was definitely a difference in losing on Saturday from losing by the same scoreline on the opening day.

The point about pressing is one reason, but other reasons are now starting to rear their ugly heads as well, like injuries and a suspension.

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk