[Albion] Worrying Lack of Width

Normandy seagull · Sep 29, 2019

yes this has been mentioned on other threads but it needs a thread of its own. I'm struggling to think of too many decent crosses we have put in this season apart from Andone's goal at Watford. Problem seems to stem from our lack of wingers due to injuries and the fact our wing back/ full backs haven't got any crossing ability. Yes this down to Potter's system and maybe I'm old fashioned and like the sight of a fully fit Izzy and Knochaert steaming down the wing, rinsing defenders. What happened to the days of a player hugging the touch line like Buckley often did?

Goldstone1976 · Sep 29, 2019

Worrying lack of width

That’s what inevitably happens if you focus on length.

sussex_guy2k2 · Sep 29, 2019

Normandy seagull said:
yes this has been mentioned on other threads but it needs a thread of its own. I'm struggling to think of too many decent crosses we have put in this season apart from Andone's goal at Watford. Problem seems to stem from our lack of wingers due to injuries and the fact our wing back/ full backs haven't got any crossing ability. Yes this down to Potter's system and maybe I'm old fashioned and like the sight of a fully fit Izzy and Knochaert steaming down the wing, rinsing defenders. What happened to the days of a player hugging the touch line like Buckley often did?

Literally our last goal scored was when March set up Maupay against Burnley with a cross.

One Teddy Maybank · Sep 29, 2019

sussex_guy2k2 said:
Literally our last goal scored was when March set up Maupay against Burnley with a cross.

It was. However, put a slightly different way we do lack meaningful pace on one side, so effectively there is no ‘out’ ball.

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el punal · Sep 29, 2019

Goldstone1976 said:
That’s what inevitably happens if you focus on length.

Unfortunately, as my wife will testify. :down:

Westdene Seagull · Sep 29, 2019

Normandy seagull said:
yes this has been mentioned on other threads but it needs a thread of its own. I'm struggling to think of too many decent crosses we have put in this season apart from Andone's goal at Watford. Problem seems to stem from our lack of wingers due to injuries and the fact our wing back/ full backs haven't got any crossing ability. Yes this down to Potter's system and maybe I'm old fashioned and like the sight of a fully fit Izzy and Knochaert steaming down the wing, rinsing defenders. What happened to the days of a player hugging the touch line like Buckley often did?

Lack of width ? Don't you start as well .... Mrs W was going on about it last night .... although she called it girth.

sussex_guy2k2 · Sep 29, 2019

One Teddy Maybank said:
It was. However, put a slightly different way we do lack meaningful pace on one side, so effectively there is no ‘out’ ball.

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I don't necessarily disagree. But we've lacked proper pace since we got promoted really, Izzy aside. None of our players are quick. Part of the solution to that is getting the dribblers into positions higher up the pitch where their trickery can counteract that issue though, as we did when we moved March to his best position against Burnley as an inverted right winger.

Bozza · Sep 29, 2019

Quite amazing that Knockaert, watching from the stands, was loaned out as surplus to requirements. How we could have done with some of his energy yesterday.

Izquierdo is perma-injured.

March is injured, ill or whatever.

Ali J is fit but shithouse.

We don't actually seem to have a wide player available to us.

One Teddy Maybank · Sep 29, 2019

sussex_guy2k2 said:
I don't necessarily disagree. But we've lacked proper pace since we got promoted really, Izzy aside. None of our players are quick. Part of the solution to that is getting the dribblers into positions higher up the pitch where their trickery can counteract that issue though, as we did when we moved March to his best position against Burnley as an inverted right winger.

Have any of our wingers got tricks? [emoji6]
Solly does have a good knack of getting a cross in, the trouble is even with the wingers higher up, we are slow getting them the ball and consequently the opposition defence is set.

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Bodian · Sep 29, 2019

Bong put in an excellent cross yesterday......

Bry Nylon · Sep 29, 2019

Worry lack of everything at the moment.

Neville's Breakfast · Sep 29, 2019

Bodian said:
Bong put in an excellent cross yesterday......

In amongst several other chances to cross not taken. Just a shame an actual winger wasn’t receiving them. The best option was watching from the hospitality seats alongside us.

sussex_guy2k2 · Sep 29, 2019

One Teddy Maybank said:
Have any of our wingers got tricks? [emoji6]
Solly does have a good knack of getting a cross in, the trouble is even with the wingers higher up, we are slow getting them the ball and consequently the opposition defence is set.

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Strictly speaking we've not played with wingers this year :wink:

I think we move the ball much quicker this year into these players, at least we have in the home games and the Newcastle and Watford away games, and I think that's showing with chances created at home. In this regard we're substantially better than we were under CH. But a lot of Premier League sides will outnumber our wing backs 2v1 so it's always rather difficult when those are your odds. It also explains why many of our crosses seem to be coming from those inside 10s in Gross and whoever's on the other side, as they're often the extra man in space to make these opportunities.

One Teddy Maybank · Sep 29, 2019

sussex_guy2k2 said:
Strictly speaking we've not played with wingers this year

I think we move the ball much quicker this year into these players, at least we have in the home games and the Newcastle and Watford away games, and I think that's showing with chances created at home. In this regard we're substantially better than we were under CH. But a lot of Premier League sides will outnumber our wing backs 2v1 so it's always rather difficult when those are your odds. It also explains why many of our crosses seem to be coming from those inside 10s in Gross and whoever's on the other side, as they're often the extra man in space to make these opportunities.

Yes, all good points and perhaps the issue is actually the formation. I don't like wing-backs for the very reason you've stated, you are then left with a (normally) slower CB completely exposed, which is another reason why Duffy looks uncomfortable in this formation. (Also see Villa's second goal).

sussex_guy2k2 · Sep 29, 2019

One Teddy Maybank said:
Yes, all good points and perhaps the issue is actually the formation. I don't like wing-backs for the very reason you've stated, you are then left with a (normally) slower CB completely exposed, which is another reason why Duffy looks uncomfortable in this formation. (Also see Villa's second goal).

Absolutely. For me, 3 at the back doesn't give you the coverage across the pitch that 4 at the back does. There's a time and a place for it but at the top level it becomes too easy to neutralise after a while unless you have the best players in the league i.e. Chelsea a few years back. I also think that it neutralises March who is one of our best attacking players.

I'm on the fence re Duffy. I've never been one to praise him like many on here because his lack of ability on the ball massively hampers us. But I do worry we're relying too much on two relatively inexperienced CBs at this level who are much better on the ball but who are currently very naive defensively.

zefarelly · Sep 29, 2019

Bongs crossing is generally poor, alThough one yesterday was great.

Gross crossing is superb

March crosses pretty well but never looks before kicking it.

We rarel have anyone anywhere near the end of a March cross.

AK never crossed it either, head down like a dog. Using its nose.

We've seen some lovely throug balls this season, would like to see more of that.

Blue3 · Sep 29, 2019

Bozza said:
Quite amazing that Knockaert, watching from the stands, was loaned out as surplus to requirements. How we could have done with some of his energy yesterday.

Izquierdo is perma-injured.

March is injured, ill or whatever.

Ali J is fit but shithouse.

We don't actually seem to have a wide player available to us.

Very odd when at the start of the season the wingers position was not one we had any concerns over well no in relation to numbers of players available who had played in that position March, Knocaert, Locardia, Izequerdo, Andone, Trossard or Ali J

zefarelly · Sep 29, 2019

Blue3 said:
Very odd when at the start of the season the wingers position was not one we had any concerns over well no in relation to numbers of players available who had played in that position March, Knocaert, Locardia, Izequerdo, Andone, Trossard or Ali J

Whilst we're have been very unlucky this season, we were extremely lucky in our first season with regards injuries and suspensions.

Deadly Danson · Sep 29, 2019

Bozza said:
Quite amazing that Knockaert, watching from the stands, was loaned out as surplus to requirements. How we could have done with some of his energy yesterday.

Izquierdo is perma-injured.

March is injured, ill or whatever.

Ali J is fit but shithouse.

We don't actually seem to have a wide player available to us.

Yep, I appreciate the need (and bravery) to get rid of some of the more high maintenance and maybe disruptive players but it still seems slightly kamikaze to get rid of players like Knockaert with no one to replace them (accepting of course the promise of Trossard). Time will tell whether the gamble works. We desperately need pace, width and someone able to do something special - we don't do much business in January normally but we may need to this time around.

Weststander · Sep 29, 2019

Blue3 said:
Very odd when at the start of the season the wingers position was not one we had any concerns over well no in relation to numbers of players available who had played in that position March, Knocaert, Locardia, Izequerdo, Andone, Trossard or Ali J

I had concerns, often mentioning that a new winger was needed, even after signing Trossard. Let’s go through those names, as wingers:

Locadia - never a PL winger. Even his mates on NSC never said that, they argued he should be our sole striker.

Andone - the same and incredibly lazy.

Jahanbakhsh - £17m down the drain. Unless he comes back a different player.

Knockaeart - love his passion and driving forward, but lacked the pace at PL level to beat a man.

Izquierdo - great first season. Second season injuries and hopeless when playing.

Trossard and March I rate.

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