ceases to be a prerequisite/excuse? I've read countless posts mentioning losing players through tranfers, injuries, suspensions or whatever reason it is that we can't play this player or that player. That may be so but only to a certain extent. Yesterday and for a number of games now, our players are failing the basics of the game. Yesterday for example our forwards ran towards their defenders to close them down, yet the midfielders didn't follow suit on their counterparts resulting in Hammers midfielders with time and space to have a picnic. This keeping possession by passing across the back four, then play it to midfield who turn it back to the the back four who then lump it upfield and often possession is surrendered asa result. If we don't have the quality of player to play this way then why not change the tactics? The calamity that led to the 3rd goal, fair enough it should've been a foul , but we got the ball back and if Cotterill had played the ball forward instead of turning back then the error by Button wouldn't have happened. Incidentally, did you notice Button made the mistake as a result of Maynard steaming in at him to close him down. The second goal, did they not know that Maynard relishes coming in on to his right foot, we just stood off him and watched. I know we have lost quality since the new year, but that does not excuse poor tactics and poor decision making. Are some of our players so much in awe of the opposition before the game that they believe its not only ok to lose, its also ok not to perform? I don't know how the hell Hill is going to lift them for Monday especially against opponents, who in my opinion will pose more of an attacking threat than the Hammers, I just hope he can.
Re: What standard of player do you have to be before doing the simple basics of footb Echoes my thoughts. It doesn't need a genius to see that you shouldn't try to thread a ball to someone with his back to goal and three players around him. It also doesn't take a genius to know to look up before passing, as the player you were passing to may have moved in the few seconds you last looked, or worse - an opposition player may be waiting for the ball as he's seen you do it before. Also, men behind the ball is only effective if you're going to actually pressure the opposition and, maybe, even consider a tackle now and again?
Re: What standard of player do you have to be before doing the simple basics of footb Its easy innit? seriously though, I take no delight whatsoever in knocking the manager/players but there is no excuse on earth that can be used to defend much of the way we played yesterday and for a good number of other games. Get the basics right and there is always a chance