Post Match FAC Barnsley (A) 4-1 January 12th 19:45
- Thread starter dee
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Stage our starting xi could find each other in the attacking third.
Chiesa was meh, but there at least two times he was free for the ball in the box and completely ignored. Jones was one of the culprits. Can't remember the other. Ngumoha was more involved but little end product, really.
It's never easy playing in the top line against a defensive block of ten, though. It's no surprise both goals came from range. The attackers only started getting some space when their legs were tiring, which Ekitike and Wirtz were able to make the most of.
It's never easy playing in the top line against a defensive block of ten, though. It's no surprise both goals came from range. The attackers only started getting some space when their legs were tiring, which Ekitike and Wirtz were able to make the most of.
I know the exact moment you're talking about.
It was early in the second half, near the right side of the box.
I remember thinking, why the hell didn't you pass him the ball for a simple cross?
Instead he turns and gives the ball back to Barnsley with misplaced pass.
Chiesa is a pass and move player and we are quite static when we don't play with a proper 9 up front. Would like to see more of Chiesa Wirtz Etikite
Nailed it.
Yep. On and off the ball movement is shocking. Everything is to feet, which is fine if you've got a midfield or Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta. Even then, you need movement in front of them. Gakpo doesn't fucking move. Ekitike does, which is why we look a much more dangerous side when he plays because he will at least run in behind, drop deep, pull wide etc. But he's the only one.
Off the ball it's abysmal too. We don't press the opposition. And if we do, it's not as a coherent unit. One or two will make an effort, but it's not backed up in a chain or with any plan. Then it's one or two passes and the opposition have broken through the lines and are running at our exposed defence.
It's clearly the coaching too, as we've seen under a different manager that these players can do it.
The creativity is a real issue though. Frimpong looks like a breath of fresh air because he will try and beat a man for pace and get behind the defence. Everything else is played sideways in front of two banks of four, very rarely with any attempt to break the lines. Wirtz did it when he came on. Jones is capable. But it's really, really bad in the main.
Besides the great Szoboszlai and Frimpong moments of magic, did we look like we were ever going to break them down through a tactical plan or system in the first half? They got in behind us a few times, though, and looked a threat. 17th placed League One side, Barnsley. It's a real worry.
I think being in the lead with the more cobbled together side then just looking far more talented when the subs come on is a pretty fucking standard way for an fa cup game to go?
It wasn't that cobbled together. They're all internationals, except for Rio, and would all consider themselves first team players, by and large. That and the fact that Barnsley are struggling two leagues below should mean we'd expect to see a better showing. Their left winger was miles better than ours.