Dean Hammond...

[Manwell Pablo]

As I said above, you have to play with a plan that is effective. Just running about a lot is not the answer.

 

In the Prem forward players are very skilful and creative and you need to counter that in midfield, this was rarely a problem in the championship but it is every week this season.

 

The modern way is to use central midfielders in primarily defensive roles with them dropping into the back 4 as required. This allows the central defenders to cover behind the fullbacks who push forward onto the opposition wide players. That is how it is done.

 

We on the other hand let our central midfielders run free but support our centre backs  by playing our fullbacks deep and narrow, thus relying on what should be our attacking wide players, Schlupp, Albrighton and particularly Mahrez to play as auxiliary full backs.

 

There is a reason other teams do not play like that.

 

I say again look at the goals we are conceding Matty James IS getting back to cover counters he did against Villa and he did against Newcaste, the problem is there aren't enough defenders joining him. 

[Guest ttfn]

I don't buy this Cambiasso is 5 steps ahead of other players bullshit, he's a liability. His flicks go to the opposition and his passes aren't always all that.

I've not seen anything from him King can't offer

[peach0000]

for me King, Hammond and Cambiasso have been our best midfielders this season

[Tommy G]

We should play a back 4 with then a holding player, whether DH or not. Then play a midfield two that can go box to box two wide men and ulloa up front.

 

At least then ulloa can stay in and around the box. I think a 3 of king, camby and drink are best. James has been very poor and shouldn't start against man City

[Albert]

Amazes me that people are saying Hammond needs to come back into the team but there's hardly been a mention of putting our player of the season and the guy that made us tick all last season Danny Drinkwater.

I'm totally baffled

[glen parva fox]

The majority of our points have come from Hammond and King in midfield

[Clever Fox]

I say again look at the goals we are conceding Matty James IS getting back to cover counters he did against Villa and he did against Newcaste, the problem is there aren't enough defenders joining him. 

 

Tracking back is ok but you have to make the tackle. He didn't do that with AB and allowed him to lift his head and make the pass to Benteke who picked out Hutton. You just cannot do that at this level. 

These are the mistakes that are costing us. When we first stop making them then we'll improve results.

[Clever Fox]

Possession doesn't win you games.

 

Possession is everything in this game. Even the good counter attacking teams you mentioned don't score without it.

The game is so much easier to play if you can maintain it. you don't have to keep chasing after it and you don't have to keep winning it back when you don't have it. Sounds simple but difficult to do without good or well coached players.

[Stadt]

Right role, wrong player.

[Fox Ulike]

Possession is nonsense, unless your style requires it like Arsenal, Southampton, Barcelona

Pre-Guardiola Bayern, Chelsea & Utd's greatest successes came from countering with purpose

No, we're not comparable to any of those teams... But theres more than one way to skin a cat and possession is often overrated

 

Possession doesn't win you games.

 

No. But you can't concede if you have the ball.

 

Whilst It is possible to play a non-possession game successfully, you don’t play this with 2 strikers, 2 wingers and a 34-yo ball-playing CM!! We do have players who are better without the ball (Hammond, King, Nugent etc), but they don’t get in the side.

 

No. I’m afraid that our poor possession stats are simply because we’re getting out-played and out-thought every time.

 

If you want to know how to play without the ball, just look at the way Liverpool played against us in the second half. One up front, speedy winger without defensive duties, and a strong midfield of 3.  They just allowed us to press forward and then hit us on the break 3 times (resulting in 2 goals and Morgan sent off).

[5waller5]

I'd be surprised if we had more possession in a single game this season?? 

[ozvaldo]

This thought crossed my mind last night but as I had no actual logic to back it up I instantly dismissed it.

 

same here.