Guest firetotheworks Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Whenever Beckham plays, we seem to end up in a tactical straitjacket. Despite the fact that we won comfortably last night, I didn't see much of the fluidity and interchanging of positions that we'll need to break down the better defences. The problem with Beckham is that he's very reluctant to move out of that quarterback position ie in space behind the attacking players and spraying passes forward to them. He even tends to get in that kind of position when he's out wide. He never seems to make runs forward, trying to get on the end of passes and flick-ons, like Gerrard or Lampard. That's basically because he's not comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces under pressure and tends to avoid it, because he lacks pace and close control. At that level, you don't really want a player who's only going to stick to a limited role. He has to be able to respond to opportunities as they arise, because the opportunities aren't that plentiful. His presence means that everyone ends up having to stick to their positions more, and we then look very predictable. Thats all true, but to put a positive spin on it he's still excellent at what he does, so when its required its another way of doing things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Whenever Beckham plays, we seem to end up in a tactical straitjacket. Despite the fact that we won comfortably last night, I didn't see much of the fluidity and interchanging of positions that we'll need to break down the better defences. The problem with Beckham is that he's very reluctant to move out of that quarterback position ie in space behind the attacking players and spraying passes forward to them. He even tends to get in that kind of position when he's out wide. He never seems to make runs forward, trying to get on the end of passes and flick-ons, like Gerrard or Lampard. That's basically because he's not comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces under pressure and tends to avoid it, because he lacks pace and close control. At that level, you don't really want a player who's only going to stick to a limited role. He has to be able to respond to opportunities as they arise, because the opportunities aren't that plentiful. His presence means that everyone ends up having to stick to their positions more, and we then look very predictable. Thats all true, but to put a positive spin on it he's still excellent at what he does, so when its required its another way of doing things. Well, he's not the only one who can take set pieces any more. His crossing is still probably better than anyone else's, but given his other limitations, I wouldn't pick him just for that. Unless you're playing the likes of Andorra, who always play in exactly the same way, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. We need players who are flexible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Whenever Beckham plays, we seem to end up in a tactical straitjacket. Despite the fact that we won comfortably last night, I didn't see much of the fluidity and interchanging of positions that we'll need to break down the better defences. The problem with Beckham is that he's very reluctant to move out of that quarterback position ie in space behind the attacking players and spraying passes forward to them. He even tends to get in that kind of position when he's out wide. He never seems to make runs forward, trying to get on the end of passes and flick-ons, like Gerrard or Lampard. That's basically because he's not comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces under pressure and tends to avoid it, because he lacks pace and close control. At that level, you don't really want a player who's only going to stick to a limited role. He has to be able to respond to opportunities as they arise, because the opportunities aren't that plentiful. His presence means that everyone ends up having to stick to their positions more, and we then look very predictable. You've answered yourself there - fluidity and interchanging of positions wasn't needed against Plumbers XI's defence. But I take your point - we sometimes look static and short quick passes are still often beyond us. The 2nd paragraph is all very true but not a problem as such - we know Beckham's getting old and thus this 'quarterback' position seems a natural move for him. Of course against better sides, no it's unlikely he'll be able to impress like he did last night, but I prefer to see it as a positive, that Beckham still at least has that excellent passing of his, when the opportunity arises. I doubt he'll be played against the better teams. Or at least not starting. My main concern is the wings. Walcott, I know he's young, but he needs to be delivering more now. Next season will be massive for him I think. Gerrard, again, against Andorra etc, can play comfortably from the left, come inside, dictate the game. Against the top teams? I doubt it. He needs to be played centrally I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Whenever Beckham plays, we seem to end up in a tactical straitjacket. Despite the fact that we won comfortably last night, I didn't see much of the fluidity and interchanging of positions that we'll need to break down the better defences. The problem with Beckham is that he's very reluctant to move out of that quarterback position ie in space behind the attacking players and spraying passes forward to them. He even tends to get in that kind of position when he's out wide. He never seems to make runs forward, trying to get on the end of passes and flick-ons, like Gerrard or Lampard. That's basically because he's not comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces under pressure and tends to avoid it, because he lacks pace and close control. At that level, you don't really want a player who's only going to stick to a limited role. He has to be able to respond to opportunities as they arise, because the opportunities aren't that plentiful. His presence means that everyone ends up having to stick to their positions more, and we then look very predictable. Thats all true, but to put a positive spin on it he's still excellent at what he does, so when its required its another way of doing things. Well, he's not the only one who can take set pieces any more. His crossing is still probably better than anyone else's, but given his other limitations, I wouldn't pick him just for that. Unless you're playing the likes of Andorra, who always play in exactly the same way, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. We need players who are flexible. What I am saying is that when its needed, as in for a plan B or against teams that wont outpace him he'll still do a very good job. He might not be flexible, but you could say that of a fair few of them. Barry is even less flexible imo. Beckham can play midfield or right wing, and still, even against some of the better teams has that knack of easily finding space to punish teams. Definitely not a starter against tougher opposition, but easily good enough for the bench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Upped. Game tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakka Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Just hope he fields more fringe players and ensures our best ones are injury free for the Croatia game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Slovenia should call up Haris tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Slovenia should call up Haris tbh. Agreed. I sign loads of Slovenians on FM so I'll know a few of their players. Rok Kronaveter and Rene Mihelic anyone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 This is on ITV1 isn't it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 This is on ITV1 isn't it? Unfortunately, yes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowen Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 This is on ITV1 isn't it? Unfortunately, yes Better than being on sky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 yeah, hate Sky for England games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowen Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 yeah, hate Sky for England games. Saves having to go to the pub too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 yeah, hate Sky for England games. Saves having to go to the pub too. Agreed, I hate watching England games with other people. I can't be arsed to fucking go through the merits of the team or listen to their opinions, because I'm not arsed. I just like us to win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Ashley Cole = Wanker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowen Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Ashley Cole = Wanker Best left back in the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElDiablo Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Ashley Cole = Wanker Best left back in the world. Evra. Possibly Abidal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Neither are better than Ashley Cole man Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Neither are better than Ashley Cole man Ashley Cole's attacking play is not that great. He can't cross well, he can't shoot, and his passing is average. It is hard to consider him the best in the world considering how important that position has become in an attacking sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 He's a left-back man, what do you want him to do, get 10 a season? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Neither are better than Ashley Cole man Ashley Cole's attacking play is not that great. He can't cross well, he can't shoot, and his passing is average. It is hard to consider him the best in the world considering how important that position has become in an attacking sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Ashley Cole is massively overrated, but there aren't that many great left backs around (strangely, we have several great right backs). Abidal's offensive play is too limited to consider him world-class, works for us given Alves' runs to the front, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 He's a left-back man, what do you want him to do, get 10 a season? I'm sorry, but there are a whole bunch of leftbacks who are quality attacking players. Even comparing to his Chelsea teammate Boswinga his attacking game is subpar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 "Four wide options for the manager today............................... Lampard being the widest of these after he piled the beef on this summer." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Mag Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 "Four wide options for the manager today............................... Lampard being the widest of these after he piled the beef on this summer." Gol will be please if he sees this!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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