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Pass and Move – Simple

11 years ago
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It’s almost laughable if it wasn’t so galling!

The way in which our players give the ball away so cheaply is astounding.  Simple passes that go straight to the opposition, simple passes that miss the man and fly into the crowd, or simple passes into dead space or to their keeper. Chieck Tiote is the worst at this and he keeps giving the ball away in midfield and then the opposition are straight at the back 4.

Passing the ball is the basic premise of a footballer and when you don’t have the ball, the basic thought pattern should be getting in a position to receive it.  I challenge anyone to watch Wednesday night’s game and look at the players off the ball and see who is actually moving into space to receive the ball, or when a player plays the ball into feet, what is their movement to get the ball back – basic schoolboy pass and move stuff (Pass and MOVE!!!).

We get the ball in defence, it gets played to Perch and he plays it either to Tiote – who plays it back or loses it, or it’s played over 2/3 players down the wing and lost.  Either that or it’s hoofed down field.

Obertan, should be labelled ‘Cinderella’ in this Pantomime,  he plays the ball back to Santon and then his first thought is run as fast as I can away from the ball, down the touchline. Why?

Inviting the long ball over the top and when he gets there has no idea what to do with it.  He should pass the ball and move into space to get the ball back, or create space for someone else.

I honestly can’t think of another team in the Premier league who pass the ball as poorly as we do at this moment in time.

And the Icing on the cake is, when we do actually pass the ball (those unique moments in a game) and get into a good position, there is almost never an end product!!

Yes, you may think I’m going over the top and we’re not that bad,  but most of the goals against us this season. have been down to us giving the ball away cheaply and players simply not doing their Job.

Whilst I’m ranting, does Pardew know which players play best and where, and what formation they should be playing in – I see a bunch of confused players who don’t know their roles and look to be pointing the finger elsewhere when something goes wrong

Let’s get back to basics, PASS AND MOVE, keep the ball, work for each other, play your position,  cross into the box and miss the front man, shoot on target,  all the elements I use at the training sessions I run for under 16s.

And no, I don’t always moan, I would love to be sitting here talking about our free flowing football, solid defence and a team who goes onto the pitch where everyone knows their position and job and gives it 100%,  I just don’t see that at the moment.

Bah Humbug

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