Constructive criticism - Lack of Creativity issue this season so far.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Interesting post and chimes with what a few on here (Joel at the beginning of the season) and a lot of pundits have said - we are lacking something in midfield.

Part of the issue seems to be the inevitable chopping and changing in midfield but with KP as a rock would be nice to have Klich and Shackleton in the middle as they can both play there. However, none of them can pick apart defences in the way Pablo could at his best.

It was noticeable against Fulham that we hit quite a lot more long diagonal passes to the wings to by pass the midfield build up (I believe Bielsa would describe this as rapid verticality) which had two effects.

First, it stretched Fulham a bit more and made more space in the middle of the park as they couldn’t be as compact.

Second, when it came off we got in behind them.

We saw it a little bit against Newcastle too.

The problem is if we use this too often then it becomes predictable and is easily countered as none of our wingers are exactly giants.

Think Firpo when he gets used to the system and this league will add a lot going forward. He seems to have a shot on him too so there must be a 30 yard screamer waiting to be delivered in him somewhere.

West Ham know how to defend so should be interesting to see how we try to unlock that particular puzzle.

If we play KP as CB then I think we will really struggle in midfield. Lewis Bate (who bosses the game against the Liverpool u23s) and Charlie Allen look like they have the skills but a little bit early for them in their stage of development to be thrust into that role.

[spaldy]

Nice write up. objective assessment of what many of us are subjectively feeling.

Not slagging them but they aren't the same as last year.... Bamford, Klich, Dallas and Cooper. They are instrumental in your diagram.

Think the three lions has become a huge distraction for Bamford. The same for Klich, Dallas and Cooper's national teams.

Roberts and Costa never were. Loaned out one but the other is no better or worse than last year. He's just a below average prem player.

Hope to see James, Raph, Mckinstry, Sommervile and Gelherdt out at the same time. preferably before we are in a relegation battle.

On a positive note. Meslier, Phillips, Strujik and James are quality. Very good to build a team around. we've also played 2 of the best teams and Everton is improved a lot. got some tough games behind us. The burnley and Newcastle games were killers. Totally different feel on the season if we win those.

[Billyni]

We don’t do creativity.
We just run until we are tired and then run some more in the hope that the opposition get fed up.

[Rev72]

We don’t do creativity.
We just run until we are tired and then run some more in the hope that the opposition get fed up.

Feckin Neg Head !