Analysis of the goals conceded against Everton (05/01)
Follow me on Twitter – @WindyCOYS.
It’s been a while since I’ve done this, so bear with me…!
Saha receives the ball, with Gallas stood (too far) off him. He’s able to hold it up, and look to spread play.
Baines has got forward well (as he does) and has time, since Hutton has shown a lack of awareness of what’s going on around him.
By the time Hutton comes to close Baines, Gallas has dropped off Saha again, leaving him in yards of space. Notice Jenas screaming and pointing at Saha (you can see this better in the video), urging Gallas to get tighter.
Gallas and Jenas close in on Saha, but it’s far too late and, even on his weaker right foot, Saha is easily able to get a shot away. Gomes is positioned slightly closer to his left hand post than his right.
Saha strikes it well, but, having started too far over, Gomes has left himself a lot to do.
He can’t get down to it quickly enough and, even thoughh it’s not right in the corner, it finds the net.
A poor goal to concede, and so early in the game too. Gallas must know that Saha is capable of shooting from the edge of the box, even with his weaker foot. To stand off him twice was criminal – very poor defending.
As we play a ball into the Everton box, Distin rises to get above Kranjcar, and heads the ball clear. Jenas and Modric are both pushed forward, supporting the attack.
The ball breaks slightly fortuitously to Pienaar, who swivels and plays a fine ball to Beckford, who is being tracked by Assou-Ekotto. Notice Saha ready to support a counter attack, and Jenas starting to track back.
Beckford cleverly lays the ball off first time, knowing that if he takes a touch, Assou-Ekotto could get to the ball. At this point I think one of our players should be thinking of making a cynical foul if at all possible.
Great ball from Beckford, through the gap…
…but it does lack a little weight, so Saha has to check, giving Dawson the chance to get back behind the ball. He backs off, with one eye on Coleman (who you can see coming into the picture), but also knowing that Saha prefers to use his left foot. Notice Jenas charging back to help his defence.
Saha comes inside on to his left. Coleman continues his run, and Jenas intelligently goes that way in case the ball breaks for him.
Sightly selfishly, Saha goes for goal, getting plenty of force behind his shot. Jenas for some reason has slowed down – whether he is thinking that we may try to play Coleman offside or thinks that the move is over, it’s this hesitation that lets Coleman get beyond him.
The shot is pretty much straight at Gomes and, for me, Gomes should be getting this out into a much safer area.
When he parries it feebly out towards the edge of the 6-yard box, the onrushing Coleman is there to nod home.
As Saha has his shot, Coleman is played onside by Dawson.
A very disappointing goal – should we have brought Beckford or Saha down? Why did Jenas stop? Why didn’t Gomes get the ball over the bar or around the post and to safety?
Join the conversation
I also think Gomes should have done better with both goals, especially the second.
Jenas does well with the second to give himself a chance but then stops to see what will happen?
Agree - Gomes should have done better with both, slightly out of position for the first and had time with the second to control his parry away.
isn't that cheating?
2/3 brave interceptions too, one at the near post.
Howard should have saved VderV's header too.
Fragile things keepers, Gomes is as good as any taking it all round.
Outside of King and Woody, all of our defenders are too passive, have a bad tendency to ball watch, lose sight of runners behind them and play WAY too deep (especially in away matches).
If we are left with BAE, Dawson and Gallas in defence when we head to the San Siro our CL aspirations are going to be quickly vanished.
For the second goal, I also wondered why Jenas, having been the only midfield player to make the effort to get back, stopped before he was goal side of Coleman. However, to me the main fault was with Dawson. With BAE covering, there was no need for him to drop back so much. He seemed scared that if he got too close to Saha, his lack of pace would have been exposed. Bassong has pace to burn and I am not sure why Harry seems to dislike him. Also, where was Gallas?
Anon @ 21:20 - watch the video - Pienaar's run (tracked by Lennon) distracts Gallas, and he suddenly drops, leaving Saha in acres. Jenas tries to get back to him, but Gallas suddenly leaving him causes the problem.
Anon @ 21:25 - I'd rather Bassong and Dawson started - Dawson doesn't look happy as the left-sided centre back.
Anon @ 21:51 - call it what you like, many teams do it. We don't seem to.
Jimmy - agree, mixed bag from Gomes.
Anon @ 23:04 - Crouch should have buried at least one of the headers, and the offside goal was inexcusable. He did well for the goal and his mazy run though.
Anon @ 00:12 - Sandro doesn't look ready to me yet. Be interesting to see him on Sunday.
Anon @ 05:04 - I see where you're coming from but, in fairness to Dawson, he probably did the right thing - Saha taking the shot on was probably the lesser of two evils, but we got unlucky with the way it turned out.
Anon @ 08:41 - Many people are arguing that Gallas had to drop for the first - I don't see it that way at all, so I'm glad that you agree! Think Gallas had ventured forward for the second goal, although I'd need to watch again to check.
1) how bout a loan watch
2) what are your thoughts on the stadium move
have you seen this http://wisdomforsport.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/the-battle-for-statford/