Elan, you raise an important topic here- versatility. The game has evolved, been a one trick pony is very predictable, teams will exploit this. If our forward isn't running at centerbacks to create chaos, force mistakes it overworks our midfield. There is a huge gap in the JA game where their defense could easily link up with the middle while we struggled to do the same thing -Because JA offense did something we didn't.
Last time we forced a defensive error was vs Mexico in Azteca- Birchall intercepted the ball fed it to Tinto who fired home- since then meh.
Long balls
I thought we were past this- long balls searching, hoping, even seen it in the womens game. Unless you are Italy - this crap won't work or atleast doesn't work for us. Our strength now is the defense -which is one of the best we have ever had in my opinion. With a solid defense it makes sense to work on set pieces like corners, penalties and free kicks, it's an avenue to create opportunities instead of relying on goals from the run of play.
Drifting out of the game is okay if you are Dwight Yorke - a natural poacher /good reader of the game with the ability to anticipate plays and position accordingly. Jones ain't no poacher, him drifting out of the game don't do anything for the rest of the team, from then its 10 vs 11. As a captain you are 11 and 12, doing your duties as well as helping out the midfield not -1.
There is more
While my dislike for KJ profile is a personal point of view it is a concern for fans - give 100 percent in games may be to much to ask especially when it feels like KJ is doing us a favor when he puts on the National Team Jersey. Well that's what it feels like. Yorke, Latas and the strike squad have set the bar high and I wonder if we will ever see quality again from a Tnt striker.
Hate me all you want
This will not stop me from writing what's on my mind or exposing some of the crap we are getting so use to seeing in the national teams. While it hurts me to write these articles as it may seem negative- it is only so if nothing is done about it and the same crap keeps re-occurring. We have hopes of improving, listening to the critics is part of the identifying process- this should be welcomed not fought down.
I don't know what you on about. Love, for who? If yuh mean objectivity then yeah.
It's great if you can be versatile, but many, many players are one trick players, however because of the level of coaching around them they seems very dynamic.
When Robben gets the ball you know exactly what he wants to do and he goes after that. Here's why he is successful in coming inside, finishing and being lauded as one of the best. Coaching. The team is organized so as to create space for Robben to be successful. Just like KJ in JA with 2-3 defenders giving him attention, so to Robben is often targeted, yet he is successful. Why? The coach develops strategies which will allow Robben to free himself to do what he needs to do. The individual as part of the team.
Gone are the days when we talk like you do. Man just need to be good. that is
and why we are not successful. It was plain to see that our midfield was bereft of ideas. We had no plan in bringing KJ into the game. We had no plan to free KJ if he was targeted. We had no plan to use KJ as a decoy if he was targeted. This comes down to coaching and organization.
JA was by far and large much more prepared for us than we were for them. Whose fault is that KJ? All this talk about Captaincy is childish talk. What so hard about being captain? Captain nowadays is more or less a title. What if KJ motivated the players to play hard, win the game and he played shyte? Then what? What if he played a stellar game with a hat-trick and we lose? What then? Who is to say he is not giving 100%? Your experience as a fan? Your understanding of the game? Your personal feelings? KJ is a type of player for a certain type of playing style. You can't put a square peg in a round hole and then turn around and blame the peg. Kj is a player if you cater to, will produce results, simple.
I am not personal with these players and what they do cannot affect me personally, so I don't know about that. I ain't a THOT.