Counter-attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnTdz4xqSo

Originally Posted by Coracao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnTdz4xqSo

There was a moment on Saturday where DDG had the option (after a Sheffield corner), and yet he waited for everyone to get in their position and threw it wide (near corner flag) to Blind.

Those days are gone unfortunately.

24 years ago.....

Bloody hell.

Those days are gone.

Originally Posted by Bunker Buster

24 years ago.....

Bloody hell.

Those days are gone.

Not a care in the world. Full time cardie and seven times clapper, what a time to be alive

Originally Posted by Coracao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnTdz4xqSo

That 2nd goal at Norwich is the one I always think defined that team. From their own six-yard line to the back of the opposition net in about 12 seconds and five passes
If Wenger's Arsenal scored that we'd never have heard the end of it.

Not sure you get that much space in behind many of the teams in this league anymore tbh, but it's definitely an area we struggle in

Giggs back then

Originally Posted by Zorg

That 2nd goal at Norwich is the one I always think defined that team. From their own six-yard line to the back of the opposition net in about 12 seconds and five passes
If Wenger's Arsenal scored that we'd never have heard the end of it.

Some might argue that our players can't be expected to pull that off because they simply aren't coached that way.

Also think it would be churlish to deny that the opposition has moved on since those days. The game is far less open. Our players haven't been together long enough. We don't have that level of attacking talent.

Lots to chew on.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Not sure you get that much space in behind many of the teams in this league anymore tbh, but it's definitely an area we struggle in

Giggs back then

Yep. Days of leaving players up front from defensive set pieces seem to have gone aswell.

Honestly can't remember the last time someone scored a decent counter attacking goal. The game has moved on, all about stats.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

Yep. Days of leaving players up front from defensive set pieces seem to have gone aswell.

Honestly can't remember the last time someone scored a decent counter attacking goal.

The top sides don't tend to score many.

You see opposition men committed forward in that video and the high lines, just doesn't happen much these days.

Originally Posted by Coracao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnTdz4xqSo

That last clip. "Manchester United are breaking with 6 players forward". if only.

What does Tim Peake say about it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghdPS6zLoHI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-b2We0-gKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjD6Dv7gGs8

I £#%&!ing loved that Saha goal

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

I £#%&!ing loved that Saha goal

Rooney vs Bolton best goal i've ever seen at OT. Just wow.

Originally Posted by Baron

If memory serves, we were described the Fulham boss (Coleman?) that day as having the pace & movement of the Red Arrows up front

Just a single world class, pacey forward to play alongside Depay & Martial could massively change the complexion of this side.

Go & £#%&!ing ***** £56m on Griezemann for £#%&!s sake.

Sorry bud, but adding a pacey forward isn't going to do anything.

We build from the back, and the game has moved on.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

Sorry bud, but adding a pacey forward isn't going to do anything.

We build from the back, and the game has moved on.

Barca build from the back, but having quick front players who can all beat a man and get them up the field quickly helps.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Barca build from the back, but having quick front players who can all beat a man and get them up the field quickly helps.

It does. Was thinking of Barca, but not the same environment.

Again though with that Fulham goal, they're wide open for the break after their free-kick breaks down. Four players in our six-yard area, a few others on the edge of the box. Absolutely brilliant from Saha though

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

It does. Was thinking of Barca, but not the same environment.

I think in the current climate having players who beat a man in tight spaces is more vital. Against deep defences you have to have two or three who can open it up in 1v1 situations. Martial is a natural at it, which is partly why he probably needs to be out wide atm.

Counter-attacking is an important weapon to have in the armoury, but one annoying aspect of our attacking troubles is that it's discrediting the importance of control of the ball. It's almost like possession is becoming a dirty word, because we're doing so little with it. Pressing up the pitch, playing a high line, pushing deep into the opposition's half should be good things... but we're making it count against us, because oppositions have cottoned on that it's the easy way to play us and we get frustrated.

If the possession and control was giving us goals it'd be as exciting as swift countering, or more so. But we're slow and unimaginative so it isn't.

Andrei loved a good counter attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0QVF2-6c-g