Missing Mason...

[Mr Pink]

Think it was Mpickard who was analysing the types of goals we've scored recently in last nights match thread and there hasn't been many goals where we've picked the lock or cultivated good moves that have really opened teams up that have led to goals. Most have been in space on the counter, long balls, set piece goals, long range efforts like Kane's second against West Ham- or getting the rub like Kane's opener against West Ham. The problem is we're not creating enough clear cut chances. We created one last night but its becoming a recurring theme. We're dominating teams but again its what you're doing with the possession that counts more.

This is not meant to be critical more just an observation and area for improvement as there are some things we've become a lot better at. Defensively we're much better for the most part and that means we can grind some results out by nicking a scrappy goal here and there, a long range effort or a set piece etc. That's a huge strength but there will be games like last night when you absolutely need to make more than one clear cut chance otherwise the lack of goal threat will cost us too many points.

The last well worked team goal in the League where we proper opened someone up was away at Sundeland - Mason's goal, that was a really good goal and our best of the season IMO. In fact we created some great chances against Everton at home as well - Mason playing in the ten role coincidentally enough, and that for me was our best performance of the season.

I know he has injury issues but I think we'd be creating more clear cut chances with him in the team.

 

[The Apprentice]

He's our most dynamic CM.

 

[Monkey boy]

The only Mason we were missing last night was the real Lee Mason, surely he had been kidnapped and replaced by a lookalike? That's the only explanation that I can give as to how such a poor refereeing performance can be possible.

 

[Mr Pink]

I'm also a bit concerned we're going to drop off in the second half of the season if Poch doesn't start rotating a bit more.

Will some of these guys be fatigued in the weeks to come...

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Oh, yes. Yet another injured player who becomes the answer to all our problems simply because he is injured.
What we need is a completely brand new, feisty CM engine.

I'm also a bit concerned we're going to drop off in the second half of the season if Poch doesn't start rotating a bit more.

Will some of these guys be fatigued in the weeks to come...

True, but what do you really expect? Pochettino always identifies a core of 9 players who play as many of the matches as possible. This always the case. All the seasons, even back at Saints, 9 players was his magic number of especially trusted lads.

 

[Mr Pink]

Oh, yes. Yet another injured player who becomes the answer to all our problems simply because he is injured.
What we need is a completely brand new, feisty CM engine.

Didn't say he was the sole answer to all our problems. Just that we could do with him to help with our creativity.

And then your second sentence

 

[kaz Hirai]

I'd certainly have mason or bentelab over caroll when dembele isn't playing. No idea what's going on

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

And then your second sentence

Because it is so spot on it's hilarious how club directors don't see it, I assume?

 

[fletch82]

I'd certainly have mason or bentelab over caroll when dembele isn't playing. No idea what's going on

Mason yes I can understand that aggressive and a good eye for a pass and makes intelligent runs.

Nabil (really)
With his combined career stats of 1 goal per season in all comps including internationals and a hefty 2 assists per season ?
Why would any one think he could open up teams or make a difference in an attacking sense ?

 

[kaz Hirai]

Mason yes I can understand that aggressive and a good eye for a pass and makes intelligent runs.

Nabil (really)
With his combined career stats of 1 goal per season in all comps including internationals and a hefty 2 assists per season ?
Why would any one think he could open up teams or make a difference in an attacking sense ?

All round better player than Carroll at this stage period.
And way more potential.

And more importantly he is more effective when up against teams that apply midfield pressure

 

[wrd]

I think it's an interesting point in terms of somebody coming off the bench to offer something different. Personally why I want to see Lamela Alli Son this saturday just to try and get some different dynamics going as a lot of our players other similar things. I like the play Carroll, Lamela and Eriksen do but it can lead to it feeling like we are banging our heads against a wall with the same method of penetration

 

[fletch82]

All round better player than Carroll at this stage period.
And way more potential.

And more importantly he is more effective when up against teams that apply midfield pressure

In what way or area would he for example have made the difference last night then ?

 

[Kiedis]

To be fair, how many goals like the one at Sunderland do you see in the PL these days? We face deep lying teams all the time, and to carve through them is very hard. What consitutes a good team goal? Does it have to be one touch passing against a deep lying team that ends up with a player being totally free in front of the goal keeper? Because those are pretty hard to come by.

The plays yesterday that ended with Lamela finishing from 10 yards twice yesterday, were they a result of good attacking team moves? The one that led to the 1-0 against Leicester this sunday? Kanes chance against Everton, where a pin point diagonal ball found Alli who then chested it brilliantly in Kanes path?

I'd say we're doing pretty well attacking wise, and we're a long way from the days where we were restricted to long range efforts. Things can always get better, but I disagree that we're particularly bad.

When it comes to Mason, I really like him, and hope he'll be ready for a run out one of these days. But I dont agree that there is this huge problem in our team that he's the solution to.

 

[Lighty64]

not sure its missing Mason, more of a case of playing Carroll

most of our wins and best results this season have come when Dier & Alli have been our central pairing. I think even Eriksen is better when Alli is running from deep.

though deep down if Mason's fit then Carroll doesn't play

 

[kaz Hirai]

Who can say.

It's possible with better composure and more assured control of the midfield we could've squeezed Leicester even further up the pitch. Giving us a better platform to attack.
. Rather than caroll who was pretty invisible leaving dier to drop back as almost a cb for most of the game

 

[fletch82]

@mattyzb
Offer some debate dude it's what forums are for why and what do you dislike I am pretty certain I won't take offence mate.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think our best midfield 3 is Dier, Alli and Dembele, and when we're missing one of them we don't look as strong. For me Mason is the best outside those three though and is a useful replacement, whereas with Carroll and Bentaleb there is more of a drop in quality.

Our main issue in terms of creativity though is our creative players. Eriksen and Lamela still flatter to deceive more often than players of their quality should, and there's still part of me that thinks we should play one or the other and not both.

 

[fletch82]

Who can say.

It's possible with better composure and more assured control of the midfield we could've squeezed Leicester even further up the pitch. Giving us a better platform to attack.
. Rather than caroll who was pretty invisible leaving dier to drop back as almost a cb for most of the game

But we had all the possession in the world mate and we were high up the pitch the majority of the game
Maybe if we could have had somebody on wires elevated to cut out the long ball it would help but not sure the fa would allow that

 

[fletch82]

I think our best midfield 3 is Dier, Alli and Dembele, and when we're missing one of them we don't look as strong. For me Mason is the best outside those three though and is a useful replacement, whereas with Carroll and Bentaleb there is more of a drop in quality.

Our main issue in terms of creativity though is our creative players. Eriksen and Lamela still flatter to deceive more often than players of their quality should, and there's still part of me that thinks we should play one or the other and not both.

Agree completely

Although erik does add a lot to energy and press and in fairness deserved an assist last night harry should have buried that
On the negative side he should have done better with the 2 shooting chances he had
Eriksen I find really frustrating and I would hate to manage him he is great but poor all at the same time witch would be a massive dilemma every game.

 

[nightgoat]

The only Mason we were missing last night was the real Lee Mason, surely he had been kidnapped and replaced by a lookalike? That's the only explanation that I can give as to how such a poor refereeing performance can be possible.

No, that was definitely the real Lee Mason. Worst ref in the league along with Moss.