- May 7, 2004
- 42,606
- 78,308
This drives me mad it really does. Time and time again we do it. So often when an opposing player is facing away from goal yet we make a challenge resulting in a foul. It is so stupid because there's no danger. I understand trying to pressure a player and win the ball but when you're behind the player and they're going nowhere there is no reason to challenge.
Yesterday we gave Sunderland a free shot at goal in a situation where Defoe was going sideways looking for a pass out wide. I know Vertonghen was more frustrated than anything else but it happens far too often. It was doing my head in at Palace as well. The trouble is it gives the opposition an opportunity that wasn't there before. It's particularly important when playing teams who are not creating many chances because they rely on set pieces for opportunities to score. Not only that but it breaks the play up.
So for the love of god please stop giving away these cheap free kicks. Let them go backwards or shield the ball all they like in our half, if you're going to put a challenge in do it their half where they can't get a ball into our box and create a chance from nothing. Worse still do not do it just outside the box so they get a free shot at goal. I love the increased work rate and the fighting spirit we show at times but try and use your heads a bit please.
Yesterday we gave Sunderland a free shot at goal in a situation where Defoe was going sideways looking for a pass out wide. I know Vertonghen was more frustrated than anything else but it happens far too often. It was doing my head in at Palace as well. The trouble is it gives the opposition an opportunity that wasn't there before. It's particularly important when playing teams who are not creating many chances because they rely on set pieces for opportunities to score. Not only that but it breaks the play up.
So for the love of god please stop giving away these cheap free kicks. Let them go backwards or shield the ball all they like in our half, if you're going to put a challenge in do it their half where they can't get a ball into our box and create a chance from nothing. Worse still do not do it just outside the box so they get a free shot at goal. I love the increased work rate and the fighting spirit we show at times but try and use your heads a bit please.