- May 7, 2004
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I just think it's a matter of having players out wide who are far less predictable. That's the most frustrating thing about watching us attack. There's not enough intelligence in the final third. I'm not going to rule out Lamela and Chadli as the answer because they're still both young and still have room for improvement. However I would like to see them go outside more rather than so frequently coming inside all the time. They need to understand when a game is tight that they should make things happen by trying a different approach. It's not enough when they just switch wings if all they do are the same things but on the other side of the pitch.
When Bale started to roam at first it took time before he came good at it. He was often struggling to influence a game and was more affective driving on the outside of the fullback than when he came inside or switched wings. It was only the 2nd half of his final season when he exploded into life and even then it wasn't consistent, just some long range specials that dug us out of drawing or losing situations mixed with mesmorizing long runs.
I'm not necessarily suggesting we need traditional wingers, certainly not one dimensional ones that only play out wide like Lennon does. I do appreciate the evolution of football and particularly the new style of winger. However I just don't see that evolution in our wide players. There's still hope for Lamela and Chadli, I'll include Townsend too because although often frustrating has shown signs of adaptability. They're all young players and the role they have in the team is demanding, it requires great discipline.
Even Mata was sold by Mourinho because he couldn't take that responsibility required out wide. I feel that Chadli and Lamela as they are now would both be more ideal in the same role as Eriksen and not yet developed enough to play the wide role. They have been here 2 seasons now as has Eriksen so there's no reason why they shouldn't all be on the same wavelength. I just don't see a trio there that work collectively well together, certainly not consistently enough.
When Bale started to roam at first it took time before he came good at it. He was often struggling to influence a game and was more affective driving on the outside of the fullback than when he came inside or switched wings. It was only the 2nd half of his final season when he exploded into life and even then it wasn't consistent, just some long range specials that dug us out of drawing or losing situations mixed with mesmorizing long runs.
I'm not necessarily suggesting we need traditional wingers, certainly not one dimensional ones that only play out wide like Lennon does. I do appreciate the evolution of football and particularly the new style of winger. However I just don't see that evolution in our wide players. There's still hope for Lamela and Chadli, I'll include Townsend too because although often frustrating has shown signs of adaptability. They're all young players and the role they have in the team is demanding, it requires great discipline.
Even Mata was sold by Mourinho because he couldn't take that responsibility required out wide. I feel that Chadli and Lamela as they are now would both be more ideal in the same role as Eriksen and not yet developed enough to play the wide role. They have been here 2 seasons now as has Eriksen so there's no reason why they shouldn't all be on the same wavelength. I just don't see a trio there that work collectively well together, certainly not consistently enough.