Passing back to the keeper???

[bizzbo]

is it better to play with 11, or 10?

 

[PowderBlue]

Given is letting himself down at the moment - he is the only member of the team to keep hoofing it up. He was personally responsible for making the team (and bear in mind he was captain) play into Blackburns hands for 15 mins or so, leading to the goal. His distribution is utter wank and he should not be capitano - sort it out Bobby!

 

[pee dubya]

In theory takes the pressure off the defenders, if the striker carries through and presses the keeper, he leaves a gap in behind for the keeper to distribute into. In the oppo want to keep their shape, striker will drop back and let the keeper have it, and you can start to build again.

Problem is if your keeper isn't comfortable with the ball, one of Givens weaknesses but he'll improve once he gets used to it i'm sure.

 

[chickenfat]

Spain, Barcelona do it. It's what you do when you keep possesion and control the game.

Indeed, we have to learn how to control a game. We give possesion away to easy.
Not only Shay his distribution is the problem, our midfielders don't give outlets. NDJ is our only midfielder capable of holding possession underpressure. What we need is a deeplying playmaker like Alonso or Xavi instead of Barry.

 

[kcmcfc]

There are times when passing back to the keeper is a good decision. I do not think we execute it well though. Given is an excellent keeper but most would agree his distribution with his feet is a weakness. Combine that with the fact that we tend to take our foot off of the pedal and it can be a recipe for mistakes. I am all for keeping possession to kill a game off. However, there needs to be a threat of moving the ball up the pitch or the opposition can pin their ears back and crank up the pressure.

I don't want our back four to hoof the ball up the field at the first ounce of pressure. I would rather have them hoof it up than pass it back to Given and have him do the same though. No question.

 

[Kinky by name]

There are times when passing back to the keeper is a good decision. I do not think we execute it well though. However, there needs to be a threat of moving the ball up the pitch or the opposition can pin their ears back and crank up the pressure.

this is right; Garrido is not good at this at all; gives me the willies... however, it's a small gripe tonight

 

[Layles]

I don't want our back four to hoof the ball up the field at the first ounce of pressure. I would rather have them hoof it up than pass it back to Given and have him do the same though. No question.

and thats why your not a top manager ;)

 

[NorCalBlue]

I think Given's a great keeper overall, and I'm very happy to have him, but apart from his kicking problems, does anyone else think he should be dominating the 6 yard box more? There were a few times tonight when I thought he could have stopped a dangerous situation by coming and getting the ball. The Nzonzi(?) header is a case in point - the guy was standing on the 6 yard line and Given was rooted to the goal-line.

 

[halfcenturyup]

Well, we are much better at keeping possession now than we were before, but we don't seem completely comfortable with it yet, which is why we get put under pressure in midfield, leading to pass backs. But it's only been a few weeks, so small gripe. I am in Bangkok so watch the games on tv, but maybe we aren't giving Given the right options for distribution either, he can only distribute the ball if people are free..... what do you guys who go to the matches think?

KC is right too, the only other real issue I have at the moment is that we still tend to lose concentration when we are ahead. It didn't do us much damage last night, but against the better teams we can't afford to do that. You saw how crazy Mancini was that we gave a cheap goal away. I'm pretty sure they will be more focussed against Everton.

 

[Roger Ringpiece]

A good shot stopper and nothing else (and I think half of the shots he stops are catchable), his command of his area is very poor, as is his handling of crosses. That said, he has gained us points this season and last.

Now Hart seems to have had a good season at Brum, perhaps he should be brought back as Number 1 for next season.

Given is a very good keeper, but his distribution is shit. We should limit balls back to him wherever possible. Its up to the midfielders to give outlets to the defenders