Raheem Sterling - 2017/18 performances

[domalino]

He isn't panicking though, which is a good thing.

He is trying to pick his spot & probably trying to be too precise if anything. He seems to be trying to hit the top corner quite a bit from easyish positions (perhaps he nails it all the time in training).

I often wonder if clubs these days ever get greats from the past, in various positions, to talk with current pros. Last night, we had Henry, Lineker, Shearer & Ian Wright, all pretty much saying how the most important thing, is getting in position to miss, & they don't give a shit about missing in general, but Henry just added that he must tighten up his game a bit, or you lose some of the 'big' games.

But I'm pretty sure all of them would say 'hit the target'. And Lineker would advise him to shoot low.

I'm sure he can do both.

Your comment reminded me of this René Muelensteen thing about showing Ronaldo old videos of United's best goalscorers and showing him that getting it in the net was the only important thing.

“What Cristiano used to do was he always wanted to score the perfect goal a 25 yarder into the top corner. We sat down and I showed him the best goalscorers at United – Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Sheringham, Ruud van Nistlerooy.

I wanted him to understand that no matter how you score, you need to have a range of finishing. Not always the same one. That is where we worked on a lot."

"With Mick [Phelan] and Carlos we set about the process of making him aware about his position and making him understand what to do in different positions. We did a lot of work on finishing from different angles.

"I had a format where I divided the penalty area into zones and you think about what to do in each of the different zones - lace kick, chip, inside foot, one touch or two, do you move into a different zone and so on.

"Then you break down the key elements of what makes a good finish. So now he's aware of position, the type of ball coming in, how he's going to receive it and the type of finish.



Ronaldo was educated to create an image of the situation and the desired outcome: “Where am I [position]? Where’s the ball coming from? Where’s the goalkeeper? Where’s the finish?” Meulensteen gave colours to the four corners of the goal. “Cristiano had his back to the goal. He had to shout which colour, green whichever, he was aiming for, so subconsciously working his brain. He knew his target in advance.’’

​

There's a lot of similarities between the 2 players. Similar ages, similar profligacy at times infront of goal. They obviously aren't the same player, but there's both good and bad in that for Sterling and he doesn't have to become 60 goal a season Ronaldo, 30+ in this side would be well and truly fulfilling his potential.

The drills that Meulensteen did that would seem beneficial to Sterling in particular were the one where he made him learn and practice different types of finish, and the one where he was basically programmed and told him which to use in varying situations in training.

Pep talking about Sterling just needing to improve his finishing reassures me, to speak about it openly makes me think that he's confident it will happen and probably has a plan in place.

 

[kun]

The difference in leeway other young players get on here in comparison to Sterling is as intriguing as it is odd.

I think it's because he's been in the public eye so long. Normally, anyone with 6 PL seasons behind them would be in their peak, Sterling is still getting better but I think people forget how young he actually is.

 

[pudge]

I think it's because he's been in the public eye so long. Normally, anyone with 6 PL seasons behind them would be in their peak, Sterling is still getting better but I think people forget how young he actually is.

He's just 13 months older than Sane but where Sterling gets criticised, Sane gets ".. But he's got great potential, he's only young, he's a future Ballon D'Or winner."

The double standard on here is ridiculous in all honesty.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Your comment reminded me of this René Muelensteen thing about showing Ronaldo old videos of United's best goalscorers and showing him that getting it in the net was the only important thing.

​

There's a lot of similarities between the 2 players. Similar ages, similar profligacy at times infront of goal. They obviously aren't the same player, but there's both good and bad in that for Sterling and he doesn't have to become 60 goal a season Ronaldo, 30+ in this side would be well and truly fulfilling his potential.

The drills that Meulensteen did that would seem beneficial to Sterling in particular were the one where he made him learn and practice different types of finish, and the one where he was basically programmed and told him which to use in varying situations in training.

Pep talking about Sterling just needing to improve his finishing reassures me, to speak about it openly makes me think that he's confident it will happen and probably has a plan in place.

i'm sure I read that Arteta had been spending time with Raz on his movement in the box and how and when to arrive. He is appreciably better at that this season as a result. His movement to create chances and inside the box is very good. It shows that he responds well to the right coaching.

 

[domalino]

i'm sure I read that Arteta had been spending time with Raz on his movement in the box and how and when to arrive. He is appreciably better at that this season as a result. His movement to create chances and inside the box is very good. It shows that he responds well to the right coaching.

He's worked with Arteta and Kidd on finishing, and I think at one point there was mention of having a target of X touches inside the box to make sure he was getting in there enough.

 

[Bpughh]

He's just 13 months older than Sane but where Sterling gets criticised, Sane gets ".. But he's got great potential, he's only young, he's a future Ballon D'Or winner."

The double standard on here is ridiculous in all honesty.

not not really. sane rarely chokes like sterling. sterling shanks or spazzes, sane just mishits or naively chooses the wrong option. sane is a much more natural finisher. I like them both tho

 

[pudge]

not not really. sane rarely chokes like sterling. sterling shanks or spazzes, sane just mishits or naively chooses the wrong option. sane is a much more natural finisher. I like them both tho

Exhibit A.

 

[Bpughh]

Exhibit A.

all youthful mistakes but really there is a clear difference in their level of finishing. sterling does have a bit to work on

 

[pudge]

all youthful mistakes but really there is a clear difference in their level of finishing. sterling does have a bit to work on

Undoubtedly, he over thinks more often than not and I think he leans back too often but you've just differentiated between how Sterling "spazzes" those chances but Sane merely "mishits" them.

Why does one get a pass and not the other?

They may both be wide players but they do have different roles, Sane doesn't get into those positions that Sterling does so he doesn't have half as many chances to score as Raheem so I wouldn't buy into the 'he doesn't miss as much'.

 

[kun]

all youthful mistakes but really there is a clear difference in their level of finishing. sterling does have a bit to work on

and yet Sterling has 9 more goals. He misses more, because he gets into the positions more. Sané has fluffed his lines several times since joining city. Both need to work on their finishing but they are both extremely talented young players I'm just happy to watch them grow under Pep at City.

I do understand what you mean though, Sané often hits the ball far more cleanly (which is why you might say he's more natural) but Sterling has a far wider variety of finishes in his showreel and more of them to boot.