I agree, AC hasnt yet got the service he needs, (although he doesn't help himself by trudging across the park) hendo has atleast shown some sort of promise, whilst bellamy and enrique are on their way to prove their worth... Instead of shelling out £10 odd million for a player in a knee jerk reaction, we should bring our youth players through. Sturridge, Bannan, Welbeck all came through... why does it seem like we are the only club that leave the youngster behind? sterling, suso im SURE can do a better job than downing at the moment...? Its time to look past the ££$$ and get the tactics right and show some faith in our youth!
I think a huge factor in the downturn in form is the loss of Lucas. He provided a massive platform for the team, either breaking up attacks and protecting the back four, and his distribution was superb, something approaching 90% success (yes, I know that crabbing is easy, but not all his passes are/were Wilkins-esque). Our goal difference was +5 with Lucas in the side(over 13 matches in the league 17 for, 12 against) , but 0 with him out of it (over 9 matches 9 for, 9 against). While not huge difference in scoring, it is notable which teams we've conceded to - Fulham, Blackburn, Man Citeh, Stoke and Bolton. With the greatest respect to Bolton, we shouldn't be conceding 3 to them. Citeh walked all over us in terms of result, and the only other time we conceded 3 or more this season have been when we were down to 9. So the new fragililty of the team is probably affecting the nerves of the players. Instead of trying to score, I suspect in the back of minds is the problem we've suddenly developed at the back... I don't think any of the players here are anything more than a panic buy, none have been consistently good enough. Even Ba has only looked good at Newcastle; at the Hammers, he was stand out with Parker, but they weren't enough to save them, and I don't think they're good enough to pay an inflated January fee...
But so are Milner, Barry, Lescott, Hart, Richards, Clichy. I agree wingers would be an improvement. I heard Mancini is very font of Johnson, which is why he goes harder on him.
We've created the second most amount of chances in the league. Carroll has had plenty of clear cut chances. He was put 1v1 against Newcastle by Gerrard and made a hash of his first touch and lost the ball, he had a good heading opportunity against them and hit the bar. He was free infront of goal against Swansea and hit the bar. He had an easy headed chance against Wolves and hit the post, he missed good heading opportunities against Man City and Norwich late on in the game to win. Carroll isn't the only guy to blame, you've also got Kuyt, Suarez, Downing, Henderson and Adam who've been profligate infront of goal, but its not the creating thats been the main problem this season, its the putting away of chances.
John Aldridge on City FM keeps sayin Carroll is pickin up the wrong position when the ball comes in the box Im also gettin a bit fed up of players not gettin the box And to be fair the last 2 and half games, v City 2nd half and v Stoke n Bolton, we have created diddly squat.The negative tactics from Kenny havnt helped
Carroll needs to stay on the edge of the 18 yard box, play to his feet. On his left and let him find his range