Not really. We need a holistic view to tactical gameplay, a balance between attack and defence, game management during the ebb and flow of the game.
One very obvious example is the over reliance on Zaha, rather then spreading the load in what is a team game. Over over-emphasis on defence means the game is played more in our half, as statistically the opposition have more of the ball. This limits the time when we create genuine goal scoring opportunities.

I could, if I had several days to scroll back through the political threads of a year or more ago, but I neither have the time or inclination.

This thread is about getting some perspective on the current situation with our team, which is something I fully support. Perspective requires you to stand back and see the wider picture, which is precisely what I did.

It wasn't me who diverted it but I support the efforts to bring it back on track, although I am not sure I have much to add.

As a club we need to take the long view and Roy is doing a fine job in playing his part. In years to come we will look back and appreciate just how important these years have been. Change will come and because of his age probably a year or two before the optimum moment.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Some very interesting points. I've noticed we often drop too deep, particularly when defending a lead. We should strike more of a balance and go for two when we score one. The difficulty of how deep we are makes the opposition look great as they have loads of space to run onto us. I was thinking we need an attacking unit of perhaps Zaha, Eze and Ayew who stick together up front and always press. If they have to track back as much as they do it's no real surprise that we can't score. The obvious times are when there is no one in the area. At least two people should be up front at all times. Otherwise opposition defenders can take their time and pick a pass, whilst midfielders and strikers can run to the edge of our area and then shoot. Think how many times we see this - several times a game. We haven't learnt anything, we haven't grown or evolved. We are the living definition of a team that stood still. Trouble is the rest of the world is moving on.

Edited by ASCPFC (30 Nov 2020 12.14pm)

Red and Blue Army!

We generally defend deep as we simply do not have the pace in defence.

I refer back to my previous comments apropos the age of the squad, with 15 players either 30 next year or in their 30s.
In general we don't possess the pace or mobility to play football on the front-foot 'Pressing' teams as others do, so Hodgson has to devise a system with all these contraints.

Most of our players are in the 'Twilight' of their careers and whilst outsiders might highlight certain 'Name' players, I suspect many of our supporters know they are not the players they were and have been on the wane for some time.This is the harsh reality of our situation.

We have plenty of youngsters in the U23s, Banks, Dreher, Kirby, who can run around all day. We have Mitchell, Zaha, Schlupp and Eze and PVA is also quick. Clyne is not slow either, nor Ayew!

I think it’s more the point that Roy doesn’t want to play that way. He is happy to play narrow and deep and then utilise the pace we have on the break. I don’t see why the older midfielders can’t run their socks off for 45 minutes and then get substituted at HT. it’s not like we don’t have enough defensive midfielders to choose from. Start with Milivojevic and McArthur, finish with Riedewald and MacCarthy or Kouyate.

Clyne appears to have lost pace,perhaps understandably due to the advancement of years and his injuries.I would not assert that Ayew is particularly fleet of foot but wouldn't file him under "Lacks pace".

I consider our defenders, Ward,Clyne,Cahill,Dann,Tomkins,Sakho all of whom are no longer the quickest.
The midfielders, Milivojevic,McArthur,McCarthy,Kouyate,are hardly players known for their pace nor creativity.
Out wide, I believe Townsend is not as quick as he was.
A dearth of pace and creativity in key areas and of course we have Benteke and Wickham in our squad as strikers.