| Davis/Clarke linkup 21:34 - Jan 20 with 1982 views | DJR |
I noticed it in the first half (when we had some of the ball) but whenever Davis got the ball, Clarke didn't move into a position for Davis to pass to him.
Was this deliberate, with the hope that by Clarke moving more centrally, it would enable Davis to bomb down the wing? If so, it didn't appear to work, and I sensed that we might have had more of an attacking threat down the left if the two had tried to link up more.
[Post edited 20 Jan 21:35]
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| Davis/Clarke linkup on 21:37 - Jan 20 with 1897 views | textbackup |
I think it was Southampton away when JC came on (maybe his first appearance) but he and Leif were falling over one another, occupying the same area.
So you might be correct, and it was the plan, JC stays inside allowing LD to get in the wide areas. |  |
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| Davis/Clarke linkup on 21:39 - Jan 20 with 1859 views | leftback |
What I noticed 3 or 4 times when we were attacking Clarke when moved centrally was in acres of space but never got the ball |  | | |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 21:52 - Jan 20 with 1699 views | Guthrum |
The big problem was that none of our forward players could link up because the man with the ball always had two or three ManC on him, with others perfectly positioned to intercept passes when we could get them away.
Even on those occasions we did manage to get free (mostly down the right), they had the box so well packed that any cross was swiftly cleared.
They were just exceptionally well-drilled in defence. |  |
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| Davis/Clarke linkup on 22:07 - Jan 20 with 1539 views | davblue |
I thought it looked like he was hiding and not wanting the ball. That might be incorrect on my part and im not sure he was the only one but he stood out as appearing to go hiding.
Straight after his mistake for the Goal he let Davis bomb forward and he just stood there.
Really hop[e he comes through it as i don't like seeing one of our players struggling. |  | | |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 22:13 - Jan 20 with 1496 views | Asa |
Have noticed that Davis comes onto his right foot a hell of a lot this season.
Last year there were frequent runs from Broadhead, Harness, whoever was on the left side into space for Davis to play it down the line to. Even Hirst made those runs.
Luongo was brilliant also at driving into that space but this year we have nobody at all making that run so Leif is coming inside a lot more and the one twos down that side got Leif to whip balls in are non existent.
For Clarke, who is supposed to be a touchline winger according to some Sunderland fans, it’s strange that he’s constantly not available in an area we loved to use last year. | | | |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 22:18 - Jan 20 with 1449 views | HighgateBlue |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 21:52 - Jan 20 by Guthrum |
The big problem was that none of our forward players could link up because the man with the ball always had two or three ManC on him, with others perfectly positioned to intercept passes when we could get them away.
Even on those occasions we did manage to get free (mostly down the right), they had the box so well packed that any cross was swiftly cleared.
They were just exceptionally well-drilled in defence. |
The man with the ball always had a Man City SHIRT on! |  | | |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 22:43 - Jan 20 with 1345 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 22:13 - Jan 20 by Asa |
Have noticed that Davis comes onto his right foot a hell of a lot this season.
Last year there were frequent runs from Broadhead, Harness, whoever was on the left side into space for Davis to play it down the line to. Even Hirst made those runs.
Luongo was brilliant also at driving into that space but this year we have nobody at all making that run so Leif is coming inside a lot more and the one twos down that side got Leif to whip balls in are non existent.
For Clarke, who is supposed to be a touchline winger according to some Sunderland fans, it’s strange that he’s constantly not available in an area we loved to use last year. |
He can’t get past his man as the defenders are much better in this league is getting across to block him off and then they show him inside. He was always attacking lots of empty space ahead of him last year. He’s not someone who’ll dribble past his man. We have to make the space for him to get in behind, which is hard with that switch ball we do as it leaves him a bit isolated. That’s where Broady is better on that side imo. That’s my take on it anyway - I could well be wrong. |  |
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| Davis/Clarke linkup on 08:38 - Jan 21 with 944 views | AljoBlue |
Have been noticing this for a while now, for some reason Lief rarely passes to Clarke even when Clarke is in space and the obvious option. In the bristol rovers game it was even more highlighted by how well Townsend and Clarke linked up. | | | |
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| Davis/Clarke linkup on 09:10 - Jan 21 with 848 views | Churchman |
| Davis/Clarke linkup on 21:52 - Jan 20 by Guthrum |
The big problem was that none of our forward players could link up because the man with the ball always had two or three ManC on him, with others perfectly positioned to intercept passes when we could get them away.
Even on those occasions we did manage to get free (mostly down the right), they had the box so well packed that any cross was swiftly cleared.
They were just exceptionally well-drilled in defence. |
The forward players had no chance. They were battling on their own against an excellent defence with the rest of the team at the other end of the pitch. Huge gaps and no support even on the rare occasions we did get the ball out of our penalty area. MC totally owned the midfield and pulled us all over the place.
No blame from me. The players did their best. The gap in quality in every way was never going to be closed on Sunday. Our season isn’t defined by that horror show.
I can’t say I enjoyed the game. It was a miserable experience. I don’t go to watch the opposition. I go to watch my team compete and hopefully win whether it’s against them or Tranmere. But I have to say, seeing ManC’s team play like that up close and personal was extraordinary. |  | | |
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