Forum
Thread

Lack of attacking width
at 09:55 4 Feb 2025

One thing I've been thinking for a while now is how our lack of attacking width means we are unable to capitalise on promising attacking situations.

Game after game we have promising attacking situations (Omari, Broadhead, Delap breaking away) and we really struggle to turn into a meaningful attack. Against Southampton, there were a couple of occasions where all 4 of our attackers were within 10 yards of each other - both Omari and Broadhead naturally come inside, alongside Delap and Encisco. From a defensive POV, all the S'ton players were within the same 10 yards, meaning there's no space, chaotic play and it get's broken up easily.

Last year in the Champ, we would have Davis and Burns/Axel providing much needed width, however they are too penned back and unable to reach the attacking third in time. Even Omari would stay a lot wider last year.

I can't work out why this is - I have no doubt it's a tactic, but I don't think it's working. A great example of how width in a similar system can be deadly is Forest. Elanga and Hudson-Odoi start so wide in an attack, and they're able to move the ball quickly and break the back line, creating excellent crossing opportunities for Chris Wood, or a pull back to MGW.

Have other people noticed this? I don't know if I'm missing something, or it's just to do with the level of the Premier League, but seems deliberate to me.

(Fwiw, not questioning McKenna here at all, just desperately clinging onto hope that with some tactical changes we can stay up)

[Post edited 4 Feb 9:56]

Please log in to use all the site's facilities

cartface07

Site Scores

Forum Votes:	15
Comment Votes:	0
Prediction League:	0
TOTAL:	15