Ball out wide : Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:23 am  

Good result for the lads last night. Forwards worked hard as ever and the focus of most discussions seem to the on Lomax and Gaskell who are growing in confidence very week.

One point I would like to make is that we struggle to get quality ball out to the centres at the moment. I cant remember any consistent good quality ball Shenton has recieved since the start of the season. The guys is our strike international centre. He can only damage teams if the gets quality ball from the halves.

Re: Ball out wide : Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:05 am  

Badabb1978 wrote:

Good result for the lads last night. Forwards worked hard as ever and the focus of most discussions seem to the on Lomax and Gaskell who are growing in confidence very week.

One point I would like to make is that we struggle to get quality ball out to the centres at the moment. I cant remember any consistent good quality ball Shenton has recieved since the start of the season. The guys is our strike international centre. He can only damage teams if the gets quality ball from the halves.

I agree Shenton and co have had little ball all season. Looks like Royce is looking to take advantage of our strong pack and march us through the middle of the park. Lomaskell maybe need to work on linking the backs in better. Lomax is bringing the forwards in to many times IMO but we have to remember he is new to the role. Im time im sure we will see more ball moving out wide.

Re: Ball out wide : Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:13 am  

I agree that we need to provide Shenton with better service. Not least because he provides us with an attacking threat from deep which we have't had for a number of seasons.

However, if Shenton is being starved of service it is up to him to drift out of his slot and go hunting for the ball. He needs to be watching guys like Lomax like a hawk and be there as a support option if a break is made.

We need to be patient. He has yet to get to grips with the attacking dynamic at Saints. I'm sure most of his pre-season was based around the options of Pryce and Eastmond and it will take time for him to re-adjust to the distinct strengths of Lomax and Gaskell.

Re: Ball out wide : Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:29 am  

Mugwump wrote:

I agree that we need to provide Shenton with better service. Not least because he provides us with an attacking threat from deep which we have't had for a number of seasons.

However, if Shenton is being starved of service it is up to him to drift out of his slot and go hunting for the ball. He needs to be watching guys like Lomax like a hawk and be there as a support option if a break is made.

We need to be patient. He has yet to get to grips with the attacking dynamic at Saints. I'm sure most of his pre-season was based around the options of Pryce and Eastmond and it will take time for him to re-adjust to the distinct strengths of Lomax and Gaskell.

We are talking about new/young players who are learning each others games. Like Mugwump says we need patience. I noticed Shenton come inside a couple of times in our own half of the pitch and look for work. Not something we want in the final third of the pitch but if he has the ball in hand hes likely to make an impact.