BCFC Jordan Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I think it's widely recognised that had Kodjia had a decent partner alongside him this season (say Gray/Gayle instead of an aging Wilbraham), the pressure off of the rest of our team defensively would be drastic. If we had players capable of unlocking the opposition defence, we wouldn't dominate games and end up losing. As it stands, only Kodjia has been consistently a threat and teams just know to mark him out of the game now - although his ability means he will still grab the occasional goal. That's pretty much the only homework they have to do on us. Now, a lot of responsibility falls on our midfield when it comes to scoring. Obviously the club recognise Kodjia badly needs a capable partner but the midfield has to be doing better, particularly Freeman. It was mentioned last night that of our midfield 5 (or 6 if you include Williams) there has been just two goals this season, and one of those was Derek's. We're all aware Bryan and Freeman haven't got anywhere close to their heights from last season. I've held the belief that it was a confidence issue for both of them but I'm starting to doubt it myself now, it's gone on too long. Smith does a good job without scoring and I've never been Pack's biggest critic but he has to contribute more when we're only relying on one man going forward (scoring that penalty against Charlton would have been a good start). Obviously the priority is to bring in a quality striker but we've left it too late to attract most half-decent options due to our current position. Should have happened back in the summer. Relying on 36 year-old Wilbraham every week just isn't going to work, and that is one of SC's faults for persisting with him. For the time being we should be playing Reid ahead of Freeman and Burns/Agard over Wilbraham - if we do somehow manage to bring in a good striker that'd be lovely, but Bradley Dack is someone we should especially be targeting due to the fact he can score a goal from midfield. I suppose this post isn't really pointing out any revelations as most have recognised this for months. But it has allowed me to vent and hopefully if anyone from the club does check on here, it'll further drum the obvious into their brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearded_red Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Freeman has played 40 games at Ashton Gate and has failed to score 1 goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shtanley Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Bobby Reid in for Freeman. We always seem to do better. Freeman ZERO assists from open play this reason. Reid has 2. How can our playmaker have zero assists. Embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfOfWestStreet Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Wilbs has chipped in with a few, 6 so wouldn't say he's been completely incapable of partnering JK who has 10. so halfway through the season our strikers have 16 which is not terrible but midfield have contributed nothing. That's where we need to strengthen it's much more of a priority IMO than another striker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCFC Jordan Posted January 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Just now, WolfOfWestStreet said: Wilbs has chipped in with a few, 6 so wouldn't say he's been completely incapable of partnering JK who has 10. so halfway through the season our strikers have 16 which is not terrible but midfield have contributed nothing. That's where we need to strengthen it's much more of a priority IMO than another striker. True, but two came in one game and the goal last night was Kodjia's. So outside of one good game he's not offered enough and his age is holding him and the team back. I don't blame him, he's doing his all but just doesn't offer enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibs Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Clearly we need more goals but worth noting we have scored the same amount as Preston who are now sitting pretty in mid-table - but have conceded half as many as us. Being able to keep the odd clean sheet is equally as important as a new striker but if we don't change our system, I don't see that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoons Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 5 minutes ago, Shtanley said: Bobby Reid in for Freeman. We always seem to do better. Freeman ZERO assists from open play this reason. Reid has 2. How can our playmaker have zero assists. Embarrassing. Agree, any armchair fan can realise in bobbys limited minutes he seems to have created more of a link with kodja than Freeman has in 20 plus games! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TV Tom Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 We've played 5 across the middle In every league game this season (28 games) and the've scored 1 solitary goal between the lot of them ( I'm not including Freeman's at Ipswich which was heading for the corner flag before it's wicked deflection) that is a shambles, throw in the fact we have the worst defence in the division and therein lies the reason we are rightly in the bottom three, thank god for our strikers!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bs4Red Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Unfortunately I raised my fears about Freeman last season and was crucified. He is not a creative player. He has 0 eye for a pass and not enough quality to beat a man. Last season of his 21 assists only 7 were from open play I believe. That is absolutely rubbish. When I said it last year everyone said I was wrong. Unfortunately he is very much proving my point. A major lack of quality, he can work as hard as he possibly wants but if our most creative player has never scored at AG and has 0 open play assists I'd be very very worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoons Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 minute ago, Bs4Red said: Unfortunately I raised my fears about Freeman last season and was crucified. He is not a creative player. He has 0 eye for a pass and not enough quality to beat a man. Last season of his 21 assists only 7 were from open play I believe. That is absolutely rubbish. When I said it last year everyone said I was wrong. Unfortunately he is very much proving my point. A major lack of quality, he can work as hard as he possibly wants but if our most creative player has never scored at AG and has 0 open play assists I'd be very very worried. As much as LF hasn't had a great season, lets not knock his 21 assist's from last season. Personally I think he needs to be dropped. That could be the kick up the arse he needs? Also in a struggling team he sticks out like a saw thumb as he seems to have a lot of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISTOL86 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Our 'playmaker' has no assists in 28 games (from open play). Enough said IMO. But obviously that's Marlon Pack's fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISTOL86 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 5 minutes ago, Spoons said: As much as LF hasn't had a great season, lets not knock his 21 assist's from last season. Personally I think he needs to be dropped. That could be the kick up the arse he needs? Also in a struggling team he sticks out like a saw thumb as he seems to have a lot of the ball. Can we please stop dining out on last season?! What anyone (players or manager) did last season is now utterly irrelevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfOfWestStreet Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 10 minutes ago, Bs4Red said: Unfortunately I raised my fears about Freeman last season and was crucified. He is not a creative player. He has 0 eye for a pass and not enough quality to beat a man. Last season of his 21 assists only 7 were from open play I believe. That is absolutely rubbish. When I said it last year everyone said I was wrong. Unfortunately he is very much proving my point. A major lack of quality, he can work as hard as he possibly wants but if our most creative player has never scored at AG and has 0 open play assists I'd be very very worried. 21 assists is an exceptional return no matter what the format they are delivered. Goals don't count more from open play so it's irrelevant how you get them. I agree with you he needs more competition and some time out of the team might motivate him further. But with posts like the one above in not surprised you got ripped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bs4Red Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 11 minutes ago, Spoons said: As much as LF hasn't had a great season, lets not knock his 21 assist's from last season. Personally I think he needs to be dropped. That could be the kick up the arse he needs? Also in a struggling team he sticks out like a saw thumb as he seems to have a lot of the ball. I'm not knocking it, my point last season about him was his lack of quality in open play and that hasn't changed. I raised a point about the amount of corners and free kicks he takes in a game he should get 20+ assists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoons Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 4 minutes ago, BRISTOL86 said: Can we please stop dining out on last season?! What anyone (players or manager) did last season is now utterly irrelevant. Think you misunderstood me, I'm not saying he should be playing because of what he achieved last season, the opposite. I've stated he should be dropped, but maybe last season shows that maybe LF is a league 1 player . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bs4Red Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 minute ago, WolfOfWestStreet said: 21 assists is an exceptional return no matter what the format they are delivered. Goals don't count more from open play so it's irrelevant how you get them. I agree with you he needs more competition and some time out of the team might motivate him further. But with posts like the one above in not surprised you got ripped Yeah I agree it's exceptional and maybe I haven't put it across very well. My point last year and this was his lack of assists in open play. Personally I think if you are a dead ball specialist, assists are a given and the amount he took last year he should have had 21 assists, especially when your CB has 15 goals does that clear it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfOfWestStreet Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 minute ago, Bs4Red said: Yeah I agree it's exceptional and maybe I haven't put it across very well. My point last year and this was his lack of assists in open play. Personally I think if you are a dead ball specialist, assists are a given and the amount he took last year he should have had 21 assists, especially when your CB has 15 goals does that clear it up? Dunno really, is the delivery worse? Are our strikers and cbs not getting on the end like they should? Are opposition defences just better organised and have better players? maybe a bit of everything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOODSY1111 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Perhaps LF is proving his original position as a winger is where he should be played as more likely to get crosses in from wide than playing through the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1960maaan Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 One thing from last night that shone out, Bobby's first movement when he gets the ball. Several times last night he received the ball in front of us in the Dolman, and apart from linking well with JB, his first movement is head up and look. LF gets the ball and runs with it 99% of the time and I think that is part of Kodjias problem. He's always looking to make runs behind the defense but the pass never comes, eventually you stop making those runs. I would love to see a 451 with Pack and Smith more holding (I think a good defensive midfielder is a priority, but they're rare) , and JB,BR and LF breaking from midfield. In his cameo last night Reid had shots, played passes and made runs. Must be knocking at the door for a start soon. JB is better pushing on and Little looks a bit of a busted flush. My guess for Saturday...... same old same old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoldenBall Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 hour ago, bearded_red said: Freeman has played 40 games at Ashton Gate and has failed to score 1 goal. That is actually laughable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISTOL86 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 42 minutes ago, Spoons said: Think you misunderstood me, I'm not saying he should be playing because of what he achieved last season, the opposite. I've stated he should be dropped, but maybe last season shows that maybe LF is a league 1 player . A fair point! Of all the players this season I've been most disappointed with Freeman in terms of what I expected vs the reality! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezo Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 hour ago, Shtanley said: Bobby Reid in for Freeman. We always seem to do better. Freeman ZERO assists from open play this reason. Reid has 2. How can our playmaker have zero assists. Embarrassing. I tried debating with you on the side of Freeman a month and a bit ago basically saying we know what he is capable of and we need to give him longer to adjust but I can't do it now - my patience has run out and i agree Bobby is a better option and has definitely done enough to get a run of 5 or so games to see how he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadredfred Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 No goals in 40 games isnt great for a player who has very few defensive responsibilities. I like Freeman. There were times last season where he made me get up out my seat and seemed able to conjure up something out of nothing. But if these stats are true, then I'm confused as to why mine (and many others) opinion on him is so elevated. However, 21 assists is some record, regardless of what phase of play it came in. Its his job after all, and he did it very well last season. Having only seen him a few times this season, he just seems to be trying too much. He doesn't have the extra 0.5 second that he had in league one. I'd love to see him keep it simple vs Boro. One/two touch stuff. Move it around quickly and accurately and head up for Kodjias movement. I don't beleive any of that is beyond him. Aside from Freeman, my main concern is the absolute chasm I see between our defence and midfield, and again our midfield to our strikers. They just seem so rigidly positioned with no fluidity, and so easy to pass around. Against Fulham they cut us open at will with simple pass and move and triangle football! That takes three players. I don't recall seeing possession retained by our midfield trio for any spell at all this season. Last season was all about the counter attack, and i think that's the mentality we still have. I'm not expecting us to be Barcelona in terms of ball retention, but another Korey - comfortable in possession with with an eye for a pass is a must in this window. I really think a more defensive formation would help. I'd love to see Korey in front of a back 4, martialing the defence and midfield and being the connection between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezo Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 1 hour ago, BRISTOL86 said: Can we please stop dining out on last season?! What anyone (players or manager) did last season is now utterly irrelevant. not dinning out but we can use information gained from last season to make a judgement, we still talk about Flints first season being poor as part of a back 4 and el Abd being poor so why not include all the information we have - last season happened and we can draw our own opinions from then - what it obviously doesn't show is how good we are in this league or how good we are this season, so not irrelevant just less reliant than the current situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatman Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 2 hours ago, Shtanley said: Bobby Reid in for Freeman. We always seem to do better. Freeman ZERO assists from open play this reason. Reid has 2. How can our playmaker have zero assists. Embarrassing. Bobby Reid is not good enough for the championship. We need to get real about what constitutes a championship midfielder. So far we have Smith. That's it and that is our problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Some of the stats mentioned are incredible. Makes me wonder what are midfield are doing? It seems they don't score so must spend all their time helping the defenders, but that doesn't stack up either. So they are creating lots of openings for our attackers, well they don't seem to have much understanding with them either. So what is it, lots of passing between each other, producing what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 4 hours ago, bearded_red said: Freeman has played 40 games at Ashton Gate and has failed to score 1 goal. And most of his away goals have happened with big deflections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Cyril Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 13 hours ago, BRISTOL86 said: Can we please stop dining out on last season?! What anyone (players or manager) did last season is now utterly irrelevant. Agree, and if they hadn't bloody done it we wouldn't have to play in this league this season so wouldn't be in this mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISTOL86 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 43 minutes ago, Mad Cyril said: Agree, and if they hadn't bloody done it we wouldn't have to play in this league this season so wouldn't be in this mess. Ha. You get my point though. People keep saying things like 'yeah but remember last season...' like it has some kind of bearing on our ability to survive here and now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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