Our right side

[abramovich]

A lot has been said about our injuries at the center of defence, lack of creativity in the middle due to Joe Cole's absence and struggles of our two big name signings to adjust.

There's one problem though that plagued us throughout entire season, and it's the fact that our right flank has been largely ineffective attacking wise and for the most part shaky on the defensive end.

Ferreira seems to be the shadow of his former self, after one great season ion 04/05 he was mostly mediocre. Geremi is a limited player,at times good going forward but you can't deny his defensive flaws and inconsistency.

Diarra did well to an extent, but you can't rely on him on regular basis.

Boula did well against Ronaldinho in the home match vs Barca but was badly exposed on a number of occasions.

SWP is the only right winger we currently have got and by the look of things he has no future at the club. You can't deny his effort and the fact that he's a good lad but his failure to make any kind of impact has been absolutely frustrating to watch, and it's time to cut our losses and let him try his luck somewhere else.

As much as i hate Robben's diving and moaning, he is a legitimate threat when it comes to wingplay.Add to it either Bridgey and Cashley and a blind man could see how poor and ineffective our right side looks by comparison.

Note to Jose: this one is on you.

 

[SydneyChelsea]

Joe Cole + Glen Johnson > Robben + Bridge

 

[mad_mac]

Sweepy really offers nothing, he keeps losing the ball whenever he tries to dance around players, and apart from "that" cross to Crespo, I can't really remember him doing much more.

Paulo was never really an attacking option going forward, he often crossed the half way line and then looked to move the ball on to a midfielder. Particularly a move I liked,a dn I can't explain why he is not in the team more. Geremi is decent, but again lacks consistent game play to be totally effective. His crossing is sometimes wayward, but he can take a good free kick.

Make no mistake we have missed Joe Cole, but I think he is more of a "tip of the diamond" player than a right winger. But he is effective there. I think the loss of Duffer mean that we really didn't have a good interchangeable pair of wingers.

A right sided winger, Quaresma?, could be a good one. But it depends on how Jose sees Kalou's role?

Scott

 

[The Moos]

Sweepy really offers nothing, he keeps losing the ball whenever he tries to dance around players, and apart from "that" cross to Crespo, I can't really remember him doing much more.Paulo was never really an attacking option going forward, he often crossed the half way line and then looked to move the ball on to a midfielder. Particularly a move I liked,a dn I can't explain why he is not in the team more. Geremi is decent, but again lacks consistent game play to be totally effective. His crossing is sometimes wayward, but he can take a good free kick.

Make no mistake we have missed Joe Cole, but I think he is more of a "tip of the diamond" player than a right winger. But he is effective there. I think the loss of Duffer mean that we really didn't have a good interchangeable pair of wingers.

A right sided winger, Quaresma?, could be a good one. But it depends on how Jose sees Kalou's role?

Scott

Quaresma would be a good one if Jos? can teach him (and Robben) to stop diving. Quaresma is just as bad as Deco, Ronaldo or any other portuguese player.

 

[g3.7]

I'd laugh openly at anyone who thinks jose is going to get players to STOP diving. "ha, ha, ha", I'd say.

 

[sergeyMS]

I'd laugh openly at anyone who thinks jose is going to get players to STOP diving. "ha, ha, ha", I'd say.

Of course, I can`t remember our last penalty.... And ManUtd gets this bonus every 2nd match. And Cr.Ronaldo is the player they are praising for it.

 

[ethicalstrategy]

Ferreiras problem is that he is exposed by anyone who can run at him. I find it slightly surprising because he is quite quick.

Diarra has been the one who looks best suited to the right back role. He is very comfortable on the ball and can be a force going forward too. In this role he has more margin for error than he does in front of the back four and, all other things being equal, I think he will be first choice for the remainder of the season.

Further forward, I think Essien playing back on the right of midfield, either in a diamond or a three, will give us some more dynamism. Both Robben and Kalou can play wide on either flank and Joe is hoping to be back at some point this season too.

I think we have options if we can avoid multiple injuries in the same position.

 

[abramovich]

Saw SSN yesterday and Jose said that he expects Johno to come back after a year loan at Pompey. They asked him about the future plans to which he replied that 75-80% of the squad will stay the same, mentioned Glen coming back as a right back and the need to get another centerhalf.

I fully expect either Ferreira or Geremy to leave in the summer. Not sure what his plans are regarding SWP but the sensible thing to do would be to let him go,too and bring in another RW.

 

[TomP]

I don't think that our right side has been all that worse than our left side.

The fact is that we have stuggled on the flanks, on both sides, in attack and defence.

And the reason is pretty obvious - for the last two seasons, we played consistantly with a winger in front of a fullback on both sides. This season we have been all over the shop - usually with either a left winger only (robben) or no wingers at all.

Is it any wonder that our fullbacks don't look great when they are put in so many 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 situations?

I don't think it is as much down to the personel as everyone seems to be making out. No matter who you are, you are going to look like a better player if you have someone to help you out.