Romelu Lukaku: Proving me wrong?

Romelu Lukaku is a player I have never rated very highly. Immensely powerful, a decent goal return, youth on his side; all true and undeniable, and yet his poor first touch, decision making and lack of movement have meant I have given him a lot of criticism since he has come onto the scene. I watched him closely against Liverpool yesterday, however, and he put in a performance that suggested he is improving these defects.

Although he is only 22, Lukaku has been playing in the Premier League for a number of seasons. Youth is often given as an explanation for rash decision making, petulance and positional naivety. Due to his experience, I did not feel this was a valid excuse for Lukaku’s almost non-existent movement up front in so many matches. Last season particularly, he was static up front and did not use his considerable pace and strength to full effect, which is to hinder his best qualities. His link up play was limited too, and he looked largely disinterested in matches unless he had a clear goal scoring chance. Forward play involves far more than just scoring goals if a chance happens to fall your way.

Just looking at basic numbers, Lukaku’s goal scoring has always been good for Everton and even last season he still got into double figures, scoring ten in the Premier League and 20 in all competitions. I am not overly interested in his goal tallies, however, and it was not his well taken opportunistic strike against Liverpool that caused me to write this article. Moreover, it was his mature link up play and composed decision making that was so impressive and improved. Almost every time he received the ball, whether aerially or into feet, he controlled it well and shielded it successfully from Liverpool’s defenders. The next step is often where younger players get it wrong, by trying to take on too many men or attempt an ambitious shot but Lukaku successfully created space for himself with his shielding and took the necessary time to lay it off to a midfield runner. At times isolated, Lukaku did well in moving with the ball whilst looking for available recipients to pass to. He used his strength to his advantage and used his brain simultaneously. His movement has improved too, he is more eager to run the channels now and did so well against Liverpool on both the left and right sides. His timing of runs resulted in chances for teammates and for himself and Simon Mignolet had to make some important saves.

Lukaku still has major flaws in his game, but his performances this season and particularly against Liverpool yesterday show tangible progress and maturity, showing both great control and intelligence. Merely being young does not mean a player will improve with age, they need the requisite quality to go with it. This tactically spot-on performance against Liverpool did at least give me reason to reassess my old opinion of his ability.

Is Manchester United's possession game pedestrian or penetrative?

My article is published on MUFCLatest.com 

http://mufclatest.com/is-manchester-uniteds-possession-game-pedestrian-or-penetrative/

Click the link above to access it. 

Twitter: Samuel Corney @Corney1Sam

Should Louis van Gaal opt for Ashley Young over Memphis Depay for short-term success?

Twitter: @Corney1Sam


My article is published on MUFCLatest.com.



http://mufclatest.com/should-louis-van-gaal-opt-for-ashley-young-over-memphis-depay-for-short-term-success/

Anthony Martial’s debut: Knee-jerk reaction can beat scepticism on this occasion

Samuel Corney
Twitter: @Corney1Sam   


Anthony Martial celebrates his debut goal vs. Liverpool

Predictably, social media has erupted with the fairy-tale debut of Anthony Martial. Whilst some are in joyful abandon, there are many calling for people to calm down, pointing to the fact we have only see him touch the ball a handful of times and also citing the number of debut stars who went on to flop dismally. Manchester United themselves had a prime example in Federico Macheda who was a perfect example of such a case and a cautionary warning to remain grounded. The superb goal by Martial ensured victory vs. Liverpool, moments after Christian Benteke threatened a Liverpool comeback with a brilliant and spectacular overhead kick. With United struggling to score goals in the Premier League this season, scoring three second half goals against their bitter rivals yesterday, with Martial rounding it off, is cause for major relief and celebration for United fans.

   The most exciting aspect of Anthony Martial’s goal, is however, the implication is has for Manchester United for the future, rather than the victory yesterday.  The goal can give genuine promise for United’s attack for the rest of the season. Martial’s goal is very different to Macheda’s against Aston Villa all those years ago because it was more than just hitting a sweet shot. Martial twisted and turned Martin Skrtel before drifting inside Nathanial Clyne and then finishing accurately. It was an action that required firstly the confidence to take an experienced defender on and then needed pace, control in tight spaces, technique and composure to succeed. United’s attack has missed those types of attributes combined for a long time, especially swift and direct running. Of course we need more time to assess this teenager’s real ability, but not every player can score that type of goal or even attempt to and United clearly possess a more multi-lateral attack with him in the side. Everything has been in front of the opposition defences this season, controlled and neat passing creating half-chances without truly penetrating, and when they have, Wayne Rooney has been hesitant to shoot. Not many argue Rooney should play in midfield, but neither should he be United’s main out and out striker. When he returns to fitness, the combination between his and Martial’s style of play could be extremely profitable, especially if he is played in the number ten role, where his vision and laser passing will benefit the pace of the French teenager.
   Anthony Martial only touched the ball a couple of times before that magic moment, and some of van Gaal’s statements make it sound like Martial may play a bigger role in subsequent seasons rather than this one. In any case teenage footballers tend to be erratic; Martial could easily be a frustration as he could a success this season, and so I fully understand those who call for patience. A goal of that manner against Liverpool on his debut is the perfect way to start though, and displays a direct and pacey way of creating chances that United have not shown so far in the league. That is why the goal can give United fans so much optimism. The sheer impudence to try it and the talent to execute it means that on this occasion the public have reason to get well and truly over-excited.

 

 

 

*Image obtained from the 'Independent'

http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article10498394.ece/alternates/w620/martial2.jpg

 

Crystal Palace can compete for a place in Europe

How Crystal Palace can break into the Premier League's top six:



Link to my article on GiveMeSport, discussing Crystal Palace's potential for success in the 2015/16 Premier League season.

http://www.givemesport.com/616799-crystal-palace-can-compete-for-a-place-in-europe

Morgan Schneiderlin: Manchester United's Midfield Solution?

Manchester United have been linked with a whole host of different footballers across Europe to complement and ultimately replace Michael Carrick’s composure in the midfield. Many who have been named, are typical box-to-box players, with tenacity in tackling, precise passing and who can contribute goals. Ilkay Gündogan, Arturo Vidal, and former red, Paul Pogba are examples of high quality players who are repeatedly mentioned in newspapers and media as being linked with Manchester United. No doubt these players would fit the criteria necessary, but another player often linked is Morgan Schneiderlin. Here is the perfect, pragmatic choice, balancing ability with logistical sense. Schneiderlin is proven in the Premier League, and English football, shown by his rise through the leagues in his long career with Southampton to date. He is now looking to move to the next step and Manchester United can provide that, whilst probably having a more realistic chance of affording and persuading to obtain him compared to raiding the likes of Juventus. It is worth noting that whilst we get carried away with the excitement and competitiveness of the English Premier League- Juventus are playing in the Champions League final, whereas Manchester United did not participate in it at all. Paul Pogba would not be furthering his career ambitions by swapping Turin for Manchester at this point.
Morgan Schneiderlin has just completed another excellent season with Southampton. At 25 he is also the ideal age to take over the mantle of midfield playmaker and enforcer of United’s midfield. Manchester United have more forward minded midfielders to unlock defences in Juan Mata, Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera; Schneiderlin would provide the physical competitiveness behind them. Here I look at some statistics to show Schneiderlin’s performance in comparison to some more glamorous names.

Numbers gathered using averages from the last three seasons (two for Gundogan, due to injury). Source: Squawka

The table shows Schneiderlin's numbers are not dissimilar to the other players included in the graph. He can use the ball intelligently, nearing 90% pass completion but still ensuring that 65% of passes are forward and progressive, rather than simply laying it off to safer options. Schneiderlin's stats show he is adept at defending, making many more interceptions than Gündogan, Pogba, or Vidal and making far more tackles than Gündogan and Pogba, with the tenacious Vidal making only a marginal number more. Where Schneiderlin falls somewhat short in comparison is creating chances. At Manchester United, however, he would be less responsible for supplying through balls for the forwards and more responsible for providing cover for their attacking exploits but also ensuring much needed composure for United's passing and possession-minded style of play. In Mata, di Maria and Herrera, United are well equipped to score goals and create chances, but United are desperately in need of a physically combative player behind these skilful but lightweight midfielders.

Conclusion: Michael Carrick rightly received praise for his performances, when he was fit this season. He managed only 18 league games however, and cannot play forever. Schneiderlin could be slotted alongside Carrick for the upcoming season with the triumvirate of di Maria, Herrera and Mata in front of them, with Rooney operating as a lone striker? Schneiderlin is dynamic, he would chip in with goals, give United more steel in the midfield and retain the ball effectively like van Gaal encourages this new look United side to do. Signing Schneiderlin would be a realistic, sensibly priced deal and one which would benefit both the player and Manchester United. It needs to be done soon though, with Arsenal closely linked with bidding for him!

 

Economy and Efficiency: Santiago Cazorla vs. Burnley

The Burnley vs Arsenal game on the 11^th April 2015 made for intriguing viewing. Arsenal, chasing an eighth straight league win, fought a narrow victory over relegation threatened Burnley; one nil. With Aaron Ramsey scoring the only goal of the game soon after the ten minute mark, Arsenal were in a situation where they were defending this slender lead for the rest of the game. Once it was one nil, the easy assumption to make would be that Arsenal would run riot and Sanchez and Giroud would help themselves to goals as they did against Liverpool the weekend previous. As it transpired, the game was one which tested Arsenal's patience, resolve and pragmatism due to Burnley's efforts and it quickly became obvious this would be no cricket score. I shall point to the role of Santi Cazorla in the Arsenal midfield and argue he was a focal point of carrying out the balance between ball retention and providing a threat. Santi Cazorla’s economy and efficiency with the ball was superb. His intelligent, quick-but not hurried-passing frustrated Burnley increasingly when they desperately needed the ball in search of an equaliser. Moreover, as the game progressed and Burnley tried to attack in the second half, Cazorla’s performance and influence rose.

Arsenal like to keep possession of the ball and as the second half progressed they managed to accomplish more authority of the game’s tempo despite Burnley’s best attempts.  Arsenal were distributing the ball frequently in the middle of the pitch, where Burnley were pressing quickly and so keeping calm possession was not easy. Composure was paramount to Arsenal's success and Cazorla’s vision to see teammates before receiving the ball was evident with quick one touch passes before interceptions were possible. Cazorla’s pass completion was 94%, compared to Arsenal’s average of 83%; this despite his position being in the most congested part of the field, just on the half way line. This was also higher than his own average of 88% in the league this season. Pass completion by itself is a useless statistic, and if you are chasing the game, then risks need to be taken and merely making safe passes in safe positions is not threatening to the opposition. Arsenal, however were preserving a narrow marginal advantage in the game and Cazorla’s immensely impressive ball retention under pressure caused frustration for Burnley and breathing space for Arsenal.  His ability to receive and pass the ball efficiently in tight spaces gave his pacey teammates like Bellerin, Sanchez and Welbeck license to receive the ball in open channels and be able to try and create chances. Furthermore, Cazorla found the balance between being safe with the ball and providing a threat. He attempted more dribbles in the match than any other Arsenal player, and had three shots outside the box. Cazorla is a proven, fine player at shooting from range, and was close to scoring twice against Burnley when it was not a clear cut chance situation.

In conclusion, Cazorla was central to Arsenal’s preservation of their one goal lead, drawing Burnley players into trying to dispossess him and being able to find teammates in good spaces, and crucially this improved as the game progressed. There is no doubt that having an enforcer in Francis Coquelin helps him in midfield and recently Cazorla’s fine form has been synonymous with the rise of the young French midfielder just behind him in midfield. Cazorla will win more plaudits in many more games than this one, however his subtlety, efficiency and intelligence on the ball in a pressure situation was superb in this important Arsenal win.

Statistics gathered from 'Squawka' and 'Whoscored' databases.