| BAE 08:09 - Feb 17 with 4891 views | Fearless |
Been a fan of his, although concerned that he often slows play down, but now costing us goals and arguing with his team mates (Austin & Dunne)
Doesn't appear to take criticism well.
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| BAE on 16:59 - Feb 18 with 499 views | Neil_SI |
It's easy for us to moan about this goal in hindsight, but it was a remarkable hit and a sensational finish that deserves credit.
There were many things you could change in those few seconds, but you have to look at it from the players perspective. His opponent has picked the ball up from deep, and can dribble with pace, so if your distance isn't correct and you engage, you can leave an ocean of space for that player to really drive at you and get in behind.
There wasn't a lot of help or cover, either from Armand Traore who was out of the picture, and who having played left back, knows when a man needs help in terms of doubling up. Then you have midfielders who may have to come out and help, or centre-backs. In this example, Clint Hill didn't make it across in time, but he was really close to getting something in the way.
The real mistake Assou-Ekotto made was the timing and choice of his body shape. If you look at him when he's backing off, he's defends on the outside before the inside, which opens the gap. He made that gesture too early and that allowed all of McCleary's options to remain open and find the gap to exploit and shoot. So it was his body positioning and defensive stance that cost him, not really the backing off so much. It was about 1-2 yards worth of positioning and half a rotation in body stance.
There's a certain depth where you come in field and shut off those options, knowing the player has a chance to go outwards diagonally, but pushing them outwards diagonally is harder for them to get around you and buys you a fraction more time to deal with the situation. You want to get them into a situation where they are having to physically alter their direction and path, as it tampers with momentum, pace and control.
Assou-Ekotto has the kind of personality that means he doesn't like those situations, those one on one duals, where he has to do something and it becomes a direct case of your skills versus the next man's. That doesn't mean he's not good enough or not capable of winning them, but his casual approach is because he's trying to shy away from having to deal with them. |  | | |
| BAE on 18:16 - Feb 18 with 453 views | PunteR |
He's still our best left back.
As for the goal,it was a great strike,BAE showed him the inside to early but no one expected the Reading player to have a go from there and score. |  |
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