Apart from having a decent coach, the #1 reason for our TM's dissapointing results is a number of tactical deficiencies.
1) SET PIECES- Perhaps the most important of our tactical weaknesses, this is an area that we have always had problems in, especially on corners. Our players lose their marks way too easily, and even when they manage to hold on to them, they stand and look at the flight of the ball, instead of trying to position themselves between the ball and their marks.
The irony in all of this is that offensively, we actually do really well in getting open and getting a chance on goal, especially off of corner kicks.
2) ONE TRACK ATTACKING- If you haven't noticed by now, we love building our attacks from the wings, and we actually have gotten pretty good at it. The problem is, this strenght becomes apparent to the opposing team also, and they end up blocking our attacks by denying us the ball on the wings in their own 30. We seem to not notice and still press to attack from the sides, leading to turnovers and counterattacks (as our R and L backs have come up to participate in the attack).
We not only need a plan B, but we need to learn how to put it into action efficiently.
3) LACK OF SHOOTING- Our team eventually realized a need to attack in another way other than crosses, and we end up working the ball up the sidelines, and then into the middle towards the top of the apponents box. But once in this position, our players become lost. There have been countless opportunities to shoot or to set up a long range shot (especially for the player who cuts the ball from the wing towards the top of the box), but all we end up doing is either an attempt to chip the defense, or send a throughball into a crowded box. This usually ends up in an offsides or the ball gets cleared.
Khalatbari's pass to set up Shojaei was an exception to the rule, and it would be nice to see our players attempt shots or set up teammated more often when in this position.
1) SET PIECES- Perhaps the most important of our tactical weaknesses, this is an area that we have always had problems in, especially on corners. Our players lose their marks way too easily, and even when they manage to hold on to them, they stand and look at the flight of the ball, instead of trying to position themselves between the ball and their marks.
The irony in all of this is that offensively, we actually do really well in getting open and getting a chance on goal, especially off of corner kicks.
2) ONE TRACK ATTACKING- If you haven't noticed by now, we love building our attacks from the wings, and we actually have gotten pretty good at it. The problem is, this strenght becomes apparent to the opposing team also, and they end up blocking our attacks by denying us the ball on the wings in their own 30. We seem to not notice and still press to attack from the sides, leading to turnovers and counterattacks (as our R and L backs have come up to participate in the attack).
We not only need a plan B, but we need to learn how to put it into action efficiently.
3) LACK OF SHOOTING- Our team eventually realized a need to attack in another way other than crosses, and we end up working the ball up the sidelines, and then into the middle towards the top of the apponents box. But once in this position, our players become lost. There have been countless opportunities to shoot or to set up a long range shot (especially for the player who cuts the ball from the wing towards the top of the box), but all we end up doing is either an attempt to chip the defense, or send a throughball into a crowded box. This usually ends up in an offsides or the ball gets cleared.
Khalatbari's pass to set up Shojaei was an exception to the rule, and it would be nice to see our players attempt shots or set up teammated more often when in this position.
