Scoring goals

[eamonn]

Is this the most barren run since Spring '92 when Ron had his first sticky spell?

[fbriai]

Didn't that run end with us putting five past Spurs at the Lane?

[PeterWithesShin]

Didn't that run end with us putting five past Spurs at the Lane?

Yep. Before that it was 4 goals in 14 league games. Which included a run of 1 in 11.

[Mister E]

I think the main issue is that we don't shoot. No shots = no goals. The other issue is that our players aren't very good.

Well, surprisingly, we had 16 goal attempts vs QPR; 6 on target. In fact, statistically we got everything right - except in terms of goals-scored.

[Ads]

How Clark didn't score both his chances against QPR, especially the second, I have no idea.

[PaulWinch again]

'Not scoring goals has hurt us, but it will come'. I hope that's just a poor bit of phrasing from Lambert and that he actually has a plan to make us more of a threat.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

How Clark didn't score both his chances against QPR, especially the second, I have no idea.

the second one, probably because Sandro (I think it was) managed to get the end of his big toe on the ball just before Clark managed to connect

[andyh]

maybe we just need to tell the goal shooters to kick the ball towards the white sticks !

[paul_e]

The stat I'm most upset about our shots on target.  18 in 9 games is in itself pretty dire, but when you add to that the fact that our percentage of shots that hit the target is just 23% (the lowest in the league) it all comes back to accuracy, as I've said a few times this year.

If you've going to play with low possession for it to work you need a high degree of precision in what you do when you have the ball; 2-3 sharp passes and shot on target at the end.

In rugby there's a big thing about not leaving the 22 empty handed, when you get territory you do something with it, the football equivalent of that is working the keeper, if you get loads of chances working the keeper and 'rolling the dice' is important, if you only get a few it's absolutely imperative that you make the most of everything you get.

Importantly more me a lack of precision is often down to mental preparation more than technical ability or physical attributes, you look at a player bang in confidence and they look comfortable and smooth in their actions and everything seems effortless, look at our guys and they all look like they're expecting things to fall apart any minute, so passes are powder puff (how many of our passes are underhit) and our shootting opportunities get snatched at and wasted. That's the thing we need to work on and the simplest way to do it is to strip back and make training as basic as can be, 1-2 touch passing drills on small pitches, 1 touch shooting from volleys or knockdowns, set pieces, fitness work, first touch and close control, focus on making the basic skills right so on the pitch that stuff just happens and the players have the confidence to take more on.

[Ron Manager]

Just want this turgid manager to provide a bit of excitement.  He claims wingers are 'old fashioned' so what! I think they are thrilling if not always consistent. Perhaps the Spurs manager would let us have Lennon on loan after Sundays match or if not there must be a few Tony Daley types lower down the league. Or preferably a young Harry Burrows with a thunderous shot.

Or anybody that might raise the spirits of the fans.

[Weedy]

If this article by Gary Neville is anything to go by, we should be ashamed of ourselves at the lack of scoring opportunities.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11202272/Premier-League-football-is-witnessing-the-death-of-defending-as-I-knew-it-and-its-not-coming-back.html

[Matt Collins]

It's simple for me. We don't have creative attacking players other than n'zogbia (an inconsistent dribbler but not a passer) Cole (well past it) or grealish (doesn't look ready to me). We've been crying out for someone like this for years now. I can't believe we still haven't bought someone. We definitely need to in January

Maybe cleverley can add a bit of that but I've not seen it so far

[peter w]

Didn't that run end with us putting five past Spurs at the Lane?

I think it ended at home against (maybe) Norwich. Staunton?

[class-of-82]

Still can't understand why a proven goal scorer like bent is on the bench gabby and weimann have never been goal scorers grealish has to be given a chance sooner rather than later or as usual he will be given a chance when it is to late.
Also is Callum Robinson out on loan why give him a run out against saints last year then loan him out you see other clubs bringing there starlets through and flourishing but us

[peter w]

Because Bent is as much a busted flush as anyone.