SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Gegenpressing, inverted fullbacks, trequartistas – modern day football has a lot of complex jargon, which is often adopted by managers.
So much so, that some can often lose sight of the very basics in football. Ultimately, above all, the aim of the game is to score goals and win games.
Of course you need to keep the opposition out, but you simply aren’t going to win anything without scoring goals first and foremost.
In Roy Hodgson’s case, someone needs to tell him this.
When asked why he didn’t introduce Jean-Philippe Mateta against Fulham after his incredible spinning back-heel finish against Brighton, the 73-year-old gave a tremendously negative answer.
London News Online quote him as saying: “He didn’t come on today because Christian Benteke, who I chose to play in his place, was playing very well. Benteke, of course, plays a role for us as well defensively, especially from corners and wide and deep free-kicks.
“I didn’t see what JP would be able to do which could make a difference in us seeing the game through as we did. He’s fine, he’s ready to play and he’ll be competing. But I must say that Benteke did an excellent job for us today.”
Why, oh why, has Hodgson answered a question about an attacker by stating what he offers defensively?
Of course, there would be no arguments from us if we were talking about a game against Manchester City.
However, this was Fulham. 18th placed Fulham, with four wins all season.
Yes, Benteke does do a good job defensively, but he should be the focus of our attacks rather than the focal point of our defensive work.
It really does feel as if Hodgson has absolutely no intention of winning the game sometimes, if not all the time.
Too often this season, Crystal Palace matches have resembled an attack vs defence training drill, in which the Eagles are always the ones on the back foot.
Also, what sort of message does this send out to the new boy Mateta, who just became an instant hero with his flamboyant flick against Brighton?
Hodgson really isn’t going to win many supporters over with comments like these, nor will he win over players like Mateta who are falling foul to such a negative approach.
