08 Dec 2016 12:49:12
Just seen a pretty intresting/ disturbing fact regarding lukaku and was wondering if any Eds can confirm the truth and wondering other posters views.
In 2015/ 16 Rom average distance covered was 8.6 km per game ranking him 503 and last in the rankings this year he is currently ranked 415 out of 419 outfield players.
Now my question is if this is right is this lack of movement hurting us more than his goals I accept in the ten years I've been a season ticket holders he is the best goalscorer I've seen but the static nature is killing the midfield how often are players I. e. baines in possession searching for a pass to make?
{Ed002's Note - I don't see the relevance of the figures.}
08 Dec 2016 13:10:03
It's just distance covered per game last year on average Rom covered less distance per game than any other outfield player in the premier league this year there are only 4 that have covered less I just wondered if how static Rom is is having a detrimental affect on other players in the team that outweighs his obvious goalscoring threat sorry if it wasn't clear.
{Ed002's Note - You are making something out of nothing - equally he would be the best goalscoring forward npt wasting effort over a season.}
08 Dec 2016 13:20:06
I know Ed002 says it doesn't really have any relevance but, I think Rom must be told not to track back. None of the attacking midfielders offer any real goal threat so we need him up top if we are to get our goals. When Valencia came on last weekend I noticed him track back a lot more. Just my theory.
08 Dec 2016 14:17:53
He plays as a lone striker. he can hardly be expected to cover all the ground up front on his own. i know he is not the best at chasing down players but we have said it time and time before, he needs help up there. what would you rather, he ran 20km a game chasing down hopelessly as four defenders play keep away with him.
08 Dec 2016 14:42:35
Fair point ed002 wasn't trying to be overly negative on lukaku he's the best striker I can say I've seen properly in an everton shirt in my time of being a season ticket holder I was just a bit surprised when I saw the stats and trying to see if I'm the only one that thinks this lack of movement is part of the problem as to how disjointed we look as a team I'm not trying to criticise him at all I'm just more wondering if the team needs someone to do the legwork around him to help make the available space for him to do what he does best and to free up opportunities for forward momentum from the team rather than how at the minute we get to the final third and with no movement we grind to a halt and go sideways or backwards.
08 Dec 2016 17:03:45
I agree with you James2134. This is something I pointed out ages ago. Not actually the stats but just my gut feel. It was when he was banging goals in with Martinez as manager. Someone replied asking whether I would rather him be "working the channels" and closing down full backs. My thoughts were that yes actually I would. I remember Ian Rush never gave any of our defenders a moments peace on the ball and to some extent Shane Long and Jamie Vardie are exactly the same. They work so hard running here there and everywhere closing down defenders and covering a few miles per game making it much easier for their midfield players to do the same and win possession up that end of the pitch rather than on the edge of your own penalty area. I watch the ball being played out of say our oppositions right back area and Lukaku does not even make effort to run across and close down, so they immediately have one less "defender" to play against. It is basics. Even the season we qualified for the Champions League we did the pressing and closing down to great effect. Marcus Bent was brilliant at just one thing. closing down. I remember him running from full back to full back and back again closing opposition to the point of forcing them into error. In fact as a footballer, he was not that gifted. but we qualified for the Champions League! I think he scored 7 in 42.quite pathetic really. Now if we had a Lukaku who was as big and strong and powerful AND worked the channels and closed down the oppos defenders. that would be some player. Watch our next game and see how we allow the opposition to play out from defence by Lukaku walking round in a dream and our midfield then have to back off.
08 Dec 2016 18:55:17
I personally would like a forward who can put a ball away. I remember listening to Sharp in the eighties saying the hardest role is playing up front by yourself. LUKAKU has done that for years. If you want a forwards closing down why don't we get a marathon runner. To go back to a forward who scored 7 in 42 is very sad to me. I understand there a lot a work to be done by Lukaku such as his touch maybe his work rate but for his aged he a work in process.
08 Dec 2016 19:37:49
Naismith would run his heart out but would never get near 20 a season. I would have liked him to be here now alongside lukaku but with koeman managing him.
{Ed025's Note - good shout that smit....i loved naisy..
08 Dec 2016 19:58:25
Definitely a koeman type player. Can't you have a word in walsh's ear please Ed.
{Ed025's Note - consider it done mate.. :)
08 Dec 2016 20:13:55
It's absolutely vital, especially when you are a lone striker, to work the oppositions defence. That means running across and behind the back four creating space for the attackers to exploit.
RL is mostly static demanding the ball at his feet with two or three defenders around him, with his lack of control with first touch more often than not we surrender possession.
Fortunately, I have been privileged to see some great strikers in the blue shirt but RL, despite what he thinks, doesn't cut the mustard.
{Ed025's Note - hes certainly not bob latchford fancy.. :)
08 Dec 2016 20:24:31
My point Blue1959 is that you don't have to have one or the other in a player. you can have both. Ian Rush (I hate to say) did both. Theirry Henry did both. Bob Latchford was akin to Lukaku in that haalf his goals hit him on the backside and went in. that's why he only played for Englaand 3 times with such an amazing scoring record. If Lukaku worked every week like he did in the 2nd half last week he would certainly score more goals because he would have more chances. Players don't have to be one or the other. they can be both. I appreciate Lukaku scores lots of wonderful goals. but at the expence of putting more work on other players by not working hard enough.
08 Dec 2016 22:11:31
Lukakus problem is when he gets the ball with his back to goal his job is to hold the ball for midfield runners, pass to them with a view to getting in position for the pass back and shot. Problem being our midfield attackers don't run/ move. That's why barkley has been dropped. It also doesn't help with 2 defensive midfielders like Barry and Gana. We need a scholes type player alongside gana who will run on and create but also run back when needed. It is pointless giving it to the wingers crossing in when the only player in the box is lukaku who is hopeless in the air.