on May 16, 2022, 4:33 pm, in reply to "He tracks back, but his defensive awareness is poor"
I'm reluctant to comment on substitutions/tactics as I am a mere fan and I don't seem them in training all week, but I have to admit that I had only glanced at the bench before the game so I knew we only had a young option for CB cover, but hadn't really clocked that Kenny was on there too. Coleman was moved into CB then Kenny should have been on at RB, especially as we were 1-0 up at the time. As it turned out I don't think Kenny did brilliantly when he came on, but it would have been a more natural fit for Iwobi/Gordon try to cope with the width they added as soon as we went down to 10 men.
I was also glad that they recognsided that Gordon was absolutely spent and substituted him soon afterwards. 
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A few times yesterday he tracked his man, then immediately turned his back and lost him once the ball was laid off, with his man then being played in behind him. He has lots of good qualities and played well yesterday, but from a tactical point of view I suspect he should have been sacrificed for Kenny at half time just for the extra defensive solidity. Allan wouldn't have fixed out defensive issues yesterday, the player we really missed who could have sat in and helped us compensate for the man short was Delph. Never thought I'd say that...... Previous Message
He's young so there's loads of time for improvement in many areas of his game.
My main issue with him though is that whilst he's great at tackling back, closing down, picking up possession and dropping a shoulder and stealing a march on his opponent, he is rather lacking in his end product. Not just shooting, but his composure, his final ball, his crossing and so on.
Loads to be excited about with Gordon, but he's a good couple of seasons of playing in a steadily improving team away from being considered a really decent player.
If our squad wasn't such a shit show, Gordon would be getting cameo appearances off the bench late on to run tired defenders ragged, not starting match after match and thereby having his flaws exposed.
Nothing but great kudos for his efforts this season, but he's not the top player that many seem to think (hope?) that he is, yet.
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Lots of talent, bright future and so on.
But something that stood out the first game I remember him playing is he can't jump, has no sense of timing in the air and genuinely looks lost/scared on headers. He has taken to running into players and looking for fouls or as the third goal showed, is just lost..
I can't remember anyone like this?? Suggestions?
Otherwise, good player!
Ian
I'd rather die with our history than live with theirs...
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