on the Welbeck/Giggs sub point

I don't think anyone disputes (although given their past comments some on here might) that Welbeck is a hell of an option to be able to bring off the bench and that we don't have that type of luxury but that misses the real point.

The point is that Moyes brought him on and played him in a specific position floating behind their striker. This was no doubt partly in response to the fact that Giggs was garbage in the first half but i also suspect in response to the fact that he saw a weakness in our ability to pick up and track players operating in that area. The concern (and constant frustration with Hughton) is that despite Welbeck operating in acres of space and it being very obvious he was doing so and that it had changed the pattern of play, he did absolutely nothing to react to this change. Yes their goal was lucky but the fact is Welbeck was basically able to play a free role virtually unmarked for most of that second half. I don't know whether Hughton is stubborn or just a bit slow tactically but his lack of reaction to things during matches constantly amazes me. Of course having criticised him for worrying about the opposition too much it would be hypocritical to want him to spend the whole game reacting to their every move, nor would i expect him too. But in virtually every game everyone watching seems to be able to see things that are not working or things that need to be changed at least 15 or 20 minutes before he does anything about it.

Posted By: Jim on January 3rd 2014 at 12:37:48

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