Forwards "chasing back" is not helping

[silvercue]

Read on here so many times about how great the effort of players like Jamie Mackie is because he makes up for less talent by chasing everything down. That is fine when you are chasing in and around your position and winning the odd ball, but he chases down unessessarily and is way out of position when we do get the ball back.

This might not matter so much in a 4-4-2, but in a lone striker role he has to be disciplined. I thought we lost out shape way too much on Saturday - all over the park. People will often slate other players for not chasing down enough, like Adel.

Just need to remember Berbatovs Golden Boot in a tittle winning side to understand that strikers chasing shadows is not necessarily the most important thing.

Not a go at JM so much as simply my view on what is most important in the role.

[Rieger]

I agree. When moving forward there aren't enough bodies in the box because mackie for example will be in midfield or out wide after a chase. Him constantly chasing can be useful at times but the midfielders are having to shoot from 20 yards+ constantly due to lack of options

[MattyRangers]

We never have anybody in the box. Lost count of the amount of times this season we actually get a half decent ball in and we just about have 1 bloke entering the box as 1 of the 4 opposition defenders clears the ball. So so toothless going forward - as our measly 18 goals scored so far shows.

[silvercue]

Need a lazy goal-hanger... jumpers for goalposts.

[vblockranger]

someone like Cisse?

[Rieger]

someone like Cisse?

But doesnt stand offside constantly, and runs around a fair bit. So Remy. OH GOD PLEASE FIX HIS CROTCH!

[Lunar Jetman]

Did you see HR telling him to get back up front then? Just wondered as you were suggesting Mackie was doing things he shouldn't be so presumably if this was the case then the manager and/or staff would be telling him to get back where he should be?

[silvercue]

Did you see HR telling him to get back up front then? Just wondered as you were suggesting Mackie was doing things he shouldn't be so presumably if this was the case then the manager and/or staff would be telling him to get back where he should be?

No, I didn't, but I wasn't really looking TBH, and wouldn't know what was said anyway, so no idea if it happened or not. I think it is more of a training ground thing, rather than try to change his instincts mid match.

[SammyKojoe]

Mackie should not be on the pitch full stop. In any position. We need wins! To get those you need ability and quality. He has none of this. After 70 odd minutes bring him on by all means but we may as well just play Samba up top on his own from the start as he poses more goal threat than boy wonder Mackie.

[silvercue]

..but then our defence would look weak again. Sambe upo front isn't the answer.

[Buffalo]

The only time we really get bodies in the box is when we get a free kick. Then it either gets kicked straight at the nearest opponent or is lofted too close to the opposition keeper. We got one or two right on Saturday but this is basic stuff that frustrates the heck out of me when watching.

As for Samba up front, only if we are desperate IMO. We've brought him in to do a job and build a team around so changing his role about is not going to help.

[72bus]

mackie has to make up in effort and desire what he lacks in quality , mackie does not pick himself .i knew from how we lined up on saturday we would struggle but where are our options maybe BZ up front but we really lack quality in midfield , adel doesnt offer much when he doesnt have the ball , derry to old, mbia cant stay on his feet and swp is just frustrating , ideally mackie would be an impact sub lets hope we get back remy and diakite soon