TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
What I'm reading is that yes, players in top teams are allowed to not track back.
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gwladysnight
Player Valuation: £10m
I showed you an example of Salah tracking back. His role is either to track back or usually to look to sprint in behind the opposition's defence. Hamez does neither, he hasn't got the pace to hurt teams in behind like a Salah or a Vardy but doesn't cover his flank.
So we end up with DCL and Hamez out of the game when we turn over possession. Hamez is a fantastic talent but his tendency to drift in from the right leaves us wide open on the counter.
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
James is bad because he isn't as fast as Salah or Vardy is certainly a place I wasn't expecting this to end up.
Have a good one.
gwladysnight
Player Valuation: £10m
It is about tactical discipline and each players' role within the team unit. Salah and Vardy become the out ball for when their team regain possession. To facilitate that their teammates drop off and get behind the ball.
DCL is our out ball and James not tracking back just means we are a player short, and we have a huge hole on the right-hand side. Our full backs push on, so we end up wide open on the counter-attack.
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
But as you've illustrated with Salah, it is possible to overcome these things with the right system. James adds tons to our team in the middle and attacking thirds. Not overcoming this is a failure of the manager, not the player.
I don't think much of our defensive failings even really rests at James feet anyway. I mean a lot of the Fulham threat came down the center or from our left. Leeds goal was scored while James actively tracked someone all the way back (go watch the highlights if you don't believe me) and Burnley didn't score because of him either.
UptheTofees
Player Valuation: £20m
Ironically, on Leeds goal, had James not tracked back, Rafinha may have passed instead of taking that good shot. He was gonna pass and saw his teammate covered so he shot.
The whole James doesn't track back or run is a myth. He is just slow and has low stamina.
But he defends
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TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
It's the same as those who think Gylfi doesn't try. He's slow and not great defensively. It isn't the same.
And fwiw I think James is pretty decent defensively and would be an asset if we pressed more and more effectively. Brighton he had a great interception that sparked a goal and he'd do that more if we were in position more.
UptheTofees
Player Valuation: £20m
James is a smart player. I'd argue one of the smartest players in football. So he knows how to contribute despite his limitations.
I do think next offseasons he and the whole team need a serious conditioning program. James is naturally slow and not playing at all last season plus no preseason this year has greatly affected his fitness. Do a conditioning program. It's not rocket science. Fitness and conditioning is something that is improved with a proper plan.
gwladysnight
Player Valuation: £10m
James tracking back against Leeds was way too late though. He should have been back in position much earlier. Our midfield gets sucked out to the left flank because of Ancelotti's man orientated press and James is just watching on as Leeds have a ridiculous amount of space.
UptheTofees
Player Valuation: £20m
He covered his flank and prevented Leeds' left flank attacker from receiving the ball.
What do you want him to do go down and wait and leave his man open?
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
gwladysnight
Player Valuation: £10m
It is about having defensive instincts. As soon as our midfield gets dragged out to the left James has to drop in and cover. You simply cannot stand in the centre circle and see that amount of space and not drop in to cover.
It isn't about going man to man it is about keeping your defensive shape. James sees thirty or forty yards of space but only reacts when Dallas makes a run.
This is where James should be looking to be.
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
You're going to obviously disagree but this is on Allan. He's the player out of position. I keep saying this in his thread but he needs a #6 behind him for exactly moments like this where he goes out of position to win the ball and doesn't get it.
James man is the LB. I guess maybe he could read this and drop in but first off he's an attacker and he shouldn't be responsible for putting out fires and secondly he is going to leave the LB for a dangerous overlap if he does so.
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