Viduka's back heel

[NewcastleRBNY]

More and more every game I'm noticing just how much Viduka loves to use his back heel. As simple as it is he uses it to perfection. Just after watching today's match I noticed just a small back flip to Owen set up the goal. Its nothing flashy or hard to do and yet it creates chances day in and day out.

Its small things like this that make more sense of the 4-3-3 (really 4-3-1-2) formation. Viduka and Martins charge forward, Viduka handles the ball and then back heels it to Owen who comes up and takes a whack at it.

I know its not the only reason but since we've had Viduka back in the line up we really have turned around. He has the experience, Owen has the skill, and Martins has the speed and power. Putting that all together has set us up nicely. I hope with all of the supposed new signings this summer we keep this group together. When you get a group of strikers working this well together in tandem its something you shouldn't mess up.

[mplsTOON]

Viduka + his heel + being fit + playing at the end of March + ice crean truck parked in locker room = effective striker.

One thing i noticed about the current set up is that Martins needs to perfect his first touch and to be more aggressive with the ball and have no fear about running at a defence. With the layered offense of the three, running thru and into the box, it would make us utterly impossible to defend against.

Once he gets the ball settled and has space and an open field Martin's is incredibly dangerous either with his walloping left foot or for a high speed run in. But either than that he's not really effective as he could be.

Watching yesterday I was really pulling for him to go and run AT Dawson and Woodgate from the side, because quite frankly neither of them could deal with that and few BPL defenses can. But he would often fumble the ball trying to settle it and run into a position where he could not get out of.

[NewcastleRBNY]

Its a turn around for all of our strikers. Viduka coming back from his injury and he hasn't missed a step, Martins gaining some focus and putting more confidence on the ball, and Owen learning his new role and still finding the time to knock in 3 goals in 3 games. As much as Owen is becoming the driving force of the midfield, Viduka is the man in charge up front. He pulls the attention to himself yet can maintain control of the ball. I swear I've seen times where he has the ball and the defense just looks at him as if they are intimidated (Fulham goal).

He's a good balance for Martins. We need someone who can control his wild power and keep the ball in order. More and more I'm finally seeing his value. Just like the rest of the team he is fighting for the Premiership but he's also fighting for his spot next year. Kev has even come out and said that now he doesn't feel he needs to go on such a large spending spree this summer. His players are finally playing for him and they have 6 more games to make the best impression.

[mplsTOON]

Viduka's like Daylight Savings Time, only on between March and October every season. IMO we'll need a back up for him as cover when he holes up for the winter with a lager and pies. Pandev? Crouch? Carroll? Who knows.

I do not want to be a spoiler but while we are currently on a tear, if you can call two wins back to back "a tear", we are woefully short of quality depth.
Think of who would fall in if Owen goes out for a week or two (Smith? I shudder to think), or if Butt goes tets up, or if Barton gets sent up.

When you see it that way, we are missing the link between our first team starters and the youth we are brining up especially in the midfield.

[JaredSS07]

Viduka's like Daylight Savings Time, only on between March and October every season. IMO we'll need a back up for him as cover when he holes up for the winter with a lager and pies. Pandev? Crouch? Carroll? Who knows.

I do not want to be a spoiler but while we are currently on a tear, if you can call two wins back to back "a tear", we are woefully short of quality depth.
Think of who would fall in if Owen goes out for a week or two (Smith? I shudder to think), or if Butt goes tets up, or if Barton gets sent up.

When you see it that way, we are missing the link between our first team starters and the youth we are brining up especially in the midfield.

Thanks...
http://dallasmorningviews.beloblog.com/archives/debbie_downer.jpg

[mplsTOON]

Ha! when we club Reading like a baby seal next weekend I will concur that we can sustain this...

[City Dave]

Ha! when we club Reading like a baby seal next weekend I will concur that we can sustain this...

.;).

[mplsTOON]

.;).

Oh hell, I knew some smartass would bring that up

:D

We are now officially on a tear...

[NewcastleRBNY]

Now hopefully we can go up against a Portsmouth squad that is focusing on the FA cup and not the next match so we will have an even better opportunity to keep this streak going. Even if we go against a full strength "Oki" team I think we have a good chance considering recent form.

[tigerdave]

I must admit I'm surprised with how soft his touches are and how good he is with his feet. I didn't expect that, figured he was another garbage-goaler.