- Jul 26, 2011
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Townsend did actually go down the outside a few times, but his crossing wasn't exactly great when he did, but also what's the point when the man you have to aim for is Defoe, who I can't remember ever getting on the end of a cross in his entire career.
I've watched hundreds of games, especially at home, where we played Lennon and Bale as out and out wingers and were stopped just as easily. In 2010-11 (I think) we failed to win half our home games playing with "width".
I genuinely do not think we were cryingout for width. I think we were crying out for "wit". And unfortunately it was in short supply.
He did yes in the first half but stopped doing it in the second. It worked in the first half so why change it? Crosses should be along the floor like the one Defoe should have got on the end of in the first half.
If you watch a replay Townsend can only play that ball so Defoe has to anticipate it but he reacts when the cross is made instead which is too late. Tiny point but it's what separates the top quality strikers from the very good Defoe's of this world.
Shame Lennon wasn't fit, but why didn't Lamela replace Townsend? He creates more from the right than he does from the left in the little that I have seen from him.