a écrit le 19 mai 2013 à 14h06 Barcelona fails to listen to analysts predictions.
Aug 20, 2012 - goal.com
Barcelona beware: Why Alex Song is one of the most overrated players in the world
If you are a member of an Alexandre Song fan club, you should click out of this article right now as the next 700 words will not be pleasant reading. If you are an Arsenal supporter, please do stay because this feature may just cheer you up following a frustrating past seven days.
The above paragraph will probably sound like a paradox because over the last few years, Song has developed into a real fan favourite at the Emirates. So much so that in 2011-12 he finished second behind Robin van Persie in Arsenal's Player of the Season award, as voted for by the club's fans.
Arsenal.com's congratulations to Song exalted: "Over the years, Alex has been an essential anchor at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, providing defensive cover for a free-flowing side committed to attack."
While official websites are naturally positive towards their own staff, never could an analysis be so wide of the mark. The hard truth is that Alex Song is incapable of anchoring the midfield and incapable of providing defensive cover. In the last four campaigns, Arsenal have conceded a whopping 170 league goals. In every one of these seasons (except 2009-10 when Tottenham shipped the same amount), Arsenal have let in more strikes than every other team in the Premier League top four.
The main reason for this is not a shaky back five or Arsene Wenger's tactical naivety – even if both are very significant factors – it is because Song cannot protect his defence.
In modern football where you can count on one hand the number of genuinely world-class stoppers, controlling and managing the midfield is the best form of defence. This is why teams with feeble backlines have still been relatively successful. An example is Netherlands' journey to the 2010 World Cup final, where Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong expertly shielded a modest quartet of Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen and Van Bronckhorst.
Song is too undisciplined to be an anchorman. When his team-mates are in possession, he can't resist the urge to join in offensively – thus vacating his post and leaving his side open to punishing counterattacks. When the opposition has the ball, Song's spatial awareness, positioning and reading of the game are poor. These are skills that cannot be taught, you either have them or you don't. And Song's sluggish speed and acceleration prevent him from recovering
Aug 20, 2012 - goal.com
Barcelona beware: Why Alex Song is one of the most overrated players in the world
If you are a member of an Alexandre Song fan club, you should click out of this article right now as the next 700 words will not be pleasant reading. If you are an Arsenal supporter, please do stay because this feature may just cheer you up following a frustrating past seven days.
The above paragraph will probably sound like a paradox because over the last few years, Song has developed into a real fan favourite at the Emirates. So much so that in 2011-12 he finished second behind Robin van Persie in Arsenal's Player of the Season award, as voted for by the club's fans.
Arsenal.com's congratulations to Song exalted: "Over the years, Alex has been an essential anchor at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, providing defensive cover for a free-flowing side committed to attack."
While official websites are naturally positive towards their own staff, never could an analysis be so wide of the mark. The hard truth is that Alex Song is incapable of anchoring the midfield and incapable of providing defensive cover. In the last four campaigns, Arsenal have conceded a whopping 170 league goals. In every one of these seasons (except 2009-10 when Tottenham shipped the same amount), Arsenal have let in more strikes than every other team in the Premier League top four.
The main reason for this is not a shaky back five or Arsene Wenger's tactical naivety – even if both are very significant factors – it is because Song cannot protect his defence.
In modern football where you can count on one hand the number of genuinely world-class stoppers, controlling and managing the midfield is the best form of defence. This is why teams with feeble backlines have still been relatively successful. An example is Netherlands' journey to the 2010 World Cup final, where Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong expertly shielded a modest quartet of Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen and Van Bronckhorst.
Song is too undisciplined to be an anchorman. When his team-mates are in possession, he can't resist the urge to join in offensively – thus vacating his post and leaving his side open to punishing counterattacks. When the opposition has the ball, Song's spatial awareness, positioning and reading of the game are poor. These are skills that cannot be taught, you either have them or you don't. And Song's sluggish speed and acceleration prevent him from recovering
