Toure's attacking threat

With the attacking potency we have in our side this season (particularly with the summer additions), one of the threats we have is plenty of pace and the ability to attack quickly - something which should help improve upon our away form from 2008/09.

In addition to his defensive capabilities, the introduction of Kolo Toure into the side helps in this respect. Nedum Onouha is a strong defender, but his distribution and ability to join in an attack is far from the finished article. And as forRichard Dunne's abilities in this respect, well, Dunne has his qualities but this department is not one of them.

The Guardian Chalkboard below is a direct comparison between Toure and Dunne's distribution in yesterday's game. Not to be meant as a slight on Dunne, but to highlight that Toure's passing was more long range, bringing the forwards into the game far quicker. This was particularly the case with Adebayor, a holdover from their time at Arsenal.

Also notable was the way in which he brought Wright-Phillips and Richards into play in the attacking third, allowing for the quick counter-attacking threat which will see us always be able to create opportunities and adds another dimension to our play compared with last season.


by Guardian Chalkboards

Yesterday's problem

As I alluded to in the match report, the major problem yesterdat was being unable to get in behind the Stoke defence, far too often forced to play across field and attack down the flanks.

The latest chalkboard from The Guardian illustrates this perfectly as for all of our possession and territorial advantage, we simply could not get close to the penalty area to create anything like a clear cut chance once Stoke were reduced to ten men.

Stoke's defense time and time again forced us out wide, a tactic which suited them perfectly as they comfortably dealt with our balls into the box time and time again.