02 Jan 2024 08:29:32
I watched the Simon Jordan interview with Robbie Fowler a few weeks ago where he talked about how he disliked being called a "natural finisher" because it didn't represent all the hard work he had put into it. He also talked about how he was frustrated with his lack of managerial opportunities.

I have been anxious about our finishing for a while now. It has already cost us points and it could come back to haunt us if it doesn't improve. If Fowler's finishing can be taught, I think the club should look to bring him in on a consultancy basis like they did with the Danish throw-in coach while he is waiting for a new job as our forwards could really learn something from him.

1.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 08:35:13
I think all the forwards are guilty of not finishing well it’s just the sheer volume of chances that gets us out of trouble .
I’m pretty sure things will click . Whether it be Darwin or Diogo or whoever I think the goals will come .

2.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 08:58:55
They could also learn a few tips from Jota.

3.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 09:35:39
You can't teach composure in front of goal.

4.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 10:24:27
I reckon if Jota gets a run of matches starting as our central striker, and assuming we continue to dominate territory and possession as we have of late, he will bag quite a few goals.

Be interesting to see if the absence of Salah impacts chance creation, and to be fair to Nunez, a lot of his chances come from his own movement and pace, so it doesn't necessarily follow that all of the same chances would open up for Jota, but if Jota had been fit and starting for the last month, I reckon he'd have scored half a dozen in that period.

5.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 10:35:52
@Flash according to Fowler himself, you can. As he said, the more you practice something, the easier it becomes. Nunez in particular needs to put in a few extra sessions. I firmly believe he can come good but I'm not going to keep making excuses for him. He needs to work on his finishing.

6.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 10:41:06
Looking back over the first half of this season I noticed Some of Nunez's best games, goals and assists have come when he has been on the right side of our attack! 2 goals v Newcastle stand out and assists for Salah. Possible option for when Mo is at AFCON?

7.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 11:03:17
Composure in front of goal is more about defeating your own anxieties than technique, it's about state of mind.
Which is why many players can look world class in training but fail to reach that level on matchday.
Regular practice wil obviously push him in the right direction but it doesn't guarantee he'll have the composure during a match to react te same way.

8.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 11:28:56
Andy Cole, considered a great goal scorer, used to miss a hatful of easy chances every game. It was purely down to the amount created for him that he got the goals he did.

I don’t care how they go in as long as they do.

9.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 11:35:35
Maybe he isn’t a very good coach?
The team will be fine. We’ve got goals coming from all over the squad.

10.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 12:15:23
Nunez reminds me of Sterlings days at Liverpool time on the ball he gets caught in 2 minds but given a chance and there is no time to think just act it is a goal .
Unlike Sterling I think he has way more to his game and think he will come good but I’m also at peace that he may only ever be a 15-20 goal a season attacker but gives 110%
Think he’s averaging a goal contribution every 90 currently which isn’t bad at all we just know he could get that down to 45mins if he put away a few extra .

11.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 12:16:14
@Flash if you're anxious about it, practice the situation as many times as possible so that it becomes second nature. This goes for many different situations as possible. Like how students take mock exams. Sure, the pressure isn't like the real thing but practising the process still helps.

@Faith a few additional sessions to give some pointers on finishing while he's out of work wouldn't do either party any harm. It's been the story of our season. We manage because we are creating so many chances. We aren't as clinical as we were a few years ago. We take about 20 shots before we get a goal while the opposition take 1 or 2 before they score.

12.) 02 Jan 2024
02 Jan 2024 12:20:53
Nah, @Flash I disagree. You make very valid points as to why composure may not be able to be taught or can be difficult to learn. Look at Divock Origi, for ex. to support your point. The guy is naturally laid back wnd this helps him in such critical situations that allow him to remain inexplicably calm in high pressure moments of chaos hence, his ability to take the chances he took vs Barca, Spurs in the CL final and vs Everton and other clutch moments.

However you said it yourself, it is more defeating your anxieties hence, more psychological than everything else. So indeed, if you get the type of help you need to tap into that mental side of things that will allow you to take control of your mind and remain calm in critical moments and take a deep breathe before taking the chance (something you can practice till it becomes instinctive), you can be composed in front of goal and composure can be taught, I reckon.