Fowards Off The Ball

City Deflated By Southampton

Since Southampton didn't just sneak by the defending champs, but rather comprehensively thrashed Mancini's side, they'll get some love in this space this week.  As a rather sterling example of "late" running - late meaning position more than timing in this case - Jay Rodriguez breaks from a deep position as Southampton steal a ball, and flies over 50 yards to attempt to finish a counter attack.  It's a very direct move, but off a turnover well worth the risk.

A Definition:
The three yellow players would be "late" runners as they try to get to a ball played into the space behind the red dashed line representing the offside line.  The lone forward would be the primary runner.  Late simply means secondary, and sensibly, this sort of run will often be referred to as a "second runner."









Here is Rodriguez's run in pictures...note the clock in each...

Here's the recap of the match: