Les Bleus secure the essential, but questions remain

Not much to say about yesterday's game between minnows Faroe Islands vs France...France secured the essential 3 points...barely. I was not able to watch the match but was able to see multiple highlights as well as follow it via the web, therefore not able to really give the game a true detailed analysis. However here are some highlights and some thoughts:

• Offensively there remain many questions. Gignac looked good, scoring the only goal, but had other chances that he did not put away, not what an international striker does against a team of semi-professionals. Malouda looked very dangerous on the left, not sure why Ribery replaced him....why not take out a holding midfielder? Gourcuff appeared active and could have scored at least one goal for his efforts, but out of sorts when he does not have another wing player on his right. Bottom line is France remains floundering when it comes to determining who will be the goal scoring threat so sorely needed. I do not think all can be blamed on the absence of Henry and the late entry of Ribery. Without any outside shooting threat, and a substandard aerial game, teams know they can pack in the penalty box. With players like Malouda, Gourcuff, Ribery, et al speed and passing are strengths, however you cannot pass your way to goals if the defense sticks 6 defenders in the penalty box.
  
• Defensively there was little to measure, however Lloris did not cover himself in glory. While he did not make any mistakes, he appeared timid and the few times the Faroe Islands threatened the penalty area he did not look sharp. Problem remains, Mandanda has the same issue when he plays for Les Bleus. Again...I think the #1 keeper for France plays in Florence...too bad Domenech has already booted him from the team, why? Not sure, maybe he has the wrong astrological sign. Unfortunately, I feel Mandanda and Lloris, while both incredibly talented and playing for big Ligue 1 clubs, do not seem to have the confidence when it comes to wearing the France kit. Not reassuring for the upcoming matches against must more formidable competition.
• Of course I cannot write a post without making some comments on my favorite manager - Domenech. Once again I question his tactics. He starts 2 strikers, great....but a midfield that consists of 2 traditional holding players - Diarra and Toulalan - so naturally they sit deeper on the field. Then he has Gourcuff, who naturally occupies the high slot behind the strikers, but in the middle of the pitch. So the only natural wing player is Malouda, which means you have basically told your opponent that most of your attacks will come from the left (Malouda's natural wing). Hmmmmm, interesting. Maybe, if you want to have 4 midfielders you look to a diamond, and have another natural wing player to take on the right side of the pitch, allow your team some balance. Then you decide to bring in your other natural wing player - Ribery - and put him in for Malouda!! Why not take out a striker, give your team more width force the Faroe defenders to spread their coverage to the wings. Or, gasp, maybe take out one of your holding midfielders. Finally, why not insert Benzema in the game, replace Anelka, give the Faroe defenders a fresh set of offensive legs to contend with after defending all game? No law states you need to use all your subs, but if you have some strategic sense you plan on how to leverage your subs depending on the situation....seems like Domenech rather horde his subs for another day.

Anyways, France secured the essential. As I have posted about before, I remember in 1999 when Les Bleus barely beat Andorra - 1 to 0 - in a qualifying match for the Euro 2000, and we all know how that campaign ended.



So I am not concerned so much with the result as I am concerned with more malaise that Les Bleus have with regards to the overall team. I fear that the next few matches for Les Bleus is not the time for Domenech and his team to tinker...