I'm sure this has been mentioned elsewhere - most likely by me incessantly - but I think it might be worth having a separate discussion about our style of play and tactics. Nothing too nerdy. We wouldn't want the data virgins barging in with chat of xG and pre-assists etc. But just a general discussion on the patterns of play, and the issues/successes.
I think the most recent game against Brighton was a good microcosm of what I've been saying for a while. The first 25 minutes or whatever were largely uneventful and we started slowly, with Brighton having most of the ball. We struggled to create anything, with a lot of our possession being in front of the Brighton lines.
It was only when we went more direct and injected pace into our attacks that we created and looked a threat. This has been the case all season with us only looking good in short bursts. Off the top of my head, all 3 goals came from quick, direct play down the flanks and into space. The Kerkez chance in the first half came from a quick ball into space. Salah beating his man in the first half was another direct ball. Rio's disallowed goal was a quick counter attack (although Gakpo typically held onto it a fraction too long in my book).
Conversely, we looked at our worst when keeping possession deep in our own half, with short slow passes. See the opening stages, Alisson nearly losing it at the back. On the latter, What's up with Alisson's passing this season? It used to be one of his strengths. Anyway...
I'm not expecting us to play direct, all action, aggressive football for 90 minutes. It's not sustainable, and I'm all for game management.
However, it's precisely when we appear to be "managing" the game that we look at our worst. Now, obviously Slot has forgotten more about football than I'll ever hope to know, but I struggle to see how he can't see the stark difference between the slow, ponderous possession that we see for 80% of games, and the fluid, dynamic attacking football for the other 20% that actually wins us matches.
Surely it's simply a case of doing more of the good stuff that actually benefits us and wins us games, then we can bore the opposition into submission with Slotball afterwards?
We have a team of big, strong, quick lads, who, up until this season, were able to press relentlessly and suffocate teams. Kerkez looks much more comfortable bombing on on the overlap. Szoboszlai is a thoroughbred stallion. Salah looks at his best with space to run into. Ekitike is rapid. Frimpong/Bradley can overlap on the right. Konate and Van Dijk are two beasts at the back. Isak would benefit from quick, dynamic attacks too when he's back...
So, why do we spend the majority of our games doing tippy happy shit in our own half that doesn't even break the lines or get us anywhere?
Just be venting, I suppose...
I think the most recent game against Brighton was a good microcosm of what I've been saying for a while. The first 25 minutes or whatever were largely uneventful and we started slowly, with Brighton having most of the ball. We struggled to create anything, with a lot of our possession being in front of the Brighton lines.
It was only when we went more direct and injected pace into our attacks that we created and looked a threat. This has been the case all season with us only looking good in short bursts. Off the top of my head, all 3 goals came from quick, direct play down the flanks and into space. The Kerkez chance in the first half came from a quick ball into space. Salah beating his man in the first half was another direct ball. Rio's disallowed goal was a quick counter attack (although Gakpo typically held onto it a fraction too long in my book).
Conversely, we looked at our worst when keeping possession deep in our own half, with short slow passes. See the opening stages, Alisson nearly losing it at the back. On the latter, What's up with Alisson's passing this season? It used to be one of his strengths. Anyway...
I'm not expecting us to play direct, all action, aggressive football for 90 minutes. It's not sustainable, and I'm all for game management.
However, it's precisely when we appear to be "managing" the game that we look at our worst. Now, obviously Slot has forgotten more about football than I'll ever hope to know, but I struggle to see how he can't see the stark difference between the slow, ponderous possession that we see for 80% of games, and the fluid, dynamic attacking football for the other 20% that actually wins us matches.
Surely it's simply a case of doing more of the good stuff that actually benefits us and wins us games, then we can bore the opposition into submission with Slotball afterwards?
We have a team of big, strong, quick lads, who, up until this season, were able to press relentlessly and suffocate teams. Kerkez looks much more comfortable bombing on on the overlap. Szoboszlai is a thoroughbred stallion. Salah looks at his best with space to run into. Ekitike is rapid. Frimpong/Bradley can overlap on the right. Konate and Van Dijk are two beasts at the back. Isak would benefit from quick, dynamic attacks too when he's back...
So, why do we spend the majority of our games doing tippy happy shit in our own half that doesn't even break the lines or get us anywhere?
Just be venting, I suppose...
