Michael Cox: "Dalglish’s muddled tactics have confused Liverpool"

[Dirkus_Circus]

The best tacticians leave the opposition guessing. Kenny Dalglish has certainly done that so far this season – the problem is, often his own players are as flummoxed as their opponents.

It’s odd that Dalglish has no consistent shape or strategy, because it appeared that his project at Liverpool was going to be based around cohesion. Before becoming manager for a second time, Dalglish had been working at the club’s youth academy, where there has been an attempt to replicate Barcelona’s development of youngsters.

In addition, the signings of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing were interesting and hinted at a long-term approach. None are world-class players, none are ever likely to be. But the apparent idea was that the players would play alongside each other each week, and the resulting familiarity would have a multiplier effect upon the ability of each.

But it’s been difficult for anyone – youngster or new arrival – to adapt to this Liverpool side, because they’re not sure what they’re adapting to. Dalglish admitted earlier in the season that Downing’s struggles were, at least in part, because he had been used in so many different positions. Dalglish is astute enough to realise that (and admit his own errors), so he must also realise that Downing’s struggles are a microcosm of his team’s.

Versatility can be fantastic, but too much of it can lead to a manager chopping and changing every week. Craig Bellamy has been used on the right, the left and up front. Dirk Kuyt can be a right-winger or a forward. Luis Suarez is still trying to find his best position – up front or behind a central striker? And that’s just the forwards. Downing has been used on either flank, Maxi Rodriguez has played a variety of roles, Adam has been played in a two-man and three-man midfield with various partners – the same goes for Steven Gerrard – and Jordan Henderson is either on the right or through the middle. Tactically, flexible sides need these type of options – but they also need some level of structure, generally down the spine of the side.

The absence of Lucas Leiva has been punishing in so many ways, but perhaps the key was his simplicity. He was the one Liverpool player from who you knew what to expect. Deep in midfield every week, he was always available for a short pass, always on hand to break up an attack. He provided certainty in a team full of doubt.

An on-form Andy Carroll would also have helped – the importance of a static central target to an otherwise fluid team shouldn’t be underestimated. I recall another team who changed formation almost every week – Francesco Guidolin’s Bologna side of 10 seasons ago, who overachieved and nearly made it into the Champions League. They played 3-4-2-1, 4-3-2-1, 4-3-1-2, 3-4-1-2 – pretty much any combination of those four integers you care to create. It worked because of one constant: Julio Cruz, the lumbering tall forward upfront. Like a slip cordon depending upon the wicketkeeper, the rest of the side took their positioning from Cruz.

Managers are often brought in as a response to the failings of their predecessor, and therefore strategically play the opposite type of system. Roy Hodgson’s side played with far too much structure. Dalglish’s side doesn’t have enough of it. There’s a happy medium somewhere.
For now, Liverpool remain a reactive side. They can win one-off games (this season they’ve beaten six of the seven sides currently ahead of them in the table), which explains their cup runs, but they struggle when they’re favourites and have to win the game with their natural style. The reason is obvious – it’s not clear what Liverpool’s natural style is.

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/dalglishs-muddled-tactics-have-confused-liverpool/
http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/dalglishs-muddled-tactics-have-confused-liverpool/

 

[gkmacca]

Who the fuck is Michael Cox?

 

[kingjulian]

I do not love the cox...

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Who the fuck is Michael Cox?

Zonal Marking, he is a tactics guy. Does free lance work for just about every football media outlet.

 

[gkmacca]

Oh, right, one of your useful idiots.

 

[Woland]

Maybe he can be our next manager.

 

[spider-Neil]

Oh, right, one of your useful idiots.

but did you disagree with what he said?

 

[gkmacca]

What wasn't bland, disingenuous or otiose, yes.

 

[Farkmaster]

What he said was pretty lazy, and did not constitute a tactical analysis. Essentially what he said is there has been too much change in where the players have been used, and that we don't line up consistently the same way.

We play essentially the same way most games this season, the biggest change in attack is whether we play with "a static central target to an otherwise fluid team" which for some reason he thinks is invaluable, when it actually describes the problem.

Jordan Henderson has played the vast majority of his games on the right for some reason, and Downing has played the vast majority of games in the same position at LW, but has sometimes switched flanks like most wingers are asked to at some point, although often not when the game is calling out for it.

So I don't really know what he's talking about. The most uncertainty we've had is in central midfield and I can agree there, that's because we don't have the right mix of players for that position in backup, and they aren't that good.

Dalglish's tactics have been confusing for me, but not because they aren't settled, I actually think they are too settled and stubborn, and we don't have the players to execute them.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Oh, right, one of your useful idiots.

What did he say that was wrong?

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

If the whole point of that article was to state that Dalglish is clueless when it comes to tactics, then well done to him. I'm not a tactics 'expert', but it is as clear as the massive nose on my face that Kenny ain't got a clue. Changing shape, formation and personnel every match, even after decent performances and displays can't help a single player, let alone low-in-confidence kids like Henderson and Carroll. It doesn't surprise me our performances and results have gone to shit as the season has progressed.

 

[25_05_05]

If the whole point of that article was to state that Dalglish is clueless when it comes to tactics, then well done to him. I'm not a tactics 'expert', but it is as clear as the massive nose on my face that Kenny ain't got a clue. Changing shape, formation and personnel every match, even after decent performances and displays can't help a single player, let alone low-in-confidence kids like Henderson and Carroll. It doesn't surprise me our performances and results have gone to shit as the season has progressed.

The straw that broke the camel's back for me was seeing Carroll putting in a cross from the left against QPR. And I know we've seen other strikers like Heskey and Crouch out there. But on this particular occasion, there wasn't one single player in the box!

I think Kenny is encouraging the strikers to put a shift in and drop deep to support the midfield, but this shouldn't be to the detriment of the team when there is no fucker willing to get into the box on the off-chance the ball might drop to him! The 4-5-1 formation he favours sometimes plays like 4-6 and recently 'the 6' haven't got the guile or even common sense to unlock a defence.

 

[gkmacca]

If some other mediocre blogger wrote a positive article you can be pretty damn sure his name won't be included in the thread title (as if it's the stamp of authority), nor will the fact that he "does free lance work for just about every football media outlet" (a massive exaggeration in any case) be cited as a compelling reason why his opinion should be treated with great respect. For the simple reason that such a stance wouldn't suit this agenda.

 

[Ryan]

He's basically said what I've been saying for fucking yonks.

Only with a lot less clarity, articulation, insight and panache.

 

[kingjulian]

Ryan...I believe in fair market! If you are as good as you say you are, the dailies should be queuing up for you to write for them....but it seems they are only interested in what the Cox says. You can barely get a thread full of followers in this forum.

It doesn't mean i think what Cox has said is right, i just don't think you should be thinking along the lines of "i can do a better job than him"........I'm just laying out some home-truth for you mate..

 

[the count]

He's basically said what I've been saying for fucking yonks.

Only with a lot less clarity, articulation, insight and panache.

I wouldn't have thought that you said all that with a lot less clarity, articulation, etc Ryan.
Maybe with just a little bit less.

 

[Judge Jules]

He's basically said what I've been saying for fucking yonks.

Only with a lot less clarity, articulation, insight and panache.

Don't forget the modesty.