mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,904
- 32,619
Whether you like it or not is a different matter, but in terms of the "tactics" per se I don't think there is a lot wrong with them. The problem at the moment is the fortunes of our attacking unit. At the end of last campaign it was clicking, they were in some form, it looked slick, efficient, and getting wins by convincing scorelines. At the moment it's not, so performances and results look a bit shakier.
I'm just seeing our normal defensive displays really. Very pragmatic, defending our third in a 5-4-1, safety in numbers, opponents with a lot of ball and betting that they won't break us down. We did this last year, defended for long spells, but it was just punctuated by better attacking moments, and goals, from us to distract and appease the fans. At the moment those aren't happening, so I can understand why people are a bit edgier and grumbling about matches.
But a lot of the matches I'm watching and thinking "we should have won that comprehensively". The Forest game we should have annihilated them, the Fulham game again loads of chances, last night Marseille's man for man highline (well, pre-sending off) was really unconvincing and on the verge of being breached on infinite occasions but we'd not get the pass right, or not release it at the right time, blah blah blah. Fantastic opportunities in the final third have been there, we've just started the season really wastefully and more often than not barbecued them.
Son is the most talked about, he's been rubbish in his touch, decision making, and though people will say "but he got us the sending off last night!" I'm actually a little concerned that the last few games he's largely stopped running, numerous times we've had scenarios where I'm expecting to see him dashing through and/or in behind for a pass and he's not. Kane has been just as bad in his general play, his goal stats mask it a bit but he looks a slow flat/heavy footed plodder mostly at the moment. Richarlison isn't the most refined footballer by any stretch, his touch and pass etc. will plenty let him down at a critical moment, but at least he runs channels and sticks his body in to shield the ball etc. and has a bit of scrap in him. And he is prepared to get himself in the box. The other two could take notes currently.....
Also think wingbacks are still a fairly weighty issue tbh, Perisic has done some good things so far, had plenty of classy intelligent touches that show why he's had the career he's had, but I think he's easing himself in to his surroundings. I was expecting him to be ultra aggressive in his play and his runs, positioning, and so on and to be found getting in the box at every opportunity. Hopefully this is to come, currently want to see more. Emerson I see lots of fans bemoaning other fans still trashing him - individually he's competent. Can defend. Reasonably assured with the ball at his feet. Good temperament. Ok, great. But as wingback, more often than not, nah. He doesn't stay high enough, he doesn't eat up the ground with his forward off the ball runs, he can't carry the ball, he can't beat a man, doesn't really develop a picture and make smart choices, and he can't really deliver consistent half-decent end product. Sounds harsh but no matter how well he ever does in some aspects, I'm always going to want a lot more from someone playing that role.
TL;DR - Obviously we know our game is heavily built around attacking structures and patterns of play, and efficiency in the final third. But until individuals start firing and we rediscover that attacking platform and ruthlessness comes back things will continue to look clunky. I don't think the tactics are not working, the conditions have been there for handsome victories, it's just not being applied well by out of form strikers (and still some weaknesses on the flanks).
Final thought - Against packed defences though we still definitely need tactical evolution. We managed to crowbar the door open last night, but continue to look really ill at ease taking the ball into congestion and playing in and around packed defences.
Epilogue: See there is some argument about deliberately starting slow and conserving energy and then stepping on the gas later on in games when it's needed and the opposition have punched themselves out. Not sure I'm convinced by that, but if it is correct it is a tough ask and no wonder the team might be struggling to put that into practice. We play largely without the ball. If you have it then you can have control of the tempo of proceedings and how much risk you take with your play and it's a lot easier to kill the game a bit. Without it, it is hard to manage certain aspects and not exactly easy to say "ok we'll sit back and rest just enough, but not too much". Quite tough to get that right and not get yourself in bother.
I'm just seeing our normal defensive displays really. Very pragmatic, defending our third in a 5-4-1, safety in numbers, opponents with a lot of ball and betting that they won't break us down. We did this last year, defended for long spells, but it was just punctuated by better attacking moments, and goals, from us to distract and appease the fans. At the moment those aren't happening, so I can understand why people are a bit edgier and grumbling about matches.
But a lot of the matches I'm watching and thinking "we should have won that comprehensively". The Forest game we should have annihilated them, the Fulham game again loads of chances, last night Marseille's man for man highline (well, pre-sending off) was really unconvincing and on the verge of being breached on infinite occasions but we'd not get the pass right, or not release it at the right time, blah blah blah. Fantastic opportunities in the final third have been there, we've just started the season really wastefully and more often than not barbecued them.
Son is the most talked about, he's been rubbish in his touch, decision making, and though people will say "but he got us the sending off last night!" I'm actually a little concerned that the last few games he's largely stopped running, numerous times we've had scenarios where I'm expecting to see him dashing through and/or in behind for a pass and he's not. Kane has been just as bad in his general play, his goal stats mask it a bit but he looks a slow flat/heavy footed plodder mostly at the moment. Richarlison isn't the most refined footballer by any stretch, his touch and pass etc. will plenty let him down at a critical moment, but at least he runs channels and sticks his body in to shield the ball etc. and has a bit of scrap in him. And he is prepared to get himself in the box. The other two could take notes currently.....
Also think wingbacks are still a fairly weighty issue tbh, Perisic has done some good things so far, had plenty of classy intelligent touches that show why he's had the career he's had, but I think he's easing himself in to his surroundings. I was expecting him to be ultra aggressive in his play and his runs, positioning, and so on and to be found getting in the box at every opportunity. Hopefully this is to come, currently want to see more. Emerson I see lots of fans bemoaning other fans still trashing him - individually he's competent. Can defend. Reasonably assured with the ball at his feet. Good temperament. Ok, great. But as wingback, more often than not, nah. He doesn't stay high enough, he doesn't eat up the ground with his forward off the ball runs, he can't carry the ball, he can't beat a man, doesn't really develop a picture and make smart choices, and he can't really deliver consistent half-decent end product. Sounds harsh but no matter how well he ever does in some aspects, I'm always going to want a lot more from someone playing that role.
TL;DR - Obviously we know our game is heavily built around attacking structures and patterns of play, and efficiency in the final third. But until individuals start firing and we rediscover that attacking platform and ruthlessness comes back things will continue to look clunky. I don't think the tactics are not working, the conditions have been there for handsome victories, it's just not being applied well by out of form strikers (and still some weaknesses on the flanks).
Final thought - Against packed defences though we still definitely need tactical evolution. We managed to crowbar the door open last night, but continue to look really ill at ease taking the ball into congestion and playing in and around packed defences.
Epilogue: See there is some argument about deliberately starting slow and conserving energy and then stepping on the gas later on in games when it's needed and the opposition have punched themselves out. Not sure I'm convinced by that, but if it is correct it is a tough ask and no wonder the team might be struggling to put that into practice. We play largely without the ball. If you have it then you can have control of the tempo of proceedings and how much risk you take with your play and it's a lot easier to kill the game a bit. Without it, it is hard to manage certain aspects and not exactly easy to say "ok we'll sit back and rest just enough, but not too much". Quite tough to get that right and not get yourself in bother.
