- Jul 29, 2004
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I've had doubts this system would work in the Prem from the outset. Even when we were on that winning streak at the beginning it was clear that this way of playing was always going to cough up chances to the opposition, and in the Prem the opposition aren't going to keep missing opportunities like they were in the first dozen or so games. Posters telling me I must hate Ange or that I had an agenda with his appointment etc, lol ok.A little bit of a perfect storm atm.
I think some of this stems from both Maddison and Bentancur coming back from long term injuries. They are still getting up to speed and also with each other.
We have had players away with international commitments and injuries.
Missed our 2 full backs who in the modern game are the most important players IMO in any team.
Teams have worked out that if you put pressure on Bissouma or tbf AN Other holding player sooner or later he will cough up possession as he is the holding player.
Teams have also worked out that if you keep an attacking player wide you will get some joy against our system.
I still feel that this season minus Kane is a bit of a free pass. However like most of our fan base I have had the odd sneaky doubt just lately. We have just lacked a bit of tempo to our play with all of the above points mixed in.
There's a lot of scapegoating going on, but I don't think it's about personnel. This system quite simply leaves too much space to be exploited so a mistake anywhere on the pitch could lead to the ball being in the back of our own net with one pass.
I do however think it will get better with time, but not to the point you could win anything significant playing this way. He is going to have to adapt it in some way and make sacrifices to his all out attacking ethos if he wants to be successful. He's a very smart man so I'm hoping he makes the tweaks necessary, and with training and a couple more in we will get there.
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