Given we're currently scoring at a rate unseen since our 2nd place finish with Poch, it's interesting to see Ange publicly note that we haven't been doing as well as we can with our forward play.
Defensive record obviously needs sorting (with mitigating circumstances this year), but if Ange still thinks there's another level to come from our attackers / attacking system then that's exciting.
Given we're currently scoring at a rate unseen since our 2nd place finish with Poch, it's interesting to see Ange publicly note that we haven't been doing as well as we can with our forward play.
Defensive record obviously needs sorting (with mitigating circumstances this year), but if Ange still thinks there's another level to come from our attackers / attacking system then that's exciting.
The top teams tend to have strong defences also - it is something I think we will need to improve upon if we are to win the league. Last ten seasons the Prem winners have conceded;I understand what he is saying completely.
I'm not sure the defensive stats will get much better in all honesty. This way of playing is never going to see clean sheet after clean sheet. We can tighten up on set pieces for sure and that will mitigate a few goals that we are conceding, but teams are always going to get chances against such a high line consisting of only 2 CB's, with the full backs on the opposition 18 yard line.
From an attacking POV we could certainly be creating more clear cut chances with coaching and players becoming more familiar with each others movement. The number of crosses and cut backs that fail to find a man could easily see us create a good number of good chances with better reading of the situation.
I think as players learn, and new recruits join, we will make less mistakes and learn to deal with it better.The top teams tend to have strong defences also - it is something I think we will need to improve upon if we are to win the league. Last ten seasons the Prem winners have conceded;
33
26
32
33
23
27
33
36
32
27
We've conceded 39 already this season.
The top teams tend to have strong defences also - it is something I think we will need to improve upon if we are to win the league. Last ten seasons the Prem winners have conceded;
33
26
32
33
23
27
33
36
32
27
We've conceded 39 already this season.
I do enjoy a having a manager that doesn't speak in riddles.
so says Crocidile Dundee ......................That’s easy for you to say. But when the Rabbit sees the pot, it checks its tail.
16 of the 39 goals we conceded this season came in 6 games where we either didn't have a CB on the pitch or we were down to 9 men and 3 of the games we didn't have an available CB, we also didn't have our DM.I understand what he is saying completely.
I'm not sure the defensive stats will get much better in all honesty. This way of playing is never going to see clean sheet after clean sheet. We can tighten up on set pieces for sure and that will mitigate a few goals that we are conceding, but teams are always going to get chances against such a high line consisting of only 2 CB's, with the full backs on the opposition 18 yard line.
From an attacking POV we could certainly be creating more clear cut chances with coaching and players becoming more familiar with each others movement. The number of crosses and cut backs that fail to find a man could easily see us create a good number of good chances with better reading of the situation.
My point is we are always going to give up some chances playing how we do. Ange understands this which is why he isn't going on about us improving defensively like he is from an attacking pov. I don't think we will get much tighter than we already are from open play when all are fit, but we can certainly improve going forward by getting shots away when we get into good areas.16 of the 39 goals we conceded this season came in 6 games where we either didn't have a CB on the pitch or we were down to 9 men and 3 of the games we didn't have an available CB, we also didn't have our DM.
Also, 3 of our back 5 are 24 or under and it is 3 of the back 5's first season in the PL.
As our back 5 get more mature, more used to the league and more importantly, our team gets better at pressing, our defence will improve and now that we have Dragusin, and if we also bring in a DM competition for Bissouma, and LB comp for Udogie, we should see less of a drop off when our first team CBs and DMs become unavailable.
Under Poch, we conceded 53 in the first season and only 35 the second season and the only 1st team player we signed in defence was Tony, but our defence was even much better when he or Verts were out, because our press was much better in the 2nd season on wards.
This is a good point and as we improve offensively the more our opponents need to over commit defensively which reduces the burden on our defence.My point is we are always going to give up some chances playing how we do. Ange understands this which is why he isn't going on about us improving defensively like he is from an attacking pov. I don't think we will get much tighter than we already are from open play when all are fit, but we can certainly improve going forward by getting shots away when we get into good areas.