- May 26, 2004
- 4,780
- 2,108
My main issue with the demand is that it allows too many players (the two strikers and the head of the diamond) the excuse not to take responsibility for pressing or tracking back, and it really has seeped into those players mindsets.
This then leaves the two side midfielders over worked as they have to provide intermediate width when we are building up the play, get forward to support attacks, while also helping provide cover for their full back and help the bottom of the diamond shield the defence.
That then leaves the bottom of the diamond with an entire back line to cover and support, a back line with very little cover, and the house of cards falls down.
The only way to make the diamond work is to squeeze the play very high up, so that diamond is compressed width ways rather than stretched length ways. It also requires two forwards who are happy to go wide and run channels, an AM who will break into the box and get goals, and a very good defence that can play offside.
Our best player is a no.9 who leads the attack, our AMs are not good enough goal scorers (Alli in form might be but...) and our defence lacks pace and falls back too much.
With all the confusion, issues etc going on, Poch should go back to a blank sheet of people and start with his best player in his best position - that is Kane as the striker, and everyone else looking to provide service and support for him, and building from there
This then leaves the two side midfielders over worked as they have to provide intermediate width when we are building up the play, get forward to support attacks, while also helping provide cover for their full back and help the bottom of the diamond shield the defence.
That then leaves the bottom of the diamond with an entire back line to cover and support, a back line with very little cover, and the house of cards falls down.
The only way to make the diamond work is to squeeze the play very high up, so that diamond is compressed width ways rather than stretched length ways. It also requires two forwards who are happy to go wide and run channels, an AM who will break into the box and get goals, and a very good defence that can play offside.
Our best player is a no.9 who leads the attack, our AMs are not good enough goal scorers (Alli in form might be but...) and our defence lacks pace and falls back too much.
With all the confusion, issues etc going on, Poch should go back to a blank sheet of people and start with his best player in his best position - that is Kane as the striker, and everyone else looking to provide service and support for him, and building from there