State of play

[Halmeister]

I'm sure this has been mentioned elsewhere - most likely by me incessantly - but I think it might be worth having a separate discussion about our style of play and tactics. Nothing too nerdy. We wouldn't want the data virgins barging in with chat of xG and pre-assists etc. But just a general discussion on the patterns of play, and the issues/successes.

I think the most recent game against Brighton was a good microcosm of what I've been saying for a while. The first 25 minutes or whatever were largely uneventful and we started slowly, with Brighton having most of the ball. We struggled to create anything, with a lot of our possession being in front of the Brighton lines.

It was only when we went more direct and injected pace into our attacks that we created and looked a threat. This has been the case all season with us only looking good in short bursts. Off the top of my head, all 3 goals came from quick, direct play down the flanks and into space. The Kerkez chance in the first half came from a quick ball into space. Salah beating his man in the first half was another direct ball. Rio's disallowed goal was a quick counter attack (although Gakpo typically held onto it a fraction too long in my book).

Conversely, we looked at our worst when keeping possession deep in our own half, with short slow passes. See the opening stages, Alisson nearly losing it at the back. On the latter, What's up with Alisson's passing this season? It used to be one of his strengths. Anyway...

I'm not expecting us to play direct, all action, aggressive football for 90 minutes. It's not sustainable, and I'm all for game management.

However, it's precisely when we appear to be "managing" the game that we look at our worst. Now, obviously Slot has forgotten more about football than I'll ever hope to know, but I struggle to see how he can't see the stark difference between the slow, ponderous possession that we see for 80% of games, and the fluid, dynamic attacking football for the other 20% that actually wins us matches.

Surely it's simply a case of doing more of the good stuff that actually benefits us and wins us games, then we can bore the opposition into submission with Slotball afterwards?

We have a team of big, strong, quick lads, who, up until this season, were able to press relentlessly and suffocate teams. Kerkez looks much more comfortable bombing on on the overlap. Szoboszlai is a thoroughbred stallion. Salah looks at his best with space to run into. Ekitike is rapid. Frimpong/Bradley can overlap on the right. Konate and Van Dijk are two beasts at the back. Isak would benefit from quick, dynamic attacks too when he's back...

So, why do we spend the majority of our games doing tippy happy shit in our own half that doesn't even break the lines or get us anywhere?

Just be venting, I suppose...

 

[Beamrider]

I'd like to see us on the front foot more in the first 15-20 minutes. I made a comment in a match thread a few weeks ago that every time I hear the Jota song on 20 minutes, it makes me realise we haven't had a decent shot on goal in the first quarter of the game. I get that game management means there are times in the game, even one you're winning comfortably, when you either concede possession to the opposition (in their half) or just pass it about yourselves, but I think we should be trying to get a lead before we start doing that.
Qarabag and Barnsley are the only games this calendar year where we've scored before the 40th minute. And they were both shite.

 

[Halmeister]

We scored in the 42nd minute against Burnley...

 

[Halmeister]

But yeah, I completely agree. It's as if Slot gives up any attempt to go on the front foot and try and win the game early through fear of losing it. It's cowardly.

 

[Hansern]

You have to wonder how Slots game management affects us. He clearly has us set up with a very careful approach at the start of games.
Dont give away chances and bring the pace of the game down.

At home you expect us to be dominant, on the front foot and attack from the start. Its like the players are playing with shackles.
Once he lets them have a bit more freedom we suddenly look much better.
His cowardly approach and fear of losing affects our style of play.

The Jota song and 20 mins comment by Beamrider is a great example and I think the exact same thing. Its a reminder that the past 20 mins have been uneventful, we've not put our mark on the game and there haven't been many, if any, shots. Just a wasted 20 mins.

 

[Beamrider]

We scored in the 42nd minute against Burnley...

Which is, checks notes, after the 40th minute. 😉
Barnsley we scored on 9 and 36 minutes.

 

[beejay]

How can you play direct, fast football against a team with 10 men behind the ball in a low block? Against Brighton we could look good on the break but our struggles this season are generally against teams who set up to defend deep and then hit us with long balls and set pieces.

For me, it's been our lack of an organised co-ordinated press that's the main problem along with the shit show at set pieces that have cost us again and again.

We have butchered loads of breaks as well this year.

I'm as frustrated as anyone else at the slow passing sideways and back in games but that's part of the modern game. It's patience in possession and manoeuvring the opposition around until you find a moment to open them up. Sound. But out of possession we are much more vulnerable than last year through failings in the press and set fucking pieces.