The Tierney analysis is really good. I’d spotted what could easily have been a penalty for a pull on Salah in the first example but not the other two. It affects my suggestion on XI from here as I would have put him at RB and moved White to CB. But I definitely think something needs to be done and Holding should be replaced - regardless of his errors, the change in his style compared to Saliba is too great to keep him in.
I think the least bad option would be to play Kiwior in a back three with Gabriel and White and sacrifice some of what White offers in attack and push Odegaard wider to compensate.
Super article, I’ve been thinking about TP for a while and more specifically why over the last few games our pressing hasn’t been that dynamic or field advanced.
I think it’s for the reasons you set out in your article. RH especially is a) slow and b) poor on the ball. Saliba is of course close to elite in both. The high press requires timing, coordination, and confidence in your CB’s as there is space in behind them should the opposition beat the press in transition.
It’s that last element that bothers me. Saliba’s pace makes such a difference, however I think TP is smart enough, quick enough and better than RH 1 v 1 to play him at CB. And we gain control of the football and are able to step out of defence the way Stones does for Citeh.
I’d like to see TP, if he can be disciplined, at CB assuming Saliba doesn’t make it back for the Citeh game.
Thank Goodness your data and analysis confirm the eye test for KT & RH. My frustration with KT was he won't detach himself from the Westham midfielders, he should make space for himself to receive the ball. Meanwhile RH, Westham defenders had a better defensive height. Instead of staying wide or pushing up to receive the ball, he drops deep. That was evident throughout the game. Also, he always kills the ball before deciding who to pass to, which for me, is late already. He should’ve decided his next move before receiving the ball.
TP at CB is what I will do, like Rodri at Mancity and Spain. We can limit his distance across the field and can still play in similar zones. I won't worry about him defensively.
I’m not such a huge fan of reducing the number of dedicated attackers, so I’ve never been a fan. You’d either have to ask Saka/Martinelli to play wingback or remove one of Ødegaard/Xhaka (or both)
The Tierney analysis is really good. I’d spotted what could easily have been a penalty for a pull on Salah in the first example but not the other two. It affects my suggestion on XI from here as I would have put him at RB and moved White to CB. But I definitely think something needs to be done and Holding should be replaced - regardless of his errors, the change in his style compared to Saliba is too great to keep him in.
I think the least bad option would be to play Kiwior in a back three with Gabriel and White and sacrifice some of what White offers in attack and push Odegaard wider to compensate.
Super article, I’ve been thinking about TP for a while and more specifically why over the last few games our pressing hasn’t been that dynamic or field advanced.
I think it’s for the reasons you set out in your article. RH especially is a) slow and b) poor on the ball. Saliba is of course close to elite in both. The high press requires timing, coordination, and confidence in your CB’s as there is space in behind them should the opposition beat the press in transition.
It’s that last element that bothers me. Saliba’s pace makes such a difference, however I think TP is smart enough, quick enough and better than RH 1 v 1 to play him at CB. And we gain control of the football and are able to step out of defence the way Stones does for Citeh.
I’d like to see TP, if he can be disciplined, at CB assuming Saliba doesn’t make it back for the Citeh game.
Thank Goodness your data and analysis confirm the eye test for KT & RH. My frustration with KT was he won't detach himself from the Westham midfielders, he should make space for himself to receive the ball. Meanwhile RH, Westham defenders had a better defensive height. Instead of staying wide or pushing up to receive the ball, he drops deep. That was evident throughout the game. Also, he always kills the ball before deciding who to pass to, which for me, is late already. He should’ve decided his next move before receiving the ball.
TP at CB is what I will do, like Rodri at Mancity and Spain. We can limit his distance across the field and can still play in similar zones. I won't worry about him defensively.
I don’t want to galaxy brain anything and I hope Saliba is back for City but if he isn’t what about a 3-4-3/ 5-2-3?
I’m not such a huge fan of reducing the number of dedicated attackers, so I’ve never been a fan. You’d either have to ask Saka/Martinelli to play wingback or remove one of Ødegaard/Xhaka (or both)
Agreed. It’s not my favorite option but it gets Holding off and it worked in the FA Cup... I think I would take off Xhaka in this situation.