He wanted to try and play his own style, he’ll probably be the first one to admit he got it wrong but he’ll learn from it. Against Liverpool he changed it a bit by pressing up at the top, he changed it again against arsenal by letting them have most of the ball and we just counter. He’s showing signs that he can adapt he just has to get it right against the right opposition.
He points towards how we beat Liverpool and Arsenal as a template for how he wants us to play. But we only played in patches in those games too. Both games were very balanced which on another day, could have been draws at least. We are yet to see a truly dominant display against anyone. We still look very much confused.
I think he is doing about as well as anyone could and I trust he will get there but I’m not a blind faith merchant. I see inconsistencies in what he says he wants us to do and what happens. I don’t understand his choices as I am sure many of you don’t:
-We look light in midfield when Bruno and Eriksen play and get cut through easily.
- we are running a 30+ year old Eriksen into the ground very early in the season suggesting he really doesn’t trust his bench or the youth
-His approach to the de Jong saga is concerning and was naieve
-his purchase of Casemiro - a completely different style of player- was bizarre considering the style of football he said he wants to play - I’m still trying to figure where/how he fits the ETH ideals
-Fred, when played consistently, can be hugely effective in a high energy pressing game - he is no where near the starting 11.
-McT is a positional liability with no ability on the ball and is a mainstay.
again, it’s early doors but the guy is not the messiah…he is still trying to figure things out. We seem confused. the first 20 minutes against Liverpool and counter attacking Arsenal are bright spots. The rest has been perplexing to watch.