Not commenting on players here, or trying to debate whether we are objectively playing "good" or "bad" football (that much should be obvious).
My sole concern here is to highlight some of the systematic problems with EtHs setup. Feel free to add your own, there are loads!
1. The gaps between our players are huge. This makes it difficult for the man in possession to find a pass, and it increases the likelihood of turnovers.
1.1 Since the gaps are so big, when we do turn the ball over, the opposition can cut through us with one incisive run or pass because there's huge space to exploit.
1.1.1 When Pep was asked why he prefers short passe, he answered "because we lose the ball less, and when we do, we're well positioned to immediately win it back". In effect, we have achieved the exact opposite. Making the passes harder / higher risk AND putting us in a poor position to recover.
2. Our CMs are asked to push on, so whenever they receive the ball it's generally with back to goal and a defender up their backside, limiting their options and increasing the likelihood of turnovers. When you watch the likes of Mainoo, Mount, Bruno etc...they're almost playing like a CF...receiving the ball with a defender all over them like a rash and facing their own goal.
3. There are no overlaps or underlaps because the full backs tuck inside, to do....I don't know what.
4. Players consistently pop-up in odd positions. We occasionally create overloads, but when we do it's usually Dalot in a pocket or someone equally poorly equipped to pick passes in tight spaces.
5. Where is our defensive line? We don't play a high-line, which contributes to the first problem on the list....but we don't play a low-block either...it's just nothing. It's kind of a "worst of both Worlds" between low block and counter and high-line and press. It's almost like a bizarre middle-block, counter-attack system.
6. The long ball tactics encouraged by EtH create chaos, which causes turnovers...which are exacerbated by problem one.
7. We like to lure the press on, but we're always trying to pass out 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5 because half our team are standing on the halfway line. This is just asking for trouble, and we usually get it. You want to create a "defensive overload", which is why teams started buying ball-playing GKs...but we don't and are always playing out with equal number defenders vs opposition pressers...and this means passes have to be inch perfect.
8. We play inverted wingers but without overlaps or underlaps, you really want your winger to be attempting to beat the man on the outside...which they're reluctant to do...because that leaves them crossing with their wrong foot. Surely we either need a natural left / right footer running beyond the wide forward OR they need to play on their natural side? The end-result is nearly always players coming back inside into trouble and us losing the ball.
My sole concern here is to highlight some of the systematic problems with EtHs setup. Feel free to add your own, there are loads!
1. The gaps between our players are huge. This makes it difficult for the man in possession to find a pass, and it increases the likelihood of turnovers.
1.1 Since the gaps are so big, when we do turn the ball over, the opposition can cut through us with one incisive run or pass because there's huge space to exploit.
1.1.1 When Pep was asked why he prefers short passe, he answered "because we lose the ball less, and when we do, we're well positioned to immediately win it back". In effect, we have achieved the exact opposite. Making the passes harder / higher risk AND putting us in a poor position to recover.
2. Our CMs are asked to push on, so whenever they receive the ball it's generally with back to goal and a defender up their backside, limiting their options and increasing the likelihood of turnovers. When you watch the likes of Mainoo, Mount, Bruno etc...they're almost playing like a CF...receiving the ball with a defender all over them like a rash and facing their own goal.
3. There are no overlaps or underlaps because the full backs tuck inside, to do....I don't know what.
4. Players consistently pop-up in odd positions. We occasionally create overloads, but when we do it's usually Dalot in a pocket or someone equally poorly equipped to pick passes in tight spaces.
5. Where is our defensive line? We don't play a high-line, which contributes to the first problem on the list....but we don't play a low-block either...it's just nothing. It's kind of a "worst of both Worlds" between low block and counter and high-line and press. It's almost like a bizarre middle-block, counter-attack system.
6. The long ball tactics encouraged by EtH create chaos, which causes turnovers...which are exacerbated by problem one.
7. We like to lure the press on, but we're always trying to pass out 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5 because half our team are standing on the halfway line. This is just asking for trouble, and we usually get it. You want to create a "defensive overload", which is why teams started buying ball-playing GKs...but we don't and are always playing out with equal number defenders vs opposition pressers...and this means passes have to be inch perfect.
8. We play inverted wingers but without overlaps or underlaps, you really want your winger to be attempting to beat the man on the outside...which they're reluctant to do...because that leaves them crossing with their wrong foot. Surely we either need a natural left / right footer running beyond the wide forward OR they need to play on their natural side? The end-result is nearly always players coming back inside into trouble and us losing the ball.
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