Cybereagles

My thinking, and I could be wrong, is that it was always going to happen.

A player with Saka's technical skills and tactical acumen was always going to be placed in a position to maximize his impact for the team, without the unnecessary burden inherent in a wing back role.

But the key was always to first establish stability in defence, with a settled CB combo.

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Form is temporary; Class is Permanent!
Liverpool, European Champions 2005.

We watched this very boring video, 500 times, of Sacchi doing defensive drills, using sticks and without the ball, with Maldini, Baresi and Albertini. We used to think before then that if the other players are better, you have to lose. After that we learned anything is possible – you can beat better teams by using tactics." Jurgen Klopp

Very interesting debate raging online, Saving Sheffield United. The second season syndrome seems far more virulent in Sheffieldshire than any bat-based lurgies. Granted injury has rid Wilder of many a lieutenant and the loss of Henderson has rippled the once reliable backline, but 5 points from 19 games, screams more than ou es le Deano? Much like Wolves, lost in translation, Hi Ho Sheff United appear to have fallen foul to a mythological curse, leaving them set in stone, incapable of evolution.

Eddie Howe gave an interesting assessment, concluding that sweeping tactical change weren't required, rather a return of key personnel and a little bit of Lady Luck. On their day, few execute a back three as well-drilled as the Blades. Minus Jack O'connell and End Stevens, they're like a Van Dijk-less Liverpool with Adrian in for Alisson, all over the shop.

In true all-English fashion, Wilder has been backed to the hilt by the Great British punditry and bookmakers alike, who have placed his 5 points haul behind Frank Lampard, in the sack race. Is it a matter of players, as many have argued and if so, who can Wilder bring in to Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano effect? Seldom does such quality arrive in such circumstances any more. But there is a bit of Premiership experience available in the loan market that would represent an upgrade and could offer such much needed newness.

Tactically, its gone stale, not least because of injury to stalwarts, but because the element of surprise at seeing the centre-halves overlapping is lost. Where do they go from here, besides down? Can they get anything out of Brewster beyond a Team Solanke badge?

Always thought they needed someone in the middle, able to play between the lines, but quick on delivery/decision making, to help their breakaway game.

Like Buendia from Norwich.

_________________
Form is temporary; Class is Permanent!
Liverpool, European Champions 2005.

We watched this very boring video, 500 times, of Sacchi doing defensive drills, using sticks and without the ball, with Maldini, Baresi and Albertini. We used to think before then that if the other players are better, you have to lose. After that we learned anything is possible – you can beat better teams by using tactics." Jurgen Klopp

Agree on the link man, wasn’t sure how they intended to get anything other than absolute obsolescence out of Brewster without the slide-rule passer. Buendia would’ve been a good shout, but his stock is decent and has suitors higher up the table. Still a role that needs filling.

Another area for attention is wingback, could one of the two be more winger than fullback, pushed slightly higher, with the overlapping CB more a feature on one side, with more lateral movement from attacking midfielders offering the overload on the other?

Plenty of industry and not enough craft.

That really is the bottomline. He could've sharpened things up in the wingback role from the championship...

_________________
Form is temporary; Class is Permanent!
Liverpool, European Champions 2005.

We watched this very boring video, 500 times, of Sacchi doing defensive drills, using sticks and without the ball, with Maldini, Baresi and Albertini. We used to think before then that if the other players are better, you have to lose. After that we learned anything is possible – you can beat better teams by using tactics." Jurgen Klopp

With the movement of Lundstram and Norwood, and Fleck to some extent, there was certainly room to manoeuvre at wingback. Could they have been bolder with the recruitment and deployment of actual wingers in this role? The overlapping CBs could equally invert runs in the knowledge that their wideman was able enough to beat his man.

A '10' was imperative, moving to a 3-5-1-1, with Norwood or Berge flanked by Fleck and a little more creativity would've helped.

Can they stay up? If Wilder pulls it off, irrespective of what happens at the other end, its the achievement of the season.

The Low Block, Klopp's kryptonite?

Whats the answer to the centrally compacted two banks of four, or 6-2-2 preferred by the master of ancient practices, the constant Bus Conductor, Msr Jose Mourinho. Perhaps the latter has already been answered given recent results. The former remains a conundrum, more for Klopp than any other. Had Origi dispatched, the contest could perhaps have been entirely different, or would it? Burnley would've kept to their mould, looked for the odd counter and challenged set pieces with grit and gusto. Thus the question remains, how best to break down the low block?

One would argue, as teams start to deepen and condense their defensive shape, the reflex reaction in the the attacking side should be both vertical compaction and lateral expansion of the field. Higher defensive lines and chalk on boots in the wide areas. Liverpool managed to get Trent, less so Robertson in decent crossing positions, but both were failed by poor delivery or lack of central options. The stereotypical movement of the front-three was predictable, inverted runs from Mane and AOC, easily addressed by the fullbacks marking the half space. Origi dropping deep was an exercise in futility.

Philosophical maybe, but perhaps the answer lies in reciprocation, a low block, a high charge. Four sitting deep, four pushing further forward. Rather than use the flanks to create chances, perhaps the flanks can be used to reopen the half-space. Less emphasis on the delivery from wide and more on the disruption the ball out wide can cause.

vs the low block, greater consideration should be given to having two up front. Central forwards making outward runs into the half-spaces, wingers holding maximum width and a central midfield stepping making reactive movements depending on where the secondary-space (vacated defensive spaces) opens.

Tactically, it would be absolutely Bohemian, something to have the greatest misinterpreter of Thiago Motta's manifesto balk.

In addendum - There was a time when Guardiola would have his City side in a 2-3-5 in the possession phase, all sorts of disarray was sowed and many a low block blown to smithereens. Leroy Sane high wide left was an absolute trump card.