Tactics Talk:

[sacreblueits442]

On 05/12/2021 at 19:54, casablancas said:

MYbe one for @StriderHiryu and eat.al 

 

answer me this … if you can please. So we play a high back line with Sou snd Johnny often pushing up the half way line going through the back of my he opponents clearly trying to win the ball back early. I see the merits in this when we have the pace to make up for it. But can you explain if an change in this approach would be be fine effective? We have vesty who on theory should be decent in our box, but he can’t play a high line. This we know, so if we dropped back and perhaps chucked I’m in for Soy would we be any more effective at defending corners? I mean evans and soy gave away a fair amount of free kicks in attempts at winning the ball back high up but this just adds pressure as we are like under 5’s defending set pieces. Just pondering here and any thoughts welcome. 

...should not be playing a highline!!!

  We do not have the players to effectively do so. I would rather go to a more defensive approach and counter. We need to steady the ship and playing to see if we can play ourselves into form won't work.

[BenTayfour]

Just a random idea, not really related to the current games.

I Came across @Lambert09 post and made me curious to know tactics fellas what are their thoughts on this one, 

not Adama alone but with Saint-maximin on the other wing.

since our threats & goals comes centrally, I always think this duo would improve the effictiveness of our system.

 

 

[StriderHiryu]

 

 

Good breakdown of the match,

[lcfc_forever]

Thanks @StriderHiryu.

 

In the game vs Liverpool, how would you line up: 3-5-2 or a diamond formation?

 

The two recent times we've played a diamond vs Liverpool, we scored two goals to win 3-1 against them, and were 3-1 in front in the league cup match.

 

But, this time, we have major absentees in defence.

 

You need to have a midfield that can compete energetically and pressure the ball so I think we need to play KDH, Tielemans and Soumare, with Maddison ahead of them. 

 

So we wouldn't be able to pair Vardy and Ihenacho with that midfield set-up unless we play a diamond. 

 

I think Rodgers will be cautious given our defensive frailties and go 3-5-2 with Vestergaard, Ndidi and Amartey even though he'd prefer to play the diamond as it's proved very effective vs Liverpool. 

Edited 27 December 2021 by lcfc_forever

[StriderHiryu]

55 minutes ago, lcfc_forever said:

Thanks @StriderHiryu.

 

In the game vs Liverpool, how would you line up: 3-5-2 or a diamond formation?

 

The two recent times we've played a diamond vs Liverpool, we scored two goals to win 3-1 against them, and were 3-1 in front in the league cup match.

 

But, this time, we have major absentees in defence.

 

You need to have a midfield that can compete energetically and pressure the ball so I think we need to play KDH, Tielemans and Soumare, with Maddison ahead of them. 

 

So we wouldn't be able to pair Vardy and Ihenacho with that midfield set-up unless we play a diamond. 

 

I think Rodgers will be cautious given our defensive frailties and go 3-5-2 with Vestergaard, Ndidi and Amartey even though he'd prefer to play the diamond as it's proved very effective vs Liverpool. 

Personnel probably dictate how we line up against them, but as you say the Diamond has proved to be good against them.

 

IMO we gave away that league cup game because we shifted to 3 at the back, and taking off KDH meant they overran us. So I would go 442 Diamond with the players you have mentioned. But this is their A team with Salah and Mane in it, which is an entirely different proposition.

 

 

[lcfc_forever]

6 minutes ago, StriderHiryu said:

Personnel probably dictate how we line up against them, but as you say the Diamond has proved to be good against them.

 

IMO we gave away that league cup game because we shifted to 3 at the back, and taking off KDH meant they overran us. So I would go 442 Diamond with the players you have mentioned. But this is their A team with Salah and Mane in it, which is an entirely different proposition.

 

 

Would prefer the 442 diamond as well - means we make more of our strengths in midfield and attack as well. 

[escape2victory]

2 hours ago, StriderHiryu said:

Personnel probably dictate how we line up against them, but as you say the Diamond has proved to be good against them.

 

IMO we gave away that league cup game because we shifted to 3 at the back, and taking off KDH meant they overran us. So I would go 442 Diamond with the players you have mentioned. But this is their A team with Salah and Mane in it, which is an entirely different proposition.

 

 

Surely diamond is the worst possible tactic against Robertson and Trent ?!

[StriderHiryu]

31 minutes ago, escape2victory said:

Surely diamond is the worst possible tactic against Robertson and Trent ?!

You'd think so, but it's worked the last two times we played them. Last season's win was because we switched to that shape and we were 3-1 up before switching out of it last week.

 

But I can't see anything other than a Liverpool win sadly. They and Man City are a class above everyone else in the league. We should focus on giving the likes of West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs a good game first!

[StriderHiryu]

 

 

At 1:49, Thierry Henry asks Rodgers about Maddison and Nacho, and Brendan talks about the diamond system we used.

 

"We felt with the way Liverpool play that their fullbacks are really important with the way they play, getting in on the inside. So playing 4 at the back means we can go 2 v 2 versus their forwards and versus their fullbacks. But whenever the side of the diamond jumps out, the 10 will get out of position so they have to fill in. Sometimes on the side of the striker they will have to fill too (as Iheanacho did) to keep a compact shape. This is to block the spaces as Liverpool are so good at moving the ball around you have to deny them that space."

 

Emma Hays then asks about the subs:

 

" If you play the Diamond, the opposition can play it into the sides. So I changed to 433 so fill in those sides, and to use Ade's individual quality. Youri to come in and make passes. This gave us quality in central areas and width on the sides."

 

Alan Shearer asks about defending set pieces:

 

"We were good in our first few seasons here, but not good this. We went a bit back to old school, more man-to man."

 

 

 

 

Edited 29 December 2021 by StriderHiryu

[CosbehFox]

On a similar note, Klopp eludes to the diamond talk as well 

 

 

[CosbehFox]

On 27/12/2021 at 22:54, escape2victory said:

Surely diamond is the worst possible tactic against Robertson and Trent ?!

Sometimes it’s a bit of a bluff tactic. It makes the opposition think only about the full backs and only about crosses. Liverpool became quite reliant on it last night and the only occasion they used an inner channel ball, Mane skied the shot.
 

When you pinch the ball and counter attack though when playing the diamond, you can have 3 attackers against 3 defenders. The 4-1 away win at Villa a couple of years shown this off - with three counter attacking goals where their full backs had gone flying forward. 
 

It’s a big risk and reward balancing tactic . 

[st albans fox]

First half liverpool had the space on the left side - KDH shuffled left to support Thomas and hamza and Bouba did likewise 

 

I assume that was Liverpool's tactic - they often switched play into that open space  on the left. 
 

klopp said that he wasn’t happy with their apparent impatience to get the ball into dangerous areas during the first half and that he asked them to take extra passes second half to work better openings. I think that was a mistake. I’m sure had they played the same way second half they would have scored.  They seemed to overthink things after half time and allow us to keep our defensive shape better. 

[davieG]

https://www.rousingthekop.com/2021/12/29/liverpool-pressing-data-vs-leicester-city-needs-to-be-seen-to-be-believed/

 

Liverpool pressing data vs Leicester City needs to be seen to be believedPhoto by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Alex Caple

Liverpool saw their pressing collapse vs Leicester City on Tuesday evening. The Reds just couldn’t get it together in a 1-0 defeat.

There are certain things Liverpool rely on to win games. One is having world-class players in virtually every position, another is having a consistent, proven system to fall back on.

But above all, Liverpool’s pressing is their bread and butter. It’s how they force pressure on teams and winning the ball back quickly is often their greatest playmaker.

Unfortunately, that completely collapsed. In fact, it collapsed beyond belief.

 

A ‘successful’ press is one where the team has the ball within six seconds of that player applying pressure. It doesn’t matter if the player won the ball back himself – just that he contributed to the team regaining possession quickly.

Diogo Jota has been successful with around 27.7% of his presses this season. That’s a good number and it’s one he fell just short of vs Leicester at 26.7%. But he was the only forward who put in a number like that.

Sadio Mane, for instance, is successful with around 30.8% of his presses on average. Against Leicester? The Liverpool no.10 pressed 13 times and one of those came off – 7.7%. Trent Alexander-Arnold put up the exact same numbers, in fact, despite usually finding success 35% of the time.

And then there’s Mohamed Salah. 13 presses against Leicester but none of them worked. This from a player who usually boasts a 27% success rate.

Liverpool’s midfield and defence – Alexander-Arnold aside – pressed as well as always. Their wingers, however, struggled badly to win the ball back. Leicester had a far easier ride here than they should have.

And we’re not criticising individual Liverpool players here – pressing is a team action. But it fell to pieces against Leicester and was a huge reason the Reds failed to force pressure on their hosts.

[Matt]

I had a thought during and after last nights game, everyone knows I hate this possession for possession sake, I think i've made that clear, i'd much rather see possession with purpose and actually do something with the ball, I understand we've played like we have because it's supposed to draw the opponent onto you, it's a patient build up, yada, yada, yada, in my opinion it's debatable and arguable rarely happens.

 

Alot of the games we've played well in this season and i've gave praise after, we surrendered some of the ball, it was a more even game, we controlled the game in and out of possession.

 

There is alot made of our possession game and 'controlling the game' when we play that way, for me, we don't control the game playing that way, at all. The opposition are happy for us to have the ball, the dictate to us, pressure, and wait for us to make a mistake, certainly without of first choices or strongest team - even with our first choices and strongest team I don't agree with playing that way, playing into the oppositions hands, putting ourselves under pressure, doing half the job for the opposition.

 

I'm not a great fan of stats, I like to base my opinions on what I see as opposed to stats, stats can be used to manipulate things. That said i've looked at some stats and some might disagree and say i'm using them to manipulate things and fair enough, that's their prerogative 

 

Games we've played well in, been successful and reaped rewards:

Leicester v Liverpool
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 6 - 21
Shots on goal: 1 - 4
Attacks: 66 - 161
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 119
Won 1-0

 

Leicester v Newcastle
Possession: 47% - 53%
Goal attempts: 8 - 12
Shots on goal: 2 - 3
Attacks: 105 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 39 - 59
Won 4-0

 

Leicester v Watford
Possession: 57% - 43%
Goal attempts: 18 - 16
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 94 - 104
Dangerous Attacks: 31 - 44
Won 4-2

 

Leicester v Legia
Possession: 56% - 44%
Goal attempts: 12 - 9
Shots on goal: 4 - 5
Attacks: 100 - 88
Dangerous Attacks: 45 - 40
Won 3-1

 

Leicester v Man Utd
Possession: 49% - 51%
Goal attempts: 22 - 18
Shot on goal: 11 - 6
Attacks: 110 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 52
Won 4-2
 

As you can say, we've not exactly dominated games, infact we've been 'behind' in the stats in some of those games, but they've been resilient performances and I'd say we've dominated all those games, in and out of possession with overall good and satisfying performances.

 

Games 'dominated' or 'controlled' according to stats, but been awful performances, been put under (Or put ourselves under) pressure:

Leicester v Spartak Moscow
Possession: 73% - 27%
Goal attempts: 13 - 4
Shots on goal: 3 - 1
Attacks: 198 - 64
Dangerous Attacks: 96 - 17
Drew 1-1

 

Leicester v Arsenal
Possession: 64% - 36%
Goal attempts: 16 - 9
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 115 - 84
Dangerous Attacks: 46 - 27
Lost 0-2

 

Legia v Leicester
Possession: 38% - 62%
Goal attempts: 10 - 18
Shots on goal: 3 - 3
Attacks: 59 - 144
Dangerous Attacks: 19 - 72
Lost 1-0
 

Leicester v Burnley
Possession: 67% - 33%
Goal attempts: 22 - 9
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 99 - 99
Dangerous Attacks: 75 - 39
Drew 2-2 

Brighton v Leicester
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 12 - 14
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 86 - 125
Dangerous Attacks: 34 - 61
Lost 2-1

 

These are all games we 'controlled' or 'dominated', we won none, drew two.

 

Of course there are games we had even or worse stats than the opposition on and we were terrible and for balance i'll mention them, West Ham, Norwich, Palace, Leeds.

 

I think it goes without saying we're still a better team in and out of possession rather than we were are purely so called 'controlling games', of course you don't wanna be gifting the opposition possession, chasing them around but you have to be abit savy, let them have some possession, let them come at you because the way were play in possession, passing side to side and backwards, that doesn't draw the opposition onto us, I don't care what anyone says, being out of possession isn't a bad thing, for me we arguably control games better out of possession, pressing, closing down and challenging.

[Micky]

Does anyone.know of a site that gives you distance covered by each player in each game? Thanks in advance. 

[StriderHiryu]

50 minutes ago, Micky said:

Does anyone.know of a site that gives you distance covered by each player in each game? Thanks in advance. 

Doesn’t exist sadly. You have to buy the Opta pro package that costs megabucks to get that stat. But for our team it’s pretty easy, KDH has been top since he came into the team. 

[StriderHiryu]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

I had a thought during and after last nights game, everyone knows I hate this possession for possession sake, I think i've made that clear, i'd much rather see possession with purpose and actually do something with the ball, I understand we've played like we have because it's supposed to draw the opponent onto you, it's a patient build up, yada, yada, yada, in my opinion it's debatable and arguable rarely happens.

 

Alot of the games we've played well in this season and i've gave praise after, we surrendered some of the ball, it was a more even game, we controlled the game in and out of possession.

 

There is alot made of our possession game and 'controlling the game' when we play that way, for me, we don't control the game playing that way, at all. The opposition are happy for us to have the ball, the dictate to us, pressure, and wait for us to make a mistake, certainly without of first choices or strongest team - even with our first choices and strongest team I don't agree with playing that way, playing into the oppositions hands, putting ourselves under pressure, doing half the job for the opposition.

 

I'm not a great fan of stats, I like to base my opinions on what I see as opposed to stats, stats can be used to manipulate things. That said i've looked at some stats and some might disagree and say i'm using them to manipulate things and fair enough, that's their prerogative 

 

Games we've played well in, been successful and reaped rewards:

Leicester v Liverpool
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 6 - 21
Shots on goal: 1 - 4
Attacks: 66 - 161
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 119
Won 1-0

 

Leicester v Newcastle
Possession: 47% - 53%
Goal attempts: 8 - 12
Shots on goal: 2 - 3
Attacks: 105 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 39 - 59
Won 4-0

 

Leicester v Watford
Possession: 57% - 43%
Goal attempts: 18 - 16
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 94 - 104
Dangerous Attacks: 31 - 44
Won 4-2

 

Leicester v Legia
Possession: 56% - 44%
Goal attempts: 12 - 9
Shots on goal: 4 - 5
Attacks: 100 - 88
Dangerous Attacks: 45 - 40
Won 3-1

 

Leicester v Man Utd
Possession: 49% - 51%
Goal attempts: 22 - 18
Shot on goal: 11 - 6
Attacks: 110 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 52
Won 4-2
 

As you can say, we've not exactly dominated games, infact we've been 'behind' in the stats in some of those games, but they've been resilient performances and I'd say we've dominated all those games, in and out of possession with overall good and satisfying performances.

 

Games 'dominated' or 'controlled' according to stats, but been awful performances, been put under (Or put ourselves under) pressure:

Leicester v Spartak Moscow
Possession: 73% - 27%
Goal attempts: 13 - 4
Shots on goal: 3 - 1
Attacks: 198 - 64
Dangerous Attacks: 96 - 17
Drew 1-1

 

Leicester v Arsenal
Possession: 64% - 36%
Goal attempts: 16 - 9
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 115 - 84
Dangerous Attacks: 46 - 27
Lost 0-2

 

Legia v Leicester
Possession: 38% - 62%
Goal attempts: 10 - 18
Shots on goal: 3 - 3
Attacks: 59 - 144
Dangerous Attacks: 19 - 72
Lost 1-0
 

Leicester v Burnley
Possession: 67% - 33%
Goal attempts: 22 - 9
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 99 - 99
Dangerous Attacks: 75 - 39
Drew 2-2 

Brighton v Leicester
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 12 - 14
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 86 - 125
Dangerous Attacks: 34 - 61
Lost 2-1

 

These are all games we 'controlled' or 'dominated', we won none, drew two.

 

Of course there are games we had even or worse stats than the opposition on and we were terrible and for balance i'll mention them, West Ham, Norwich, Palace, Leeds.

 

I think it goes without saying we're still a better team in and out of possession rather than we were are purely so called 'controlling games', of course you don't wanna be gifting the opposition possession, chasing them around but you have to be abit savy, let them have some possession, let them come at you because the way were play in possession, passing side to side and backwards, that doesn't draw the opposition onto us, I don't care what anyone says, being out of possession isn't a bad thing, for me we arguably control games better out of possession, pressing, closing down and challenging.

We won the league with the third worst possession stats in the league so I think we all know it’s what you do with the ball rather than how much you have it that counts!
 

However, the games you’ve mentioned show that we struggle against teams with a low block and have done so since winning the league. Under Rodgers we’ve gotten better at it but it’s still a glaring weakness. But we aren’t blessed with the sort of players these teams have in the attacking third such as Salah, KDB, Mahrez, Mane, etc. So there is a good reason for that happening on occasion. It also happens to Man United by the way and they have zero excuses!

 

This season though it’s the defence that’s the issue. We’ve won every game we’ve kept a clean sheet in… all 4 of them 

 

 

[Micky]

44 minutes ago, StriderHiryu said:

Doesn’t exist sadly. You have to buy the Opta pro package that costs megabucks to get that stat. But for our team it’s pretty easy, KDH has been top since he came into the team. 

And you know that because? 

Thanks though. 

[StriderHiryu]

16 minutes ago, Micky said:

And you know that because? 

Thanks though. 

I've done the research myself by emailing them! They make money by selling a premium package which goes to clubs, broadcasters, etc.

 

Some You Tubers have access to it, I believe James Alcott has it for example, but it's cost him a premium to do so.

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

I had a thought during and after last nights game, everyone knows I hate this possession for possession sake, I think i've made that clear, i'd much rather see possession with purpose and actually do something with the ball, I understand we've played like we have because it's supposed to draw the opponent onto you, it's a patient build up, yada, yada, yada, in my opinion it's debatable and arguable rarely happens.

 

Alot of the games we've played well in this season and i've gave praise after, we surrendered some of the ball, it was a more even game, we controlled the game in and out of possession.

 

There is alot made of our possession game and 'controlling the game' when we play that way, for me, we don't control the game playing that way, at all. The opposition are happy for us to have the ball, the dictate to us, pressure, and wait for us to make a mistake, certainly without of first choices or strongest team - even with our first choices and strongest team I don't agree with playing that way, playing into the oppositions hands, putting ourselves under pressure, doing half the job for the opposition.

 

I'm not a great fan of stats, I like to base my opinions on what I see as opposed to stats, stats can be used to manipulate things. That said i've looked at some stats and some might disagree and say i'm using them to manipulate things and fair enough, that's their prerogative 

 

Games we've played well in, been successful and reaped rewards:

Leicester v Liverpool
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 6 - 21
Shots on goal: 1 - 4
Attacks: 66 - 161
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 119
Won 1-0

 

Leicester v Newcastle
Possession: 47% - 53%
Goal attempts: 8 - 12
Shots on goal: 2 - 3
Attacks: 105 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 39 - 59
Won 4-0

 

Leicester v Watford
Possession: 57% - 43%
Goal attempts: 18 - 16
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 94 - 104
Dangerous Attacks: 31 - 44
Won 4-2

 

Leicester v Legia
Possession: 56% - 44%
Goal attempts: 12 - 9
Shots on goal: 4 - 5
Attacks: 100 - 88
Dangerous Attacks: 45 - 40
Won 3-1

 

Leicester v Man Utd
Possession: 49% - 51%
Goal attempts: 22 - 18
Shot on goal: 11 - 6
Attacks: 110 - 101
Dangerous Attacks: 33 - 52
Won 4-2
 

As you can say, we've not exactly dominated games, infact we've been 'behind' in the stats in some of those games, but they've been resilient performances and I'd say we've dominated all those games, in and out of possession with overall good and satisfying performances.

 

Games 'dominated' or 'controlled' according to stats, but been awful performances, been put under (Or put ourselves under) pressure:

Leicester v Spartak Moscow
Possession: 73% - 27%
Goal attempts: 13 - 4
Shots on goal: 3 - 1
Attacks: 198 - 64
Dangerous Attacks: 96 - 17
Drew 1-1

 

Leicester v Arsenal
Possession: 64% - 36%
Goal attempts: 16 - 9
Shots on goal: 8 - 5
Attacks: 115 - 84
Dangerous Attacks: 46 - 27
Lost 0-2

 

Legia v Leicester
Possession: 38% - 62%
Goal attempts: 10 - 18
Shots on goal: 3 - 3
Attacks: 59 - 144
Dangerous Attacks: 19 - 72
Lost 1-0
 

Leicester v Burnley
Possession: 67% - 33%
Goal attempts: 22 - 9
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 99 - 99
Dangerous Attacks: 75 - 39
Drew 2-2 

Brighton v Leicester
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 12 - 14
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 86 - 125
Dangerous Attacks: 34 - 61
Lost 2-1

 

These are all games we 'controlled' or 'dominated', we won none, drew two.

 

Of course there are games we had even or worse stats than the opposition on and we were terrible and for balance i'll mention them, West Ham, Norwich, Palace, Leeds.

 

I think it goes without saying we're still a better team in and out of possession rather than we were are purely so called 'controlling games', of course you don't wanna be gifting the opposition possession, chasing them around but you have to be abit savy, let them have some possession, let them come at you because the way were play in possession, passing side to side and backwards, that doesn't draw the opposition onto us, I don't care what anyone says, being out of possession isn't a bad thing, for me we arguably control games better out of possession, pressing, closing down and challenging.

Think possession as a solitary stat can be over simplified. There’s a clear pattern to why the possession is slanted in that fashion….who scores first. 

[majaco]

Last night, I thought the cover given to our full backs was very good.  I was in block B in the West Stand with my daughter who unfortunately supports Liverpool.   It was a good game and for her sake I was glad for her to see TAA and Salah at close quarters first half and VVD second half.  Salah just doesn't lose the ball and VVD was imperious on the ball.

 

In the first half, Thomas was brilliant to watch.  He battled and battled under significant pressure.  Liverpool overloaded their right and tried to put TAA, Salah and Henderson up against him.  He coped.  The work of KDH supporting him was unbelievable.  Liverpool's switching of play was admirably quick.  Once Thomas and KDH had snuffed them out they quickly switched to the left (something we do but more slowly) but were dealt with by Castagne and Choudhury.

 

Choudhury for me was impressive.  again he contributed to a clean sheet.  He hasn't started many games this season; we were 2-0 up when he was subbed off against Palace.

 

In the first five minutes, I was watching our centre backs.  They seems to be closer together than some pairings have been this season: impressive considering our three first choice centre backs were unavailable.

 

We still made mistakes but we did not look like the bomb scare bunglers that we have been in recent matches.

 

The players seemed to trust the formation(s) and this seemed to contribute to us playing with a character we have seen fleetingly this season.

 

For me it was a brilliant game to watch.  Utterly absorbing.  

[Scotch]

I think, when your MF works as hard as they did last night to double up with our WBs, the diamond formation really suits us. I would really like to see it with a fully fit squad as long as well play the ball forward quickly, it could really hurt teams but keep a good defensive balance. KDH could be great alongside Tielemans.

 

                             Kasper

Ricardo      Fofana         Evans       Justin 

                               Ndidi           

        Tielemans                    KDH      

                           Maddison

                 Daka                  Vardy

  

[hackneyfox]

4 hours ago, Matt said:

I had a thought during and after last nights game, everyone knows I hate this possession for possession sake, I think i've made that clear, i'd much rather see possession with purpose and actually do something with the ball, I understand we've played like we have because it's supposed to draw the opponent onto you, it's a patient build up, yada, yada, yada, in my opinion it's debatable and arguable rarely happens.

 

Alot of the games we've played well in this season and i've gave praise after, we surrendered some of the ball, it was a more even game, we controlled the game in and out of possession.

 

There is alot made of our possession game and 'controlling the game' when we play that way, for me, we don't control the game playing that way, at all. The opposition are happy for us to have the ball, the dictate to us, pressure, and wait for us to make a mistake, certainly without of first choices or strongest team - even with our first choices and strongest team I don't agree with playing that way, playing into the oppositions hands, putting ourselves under pressure, doing half the job for the opposition.

 

I'm not a great fan of stats, I like to base my opinions on what I see as opposed to stats, stats can be used to manipulate things. That said i've looked at some stats and some might disagree and say i'm using them to manipulate things and fair enough, that's their prerogative 

Brighton v Leicester
Possession: 37% - 63%
Goal attempts: 12 - 14
Shots on goal: 5 - 3
Attacks: 86 - 125
Dangerous Attacks: 34 - 61
Lost 2-1

 

These are all games we 'controlled' or 'dominated', we won none, drew two.

 

Using Brighton and you could be accused of manipulating.

We win that game if it wasn’t for appalling officials.

[FoxesAreBlue]

22 hours ago, StriderHiryu said:

 

 

Good of Brendan to say what he did to Emma Hays at the end of that and she seemed genuinely touched.

 

Nice display of mutual respect from two successful professionals.

[StriderHiryu]

 

 

Very good in depth look at our shape in and out of possession during this epic game.