We must stop playing Enzo in the 10. It’s seriously lowering the ability in which the way we move the ball. He’s receiving the ball with his back to goal a lot where he needs to be facing forward with runners off him. He’s not a player built to operate in half spaces. He needs to be part of a double pivot, where he is free to roam into the channels and find the passing lanes. The moments where we have looked our best this season (second half against Liverpool and first half against West Ham) he was in this position. It’s no coincidence against Forest, as soon as Gallagher was substituted and Enzo was out next to Caicedo, we looked way more fluid and creative with the ball. He needs to be involved in build up, where as Gallagher is better in the attacking third. It’s very strange and I don’t know why this has been switched. We will continue to look disjointed, the longer it continues.
Great article! We have a lot of potential in the players we have. No doubt about it. However, after this overhaul we need to understand there will be such hiccups against low block teams or big teams. One really important fact that bites and will be like that this season is the lack of experience/maturity! Buying only young players presents the problem we have and will have this year. I remain optimist for now though.
The obvious issue here is that we're playing at least two players out of position. Colwill is not a LB, and playing him there means he is unable to use his passing ability to break lines (which would be hugely beneficial). Instead we have Silva who doesn't play passes nearly as quickly or aggressively.
Secondly, we have our actual LB at left wing. This makes no sense. I get that we have injuries, but even if Pochettino (rightly IMO) doesn't rate Mudryk, he could play Maatsen there with Chilwell at LB and Colwill CB, with Silva (or Disasi) dropping out.
We also really miss Lavia, because he breaks the lines with his passing. I want to see a norminal 4-3-3 with Lavia, Caicedo and Enzo in the middle.
I appreciate this article, hard to swallow as it feels like all we can do is wait on Nkunku, Carney & potentially Ivan Toney to see the best of Poch’s system. Many of us underestimated Mudryk and Noni’s development curve
We must stop playing Enzo in the 10. It’s seriously lowering the ability in which the way we move the ball. He’s receiving the ball with his back to goal a lot where he needs to be facing forward with runners off him. He’s not a player built to operate in half spaces. He needs to be part of a double pivot, where he is free to roam into the channels and find the passing lanes. The moments where we have looked our best this season (second half against Liverpool and first half against West Ham) he was in this position. It’s no coincidence against Forest, as soon as Gallagher was substituted and Enzo was out next to Caicedo, we looked way more fluid and creative with the ball. He needs to be involved in build up, where as Gallagher is better in the attacking third. It’s very strange and I don’t know why this has been switched. We will continue to look disjointed, the longer it continues.
Superb article.
And I completely agree with the final paragraph. But the personnel available should also dictate our formation. (i.e., chilwell at lb.).
Mudryk is in danger of becoming yet another albatross. We either persevere with him or swap him for Toney.
Great article! We have a lot of potential in the players we have. No doubt about it. However, after this overhaul we need to understand there will be such hiccups against low block teams or big teams. One really important fact that bites and will be like that this season is the lack of experience/maturity! Buying only young players presents the problem we have and will have this year. I remain optimist for now though.
Great article which allowed me to better understand where we are n’t quite up to scratch. Thanks
The obvious issue here is that we're playing at least two players out of position. Colwill is not a LB, and playing him there means he is unable to use his passing ability to break lines (which would be hugely beneficial). Instead we have Silva who doesn't play passes nearly as quickly or aggressively.
Secondly, we have our actual LB at left wing. This makes no sense. I get that we have injuries, but even if Pochettino (rightly IMO) doesn't rate Mudryk, he could play Maatsen there with Chilwell at LB and Colwill CB, with Silva (or Disasi) dropping out.
We also really miss Lavia, because he breaks the lines with his passing. I want to see a norminal 4-3-3 with Lavia, Caicedo and Enzo in the middle.
Good article.
But.. Poch has to find a way to beat teams who defend very deep.
4-2-3-1 would do that & so would
4-1-4-1.. It would over load that defensive block and provide width.
Another glaring thing, was yet again the lack of players in the box when crosses came in.
Great article I agree system isn’t the issue it’s the personnel we’re using within it causing us problems
I appreciate this article, hard to swallow as it feels like all we can do is wait on Nkunku, Carney & potentially Ivan Toney to see the best of Poch’s system. Many of us underestimated Mudryk and Noni’s development curve
I think more people overestimated Mudryk's ability. He's atrocious.