Who needs an extra man when there are already about 16 within 35 yards of their goal?
Besides, if a midfielder drops back to cover him then he's not an extra man, just a different man, and there's only perhaps the element of surprise to be gained.
His discipline is poor generally imo. There are several examples in each game, though I don't keep notes.
the point imo is that when a team is set you need to pull people out of that shape.
one way to do it is for cm to drop deep but there's no assurance someone follows.
in the case of Matip he strides forward with ball and cm slots in. as they are getting run at someone now must come out of the line to challenge him and that opens a gap for a smart forward to run into and receive a much shorter pass.
imo our 3 tactics for these games are
a) big switch ball to full backs wide and advanced (especially if sides are set up narrow) see Robertson to firmino goal v city or any number of examples
b) ball over top to mane or salah running in. see fabinho pass to mane.
c) pulling someone out of shape and making a pass in.
you are right to say he's not an extra man but the point of being a different man is that it's not a cm getting ball with back to play and a forward like zaha could come within 5 yards and force back pass. it's Matip running at midfield and forcing the close down.
. He failed to mention the handball foul by his team which was more glaring.
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