Pressing stats for Watford - the key points are: - Naby's volume and efficiency is excellent - Hendo's efficiency seems to be far better as the number 6 rather than 8 - Bobby was back to his pressing best please log in to view this image
Vs Watford ... Pressing volume was low in general because we were SO dominant and had so much possession but when we didn't have the ball, we pressed extremely well with high reward: - we started 3 counter attacks as a result of pressing - 3 presses led to shots - most of the pressing wins were high value (in terms of leading to shot, opportunity, progressing into a dangerous area) please log in to view this image
If you needed visual representation that Allison is a f*cking brilliant goal keeper, then here you go ... Seems like he's gone to a new level this season: please log in to view this image
I would not say so. I would say the team is functioning better but his level is just so high. I have not seen a keeper personally live who is as competent at holding the ball. Nothing comes off him at all. He is astoundingly good at the core skills of keeping but adds in ball skills and the sweeping up which for a monster of a man is even more impressive He deserves every plaudit going.
This is the thing with Alisson. He doesn’t always make the incredible world class saves, but anything hit near him, he just grabs. How many keepers palm the ball out into the middle and get lucky that defender clears it. Goes down as a save and never gets scrutinised but could so easily fall to opponent. It’s why we allow players to shoot from 20-25 yards out. You see our defence always back off and hold the 18 yard line and don’t rush out to engage. It means we don’t leave space in behind for a little pass through, knowing that if they want to shoot, then fine because Ali is going to save and hold onto most things coming his way.
On that point, I think it's because he makes difficult saves looks so easy but also his positioning is SO good so that he doesn't need to be stretching all the time to reach the ball.
Very true. Certainly wasn’t a criticism of him. Id rather a keeper make all the saves you expect and concede the worldies. That’s what problem with Mignolet was. He would make some world class saves, but then would let one straight at him go in. It’s similar with de gea and lloris. Sometimes don’t do the basics.
Seems weird looking at heat maps for goalkeepers but it's relevant as we're bigging up Alisson: The below maps are for this season (not just the United game) but you could see a few instances in the game alone which shows the difference in class. I remember there were a couple of times when United got in behind and had a 1v1 (think it was Ronaldo and Bruno) but Alisson is so quick and aggressive off his line that he's able to block the shots. Compare that to our 5th goal where Salah took a poor, heavy 2nd touch but DDG was very slow in coming off his line. As per below, Alisson is a brilliant sweeper keeper ... please log in to view this image
Our defensive structure isn't as strong as it was back in 18-20 but we are still able to hold our line to a top class standard:
Im glad they put the arrows on the bottom as I was really confused which way we were attacking He is just world class keeper. Bit iffy with his kicking when balls on the floor at times but on the whole best in the world as an all round keeper
Just a quick update regarding the super league 6 table. We have now played 3 games ant it looks slightly better. inthe next 12 games the best team we play is west ham. Everton, spurs, arsenal, leicester are in there but 2nd jan is our next tital rival game v cheslea. By that time the rest will have played each other more and frankly we have the harder run in. Now is the time to try get a lead in the prem s cheslea look ominous. As i said elsewhere. these tbales shoudl have utd and spurs and arsenal as this really doesn't bode well for any of them. after 9 games they are already off the pace against the mid table clubs and well off the pace in the super league group. the fact is theres 4 or 5 teams who ought to be shouting for a top 6 min table slot off arsenal, spurs and utd.