This is "actionable" information. I do not know the stats for these (for the PL in general, for a top 4/6 club etc) , but if you are doing worse than the mean values for each group, then you have either big problems or room for improvement.
I believe (going by memory) that we're average defensively on set-pieces and low offensively. I think we've scored 4. City and Liverpool have got about 10 each. Kane taking our free-kicks and Son taking our corners doesn't help, in my opinion. Neither are much good at them and it removes a follow-up threat, too.
Conte's system usually pairs a sitter and a box-to-box, although there's slight variations as Chelsea had Matic/Kante in a 343 while Inter has Brozovic/Barella in a 3412 Bentancur is certainly more akin to Brozovic than Matic, and given we play 3421 at the moment it's likely we're looking at a Barella rather than a Kante, which presumably Kessie was supposed to be but signing him looks like a crapshoot at the moment (which likely explains why there's sudden reports about us enquiring about Matheus Nunes' release clause)
This is a little problematic with regards to Hojbjerg, as he doesn't seem to know which he is. I'd be quite happy to see him used as backup for both roles and a senior holding player brought in. I don't want to see Skipp's advancement stifled, but we need a serious squad across the board.
Depends on how many of the rest of the PL have currently scored at least 4 goals from set piece play. "Kane taking our free-kicks and Son taking our corners doesn't help, in my opinion. Neither are much good at them and it removes a follow-up threat, too." Indeed. Would be interesting to know who performs best in training for direct free kicks (assuming the squad does train this - more so if the PL peer stats are better) .
Nobody knows what Højbjerg is, that’s always been his issue. He’s not a 6 because he lacks the positional discipline and while he’s probably best as an 8, he’s not consistently a quality passer or carrier of the ball. He’s better off the ball than on, as an 8. What I see from Conte’s midfield 2 at Spurs recently is that they both perform similar roles. They push up to press alongside Kane while the inside forwards drop and cover the fullback channels, and look to drop for the ball and circulate or progress it as appropriate. This probably suits the 3 best midfielders we have, as they’re all to a greater or lesser extent all-rounders who have a lot of energy. Winks is a bit more specialist in that he’d prefer to sit centrally. As such we basically need an upgrade on Højbjerg, who can offer more on the ball without losing the energy and ball-winning ability. We’ll still have the capability to tweak things, as Skipp and Bentancur can both sit in front of a defence, as can Winks if he stays. But we need someone who is more naturally inclined and able to get their head up and consistently find their out-ball, whether Kane or a winger/WB, than Højbjerg is. Being a better technician (and more press-resistant) would also be a plus, because I can’t say I always trust Hojbjerg’s first touch not to put him in trouble.
And our defending set pieces is awful. Hugo does not command his area. Pre-match , you see him practice catching the cross ball, during match he stays on his line and leaves it to be headed.
Going by the Whoscored.com stats, only Norwich have scored less from set-pieces: https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/2...amStatistics/England-Premier-League-2021-2022 Click on "offensive" and then scroll down. Plenty of teams in double figures. Last night's games don't appear to have been counted.
Is that his choice or a tactical one, though? Is he being told to do that or choosing to? He used to be very aggressive at coming out and attacking the ball.
Not good at all for Spurs or Man Utd. Interesting that Spurs are inducing the most OG (though the stats probably include bystander deflection) .
Recent games come to mind , Burnley, middlesborough, wolves and Southampton where we were screaming out for an Erikson playmaker ,with the added benefit of Kane dropping deep to thread the needle this would be perfect, all to often for the past years our best passer of the ball is Kane who can pass to our best strike who is Ka n e oh that's where we go wrong
My guess is it's his choice. As I said pre match he practices catching those crosses ( those that are there early enough see it ). Maybe when he got injured against Brighton, he became more cautious. It's a problem I feel needs to be resolved.
I’d call Hojbjerg a combative number 8. He doesn’t excel in any particular area but I don’t think he has any glaring weaknesses either but leans more towards being a battler than a more technical number 8. Every few games he does make a brilliant pass but someone like Modric or Eriksen could do that 3-4 times a game at the least. He’s not afraid of a tackle and makes a large number of them but he’s not as destructive as Sandro or Wanyama at truly breaking up opposition attacks. He can carry it forward but he’s no Dembele. He can run for 90 or 120 mins but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s always had a huge impact. All in all I find him a very handy player to have and right now, especially whilst Skipp’s out, I’m very glad we have him in the XI though long term I think we can upgrade on him in the side but I’d 100% like him as part of this squad - and a key part too, I’d still envisage him playing in well over 40+ games for us, just not necessarily always starting them. For me, he’s like a CM version of Lamela, perhaps not quite a ****house but he’s always 100% committed to the cause with a brilliant attitude and I think that rubs off on other players, helps he’s not always injured like the Argy too.
Completely agree with your assessment. He’s a 6/10 in a lot of areas, with his energy higher rated and his technical ability more like a 5. What he lacks is particularly apparent when he’s next to Bentancur though. He’s a useful player and I’m certainly not in the camp which says he should be sold. I do think he misses some tackles and interceptions that he’s in the right position to make and I don’t entirely trust his touch, but he’s handy.
He plays a different role for Denmark which is easy to see why when he had Eriksen in the midfield, during euro 20 he got MOTM a couple of times and that was because stayed in the role he was assigned and not like Spurs in the past running about like a one armed paper hanger trying to plug up the defence and midfield
I think the best way to describe Hojbjerg is a No6 1/2, because while he did start his career as a box-to-box midfielder he seems to have gravitated to being a hard-working midfield presser who recycles the ball In other words, he's Michael Brown but with resembles a footballer instead of a randy terrier raping your shin
