Looks like it's happening, West Brom have definitely started this game playing just like us. It'll be interesting to see if they have the fitness and organisation to maintain it.
The issue of why everyone doesn't play like us was raised on Sky months ago...the answer given was simple...you have to have the players to do it. If you don't do it whole heartedly, you get caught out. We have also scarcely been caught out by the long ball....the supposed weakness of our system.
Mentioned on MOTD2 Extra that Pepe Mel's teams play a bit like Pochettino's teams. Thing is, you can't just come in and make the system work. You have to have the players who can do it. Some players can't concentrate for 90+ minutes, and we now know that all it takes is one player not pressing when he should, and the opposition can play around the pressing team.
I wouldn't be surprised if WBA are broadly hoping that they and Mel exactly replicate us. Spend the first six months ensuring that they don't get relegated, and then look to the future and start showing the real 'new' high-pressing WBA off next season. Unfortunately for WBA though, avoiding relegation looks a tougher task this season than last. No Reading and QPR taking up two of the places this year, whilst many sides down there strengthened in the transfer window.
To be honest, I've noticed quite a few teams playing a similar way to us. Chelsea play with a high line and the attacking players press hard, and lots of teams who we have played against have tried to beat us at our own game by pressing our defenders, even Fulham did this in the first half yesterday, and with some success. It was never really our style, just a style that we were exponents of.
Agreed. It's not even uniquely Pochettino's style, though his particular flavour of it appears to be all his own, I understand. All these managers are greater or lesser disciples of Marcelo Bielsa, and they are a growing bunch, so I expect to see more and more of the high pressing game as the seasons come and go.
