Not sure whether is was an entirely new system, or if we just played ****. Coutinho and Hendo in the first half contributed very little defensively. Had they been told to sit higher up, then fine, blame Rodger's tactical change. If not, then they just didn't play with the same intensity or hunger to fight, get back and muck in as they did against Arsenal. Alot of our problems in the Swans game came from those two. They just weren't as effective in contributing to the team's defensive work as they had been previously. Tactics, fatigue or just no desire. No clue on that..
Many facts from the game point to a new system laid out by Rodgers. I've brought them up here an elsewhere. Too many and too stark differences to put them on player's shoulders. Could this system work on the road better than the previous one worked at WBA and Fulham?
You already alluded to it but Gerrard sits far too deep because he doesn't have the pace/acceleration to cover ground quickly if he gets caught out. Our defenders don't have the pace to recover so they sit deep (bar Sakho). Our current personnel just doesn't suit to what we want to do IMO - but Rodgers (to his credit) is now playing to our strength. When Allen was out, our team was better suited to counter. It was great against teams who would attack but not as effective against teams who sat back themselves. Now that Allen is back, we can change it back...
I'd be happy with us attempting ball possession with Allen as our 3d CM in our plan B versus teams that sit back. However, I think Sakho, Skrtel, with Lucas ahead of them could have enough pace in them to implement a high line/offside trap and carry our counterattacking formation with 2 CMs forward. I'd like Brendan to experiment with that scheme vs retreating opponents.
We played this formation against City and it worked well, if Lucas is fit he is a better option in the formation you mention. Hendo Lucas Allen Gerrards quality on the ball though cannot be ignored but it's a good problem to have.
We've played like that before under BR sometimes with similar results gaping infront of the back 4 and down our wings. It's not new I'd just hoped it had been consigned to last year in regards to player effort. I agree with T. BRs system relies on the midfield 3 to move up and down as one unit. When one or two of them stop moving, holes appear. I used to blame Gerrards lack of mobility but since he's been back at HM and highlighting the Everton and Arsenal game it shows the high energy and concentration levels needed by the CM and AM to get back in position in front of the ball if it's not quickly reclaimed. Coutinho definately didn't do this last weekend. Hendo either to a lesser degree, although he got his rewards for lingering further up for longer. It also relies on the same energy and concentration from the fullbscks. They can't tear up the field and then lose the ball and then just stop. A continual problem for GJ. It really isn't a new set of weaknesses. Whether it's The manager saying to them to stay up fractionally longer against what he considers weaker teams I can't say. I doubt it as its burned us before against those very teams. I just think we play a high risk strategy that require huge commitment from every player and if you dint get that it's easy for the opposition to find the holes. Again, we''ll see if this is BR's preferred style or answer to current issues by which players he buys in the summer. At one game a week I'd suggest players shouldn't have issues with concentration or energy levels though...
Sorry to only pick a select bit out here but felt that bit needed highlighting. Our FBs never "tear up the field", they have no need to. We pass the ball amongst the keeper, two CBs and HM for five minutes before venturing into the oppositions half, by this time both FBs have not only been able to walk up the field, they've pulled the picnic basket out and had a three course meal The FBs don't get involved in the counter attacks either.
Confused. The expression may have been inaccurate but I'm fairly sure I've seen GJ go past, at pace the midfielders on his side, either with the ball and then lose it, stop and watch in the oppositions half as we are countered or without the ball, its lost by someone else and he still stops and watches the counter unfold. In fact he did worse on Sunday, he took the ball to the by line, overhit an aimless cross to the opposition and watched as they countered from their half. I know what you are saying but I've witnessed it often enough when both FBs have joined all but one midfielder and all attabkers around their 18 yards box yet not made the same effort to get back to their own 18 yard box.. But I've started to ramble and get muddied...must sleep soon lol.
It was a new system this year. (don't care to think about last year tbh.) And stragely given its debut after two smashing successes at home through a different system. My first reaction was to blame Couts and Hendo for the watering hole we left for Shelvey to enjoy with his amigos, but then as other facts crept up very saliently it became clear it was a different system that BR sought to implement. How can I blame Hendo if BR told him to stay up? Or Coutinho if he remained little assisted by Sterling or Hendo being assigned advanced roles? Or Skrtel, Agger and Gerrard for their total lack of tackling, if the spirit instilled to the game was expansive not compact and gritty? That said, the system could be taken on the road with more success than the previous system lackluster at Fulham and WBA. How soon if at all will Brendan intervene by adding a 3d CM, we'll see.
No I don't think so either just stating that when Gerrard was out the midfield he played worked well.
