Why has it seemed to work for BR and this style is now becoming more and more LFC ( with it's own twists here and there), yet AVB struggled with it at Chelsea and Spurs, and now reports are coming out of a player revolt at WBA due to Pepe Mel wanting to do the same thing. Question is: Why did it work with BR? Players more responsive? Owners backing the manager so players had to shape up? Players wanting a fresh change? On the flip side, why did it go wrong for AVB 2x? Why is Pepe Mel facing the same issues? Pochettino is another who likes to play this way and it worked for Southampton. So what is the difference between the teams and why it works for some and not others in the prem? If you say WBA for example are a more British type of team, Saints are loaded with Brits through the whole squad who have adapted yet AVB struggled with the continental talent who would understand this style better at two different clubs. Guess it is the risk and reward of the Premier league manager at the end of the day.
Not as many established ego's that refused to try based on the idea they'll outlast the manager? Although with AVB I think the arrogant surly gits personality could convince me that saving kittens was a bad idea if he told it to me
they have tall lanky players at the back? lanky players normally rely on their height to defend not their feet, so will be uncomfortable, as its easier for them to challenge for a ball kicked in the box than it is to tackle a striker on the half way line who will probably do them for pace.
RODGERS: COLLECTIVE EFFORT Brendan Rodgers has been in front of the media ahead of the trip to Southampton on Saturday Night Football. He was asked if he thought his side could win the title despite conceding so many goals. It's a collective effort. When we attack and score goals it's because of what we do as a team. We conceded disappointing goals last weekend but ultimately, at this stage of the season, it's about winning. We've put in some outstanding team performances over the last 4-6 weeks and been so exciting to watch going forward. Last weekend we conceded a few goals - one from a free-kick we were disappointed with, one a penalty and one an incredible finish from Jonjo Shelvey but it's not about any one player or any one unit, it's the whole team. We've scored 70 goals and we're the highest goalscorers because we're building a platform for the team to go forward and play. If we're defending it's because we haven't pressed the ball well enough at the top of the field. Ultimately we won the game last weekend - and we were playing a very good team.
Possibly but Spurs do have players with pace that can make it work for example! They got rid of one ( the one at Cardiff) who would have probably fit that system better. There is a story out there when Sacchi first went to Milan and the likes of Baresi, Gullit, Van basten, etc where all questioning his dutch-italian hybrid he was working on. It wasn't until Berlusconi came down and said " I know Sacchi will be here but not sure on the rest of you..." that the players bought into the system and the rest is now history. Wonder if there is anything like that that goes on? Not enough backing to the manager and player power seeping through ( AVB at Chelsea as an example, he actually played Sturridge who was scoring for them).
If both teams play those tactics on Saturday as you suggest, the whole match will be played on or around the half-way line
Why the game will be interesting with two similar styles of play. I can't remember what happened the last time at Anfield, I know we were dreadful but can't remember how Saints played though.
Chelsea & West Brom's players are too old to be pressing from the off, they are not raw enough to play that style of game. AVB's Spurs side could play it and with those tactics he got them their highest ever points total and he was on track to beat that record again until Levy pulled the trigger. Pressing requires young raw players, players who play for their manager, not themselves
Because AVB tried to do immediately rather than slowly introduce it. Brod played to our strengths at first. The defence played deep and we left massive gaps in the middle. He has slowly introduced the higher line THIS season! When Rafa arrived at Liverpool, he wanted to play his preferred 4231 system but couldn't because of the players we had. Instead, he stuck it out with variations of 441 and 4411 even moving Gerrard to the right. It wasn't until the third season and some seventeen odd signings (not all first teamers) later that we saw us playing 4231 regularly. Basically, its good management. New ideas take time to implement, hence managers should be given time to get their ideas and players in place.
