It is interesting to read, thanks mate. The last paragraph interests me. Folk were saying in the first few games there was no difference. I disagreed at the time and argued you could see changes to the defensive setup. Cant remember after which game but I was saying to someone that Ballard and ONien are much tighter together. The thing that stood out to me was how when we lost it the back 4, or 3, whichever we had left in, immediately covered the middle of the pitch and left the wide areas open. So a back 4 would cover the width of the 18 yard box. A back 3 the width of the 6 yard box. Runners had to track back into the wide positions. It is all about drilling your defenders to protect the dangerous space, delaying a quick counter at your 18 yard box or through the middle. It allows others to get back behind the ball. Beale is now saying he trusts that defensive shape which means we can commit more to that risk football as he calls it. More players in the press, more time in the press, extra man running from midfield. All because he is happy that the work he did early in his time here has stuck. Credit to the players for taking it on. It isnt perfect yet, and we are still a work in progress, but I for one can see real progress week to week. It is quite exciting to think what he may be able to do in a pre season to be honest. I am going to try and see if I can watch a session or two in the summer. Would love to see him on the training pitch.
Watched the second half in YouTube tonight, I thought Mundle looked great. Brought a lot go energy to our press, lightning quick, was unlucky a few times. Excited to see more of him. ideal bringing him on when we're winning and there is space opening up.
Agreed mate. 84th minute, he flies past the defender who blatantly pulls him back and shudda been booked. Mundle glares at the referee, then the linesman. 85th minute, he absolutely clatters the same defender then looks straight at the linesman .... "Do your job!" The lad's not come here to mess about.
