Think was some crazy stat that they’ve scored the first goal in 17 games this season (across all comps) and as you say rarely lose when that happens. Very good defensively so if they do get that opening goal then have even more reason to sit back and defend it.
Key is to get that first goal and force them to open up and make them go toe to toe. However really have to be careful not to force that first goal as they have decent wide players who can break quickly in the counter and it’s how they’ve hurt teams
yes.
my view of the set up is:
They will sit right off and let vvd and konate have it, theres no point alisson dicking about with it too much as they simply don't all push up. to make space for a salah run.
So:
--------------------------------Alisson
(gap between lines as a result of forest not pushing on)
---------------------------- Konate - VVD
-------------Trent Gravenberch Macalllister Robertson. (a tight 4 in width of pen area but full backs go wide if closed down)
Salah----------------------------Szoboszlai--------------------------- gakpo (wingers must be really wide to stretch the game)
-----------------------------------diaz (with szoboszlai support)
this tight 4 allows trenrt to get back to rb and gravenbech/macallister mop up
what we cannot do do is what i'm afraid we will do
---------------------------- Konate - VVD -- Robertson
--------------------------------Trent Gravenberch
Salah----------------------------Macallister--------------------------- gakpo
-----------------------------------Szoboszlai diaz
if we do this then they will see no cover from trent, kanate pulled wide and then gaps appearing for wood and the opposing winger. they get a 1 on 1 each in the box.
This is all about intent. We will know very quickly just watching robertson and macallister.
Don't concede. Thats forest philospohy. they don't want to have much of the ball, they just want to get it and go but then be back in shape before anyone can counter attack them.
We have to be able to get to htose wingers on the break and wither win it or chop them down.
We have 2 full backs for the bench and asl oa jones so plenty of cards to take.
We should also be seeing that its oliver in charge and he will allow absolute murder in terms of fouls but one bit of back chat and you are booked.
Use it.
they have taken quite a number of losses buit all to good teams. 3-0 v arsenal away. 3-0 to city away. 0-1 to fulham at home. 1-3 to newcastle at home. so you can imagine off 16 other games they must have only conceded 9 goals total.
their home record is played 9, won 5, drawn 2 lost 2. (8th in the tbale. Scored 11, conceded 7. (take out the losses and thats played 7 conceded 3
their away record is played 11 won 7 drawn 2 lost 2 with socred 18 concded 12. (2nd in table) remmebr they lost 6 goals to arsenal and city so its played 9 conceded 6 away.
if anything they can be thinking that they are actually closer than it might look as they have more home games to come.
they seem to play the same home or away. Maybe at home they have actually under performed and need that away excuse to park the bus. who knows.