I thought in the first 15 minutes or so we were very good in the final third and the link up play between Eriksen and Kane particularly good. However, we conceded a soft goal, Man U pushed a man more tightly onto Eriksen, and our pressing slacked off a bit - and we lost momentum.
I have a number of concerns about Poch and his tactics , many of which were shared about AVB:
1. Possession is all very well, but you have to do something with it. If, in maintaining possession, you allow the other team to set their defence, then you end up playing in front of well organised teams with little goal threat.
2. A pressing game is all very well, but it compresses space going forward for both the attacking and defending team, which creates its own challenges. It also leaves loads of space behind the defence.
3. So if you are going to play possession football with a high press in 4-2-3-1 (and sometimes 3-1-5(4)-1(2) when attacking) successfully you need to do a number of things.
- Maintain the press, and when you are unable to maintain the press, drop off accordingly. Otherwise teams wait until you are tired and punish you over the top and on the counter. This is where we lose to weaker teams, as it is the obvious way to counter the high press.
- Play the ball forward early whenever possible, otherwise you are endlessly recycling possession with no end product until you lose the ball.
4. This system requires key players, including:
Players with vision and technique in deeper positions who can pass forwards early
Some pace further forward to make the runs and find space -and to exploit situations where the ball is turned over from the high press.
Some pace at the back, preferably in the CBs at least. To cover the space in behind when defending counters.
10 very fit outfield players for the high press.
A midfielder who is positionally aware and can protect the CBs when the full backs push on.
Players who have a very good touch and are very comfortable in possession as we are going to get the ball in tight spaces a lot.
One tricky player (at least) who can dribble past a player - to make some space.
A keeper who can sweep behind, with good passing distribution, and who doesn't panic with the ball at their feet.
And finally a CF who can occupy two defenders with their physical presence and run the line on their own.
So we have some of these, but lack others.
We need a manager with flexible tactics too.
It is difficult, if not impossible to maintain an effective press for 90 minutes. So we need to adapt as players get tired.
Against some teams that also play a pressing game it might be better to play on the counter.
Horror of horrors, sometimes lumping it in the box and hoping for a knockdown is an effective tactic -especially when you have an aerial threat like Kane.
So I'm not sure of Poch is adaptable enough. Or whether he is a bit too safety first minded - and unwilling to allow us to take risks with the ball or formation when we get further forward.
