I've noticed that when we play 3 at the back (or, if you like, with 'wing backs) we always appear to be undone by a long diagonal ball, either in the air or on the ground, seemingly because the wide players offer little in defensive discipline.Originally Posted by WES
Hard to believe but I actually attended a football match yesterday. An Arsenal won. Quite pleasant really.
And loath as I am to comment on tactics as we all know pretty much f*ck all about them, there was a clear theme to us getting opened up at the back in the first half. Three at the back with Sokratis in the middle, no holding midfield as there was no Lucas, both wing backs up the pitch so the three were fairly isolated.
At which point Sokratis steps up and tries to win a tackle instead of keeping the defensive line, he fails to win the ball, and then we're f*cked as 3 or 4 of them run at Kos and Mustafi. Happened 3 or 4 times.
Second half playing Lucas and 433 it seemed much better with the main issue being that as good as the Bosnian is going forward, he is never, ever a left back. So basically what I'm saying is that Sokratis needs some discipline and we really don't have the players we need to play 343 which Unai seems to prefer.
Whether this is a tictac that the other clubs have worked out or just happens during the run of play, we cannot handle it.
Liverpool exploited it brilliantly imo.
That said, we still appear to be undone by a straight long ball too.
Reply With Quote