06 Sep 2017 07:29:50
Hi Ed 001,

Quick one, with the current squad we have what do you think would be the best strategy to breakdown defenses who seat deep and park the proverbial bus?

{Ed001's Note - move the ball quickly and quick player movement. That has been what we have lacked when playing them. The team just loses the intensity it shows against the big clubs, as they are the Burnleys of the league and the team just is not as motivated sadly. It does not matter how well set up you are, if the ball is moved quickly you can't stop it. Quick one-twos will always cause problems. A player moving at pace into the box will always have an advantage over the defence, which is static. Movement is always going to be a problem for a defence.}

1.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 07:55:58
Spot on ed01.

2.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 08:00:22
I agree with Ed on the intensity, I think a lot is in the players heads. Do we have any mind coaches? the lack of fight against the smaller clubs is so apparent, I do agree our style doesn't suit teams sitting back but I'm sure with a better mental attitude we could improve these results.

3.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 08:08:18
Ed do you think that is why Klopp wanted Chamberlain and Keita? They are both the types of midfielder who play little give and go's to burst beyond tightly banked up players. Keita is especially good at it.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, and that both can break a packed defence with a dribble at pace as well. We have Lallana, Can and Coutinho who can do that currently but none have a real burst of pace as well. That pace causes major problems for a defence as it does not give them time to readjust their positioning.}

4.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 08:11:02
Tte team believes the danger coming from the opposition is less compared to the City's and Chelsea's. So they relax and take their time. You could also give some credit to the opposition players for keeping it tight and focus through out the 90mts against any minute errors which might lead to a goal. These teams simply cannot outscore us hence they try to snatch a draw and a point.

It is not the teams every time. We have struggled against Jose's team over the years who are not burnley's and would struggle against Simeoni's team who again are not burnley's.

{Ed001's Note - not sure of the relevance of Simeone or Jose, everyone struggles against their teams.}

5.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 08:31:00
Yes, because the way they set up their team against PACE! If you give SPACE to PACE then there is only winner.

{Ed001's Note - not just because of the way they set up, there is a lot more to it than that. It helps that Mourinho has had more money to spend on his teams than any other team in history.}

6.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 08:53:50
Correct that's why there is no Lesser team and Higher wan concept in tactics. Some teams are forced to sit back and defend due lack of quality in their team ( Burnleys etc ) some managers like to sit back and snatch as many points as possible without giving a damn on the footy as a whole ( Jose, Rafa, Simeoni ) .

We struggle against teams who sit back. It doesn't matter where it comes from. Burnleys or UTD's.

7.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 09:21:48
I mentioned this the other day when discussing the signing of Chamberline. If Klopp can get his end product right, I think his direct approach could be key against the teams that come to park the bus.

It l's so frustrating watching the ball being moved from side to side and as Ed 1 mentioned, we seem to lose all moment against these teams that set up to defend deep.

8.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 09:23:07
I also think that our full backs have a role to play in breaking down defences. Last season these teams were quite happy for Milner and Clyne to have the ball in advanced areas knowing they won't hurt them. If they are worried about the full backs they have to get players out to them which in turn creates space in the middle. Let's hope this seasons extra quality from the full backs coupled with the quick movement from the front men and midfielders will see us improve.

9.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 09:37:51
Ings n things I think that's the difference right there with TAA, Robertson in the team you have two players who have a great cross on both of them which should help the team last year we would get forward down the wings and then just turn around or milly would turn back and put one in on his right foot nothing wrong with that on occasions but a ball in a pace on the left wing on your left foot is better then stopping and letting the defenders reset and cover.

10.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 10:42:32
Can we focus on the topic at hand instead of talking about other managers that no one else cares about? Spot on, Ed. You will be surprised what a simple one-two ball or using a left footed LB who can cross the ball first time, can do to a defence. Klopp addressed this issue in the TW by bringing in Robbo at LB and Salah to partner with Mane out wide with Ox as an alternative, in order to facilitate better and quicker movement, to help break down the defence.

In the Palace game, we improved on the quick movement front as soon as Salah and Solanke came on cos that spread out their defence hence, more spaces for our players to run into. I also like that our heads did not drop throughout the game as we kept plugging away and increased the pressure on them. It is said pressure that caused the mistake that led to Mane's goal for the win. we need to keep doing that vs the lesser teams at Anfield and NEVER let our heads drop even when we concede the first goal.

11.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 14:03:03
Full backs was and always going to be the problem.

Doesn't matter of fast you play if all the players are within 5 yards or each other. It just allows the opp to stay tight and defend.

Of however you now have 2 full backs hugging the touchline and bombing in behind, it causes the edge of the opp to have to make a decision, stick or twist. If they go out to the full back then space is now created in the middle, the rest of the opp have to shift to cover and then they lose there dicisipline.

This is why Barcelona rarely ever get dropped by other teams, pace full backs.

Gotta wonder why city spent 126 mil on e of them haven't you.