28 Oct 2019 18:15:01
Be interested if Ed001 in his match reviews, or any other posters, feel as if opponents are coming to grips with our 4+3-3?
It's been a bit of a struggle getting results over the line in a few games and has entailed, in some instances, a move to a variation in system for us to react.
Having said that, the more strings we have to our bow, the better as far as I'm concerned.
I think we've become a more rounded team.
I think a dedicated AM could be accommodated more readily now too, though Keita and Ox can do that job.
Next Summer (or perhaps January) transfer window/ s might be interesting though.
28 Oct 2019 19:08:23
It's not just that mate, I was pretty much sat on the half way line yesterday and we came up against a 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 for 80 odd minutes of the game. Teams are playing so deep and narrow against us, the space just isn't there. We don't move the ball quickly enough at times, but when we do we generally create half a chance. I'd love to know how much possession we had yesterday, must have had 70% plus. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the opposition you do what you have to to get a result. We're just playing with great patience and not trying to force it. I know Son hit the bar, but on another day equally I thought we could have scored 5 or 6. Not had chance to re watch any of the game, but I thought we were very good yesterday.
28 Oct 2019 19:22:25
That’s a common theme though isn’t it, a willingness to concede possession and look to break or press high on occasion?
Man Utd almost made it work, Leicester and Spurs likewise, even Arsenal for a spell.
The Prem never stands still.
28 Oct 2019 20:02:06
If I was being mega critical and probably incorrect in saying this by the way, but I thought we could have sacrificed one of Gini or Hendo yesterday at half time (I'm not bashing by the way), just felt the extra midfielder was unnecessary unnecessary and an attacker was needed. But we got the result so again I say, what do I know. Mane was special yesterdqy though wasn't he? How strong is that man, and quick. I absolutely love the man. Spurs set up yesterday to take Bobby out of the game, he couldn't really drop deep and it showed.
28 Oct 2019 20:07:30
One of the main issues is we are not taking our chances. We should have been 3 nil up v Leicester and 3-1 up at HT v Spurs. The good thing is we are creating chances but we need to start taking more of them. Salah is not yet on top form in front of goal and Firmino has had many chances in the last few games but can't seem to find the back of the net.
28 Oct 2019 19:07:21
Juicer, I respectfully disagree. We have been playing the same way for the most part of the last 18 months or so and still pummeling teams outright or being patient and controlled and strike just when that opportunity comes.
Also, teams have been parking the bust against us for ages now and are still unable to stop us from damaging their buses and winning games or scoring a hatfull of goals or wearing them down with our intensity and in the end, getting it done with a goal or two win margin. Either way, we win.
Regarding last night's game, I thought that was our best perf. this season. Spurs came to do a Tony Pulis/ OGS/ Jose which like Arsenal, is not in their DNA and what happened? Had their GK not stood on his head, we would have put 6 past them and no one would have blinked. Same for Leicester where we had enough to win 4 goals yet got pegged back and still, we got the win.
If we need to change it then fine (which Klopop does, btw) BUT I don't think we should just change stuff for the fun of it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind here, IMO. If anything, we need to sharpen up our finishing cos despite what people say, we are creating loads of chances when we play well and we should take our chances better and not be so wasteful like I felt we were vs Spurs and LC.
28 Oct 2019 20:08:41
Apart from the Utd game where IMO, they scored a goal that should never have stood and a game where we did not create enuff to win cos we did not play well period, We completely battered Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester in terms of chances created so to me, we need to improve our finishing cos that is what is killing us, IMO.
Also regarding teams parking the bus and playing deep against us, that has been going on predominantly with the midtable teams for ages and since Klopp arrived, we have been beating up on them consistently. So what changed? Not much.
What IS new is that now our direct rivals are now doing it cos they know they can no longer match up with us so they now have to employ the same tactics as Pulis, Moyes, Big Sacm, Woy etc are now using and STILL they can't beat us. For me, we continue to do what we do and continue to improve on what we are the best in the PL at as in, intensity, control, calmness under pressure and then, the ability to strike one the oppo. makes a mistake.
28 Oct 2019 20:55:22
You definitely have a point Juicer.
28 Oct 2019 21:16:39
Just to be clear RedWolf, I don’t think that 4-3-3 is a busted flush by any means but it’s not the be all and end all, equally, IMO anyway.
28 Oct 2019 23:07:30
Juicer, that may be true but you seem to be forgetting something. Formations are not rigid nor structural and are mostly flexible. We may Line up as a 4-3-3 at the outset but you as well as I, know that our formations change multiple times during games depending on the situation and how the oppo. is playing us. In one game, we can do a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 so I'm not too hung up on that cos those can change.
Lso, we have been switching "formations" during games for the past two years now and we did the same at OT which helped us get the point and could have been 3 right at the end. As I mentioned before, we are a versatile team with very skilled and smart players who can problem-solve on the pitch all by themselves w/ o Klopp's help. Formations are irrelevant, IMO.
28 Oct 2019 23:55:21
4/ 3/ 3 the only time we are that is during the press occasionally.
When attacking Tent and Robbo are almost wingers, Fab frequently drops to make a back 3, and Bobbie could be anywhere.
When defending the whole front 3 drop back and muck in.
4/ 3/ 3 is just easy for the TV commentators to show the lineups before kick off, it's all fluid.
29 Oct 2019 18:49:36
I thought the team that played best against us was Sheffield Utd. They sat deep but when they got the ball got players forward but more than any other team we’ve played this season showed real quality and pace in their passing and movement. It caused us real problems they just had no one to finish it off.
I think that’s the formula to beat us but it’s risky as if you lose the ball whilst flooding forward we are devastating on the break.
As for the 4-3-3 I think this season more than any other we’ve seen the formation change numerous times during matches. Salah or Mane will go central and Bobby drop into a 10 position, we’ve had Origi on the left and through the middle, Ox and Lallana in wide positions, Hendo playing as a right winger, it’s been really interchangeable.
I do agree with RW though if we’d take our chances better these conversations wouldn’t even come up.
30 Oct 2019 00:04:38
In the context of the games playing out we've had very little issue with creating this year. Our results haven't reflected what we often should have converted. Sheff Utd, Leicester, spurs recently saw us get nervous 1 goal wins but in reality we cut open those 3 teams and should have put them to the sword. Last season in 4-0 vs Barcelona we prob had 5 chances but we were prolific and took or goals, this season we have not been punishing teams early enough but we have had no problem in breaking them down so I don't see it as much of an issue really.