13 Mar 2026 07:08:26
Question for Eds. In the last two games there have been too many examples where Konate and VVD as a pairing aren't applying the basics when defending.
I've coached many kid's footy sessions on pressure, cover and balance and how to defend as a unit from u10 level.
Why is it that Konate regularly abandons this basic principle and either leaves too big a gap from his defensive unit by just wandering off and moving in the direction of the ball rather than maintaining the shape of the unit and moving Collectively.
This looks wrong on so many levels. Suggests lacks of awareness, lack of communication, lack of concentration, lack of football intelligence etc.
There were so many examples of this v galatasary that made me wonder who's to blame and why does it keep happening. I'd have thought post game analysis would highlight this issue but it seems to be a bad habit that's repeated once or more during a game.
{Ed001's Note - it is the way Konate plays. He has the brains of a cabbage, a complete lack of concentration and only talks about 'fashion'. Added to the poor coaching discipline currently at the club, which means he is not being drilled enough in shape and positioning etc, he is just devolving as a player.
Klopp used to get round it by playing the high press to ensure opponents were constantly under pressure, so were not as able to pick out the spaces left vacant by his wanderings. Without that pressure, we get targeted and Virgil then runs away, rather than trying to maintain cohesion high up the pitch, leaving massive spaces behind the midfield.}
13 Mar 2026 09:15:17
We have never properly replaced Matip.
Not world class, but I would take him in a heartbeat.
13 Mar 2026 11:02:44
I rated Matip as well. Just not sure he would be any better in our setup than what we are seeing currently.
13 Mar 2026 11:06:48
Matip was a top class defender, he was intelligent, could read the game well, technically excellent, and could actually defend (brilliant in the air too).
13 Mar 2026 13:39:54
I agree, just a bit injury prone. Top player, though.
13 Mar 2026 19:02:23
I've been saying exactly that Ed. We are kind of in between a high press and a mid block. The attack try to press but aren't very good at it so the defender can get their head up which makes VVD panic and drop off way to deep and all the time Konate is away with the fairies not realising or reacting to anything.
The midfield try to support the half press so go forward whilst VVD is backing off so it leaves acres of space between the defence and midfield whilst Konate is away with fairies not realising or reacting to anything.
Then the defender has so many options because he's not under enough pressure so can get his head up and one pass through the middle opens us right up and they are at the back 4.
They can even pump a ball up to the centre forward because even if VVD wins it we have no one in front of the defence to pick up the pieces so they win the second ball and are at the back 4.
None of the back 4 retreat with VVD so they can run off Konate and play a ball over the top with VVD keeping them onside.
There was a prime example of our disjointed press on Tuesday. Szob and Ekitike were the forward pressers and their keeper had the ball. He played it to the left back which triggered Szob to start the press and run to the left back. He actually pointed to the keeper asking Ekitike to block the pass back to the keeper but Ekitike just stood there motionless. Szob then had to bend his run to stop the pass back to the keeper which allowed the left back to get his head up and play the ball forward to a Gala player and they started an attack.
It's such basic stuff and Szob actually pointed to where Ekitike should go but he just stood there. A high press is a dangerous tactic and every player on the pitch needs to recognise the trigger and act accordingly but we have players just standing around making it so easy for the opposition to play through the press.
They obviously haven't done any coaching on this at all and just expect it to happen. It's so frustrating to watch.
{Ed001's Note - excellent description of what is happening.}
14 Mar 2026 12:22:24
Varry, this is where you point your finger at the manager. Anytime now, btw.