25 | Manuel Akanji - 2024/25

[Dazzle84]

Akanji amongst our other defenders are feeling the effects of having to make numerous recovery runs in games these days.

Our defenders would normally make 2/3 a game, Now it's 10/11 or more. We used to be the best in the world and pinning in teams, Now they get our with ease and get at the back four along with being able to play the ball over the top on numerous occasions.

That might be the case, but when we were coasting at 3-0 I was shocked to see him pop up right on the corner of their box when we were having a spell of possession. There's literally no need for him to be that high up

 

[SWPISHOME]

That might be the case, but when we were coasting at 3-0 I was shocked to see him pop up right on the corner of their box when we were having a spell of possession. There's literally no need for him to be that high up

Certainly not, We should of sat behind the ball and picked them off on the counter attack basically just see the game out.

On the other hand we have always continued to play the same way regardless the scoreline we keep going.

 

[Dazzle84]

Certainly not, We should of sat behind the ball and picked them off on the counter attack basically just see the game out.

On the other hand we have always continued to play the same way regardless the scoreline we keep going.

Yeah, I know. And Pep would probably scream at him if he sat back

 

[SWPISHOME]

Yeah, I know. And Pep would probably scream at him if he sat back

You've hit the nail on the head, It's always been the way.

If we have the ball the opponent cannot score, That used to be the moto, Now we are more of a danger to ourselves in possession.

 

[Bluesince1979]

Hes as culpable for each goal as the others last night.
Watching back the goals, his lack of urgency is alarming.

Great with stronger players around him, gets found out big time without them

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Watching back the goals, his lack of urgency is alarming.

I just said as much. He has ALL the physical tools, but his mentality is just not there. If you gave Dias, for example, Akanji's physical tools, he'd be the best defender ever.

 

[Middedon]

Yeah, I know. And Pep would probably scream at him if he sat back

Yes, some of our defensive woes are because of what they’re asked today. It doesn’t excuse individual mistakes, but sometimes their instructions probably make it harder to recover from them. The high line, playing from the back instead of booting it up - we had rule followers on the field last night. They’re not going to go against the grain.