For a variety of reasons, the game's becoming increasingly tactical by the year.
England has for a long time been behind the times tactically. Many managers are still using a strategy of winning second balls from clearances that was developed before most of us were born. Players are still used for their individual qualities as opposed to their team qualities. Defenders are there to make blocks, strikers are there to score goals. Wingers are there to beat the man and cross and fullbacks are there to prevent such things. It's not necessarily wrong but it's rather dated.
It's not just managers, it's the culture. Listen to the pundits. Read the papers. Read these and other forums. It's so outdated.
We're fortunate at City to have had managers in recent years that are tactically switched on enough that we can see up close and learn from.
I should say all the older ideas are still very important, such as technique, mentality, and fitness. But tactics are way more important than ever. A well drilled side with good tactics has a much higher ceiling than one without. But a well drilled side with a bad attitude and poor fitness is just as bad as any other side in a similar boat.
