Liverpool don't play the same transitions as us, so they always have more protection to losing the ball and being countered back. When we used to have Sane and Sterling we did this but then Pep's tried to mitigate against what knocked us out of the CL repeatedly by protecting against it. Problem is if the players fuck up it'll still happen because it's not really a Plan B, just a sticking plaster on Plan A.But I do agree, Pep's one shortcoming is not emphasizing the counter attack when available. Our players have no idea how to cut throat when the opportunity arises the same way liverpool does. This is the key to winning champions league and why I think we will never be favorites in that comp. We can control a game all day long. Doesn't matter if you aren't used to punishing your opponents the second they slip up.
When our opponents slip up we see it as a wonderful opportunity to slow down and set our formation back up lmao. Im being dramatic but... there's some truth to it.
Our laboured counter attacks are because of Peps tactics. He wants complete control of the football. We’ve seen it so many times this season when the counter attack is on, only for the player on the ball to slow down and pass it back. It lets everyone get back in to position and the machine starts again.But I do agree, Pep's one shortcoming is not emphasizing the counter attack when available. Our players have no idea how to cut throat when the opportunity arises the same way liverpool does. This is the key to winning champions league and why I think we will never be favorites in that comp. We can control a game all day long. Doesn't matter if you aren't used to punishing your opponents the second they slip up.
When our opponents slip up we see it as a wonderful opportunity to slow down and set our formation back up lmao. Im being dramatic but... there's some truth to it.
We have not had that ruthless ability on the counter since Sane left/got injured. We play now a very much percentage based game which is hugely successful most of the time.But I do agree, Pep's one shortcoming is not emphasizing the counter attack when available. Our players have no idea how to cut throat when the opportunity arises the same way liverpool does. This is the key to winning champions league and why I think we will never be favorites in that comp. We can control a game all day long. Doesn't matter if you aren't used to punishing your opponents the second they slip up.
When our opponents slip up we see it as a wonderful opportunity to slow down and set our formation back up lmao. Im being dramatic but... there's some truth to it.
Doesn't surprise me at all. Some decades ago I was writing a dissertation on regional economic variations and I included a book in the bibliography "Paris and the French Desert' posing the idea that France was Paris and Paris was France and the rest could fuck off. I think the same notion has visited the UK. London is the UK and the UK is London. Best public transport, biggest splodges of green space, and so on! And the rest can fuck off!Actually, it will surprise you to learn that 47% of London is 'green space'!
Yes . . . yet again a stupid northern view of London. Fukin cluessActually, it will surprise you to learn that 47% of London is 'green space'!
them stupid Northern scum ehYes . . . yet again a stupid northern view of London. Fukin cluess
A good 'big un' generally beats a good 'little un'I think having a big striker would create the space you are looking for in the box. If we had haaland he demands the attention of two defenders and is in the back of their minds even if they aren't on him specifically. This would open up space for all of our other players to get some more shots.
I’m still amazed at how little we seemed to have a game plan against him and dropping deep. Either that or we just aborted it completely.
Peter Crouch likes this postA good 'big un' generally beats a good 'little un'