I think this video helps with some of the issues we've faced this season.
We do have an issue with the ages and legs in the squad, but part of what I feel hurts us is the current cycle of 3-2-5 build ups (ironically Pep started this trend with Stones during the treble season) and a growing trend in the PL of teams being more dangerous with lower possession figures. Villa are the main team here.
This structure is very difficult to press hard, even more so with the opponent still able to use the goalkeeper and having an additional player in effect. Teams that have hurt us most; Brentford, Spurs and Villa. Southampton used the concept well but lacked the quality to do any damage.
One game where we looked better was Forest, who went direct and gave us little to actually press, just recover the ball.
Where we end up is on the wrong side of things both in & out of possession.
- In possession, teams sitting in (as usual) pinching the ball and hammering forward
- Out of possession, high pressing against this shape and the ball being moved around us, giving teams direct attacks (Rogers against Villa a good example)
I'm sure there were concerns on Sunday in the second half, but we ended up effectively doing to Leicester what everyone else has done to us!
Start of second half, Leicester went to a 325 with Justin providing width right hand side, Buonanotte moving inside which allowed Mavdidi and El Khannous to overload their left side.
When we continued to try and press, Leicester could establish possession and progress onto our back four.
The change Pep made was when Mcatee & Walker came on, we moved into a 442 mid block - picture below
This is a better shape, but it's adapting to doing this rather than pressing hard that may be causing the issue.
From here, we pinched the ball a few times and looked dangerous. I'd expect us to keep playing this way in coming weeks - which is a significant change to previous City sides, but necessary with current squad and teams playing this way.
