Not really sure how Haaland could be more direct. He keeps making runs and relies on service and the ball being played early. He’s not Mbappe so isn’t going to get the ball, drop a shoulder and dribble past 3 players.He criticised Haaland for not being direct enough in the first half. Erling Haaland. One of the most direct players in the sport and a player Pep's chosen to rely on for almost every game this season.
Does that seem like the kind of guy who had been telling his players to move the ball slowly?
It’s clear to see our style has changed and we’ve been taking less risks when in possession for ages. Foden refusing to take on sometimes slow fullbacks and plenty more examples. Last night 2nd half the handbrake came off and it was great to see. Let’s not delude ourselves that Pep hasn’t been aware of this or has been telling the players to take more risks for the last couple of years. Grealish has mentioned it a few times about when he signed he was told to just keep the ball when possession.
It’s great if Pep has now decided to really get on the front foot again for the 2nd half of the season. Onwards we go.
