29 Nov 2020 09:00:17
GIW in a previous post you mention Bielsa has made a few tactical tweaks (to which I totally agree) and the team does appear to be playing slightly differently, can you define what these tweaks are.
My thoughts are that it revolves around Dallas and his role in the team
Any insight would be appreciated.
29 Nov 2020 11:39:20
Does anyone know were Dallas played yesterday, was he in midfield or was he left back, was alioski left back, the switching of players his fantastic, keeps opposition guessing.
29 Nov 2020 11:59:43
I know, both popped up at right back a couple of times. Amazing how they all seem to move around and know where they all are.
29 Nov 2020 15:20:37
1970 Please accept my interpretation as merely opinion. Hard to know the truth when I'm not there and neither is anyone else but yes it does seem to revolve around Dallasy. First off, as a general point, no paper or media outlet I've seen is stating what formation we played yesterday probably because it changed fairly often during the game.
As 🇨🇦 states, Dallas dropped back a couple of times. My view is Dallas is being used to man mark, nullify the playmaker in this instance James. Couple of times James got free but over the 90 minutes Dallas did a good job. Either due to his reading of the game or Bub touchline instructions he would also drop back at times to assist defensively. As for Alioski, I had him playing as a left wing back.
Overall I think we are playing a touch narrower and tighter in our own defensive third and Dallas seems to have been tasked with "agitating" the fluidity of opposition attacks. I can't help but think this is for 2 reasons. First to cope with Cooper's fragilities as a defender at this level. If we ever see Llorente, Cooper surely drops to the bench and we could be European berth material. Second, because Bub has worked out away from home and way we play we'll be a threat in transition anyway. We don't need to play super expansively all the time.
I prefer locking it up a bit at the back because less goals conceded and we're simultaneously creating more due in part to being more direct not overplaying it. That's my take fwiw but hard to tell for sure.
29 Nov 2020 17:22:25
Total fluidity across the park yesterday. Tactical genius, but very difficult to play in. The players, to a man, showed ultimate professionalism. Awesome to watch!
29 Nov 2020 17:24:44
George. For the first time ever, I can congratulate you on a very, very astute and insightful post! Respect! ðŸ‘ðŸ»ðŸ‘ðŸ»ðŸ‘ðŸ».
29 Nov 2020 18:38:39
Very good analysis indeed George.
29 Nov 2020 19:24:52
Thank you Brighty and Baz.