Remember when people used to say we shouldn't try and play it out from the back against teams like Liverpool, who were the best in the world at pressing? What we are seeing now is the result of persevering with that tactic. Our defenders and midfielders are so comfortable at doing it as they've done it a million times before against top quality opposition. Potter really did lay the foundations for what we are seeing now, and RDZ has taken it to the next level.
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[Football] De Zerbi ball is a bit like Gus ball - discuss
- Thread starter ken tiler
- Start date
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Very fortunately for me, she doesn't like the slimy Latino type.
At least thats what she says.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Well thats much where we were when GPott started to instil it into his team. I can recall numerous occasions when we were caught out, trying to play tippy tappy football at the back.
It takes both time to get right, and the right players to implement it.
Bob De Z has something about the touchline Poyet about him, but the Poyet approach was more akin to Potter's.
I would say we, now, are a cross between Pep's Citeh and Dyche's Bumley (before the ill fated year in Europe).
I would say we, now, are a cross between Pep's Citeh and Dyche's Bumley (before the ill fated year in Europe).
Duffy and Mooy.....
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Indeed, and even Webster in more recent times, it took him a while to get the hang of it too. Different now of course.
You're mostly right but it's clear to see why people view RDZ's tactics (incorrectly) as somewhat counter-attacking.
It absolutely isn't counter attacking in the most basic sense of a counter-attack being where you let teams attack you and then you hit them on the break. We don't do this - we are possession based and have the second highest percentage in the league behind City. His style does resemble the attack part of a counter attack however. By retaining possession as deep as the six yard box it gives the impression that we are under pressure (even if we are not), the quick break out of that system then functions in a similar fashion to a counter-attack in that it is a quick transition that often catches a defensive line very high thus creating space behind the defence to break into. This is something a counter-attack aims to do.
I think we are seeing a tactic that will start to be replicated across the game and this sets RDZ apart from his predecessors. Where they've been good at playing certain styles, they didn't reconfigure the wheel themselves to create something new and exciting.
In fairness to the OP there are similarities between the two that weren't there between Potter and Poyet.
- Use of explosive wingers who can go both ways
- Encouraging a centre back to play long passes to open the pitch up
- Having a lone striker consistently play high up (when Ferguson plays)
All three follow a bit of an imprint of possession based manager and all three have big differences.
- Use of explosive wingers who can go both ways
- Encouraging a centre back to play long passes to open the pitch up
- Having a lone striker consistently play high up (when Ferguson plays)
All three follow a bit of an imprint of possession based manager and all three have big differences.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Yes, between us, @Sepulveda and I got to a similar place: see #34 and #37