[Albion] Decent article on De Zerbi ball

[B-right-on]

Goes into our tactics. Good summary imo.

De Zerbi's Brighton - Destined for Success?

An insight into the changes Roberto De Zerbi has made at Brighton and why he and his side seem destined for success.

www.vavel.com

 

[Zeberdi]

edit - posted article on wrong thread

 

[BadFish]

Goes into our tactics. Good summary imo.

De Zerbi's Brighton - Destined for Success?

An insight into the changes Roberto De Zerbi has made at Brighton and why he and his side seem destined for success.

www.vavel.com

Gotta be happy with that. Spot on that De Zerbi is fulfilling Potter's potential.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

RDZ is undoing Potter's more boring cautious style and giving the players more freedom to attack.

 

[OzMike]

Letting the players actually play, quite inspiring really.

 

[Hugo Rune]

RDZ is undoing Potter's more boring cautious style and giving the players more freedom to attack.

We certainly seemed to have a more solid defence under Potter. But I’m not sure about our attack having more freedom, we used to have tons of shots and possession under Potter. RDZ has somehow made the players finish the chances, I’m still not clear how he has done this?

A great comparison is the recent game at Everton where we scored 4 goals. We actually created better and more goal scoring chances under Potter at home to Sheff Utd where we ended up drawing but where the Potter Out Campaign really got going. Maybe it’s as simple as RDZ not having the likes of Maupay, Connolly and Jahanbakhsh to miss very easy chances but instead, having much better players finish properly?

 

[Hugo Rune]

This article is a little bit revisionist:

• Change in Shape​

One of the major changes in approach from De Zerbi has seen a shift from a three to a four-man defence. Whilst the personnel has remained similar, the shift in shape has allowed for more progressive play: sacrificing some of the defensive stability that Potter's side had become.

Potter played with a back 4 on 58 occasions?

The concern we must all have with RDZ is about his teams being predictable. Once the EPL find you out, you’re in trouble. So far so good with RDZ but Potter’s unpredictability made it incredibly difficult for rival managers to pick tactics against his teams. So many times under Potter, opposition teams would have to rely on our horrific finishing in order to get a result. RDZ gives them a chance because they know exactly how he’ll set-up. This gives advantages to teams like Newcastle, Fulham and Brentford who can really adapt their tactics to deal with his predicable formations and style.

 

[willalbion]

This article is a little bit revisionist:

• Change in Shape​

One of the major changes in approach from De Zerbi has seen a shift from a three to a four-man defence. Whilst the personnel has remained similar, the shift in shape has allowed for more progressive play: sacrificing some of the defensive stability that Potter's side had become.

Potter played with a back 4 on 58 occasions?

The concern we must all have with RDZ is about his teams being predictable. Once the EPL find you out, you’re in trouble. So far so good with RDZ but Potter’s unpredictability made it incredibly difficult for rival managers to pick tactics against his teams. So many times under Potter, opposition teams would have to rely on our horrific finishing in order to get a result. RDZ gives them a chance because they know exactly how he’ll set-up. This gives advantages to teams like Newcastle, Fulham and Brentford who can really adapt their tactics to deal with his predicable formations and style.

It’s true, however I do think that the RDZ tactics, of playing rapid short passes through the lines is incredibly difficult to negate if done well. Where we seen to struggle is against a low block (same as Potter) and if we go behind as teams are less likely tocome on to us (same as Potter). In my opinion like. I take your point about revisionist thinking, there seems to be a fair bit of it about. In equal parts due to residual anger over the manner of Potter’s leaving, RDZ ‘s success (although we still are not winning much at the Amex!) and Potter’s travails at Chelsea.

 

[nickjhs]

We certainly seemed to have a more solid defence under Potter. But I’m not sure about our attack having more freedom, we used to have tons of shots and possession under Potter. RDZ has somehow made the players finish the chances, I’m still not clear how he has done this?

Couldn't agree more. I am far more nervous about our defence than I was under Potter and far more expectant that the ball will go in, but like you say I on the face of it I don't feel there has been much change in our chances created. One aspect that has changed is RDZ does not make excuses for missed goals. But then don't forget that before Potter pissed off we had scored 11 in 6 games, admittedly 5 were in one game, but there was clearly an improvement, as there had been the previous season. Don't get me wrong I really like RDZ and I think Potter leaving after setting the squad on the right track was a blessing in disguise, but RDZ has walked in to an already successful team. The genius lies with TB, being able to grab (at short notice) a manager whose style just meant a few tweaks rather than wholesale changes.

 

[Stat Brother]

I can't remember who said it but I heard:-

'this is exactly what the love of my life, Graham, was doing before he left, and had he stayed he would be the bestest with a bazillion points'.


As said I can't quite remember who said that, but I think it was here.

 

[Icy Gull]

We certainly seemed to have a more solid defence under Potter. But I’m not sure about our attack having more freedom, we used to have tons of shots and possession under Potter. RDZ has somehow made the players finish the chances, I’m still not clear how he has done this?

A great comparison is the recent game at Everton where we scored 4 goals. We actually created better and more goal scoring chances under Potter at home to Sheff Utd where we ended up drawing but where the Potter Out Campaign really got going. Maybe it’s as simple as RDZ not having the likes of Maupay, Connolly and Jahanbakhsh to miss very easy chances but instead, having much better players finish properly?

Could it be a simple as we break much quicker much of the time now, so the opposition defence is not back in place by the time we come to shoot/head the ball, so less players in the way and they can choose where to place the ball rather than snap shots or shots from distance? The keeper is also more exposed as he doesn’t have as much defensive cover.

 

[Hamilton]

We certainly seemed to have a more solid defence under Potter. But I’m not sure about our attack having more freedom, we used to have tons of shots and possession under Potter. RDZ has somehow made the players finish the chances, I’m still not clear how he has done this?

A great comparison is the recent game at Everton where we scored 4 goals. We actually created better and more goal scoring chances under Potter at home to Sheff Utd where we ended up drawing but where the Potter Out Campaign really got going. Maybe it’s as simple as RDZ not having the likes of Maupay, Connolly and Jahanbakhsh to miss very easy chances but instead, having much better players finish properly?

And yet our average shots on target and shoot accuracy has increased this season compared to last. That can’t all be down to Maupay?

RDZ is benefiting from inheriting a good squad, but I sense he is getting them focused on a different objective (scoring goals) rather than creating chances.

 

[Swansman]

And yet our average shots on target and shoot accuracy has increased this season compared to last. That can’t all be down to Maupay?

RDZ is benefiting from inheriting a good squad, but I sense he is getting them focused on a different objective (scoring goals) rather than creating chances.

They're usually somewhat related...

Mind you, I agree that having the build up play slightly further down the pitch so you can play it down the wings to marauding wingers is a good and efficient way of creating goal scoring opportunities before they've gathered their defenders. Problem is that it is somewhat easily countered, as you could see against Arsenal.

Early in the game there was a situation where Ben White carried the ball forward and was high up the pitch and a few moments later, Dunk (?) won the ball and played it into the space White had left opened. For the rest of the half, Ben White didn't go anywhere - just kept his position - and ate Mitoma alive. Was a bit similar against Nottingham and Villa... if their full-backs aren't going anywhere, Brighton isn't going anywhere either.

 

[Drebin]

Could it be a simple as we break much quicker much of the time now, so the opposition defence is not back in place by the time we come to shoot/head the ball, so less players in the way and they can choose where to place the ball rather than snap shots or shots from distance? The keeper is also more exposed as he doesn’t have as much defensive cover.

That’s how it looks to the naked eye at least. Hence us drawing the oppo out before playing through the lines at pace. We pull teams out of position then tear through them, creating space then attacking it at speed. This quite often leaves defenders and keepers exposed. At least 3 goals at Everton were scored like this.

Quite often with Potterball we were brilliant at playing into crowded areas, and having therefore limited scoring opportunities when we got in front of goal. At least that’s how I saw it.

 

[dwayne]

They're usually somewhat related...

Mind you, I agree that having the build up play slightly further down the pitch so you can play it down the wings to marauding wingers is a good and efficient way of creating goal scoring opportunities before they've gathered their defenders. Problem is that it is somewhat easily countered, as you could see against Arsenal.

Early in the game there was a situation where Ben White carried the ball forward and was high up the pitch and a few moments later, Dunk (?) won the ball and played it into the space White had left opened. For the rest of the half, Ben White didn't go anywhere - just kept his position - and ate Mitoma alive. Was a bit similar against Nottingham and Villa... if their full-backs aren't going anywhere, Brighton isn't going anywhere either.

That is against the best team in the country at the moment though. Mboro tried to sit back and got murdered.

Regardless. Liverpool game has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic. Trent (can't defend for his life) up against mitoma. And vice versa our Swiss cheese defence against their forward line and attacking wingbacks.

 

[dazzer6666]

Could it be a simple as we break much quicker much of the time now, so the opposition defence is not back in place by the time we come to shoot/head the ball, so less players in the way and they can choose where to place the ball rather than snap shots or shots from distance? The keeper is also more exposed as he doesn’t have as much defensive cover.

It’s interesting to watch. We actually start the build up very, very slowly (as the daft bint that sits behind us CONTINUALLY points out when Colwill is stood on the ball), waiting for the oppo to engage with our back line, ideally in numbers. We wait until the last possible second (higher risk), drawing them in as far as possible and then almost flick a switch and ping it several times between players ideally looking for runners that have broken the lines to exploit the half-space. The other big, big difference we have is Mitoma now starting regularly - he doesn’t even need a space because his dribbling is so hot.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

They're usually somewhat related...

Mind you, I agree that having the build up play slightly further down the pitch so you can play it down the wings to marauding wingers is a good and efficient way of creating goal scoring opportunities before they've gathered their defenders. Problem is that it is somewhat easily countered, as you could see against Arsenal.

Early in the game there was a situation where Ben White carried the ball forward and was high up the pitch and a few moments later, Dunk (?) won the ball and played it into the space White had left opened. For the rest of the half, Ben White didn't go anywhere - just kept his position - and ate Mitoma alive. Was a bit similar against Nottingham and Villa... if their full-backs aren't going anywhere, Brighton isn't going anywhere either.

To be fair, isn't any tactic aimed at scoring more goals easily countered once the other team have identified it?
With the obvious exception of just having better players than the opposition.

 

[Lethargic]

Its a real same Dunk wasn't a better player, if he was England quality it would really allow the team to attack from a stable platform.

 

[dwayne]

It’s interesting to watch. We actually start the build up very, very slowly (as the daft bint that sits behind us CONTINUALLY points out when Colwill is stood on the ball), waiting for the oppo to engage with our back line, ideally in numbers. We wait until the last possible second (higher risk), drawing them in as far as possible and then almost flick a switch and ping it several times between players ideally looking for runners that have broken the lines to exploit the half-space. The other big, big difference we have is Mitoma now starting regularly - he doesn’t even need a space because his dribbling is so hot.

What I love about this tactic is going to teams like mboro and Carrick clearly telling his players not to engage with colwill.... But .... The thick northern monkey crowd can't help themselves booing and cajoling the players to get stuck in, which the players fall for, hook line and sinker. They press , we break the lines , bang, GOL. See second goal on Saturday.

Maybe thats why we are so much better away.

 

[trueblue]

This article is a little bit revisionist:

• Change in Shape​

One of the major changes in approach from De Zerbi has seen a shift from a three to a four-man defence. Whilst the personnel has remained similar, the shift in shape has allowed for more progressive play: sacrificing some of the defensive stability that Potter's side had become.

Potter played with a back 4 on 58 occasions?

The concern we must all have with RDZ is about his teams being predictable. Once the EPL find you out, you’re in trouble. So far so good with RDZ but Potter’s unpredictability made it incredibly difficult for rival managers to pick tactics against his teams. So many times under Potter, opposition teams would have to rely on our horrific finishing in order to get a result. RDZ gives them a chance because they know exactly how he’ll set-up. This gives advantages to teams like Newcastle, Fulham and Brentford who can really adapt their tactics to deal with his predicable formations and style.

True but, when it’s done well, it’s hard to deal with the RDZ approach. Teams that have stood off us to avoid the counter-attack have been taken apart - and teams that have pressed us have been taken apart. Seems like a clever bloke to me who will already have a plan for the tweaks needed in different scenarios.