[Albion] Fabian Hürzeler - A fab thread on our manager and his tactics

[BadFish]

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned anywhere, but apparently he is the youngest manager in the Premier League

Is he still? He just had a birthday.

 

[Machiavelli]

Howe commented that Livramento was exhausted. He was of course the man who played Welbeck onside.

My only concern is how long we can maintain this intense style for without dropping off. I posted similar on another thread but it is going to become increasingly tolling - both physically and mentally - for the players, particularly those who are ‘undroppable’ - Mitoma, Minteh, Rutter.

Yes. Would agree with this. I think his way of playing is ultimately based on rotation. The only three that will play full games constantly are the 2xCBs and GK, followed by the FBs. Everyone else has been instructed to go for it for 60-70 minutes, and then we bring others on that step up the intensity.
That game plan requires a big squad, and particularly of attacking/midfield players. We've had that for most of the past 10 games (not Forest, for instance) but not beforehand.
Rutter rarely plays a full 90 minutes, but Minteh and Mitoma have done a lot -- and you're right, we've been very reliant on them of late. Don't think they can continue playing the full 90, and Mitoma went off injured (ice pack on knee) yesterday.
We'll have to see how much we can get out of them and the extent we can play with the (seemingly) requisite 'intensity' over what now will be the final 12-14 games of the season.

 

[singing4seagulls]

Yes. Would agree with this. I think his way of playing is ultimately based on rotation. The only three that will play full games constantly are the 2xCBs and GK, followed by the FBs. Everyone else has been instructed to go for it for 60-70 minutes, and then we bring others on that step up the intensity.
That game plan requires a big squad, and particularly of attacking/midfield players. We've had that for most of the past 10 games (not Forest, for instance) but not beforehand.
Rutter rarely plays a full 90 minutes, but Minteh and Mitoma have done a lot -- and you're right, we've been very reliant on them of late. Don't think they can continue playing the full 90, and Mitoma went off injured (ice pack on knee) yesterday.
We'll have to see how much we can get out of them and the extent we can play with the (seemingly) requisite 'intensity' over what now will be the final 12-14 games of the season.

This is totally fair.

We do have other wingers - Adringa, Solly etc. I guess the risk is we only have 5 subs.

Feels like against easier opposition, or if we get ahead by a few goals we can do earlier subs for the undroppables like Mitoma.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Is he still? He just had a birthday.

Yes he is. It's one of those weird years when every Premier League manager has a birthday.

 

[SeagullsoverLondon]

I think it interesting how much better we are at scoring second half than first half (similar to Bournemouth).
Our attacking options off the bench are always really good, and the intensity to which Fab often refers pays off for us second half (or second half of extra time!)

 

[dazzer6666]

This is totally fair.

We do have other wingers - Adringa, Solly etc. I guess the risk is we only have 5 subs.

Feels like against easier opposition, or if we get ahead by a few goals we can do earlier subs for the undroppables like Mitoma.

Hi Warren

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Loving this analysis. So interesting and considered. NSC at its best.

 

[jcdenton08]

Fab is class

 

[Hiheidi]

 

[singing4seagulls]

A starting point, compared to De Zerbi we've radically changed how we play out from the back.

In September 2023 we played 0% of our balls long. ZERO

It feels like most balls are played long now. It's a big shift for me as a fan, having seen it gradually move more and more De Zerbi's way over the years.

I can't say I'm fully convinced. Especially when we're ahead - it feels like we risk (and often do) gift away possession.

Don't mind it when we're not ahead, as in theory it's 50/50 ball half way up the pitch.

Interested in others feelings or observations?

Didn't get much response to this, but was intrigued to see how things had changed.

0% long before was a bit silly, as without the threat of one over the top sometimes, it's easier for teams to defend.

Found this:

Premier League news: The evolution of the goalkeeper - how have goal-kicks changed?

Premier League news: The evolution of the goalkeeper - how have goal-kicks changed?

www.bbc.com

Headline is we now do 36% - 25% long into their half and long 11% into the midfield.

I have to say a few games more recently felt like it was most of them going long.

Not sure if that bbc article is a bit old, or if Fab's flexible nature means we'll go long against some teams more than others.

 

[nickjhs]

A starting point, compared to De Zerbi we've radically changed how we play out from the back.

In September 2023 we played 0% of our balls long. ZERO

It feels like most balls are played long now. It's a big shift for me as a fan, having seen it gradually move more and more De Zerbi's way over the years.

I can't say I'm fully convinced. Especially when we're ahead - it feels like we risk (and often do) gift away possession.

Don't mind it when we're not ahead, as in theory it's 50/50 ball half way up the pitch.

Interested in others feelings or observations?

Under RDZ it didn't matter what the situation was we played out from the back and this often led to screw ups. It also meant we utilised our 3rd best goal stopper because he was better with his feet. We lost Sanchez and didn't use Bart anywhere near as much as we should have. Now there is no written in stone rule and it is up to the keeper, dependent on the situation. Long balls are only 50/50 if the keeper has no idea what he is doing, Bart is very good at picking out players.

 

[dazzer6666]

Interesting read on use of subs

Premier League: Who is making the most of their substitutions in 2024-25?

Which Premier League teams make the most substitutions - and which manager has been able to create the biggest impact through changes?

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Cheggers]

Is that Fab at the boxing?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Fulham subs scoring a lot of goals (as do ours)

 

[North Carolina Supporter]

He's won a few tactical battles and lost a few tactical battles.

Personally I think he is sometimes guilty of trying to be a bit clever. Mitoma playing infield for the first part of the game yesterday. The whole lack of midfield against Forest. We've got a good enough squad that he should probably leave the fancy stuff, for now.

But he's showing evidence he can learn. The high risk passes from Verbruggen to a crowded midfield seem to have been abandoned rather than encouraged, in favour us going long sometimes. We're now much less predictable and we're shipping fewer goals. I wonder if the new fella in the management group has played a part there.

I've not been hugely impressed with his "in game management". The subs seem a bit pre planned and usually a little later than they maybe should be. If a player is struggling, he can let that drift a little too much. This is something which I think will come with time. Did you know he's only 32?

Overall, he's had a very good first season in the PL. There is no suggestion the players aren't behind him, he interviews well (but not excitingly) and he seems to have a sound enough tactical grasp. My season rating so far ......

Hurzeler - 7

Nobby, I agree with your analysis... I was far less impressed when Fab went with the highest of high lines- and Cole Palmer torched us for 4 first half goals... To me, that was on par with the missing midfield against Forest... Mitoma and Pedro swapping positions was baffling as well... However, Fab has used more substitutions than any other manager (130 out of a possible 135 is what i've read) 4.8 per match... but they are all intelligent moves... Like most 32 year-olds, he has ups-and-downs... but I am a believer. 7