[Albion] Fannying about at the back

[West Upper Seagull]

I really am looking forward to when we play Man City here in the league as that will be a proper test of how far we’ve come playing this style because their press is exceptional. If we get it right then I really fancy us to get a result.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

Steele is much better with the ball at his feet than Sanchez. Looks very comfortable and confident playing DeZerbiBall in the 18 yard box.

Not sure I agree with that. I think they are both extraordinarily good at it - and just about equal.

 

[Zeberdi]

Yesterday’s second half against WHU (and Stoke in the week) epitomised DeZerbi ball for me.

Lots of patient and controlled possession from us at the back while teasing the oppo (literally standing on the ball at times) and drawing them high into our own third and off their lines before we make the transition into the space that their forwards and AM have just vacated (at our invitation!). The proverbial ‘DeZerbi land’ in MF then becomes ours and we see the sort of transitional genius of Caceido’s agility or the perfect wide channel attacking play from Steele to Pervis to Mitoma that we saw yesterday.

We flummoxed WHUs defence with this style of play in the SH and made them look completely static at the speed with which we made our counterattacks through their high press. Brighton’s fluid passing sequences, carving through the oppo’s defensive MF is beautiful to watch.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Doubtless not a popular opinion, but Dunk nowadays does so many walking sideways passes that an impartial observer might come to the conclusion that his legs have gone

 

[Justice]

It’s the speed of transition from defence to attack that’s made as an average side into a good side. Potter used to overthink games and still does switching players about different formations etc. RDZ plays a numbers game if we win 3 out of five we will be very successful.

 

[boik]

The "Fannying Around" has to seem like it will go wrong to tempt the opposition in, otherwise they will just stay back and see what else we can do. If it loses a goal 1% of the time but leads to a goal 3% of the time then it's worth doing.

 

[Rookie]

Doubtless not a popular opinion, but Dunk nowadays does so many walking sideways passes that an impartial observer might come to the conclusion that his legs have gone

Your fishing attempts are getting worse, got to try harder

 

[Motogull]

If arsing, dicking (now titting) or fannying about at the back were to lead to a goal against, please not against that lot from up the '23.

 

[nsclurker]

Oh, and Steele will be fully up to speed with this as it's what he does in training, all day, every day.

...and part of the reason he was chosen over Sanchez yesterday, as confirmed by RDZ pre and post-match.

 

[Triggaaar]

Without meaning to sound condescending to some sections of our fans at matches, there’s an element of “educating” them about our footballing philosophy and this has naturally taken time. We are playing football right now (and also prior under Potter) that has been alien to us for every single fan’s lifetime.

What I really do like is both Sanchez and Steele are perfectly happy going longer when needed under pressure or if it presents an opportunity to attack.

Yep. The only pass I don't like is from the keeper down the centre (usually to Caicedo) where it's often too close to being stolen, putting them in on goal.

 

[nsclurker]

Not sure I agree with that. I think they are both extraordinarily good at it - and just about equal.

I crap myself whenever Sanchez has the ball at his feet, and he's put a lot of passes out of play this season. Steele feels a lot calmer/less panicked and he only put the ball out of play once yesterday. The rest of the time he was pinging it direct to his team mates. He *currently* suits DeZerbi-ball better, but wasn't seriously tested by WH either.

 

[Machiavelli]

He looked very old yesterday. Very old and very ineffectual

About as old as you sound -- and that's being generous

 

[Machiavelli]

Not sure if it was fannying around or arsing about but my favourite moment was when Caicedo and Mac stood still in the middle of the centre circle, five yards apart, and played one twos for about 10 touches each
The WH players just looked completely beggared at that point and wanted to get off the field

There are plenty of videos of RdZ's Shaktar of multiple one-twos

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Anyone questioning our tactics on this (including the old men that sit behind me) really don’t understand modern day football. And I have to say I have become very comfortable with it. At first it terrified me but our players are bloody good at. Arguably better than anyone else. I love it. The one where Caceido simply dropped his shoulders and turned away from two West Ham players before finding Ali Mac was sublime. Adds a new dimension to brilliance that I never knew I was missing. Love it.

Weyhey you said that that thing and thereby lose the argument

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

About as old as you sound -- and that's being generous

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Fair to say I love it, because it just builds the anticipation of the break that's coming. I sat behind a woman yesterday who told me how she hates it. I patiently explained how it works and why we do it, but....

 

[monkeymz]

my old heart cant take it sometimes but it really is fun to watch

 

[dazzer6666]

I crap myself whenever Sanchez has the ball at his feet, and he's put a lot of passes out of play this season. Steele feels a lot calmer/less panicked and he only put the ball out of play once yesterday. The rest of the time he was pinging it direct to his team mates. He *currently* suits DeZerbi-ball better, but wasn't seriously tested by WH either.

He hoofed/shanked a couple into the crowd yesterday. Exactly as Rob would have done. Fine margins.

 

[jonny.rainbow]

For all the criticism of fannying about at the back, today against Bournemouth is the first goal we have conceded from this tactic. Compare that to the number of goals we’ve scored after a bit of fannying.

I’m definitely on team fanny.

 

[Zeus]

I’m 100% team fanny about at the back but what I couldn’t understand today was why Bart just stood there with a motionless midfield in front of him when the CBs were free and available for a pass and could have got the game moving using width.