[Albion] Have we been found out?

[trueblue]

I agree.



That's not true, teams are still pressing us (see Bournemouth's goal), but perhaps they're more measured and keep several back.




You would hope so. When the keeper (this keeper rotation business makes it seem like I don't know the names of our players) is stood with the ball and no one challenges him, we need better movement giving him more options.

It’s probably most accurate to say teams are not pressing our defenders and keeper any more. The shrewd ones are cutting off the deep midfielders knowing none of them are as good at breaking that trap yet as Caicedo and Mac.

I’m not sure about the movement thing. Perhaps a lot further forward for direct options. The fairly static defenders/deep midfielders is part of tempting the press. RDZ wants to make the opponents move.

 

[The Grockle]

When teams are sitting that deep, Mitoma’s not going to be able to run at them effectively though. Same with March. That’s why they’re doing it. I think almost every team will eventually open up slightly, especially at home so we just need to be patient. If we get the first goal anyway, problem solved.

You could be right, I just felt that Steele waiting for openings with his foot on the ball for what seemed like 15 seconds on one occasion and very negative passing from the back in the early exchanges added to our nerves.

For whatever reason we were poor in the first 20 mins and I don't think Marseille deserved the respect we gave them and we were punished.

 

[Triggaaar]

It’s probably most accurate to say teams are not pressing our defenders and keeper any more.

But Bournemouth did for their goal. But it's certainly reduced.

The shrewd ones are cutting off the deep midfielders knowing none of them are as good at breaking that trap yet as Caicedo and Mac.

Yep.

I’m not sure about the movement thing. Perhaps a lot further forward for direct options. The fairly static defenders/deep midfielders is part of tempting the press. RDZ wants to make the opponents move.

But when the opponents aren't pressing as we want, then what? The keeper is just standing there not knowing what to do. As someone said, that could be funny away from home, but at home our fans will get frustrated and make our players nervous.

 

[Icy Gull]

We need to start games quicker and stop trying to draw the press when it’s clear it‘s not happening. Taking the lead is pretty crucial for De Zerbi ball to be most effective, especially away from home as away fans will not tolerate the no closing down approach if we are in the lead and fannying about at the back.

We have conceded early and been on the back foot from the off too much recently

So if taking the lead against Brighton can be termed as “working us out”, it’s hard to disagree imo

 

[CHAPPERS]

3 points off top!

 

[beorhthelm]

we were "found out" some time ago, it's just that many teams dont like to change their way of play just to fit the opposition. the issue is we just aren't quite as good at what we want to do. its still potent and dangerous on the attack.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

3 points off top!

Scored more goals than any other PL team.

 

[Stato]

As said before, working out the best way to counter our approach is one thing, having the right players in your squad to do it is another.

You'll need very solid centre halves and centre midfielders, athletic, but disciplined full backs, and most importantly a striker who can occupy both of our centre halves and out perform the xG. On the right day, with the right players fit and in form Villa have them. West Ham have them. Everton have them. Who else? Perhaps Forest? Palace? Brentford and Fulham last year, but not so much this term without Toney and Mitrovic.

Luton, Wolves and Bournemouth have all to some extent tried the approach already this season and all got heavily beaten. You have to be lucky to meet us during a period, like now, when we're not passing well. You then have to hope that we don't score first, as we will make chances whatever you do. Over the three losses to Everton, West Ham and Villa, we had an average of just under 20 shots per game and did score in each match. If that goal comes before the opponent has scored, sticking to the plan becomes hellishly difficult.

Its not new to say that resisting the press is one way to counter our threat. It's also not a cheat code to an easy win. The counter to RDZ's plan is just like RDZ's plan itself, in that it's only as good as the players who are trying to enact it on the day. Even in the Villa hammering, if Pervis scores the chance after five minutes, all of Emery's oppo-research and tactical planning goes out of the window and the game becomes completely different. As a wise man who liked a low block was prone to mention: Fine margins.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

As said before, working out the best way to counter our approach is one thing, having the right players in your squad to do it is another.

You'll need very solid centre halves and centre midfielders, athletic, but disciplined full backs, and most importantly a striker who can occupy both of our centre halves and out perform the xG. On the right day, with the right players fit and in form Villa have them. West Ham have them. Everton have them. Who else? Perhaps Forest? Palace? Brentford and Fulham last year, but not so much this term without Toney and Mitrovic.

Luton, Wolves and Bournemouth have all to some extent tried the approach already this season and all got heavily beaten. You have to be lucky to meet us during a period, like now, when we're not passing well. You then have to hope that we don't score first, as we will make chances whatever you do. Over the three losses to Everton, West Ham and Villa, we had an average of just under 20 shots per game and did score in each match. If that goal comes before the opponent has scored, sticking to the plan becomes hellishly difficult.

Its not new to say that resisting the press is one way to counter our threat. It's also not a cheat code to an easy win. The counter to RDZ's plan is just like RDZ's plan itself, in that it's only as good as the players who are trying to enact it on the day. Even in the Villa hammering, if Pervis scores the chance after five minutes, all of Emery's oppo-research and tactical planning goes out of the window and the game becomes completely different. As a wise man who liked a low block was prone to mention: Fine margins.

Such fine margins that two opposition goals were wrong, and a player that should’ve been sent off, resulted in a heavy defeat.

 

[GloryDays]

Yes. Today could get messy. Pleased we have points on the board already and made the most of a kind start to the season.

 

[GloryDays]

Yes. Today could get messy. Pleased we have points on the board already and made the most of a kind start to the season.

* will get messy

 

[Crawley Dingo]

We must have almost 10 new players with next to no premier league experience, plus most are teens. Give them some time, the fact they are getting experience against the top teams of late bodes well for when they find their feet and we play small tinppot clubs like Palace.