[Albion] Today's change of approach

[Bozza]

1. I can't recall a single Bart -> backtracking striker ping along the floor.

2. Groß came deep and central, a lot, to pick the ball up, whilst not being under pressure, and dictating play from there.

I know their two goals came from our own ball-playing errors, but these tweaks to the tried-and-tested approach we've been used to did seem to give us more control, again, when looking to play out from the back.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I think Baleba and Igor made a big difference today. Both enabled Gross to get on the ball more and dictate play as you say as he had more legs and physicality around to protect him. Having those two in the team is going to make a difference to the way we play going forward.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Yup agreed, another variation to add to the tactics book. I thought for the first 40 minutes we were excellent today.

 

[heathgate]

.....also I noticed the "pfaffing about at the back" starting point was with the potential two receivers standing much wider, almost out to the touchline.... I thought that looked a bit better, not crowding that space just outside and central to the box.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

1. I can't recall a single Bart -> backtracking striker ping along the floor.

2. Groß came deep and central, a lot, to pick the ball up, whilst not being under pressure, and dictating play from there.

I know their two goals came from our own ball-playing errors, but these tweaks to the tried-and-tested approach we've been used to did seem to give us more control, again, when looking to play out from the back.

Mentioned in another thread but the Gross tactic started in the second half against Marseille.

 

[scooter1]

Our play has to evolve, or simply be mixed around. Otherwise we’ll become dead easy to play against. West Ham proved that earlier in the season, and Everton and Newcastle last season.

 

[BluesRockDJ]

Our play has to evolve, or simply be mixed around. Otherwise we’ll become dead easy to play against. West Ham proved that earlier in the season, and Everton and Newcastle last season.

All of which are now history ! We move on !

 

[BevBHA]

Yes I imagined Billy playing where Gross was today. Am now swaying towards Gilmour and Baleba being our best midfield 2. However I’d also play Gross in behind the striker rather than the 2 strikers RDZ seems to be going with.

 

[Bozza]

Mentioned in another thread but the Gross tactic started in the second half against Marseille.

I did wonder if someone was going to come along and say something like that.

I'll be honest, my recollections from the State Velodrome are a bit hazy, and not because I was drinking. I think I was just intoxicated by the atmosphere!

 

[LamieRobertson]

I thought second half we changed one of the tactics…Gross seemed to play further forward….unless my eyes deceived me

 

[Weststander]

First 20 minutes Gross played the Libero role, the spare CB next to Gross and Igor, dictating play. Anyone here watch the brilliant Beresi do this for the 80’s/early 90’s AC Milan team?

But for me the choice of starting line up was the vital ingredient. Despite 5+ days until the Marseille game, RDZ gifted Emery three points. Hinselwood and Gilmour offered next to no pace or power, against a Villa best 11 full of athletes. 5+ days until their European tie was disregarded by Emery. Why the hell did we throw a vital PL three points?

Contrast to today, pace everywhere. Baleba and Adingra looked the business against Plucky … today RDZ treated the PL seriously.

 

[Weststander]

I thought second half we changed one of the tactics…Gross seemed to play further forward….unless my eyes deceived me

He did, his normal role.

 

[GT49er]

First 20 minutes Gross played the Libero role, the spare CB next to Gross and Igor, dictating play. Anyone here watch the brilliant Beresi do this for the 80’s/early 90’s AC Milan team?

Sorry ........... Gross playing the libero role, next to Gross and Igor? I know he's good ............... but you've lost me!

 

[worthingseagull]

Impressed with solly as left back too

 

[Weststander]

Sorry ........... Gross playing the libero role, next to Gross and Igor? I know he's good ............... but you've lost me!

The free extra player next to the CB’s.

It’s got nothing to do with the standard of the team or players, it’s a position. Many Italian teams, no matter how low, included in a Libero. Beresi was just the supreme example.


https://theconventionalplaymaker.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/positions-explained-the-libero/

 

[Bodian]

First 20 minutes Gross played the Libero role, the spare CB next to Gross and Igor, dictating play. Anyone here watch the brilliant Beresi do this for the 80’s/early 90’s AC Milan team?

But for me the choice of starting line up was the vital ingredient. Despite 5+ days until the Marseille game, RDZ gifted Emery three points. Hinselwood and Gilmour offered next to no pace or power, against a Villa best 11 full of athletes. 5+ days until their European tie was disregarded by Emery. Why the hell did we throw a vital PL three points?

Contrast to today, pace everywhere. Baleba and Adingra looked the business against Plucky … today RDZ treated the PL seriously.

Sorry ........... Gross playing the libero role, next to Gross and Igor? I know he's good ............... but you've lost me!

The free extra player next to the CB’s.

It’s got nothing to do with the standard of the team or players, it’s a position. Many Italian teams, no matter how low, included in a Libero. Beresi was just the supreme example.


https://theconventionalplaymaker.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/positions-explained-the-libero/

Is that what it was - didn't know it was an actual 'thing'. I just thought Gross was playing at centre-back for a while!!

 

[Weststander]

Is that what it was - didn't know it was an actual 'thing'. I just thought Gross was playing at centre-back for a while!!

Only because I’m old enough for C4 Football Italia in the 90’s . James Richardson and Peter Brackley explained all, plus reading on its origins eg
https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/...litics-gave-us-catenaccio-and-total-football/

Today RDZ used an old tactic from his homeland, imho.