Assessing Pochettino's pre-season: Tactics & Player Management vs Seattle

[LukeBB]

It would appear you were right, Eriksen not working anywhere near as much as Holtby did let us see the true nature of the system more consistently.

So to discuss the 4231 system being used I have to admit I am a bit uncomfortable with it. I like the movement and rotation aspects of the 3 behind the striker but it seemed to continually only be Eriksen who fully rotated with Lamela/Lennon doing so less so. This resulted in a bit of an imbalance and also on a few occasions we saw Eriksen, Lamela and Lennon within 5-10 yards of each other.

I am a bit unsure as to how this formation will fair against anyone with a half decent attacking left side effectively doubling up on Walker. The midfield 2 play in a style similar to how a 433 would yet we only consistently had 2 available CM's. With effectively 2 wing backs, 2 CB's and one DM holding with only one other full supporting CM I feel we may be quite vulnerable at the back unless we bring in some seriously good defenders as Kaboul is injury prone and Vertonghen loves to go forward and lacks the recovery pace needed. I also dont feel the wing backs we have (including Davies) offer enough in attack to warrant being played as wing backs but I do appreciate the need to have them play as wing backs to help balance the system and stretch the play.

Of course much of this may improve with time but the imbalance and openness at the back (would be more prevalent vs stronger opposition) have started to begin to show some explanations to me for Southamptons poor defensive record beyond the initial 'tired out' and 'young team' explanations which I have gone to in the past.

What is evident though is that we are significantly better at keeping the ball and it would appear by the end of pre season we could be creating a good amount of chances.

I think the interchanges in this game were a lot more controlled, Eriksen would slot alongside Mason in the build up and Lamela would go RWF, we would build up in a 3-4-3 shape in this game. Lennon's movement became a bit erratic towards the end of the 1st half but his movement did allow Soldado to drift away from his markers and Lamela to run in behind him and score his two goals.

Defensively we were poor second half, Carroll as a single pivot offered no protection to the CBs and Holtby positioned himself too far away from Carroll in the build-up phase to be of any support and ultimately we conceded two poor goals. It was like a very advanced 4-1-4-1 shape though because of WBs and Holtby it turned into a 3-5-1 shape with a flat midfield 5.

I'm sure Poch will iron out the cracks eventually as these past two games will have given him a lot to think about.

 

[LukeBB]

So.... when do you start your coaching badges??

Just completed level 1, will wait a year and gather some experience before doing level 2, in the meantime will likely complete youth module awards 1 & 2 and principles of coaching level 3

Should be easier now that I'm not wasting time and money learning to drive

 

[CrankyPants90]

Just completed level 1, will wait a year and gather some experience before doing level 2, in the meantime will likely complete youth module awards 1 & 2 and principles of coaching level 3

Should be easier now that I'm not wasting time and money learning to drive

Awesome, all the best with the badges, wish you well. Hope you get to be about Spurs' setup sooner than later.

Although, to be honest as Climbpacked said "went a bit ova my hed LoL!!! Got me finking thou."

 

[LukeBB]

Awesome, all the best with the badges, wish you well. Hope you get to be about Spurs' setup sooner than later.

Although, to be honest as Climbpacked said "went a bit ova my hed LoL!!! Got me finking thou."

Cheers mate, I got into contact with Jonathan Bickers, who is head of performance analysis at Spurs and he said there will may be some positions opening up in the near future which I could apply for at the training ground

There was an internship which various members of SC brought to my attention but I couldn't apply for it this year as I'd rather complete my A-levels first before doing anything else.

 

[absolute bobbins]

It wouldn't surprise me, Townsend was playing more centrally though the idea was he was still acting as a wide forward. I hope this is what he was doing because anyone who watched Townsend last year knew what he was going to do before he did, cut in, pass sideways or and shoot. Positive play all in all but needs more thought behind it.

Two out of three isn't bad

 

[CrankyPants90]

Cheers mate, I got into contact with Jonathan Bickers, who is head of performance analysis at Spurs and he said there will may be some positions opening up in the near future which I could apply for at the training ground

There was an internship which various members of SC brought to my attention but I couldn't apply for it this year as I'd rather complete my A-levels first before doing anything else.

How young are you?

 

[LukeBB]

How young are you?

17

 

[CrankyPants90]

17

:dead:...

Go do your homework kid.

On a serious note though, you seem to have the direction and drive. . Let me go and cry myself to sleep.

 

[LukeBB]

:dead:...

Go do your homework kid.

On a serious note though, you seem to have the direction and drive. . Let me go and cry myself to sleep.

Well, direction and drive is what some call it, most my age call it 'boring'

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Well, direction and drive is what some call it, most my age call it 'boring'

I think you should focus a bit more on the analysing side of things

Can't wait for your next piece.

 

[LukeBB]

I think you should focus a bit more on the analysing side of things

Can't wait for your next piece.

Hopefully I should have it up here some time this afternoon/evening. It's finished, I'm just waiting for it to be put up on another site first before I'm allowed to share it.

 

[CrankyPants90]

Well, direction and drive is what some call it, most my age call it 'boring'

Dude, I am trained as an actuary/analyst with firm interest in data science... how "interesting" does that sound to you? But that is what floats my boat. Do what pleases you, and give shit to others.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Hopefully I should have it up here some time this afternoon/evening. It's finished, I'm just waiting for it to be put up on another site first before I'm allowed to share it.

Yeah, I noticed.
Not getting ahead of my self, but is there any room for 2 strikers in the system from what you've seen so far? Ie. not altering the system extensively, but slotting 2 strikers in the present system? Or will Pocettino always favour 1 clean cut striker on the pitch?

 

[LukeBB]

Yeah, I noticed.
Not getting ahead of my self, but is there any room for 2 strikers in the system from what you've seen so far? Ie. not altering the system extensively, but slotting 2 strikers in the present system? Or will Pocettino always favour 1 clean cut striker on the pitch?

If there is it will be from the LWF role, in last nights game it was Lamela and Eriksen's job to assist the build up play with Lennon and Soldado pinning the defenders to their defensive areas and dragging them into central zones. Lennon running into central areas allowed Soldado to peel away from his marker so if we could find a suitable David Villa-esque forward who was comfortable playing in wide areas then I'm sure we could find space. Though saying that Roberto Martinez managed to fit Lukaku into an Everton team coming in from the RWF position vs Arsenal to devastating effect, I'm sure we could do the same with the right player, certainly explains why Poch seems to want Rodriguez (Jay) if you believe most of the ITK.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

If there is it will be from the LWF role, in last nights game it was Lamela and Eriksen's job to assist the build up play with Lennon and Soldado pinning the defenders to their defensive areas and dragging them into central zones. Lennon running into central areas allowed Soldado to peel away from his marker so if we could find a suitable David Villa-esque forward who was comfortable playing in wide areas then I'm sure we could find space. Though saying that Roberto Martinez managed to fit Lukaku into an Everton team coming in from the RWF position vs Arsenal to devastating effect, I'm sure we could do the same with the right player, certainly explains why Poch seems to want Rodriguez (Jay) if you believe most of the ITK.

Alessio Cerci springs to mind as far as reversing it to the RWF goes, he is a RWF who was largely turned into a FW last season (scoring most goals with his left foot). Would cost 16M pounds, doubt he's on the radar, though.
Anyway, I'm sidetracking to Italy (again). Keep it up!

 

[LukeBB]

Alessio Cerci springs to mind as far as reversing it to the RWF goes, he is a RWF who was largely turned into a FW last season (scoring most goals with his left foot). Would cost 16M pounds, doubt he's on the radar, though.
Anyway, I'm sidetracking to Italy (again). Keep it up!

Yeah, if we were after two strikers, I'm sure he would be a good example of who we'd be after but I reckon Poch will see what we can do with Lamela first or try for Rodriguez before we do anything else.

 

[wosH]

I think the interchanges in this game were a lot more controlled, Eriksen would slot alongside Mason in the build up and Lamela would go RWF, we would build up in a 3-4-3 shape in this game. Lennon's movement became a bit erratic towards the end of the 1st half but his movement did allow Soldado to drift away from his markers and Lamela to run in behind him and score his two goals.

Defensively we were poor second half, Carroll as a single pivot offered no protection to the CBs and Holtby positioned himself too far away from Carroll in the build-up phase to be of any support and ultimately we conceded two poor goals. It was like a very advanced 4-1-4-1 shape though because of WBs and Holtby it turned into a 3-5-1 shape with a flat midfield 5.

I'm sure Poch will iron out the cracks eventually as these past two games will have given him a lot to think about.

To be honest I was also a bit dissatisfied with Poch setting us up a man short whenever we tried to build up play ind the 2nd half