The Front Three - Integration

[floydiohead]

Having watched yesterday's game, I thought that it was the best midfield performance in literally years. I was also seeing very promising signs with the back line. It seemed to me that the back four and midfield were gelling well and playing with good synergy.

On the other hand, it felt that the front three were for large parts of the game isolated and ineffective when they had the ball. In fact I thought those were the players that ended up slowing the play down over and again.

Can someone with more football nous explain to me why this was happening and what needs to happen to improve it? What I think I could see was that the full backs were often high up and very narrow, and thus it meant that son/Kulu were isolated on the wings; and what they needed were balls past the defender for them to run past that defender and on to, but instead often the ball was passed to their feet and they then were having to go past their man with the ball as opposed to run past them and onto the ball. Other than that, thoughts?

 

[beats1]

We literally had Richarlison, Kulusevski and Son all spend the last year with injury and struggling with confidence

Now we ask them to play in a system, that is different to what they played in the last 3 years. Especially Kulusevski and Son, who are no playing wider and with a no. 9 who wants the ball further up the pitch as opposed to deep in his half

These player would be buzzing if they signed this summer to impress, but they have all come back off a hard season after having career best seasons the year before

It will be harder for them than anyone else

 

[jolsnogross]

In the first half, it was an inverted winger problem. The commentator mentioned it a couple of times. Kulusevski got the ball in good spots high up the pitch with space, on a half break, but cut back to his stronger left foot. He didn't fancy taking Shaw on the outside. By the time he got inside, the breaking speed was gone and united had reset. Richarlison given no balls in behind to run on to.

Second half seemed better for kulusevski and Son. But that front 3 have work to do, and we probably need more options.

 

[arunspurs]

In the first half, it was an inverted winger problem. The commentator mentioned it a couple of times. Kulusevski got the ball in good spots high up the pitch with space, on a half break, but cut back to his stronger left foot. He didn't fancy taking Shaw on the outside. By the time he got inside, the breaking speed was gone and united had reset. Richarlison given no balls in behind to run on to.

Second half seemed better for kulusevski and Son. But that front 3 have work to do, and we probably need more options.

I dont know which commentators you mean...
If its Sky, forget about them. Gary Neville claimed Udogie is not showing technical ability. Neville could not get his mouth to say, Vicario made a class save. At the same time, praising Onana if he made a 15 yard pass.

Our front 3 do have a problem in fluency.
Son & Kulu rarely take the ball outside. Incidetally, only time Kulu did it, we scored our first goal.

Son & Kulu both had better game than Brentford. Richy too had a better game.

But as a trio, this is 2nd game they failed to be coherent between themself. This is something they need to work on and improve.

More optimum solution is to buy wingers who can take their man on and cross from both foot inside or outside. Or by a striker, who has the poaching instinct to be in right place right time - which Richy isnt great at.

 

[muppetman]

Wouldn't make sense for Son and Kulu to swap sides if we don't want them cutting inside?

 

[Nebby]

Last week the 'keeper was dodgy and we needed an upgrade. This week the front three are dodgy and we need an upgrade. Spurs Community never changes.

 

[newbie]

Last week the 'keeper was dodgy and we needed an upgrade. This week the front three are dodgy and we need an upgrade. Spurs Community never changes.

our front players dont look like scoring although better this week.

it might click but i think we need a different CF option, we still need at least 3 players CF, CB and Left sided attacking player

 

[muppetman]

our front players dont look like scoring although better this week.

it might click but i think we need a different CF option, we still need at least 3 players CF, CB and Left sided attacking player

Or, it’s 2 games in?

 

[chas vs dave]

I'd like to see the front 3 interchange position sometimes.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Last week the 'keeper was dodgy and we needed an upgrade. This week the front three are dodgy and we need an upgrade. Spurs Community never changes.

you've just highlighted a change in just one week.

 

[ardiles&villa]

our front players dont look like scoring although better this week.

it might click but i think we need a different CF option, we still need at least 3 players CF, CB and Left sided attacking player

I’m not sure that’s 100% true. Whilst they need vast improvement, I feel like son did break through and had he shot earlier he’d have scored yday. I think it will come even though I do believe we still need more striking options

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

I’m not sure that’s 100% true. Whilst they need vast improvement, I feel like son did break through and had he shot earlier he’d have scored yday. I think it will come even though I do believe we still need more striking options

We don't need more striking options, we need different striking options, or we need to use the ones we've got better. I reckon Ange is on the case.

 

[Romulus]

id like to see Perisic, Son and Solomon because the 3 we start with are not working

 

[newbie]

I’m not sure that’s 100% true. Whilst they need vast improvement, I feel like son did break through and had he shot earlier he’d have scored yday. I think it will come even though I do believe we still need more striking options

Or, it’s 2 games in?

It is hard to say, hopefully they will find some form, Son looked better i wonder if he would be better playing centrally?

 

[newbie]

I’m not sure that’s 100% true. Whilst they need vast improvement, I feel like son did break through and had he shot earlier he’d have scored yday. I think it will come even though I do believe we still need more striking options

ok maybe i was a bit harsh but i just don't feel Richy looks like his ever going to score in spurs shirt, i really hope he can start scoring soon!

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I think they just need time. There were some signs of spark from Deki and Son (who is recovering from injury and barely had a pre-season) in the second half. It’s too early to worry and I think we’ll bring in at least one alternative option to keep pushing them. They’ll get better and better with more fitness and a better understanding of the system and just think how good well be when they truly start firing.

 

[C1w8]

This "front three are broken" thing is pretty premature/tiresome two games in for a team collectively giving us way more to get behind than we've had in recent times bar the late run for 4th with conte.

 

[floydiohead]

This "front three are broken" thing is pretty premature/tiresome two games in for a team collectively giving us way more to get behind than we've had in recent times bar the late run for 4th with conte.

If you're referring to my original post, I suggested nothing of the sort. My interpretation is that the new system is not yet playing to their strengths and I'm trying to understand from a technical perspective what can be tweaked in order to change that.

 

[C1w8]

If you're referring to my original post, I suggested nothing of the sort. My interpretation is that the new system is not yet playing to their strengths and I'm trying to understand from a technical perspective what can be tweaked in order to change that.

Maybe not using the word broken, i was using that as a capture all - but "ineffective", "isolated", insert other negative adjective as desired.

Its been two games, i dont (yet) see a problem that needs to be fixed, but theres a lot of chatter about this two games in.

Theyre not clicking as in not scoring, but we've created a flurry of chances so to me something is working. Equally our defense has also looked shakey, as has our keeper first game, because theyre all adapting to a new system, new teammates, new management and for some a new club and/or a new country.

Maybe we just need time and patience to gel as many teams do two games into the season and we can have a deep dive in a few months time.

 

[Fredo]

id like to see Perisic, Son and Solomon because the 3 we start with are not working

Solomon at minimum needs to start ahead of Kulu next game tbh