- Aug 27, 2005
- 130
- 267
Great 3 points but iffy performance. I don't want to be overly negative though: we've played great and drawn games so let's not get down on the team.
My main issue would just be our conservatism. I don't like the Hojbjerg Sissoko double pivot and feel is does as much damage as good, although I appreciate that Jose is only playing it cos Lo Celso isnt completely fit and he doesn't trust Winks (agreed). I also think it's no coincidence that our best attacking performance was against United when we played 2 fast attacking fullbacks. Doherty is neutered in a back 4 and as a result everything comes down the left.
Long term I think we need to be much more expansive against the bottom half teams, although I'm hopeful our current set up will hopefully work better against the top sides over the next few weeks.
I think the idea of the two defensive midfielders is also to provide the defence with more cover.
Hojbjerg sometimes drops into the defence and makes up a back three, which Dier used to do. Alongside Sissoko, this allows the likes of Reguilon and Doherty to get forward from the full back positions, as they will provide cover for the full backs when they are in the opposition half. Sissoko would do this regularly last season, when Aurier was often very high up the pitch.
It particularly helps when our two central defenders don't have a lot of pace and we have that extra assurance. With a solid base, this allows our front 3 and the No 10 player, Ndombele in this instance, to focus on attacking more.
Lo Celso may replace Sissoko eventually, but as Mourinho pointed out, he has to show the stamina and tackling ability to get around the pitch and win the ball.