Ionman34
SC Supporter
- Jun 1, 2011
- 7,182
- 16,793
I've seen this comment on here a few times about Sherwood and questioned the assertions due to the fact that we had seen very little to either back the claim up or question it. After the last few games though, and particularly after the ManU performance, I'm wondering whether those that made the claims are seeing what I'm seeing, or if they are stubbornly holding onto the 'belief' as, let's face it, that is all it was based on so few games to formulate an analytical viewpoint.
Often we have seen the assertion that playing 442 will see us whacked by the better sides. The reality of the situation is that 442 is how we have set up, not how we have played. Other posters, apologies as I can't recall who, have put up our average pitch position monitors showing that, despite the initial set up, we are really playing more of a 433 and this is something I noted against Utd with Eriksen appearing to play more as an lf than a traditional lm.
The othe thing I noted was that many of the players were more fluid in their movement but with the overall shape of the team never really being lost.
Now call me naive, but this, in my experience, isn't accidental but a defined way of playing that, it seems, the players are immensely comfortable with and is a way of playing that we have been crying out for.
So, we have a team that, whilst maybe not retaining the amount of possession that was a hallmark of the AVB approach, is managing to dictate the flow of most games, is attacking with guile, adventure and purpose, is fluid across the pitch, is showing intelligence in increasing quantities and is doing all of this when being down to a squad of 16, 15 if you count the warm up injury to Naughton.
I'm not attributing all of this to Sherwood, as the basis for this was set by AVB really, but I'm finding what I am watching more and more encouraging. The way we kept Utd at arms length for the majority of the game also showed me that we are not reliant on a possession based game but that we can alter our tactics/style of play to suit the opposition.
So, overall, I'm saying that I have been impressed with the way the team is being 'managed' up until now and kudos should go to the entire management team for showing what I believe is far from tactical naivety but shows quite a mature understanding of the players available, the style of Football they, and we, want played and the ability to, so far, make the right decisions depending on the opposition, all with a hugely depleted squad.
Yes, I know it is early days, but there is still enough there to show that, for now at least, we are moving in the right direction.
Thoughts?
Often we have seen the assertion that playing 442 will see us whacked by the better sides. The reality of the situation is that 442 is how we have set up, not how we have played. Other posters, apologies as I can't recall who, have put up our average pitch position monitors showing that, despite the initial set up, we are really playing more of a 433 and this is something I noted against Utd with Eriksen appearing to play more as an lf than a traditional lm.
The othe thing I noted was that many of the players were more fluid in their movement but with the overall shape of the team never really being lost.
Now call me naive, but this, in my experience, isn't accidental but a defined way of playing that, it seems, the players are immensely comfortable with and is a way of playing that we have been crying out for.
So, we have a team that, whilst maybe not retaining the amount of possession that was a hallmark of the AVB approach, is managing to dictate the flow of most games, is attacking with guile, adventure and purpose, is fluid across the pitch, is showing intelligence in increasing quantities and is doing all of this when being down to a squad of 16, 15 if you count the warm up injury to Naughton.
I'm not attributing all of this to Sherwood, as the basis for this was set by AVB really, but I'm finding what I am watching more and more encouraging. The way we kept Utd at arms length for the majority of the game also showed me that we are not reliant on a possession based game but that we can alter our tactics/style of play to suit the opposition.
So, overall, I'm saying that I have been impressed with the way the team is being 'managed' up until now and kudos should go to the entire management team for showing what I believe is far from tactical naivety but shows quite a mature understanding of the players available, the style of Football they, and we, want played and the ability to, so far, make the right decisions depending on the opposition, all with a hugely depleted squad.
Yes, I know it is early days, but there is still enough there to show that, for now at least, we are moving in the right direction.
Thoughts?
) with a 4-3-3/4-4-2 style formation that moved one forward out wide and added a winger on the other (Robben/Muller), like Spurs have done with Adebayor and Lennon. That means there is pace on both sides, and a constantly changing threat for defenders. Lennon has always ripped Evra a new one and Adebayor's workrate has been impressive. Smalling was nowhere near him and didn't have a chance of adjusting to the header.
