Where our pressing breaks down

[idontgetit]

Looking at the game today the 1st half and second half were completely different. First half we pressed them all over the pitch and always had options when on the ball. Second half they had no problems at all playing around or through us and we couldn't hold on to the ball whatsoever. It's happened before and I thinks it's because we get too stretched once the flow of a game changes. While everyone's going forward hunting it's all good. When we score or the game eases off a bit though I think the defence drops off a little. The forwards keep pressing forward hard all game but it now creates a huge space in midfield. It's why Newcastle today suddenly started playing though us and winning so much ball in midfield. It's also why we couldn't hold on to the ball, there was simply too much space between our players. It was impossible to form the little passing triangles to work our way through them. Tom Carrol maybe was a bit too lightweight but he doesn't stand a chance if he's hasn't got anyone near him to pass and press with.

 

[thfc1973]

what I saw was the final ball or final touch was lacking that's all. Something we have been lacking throught the season. Hence the reason we need another no. 9 or a backup for Kane. We need someone who can put the ball in the net.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I really think it all stems from the team being tired.

 

[eViL]

We needed to get beat to learn not to keep sitting on 1 goal leads.

Fucking hate going 1-nil up. We just stop attacking,

 

[idontgetit]

what I saw was the final ball or final touch was lacking that's all. Something we have been lacking throught the season. Hence the reason we need another no. 9 or a backup for Kane. We need someone who can put the ball in the net.

Kane, Son, Eriksen, Alli are all top goalscorers. Lamela scored a hatrick against Monaco a few days ago and even Carrol invoked the spirit of Lionel Messi to roll one in. I'd completely agree with you in regards to first half but the second half we as a unit did something different. There wasn't the chances or quality of possession to be able to claim the issue was finishing.

People are picking out individuals for mistakes and poor play but these need to be taken into the context of a system failure.

Systems>events