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*** OMT Cursed FC v Eintract Frankfurt ***
- Thread starter WillWeEverBeGoodAgain
- Start date
Bullet
Jimmy Cantrell
a) Heitinga is mainly defensive focused, as that is where he played and he replaced Matt Wells
b) We started playing 3 at the back, hence the forwards playing closer together
Thanks Ange.
El Dante
Paul Walsh
That I’m sure will be well used in building another cheese room in the stadium…
Yeah playing with WBs means the front three play more narrow.
Could be something to think about domestically - there was some nice interplay between the forwards at times today - however the problem in the Prem is getting the ball in to the attacking third from midfield and I feel as the European teams give you more space in the middle of the pitch it might not be somethingthat translates
It's either Ted or Tiny. I tried Tiny four or five times before and nobody but/got itTed
They were good until about 35 minutes in; both went for the same header from that STUPID corner routine where we lay it back for Spence to hang one up at the back stick. Romero landed on Danso and Danso was limping for the rest of the match.
I thought it was strange to play Palhinha at RCB/right back for most of the game, he is very wooden for that and doesn't truly know the role. He did well but looked stiff trying to chase back.
I thought Gray looked superb tonight in tight spaces he danced and tricked his way out of trouble, and he had such a lovely burst of speed when he needs it. Also a great engine, he was in the back line next to Danso and 5 seconds later he was receiving it in the wide right channel.
I thought Odobert and Xavi were excellent tonight, both looked similar i.e. dancing feet, jinking, always moving. Xavi a couple of years ahead, but Odobert growing into that same vibe. Xavi always grabs the ball when he gets smashed from behind, making the ref give him the free kick.
Palhinha was playing the same role that Dier used to under Poch, walker bombed on and Dier moved over to sit in. It's actually very effective to ensure that you don't end up Ange-i-kaze style with all your backline up the pitch.
Gray has come of age, he was prone to lack of confidence or lapse of concentration last year, now he looks super cool and tuned into the game.
thfcsteff
Ralph Coates
And I think in our case, and given the way Frank wants to play, we end up in a more positive place. At least this way it allows those 'touch' players to be able to work closer together.
Obviously we saw this under Conte, and I am of the view that maybe a 3-4-3 is the best way for this squad and TF to find success. It does need healthy players and good rotation, but perhaps it is our best path...
thfcsteff
Ralph Coates
I feel we touched on this a couple of weeks ago, and it is the consideration. I am one who goes where the confidence feels best, and right now, given this shape is generating results in the CL, perhaps it is the way to go...now watch us go 3-4-3 on Sunday and get smashed due to lack of space LOL...still, Conte times and all? Who'd be a manager LOL!
johnola
Vedran Corluka
Another? I knew it.
Robspur12
Steffen Iversen
Thanks too to Thomas Frank. He has faced a lot of pressure, negative comments and personal abuse this season. Some of the comments may have been justified but you have to be incredibly thick skinned not to be affected by some of it. In spite of that he has managed to navigate us through the games really well so far.
Hmmmm - how did you react when we lined up similar v Burnley to how we did v Dortmund? There was a few negative opinions flying around off the back of that iirc
If it works, it works i guess - whether it was stumbled upon or otherwise. However as I have mentioned already - the quality of opposition in Europe really does make it hard to judge the overall picture
Bullet
Jimmy Cantrell
Yes; the main criticism from Nathan TEI was that Spence looked good on the left wing versus tiny Couto of Dortmund at right back and physically dominated him... so Frank tried the same against Kyle Walker of Burnley and of course Walker is a VERRRRRY different opposition to Couto, so it didn't work.
Frank always says "we've analysed the opposition and we've come up with a plan" which means we will play a different way against every team; some say that is wonderful adaptation, others say it means he is too scared of the opposition and doesn't have a Plan A.
That doesn't have to mean entirely setting up with the intention of countering the opposition - it can also mean that within our gameplan we are taking on certain considerations for how the opposition are likely to play/what their strengths are - for me that is just sensible/smart management.
Pragmatism has kinda taken on a new negative meaning among the fanbase this season - being aware of how your opponent plays and adapting to try and counteract their strengths and exploit their weakennesses is not a bad thing by any stretch.
Ace Face
Paul Konchesky
Absolutely something we have tweaked starting with the Dortmund game. I have no idea whether it was a tactical move or simply a reaction to only having 12 available senior players, but you have to give credit where it’s due.
But it does fit our current squad better. Why have we been trying to shoehorn a striker into the LW role? Why not find a way of playing Danso with Romero and VdV? Why play with an isolated #9 who is not built to hold the ball up from long upfield hoofs? Why rely on Porto’s crosses as our lone attacking strategy? Where have the overloads been?
I’m glad TF has finally moved away from the 4-2-3-1 as it’s producing much better football on the eyes and genuinely better fits the players we have at our disposal.
Ace Face
Paul Konchesky
Having excellent ball-playing CBs who can contribute to our build play can help and reduce the pressure on our DMs in that area of the pitch.
Remember that Porro was purchased as a wing back. Souza has that ability too from what I understand. That would give us two for each side.
Also having the forwards playing closer together is huge as this is obviously more of a strength for them than receiving the ball by the touchline with a fullback up their arse.
thfcsteff
Ralph Coates
Yes, you were cautious and consistent on that point.
I wanted us to go 3 at the back, where I probably got it wrong in what I wanted was a pair up top instead of 3-4-3.
I think my biggest concern is application. IF the players are feeling it and applied, I think 3-4-3 might be the system which best suits what Frank wants to do and our current squad. Let's face it, expecting us to morph into a passing side (in the sense of looking through the middle) is probably only going to lead to frustration, so I think taking a step back, this seems the most likely to succeed.
An important element of tonight was no Porro. I think he is a great player and I think we miss him, however I noticed that without him, there was less going to him and seeing what he can create. We rely heavily on him, so without him there it felt like we had to show more patience and control over how we progressed. Our pressure felt very consistent too. I was intrigued by Palhinha's deployment and subsequent performance; he was so so solid out there. I will say I do not think he could perform that specific role in the Prem too easily.
MartyFunkhouser
Steve Sedgley
It seems to suit us.....
Someone called is desperate on here, I think its given us consistency
Yes absolutely. That table is great to see and I was just acknowledging that we wouldn’t have been anywhere near it without our Europa league trophy.
glorygloryeze
Dimitar Berbatov
A very composed finish by Solanke; i yelped in joy when he scored (more than usual) as i was so happy for him given his lay-offs (i honestly thought we wouldn't see him again and was in TOTAL SHOCK when he came on as sub in the Villa FA Cup game).
Is that the first time he's ever been put through one on one with the keeper? (Plus, we didn't even do it, their player did!)
Is that the first time he's ever been put through one on one with the keeper? (Plus, we didn't even do it, their player did!)