Thanks for the warm welcome all. I think one other thing worth mentioning is just how intensive football is nowadays – on a week to week basis.
It’s always been important to have a top class first XI – but even those on the bench need to be able to come into the team comfortably and do a good job.
We’ve lacked a full squad in the past – and with a new playing style it may alienate those players even more.
@muttley – spot on about player intelligence. Absolutely key in his teams – mental attributes as a whole, composure, decision making etc.
With the game now a lot more about physical attributes of strength pace and stamina, in theory it would provide a sterner challenge defensively. And perhaps in part Jose’s impact is not as immediate as some may have hoped for.
But with the right players, teams that do gegenpress / press really high should more frequently leave that room to get exposed.
City never replaced Kompany – hence they’ve lost a lot of games this year. But Liverpool with VVD at the back is extremely good at one on ones, not diving in and allows his team to get back – they’ve got a perfect balance for the modern game.
With changing style to Klopp or Pep’s – I’m not sure that’s something he’s ever tried implementing in the past, so I can’t really see that happening here.
The closest comparison would be to Real Madrid. He has pressed Barca very high up to prevent teams from playing, and once breaking that initial phase he’d quickly retreat to get his bus parked ready to counter.
That way it can unsettle sides and give opportunities for quick counters high up, but also force the other sides to feel they have to play a little bit more brisk when passing this initial pressing line as they won’t ever feel so comfortable on the ball.
But this is a very highly intensive game that cannot be played for 90 minutes and I’m not sure we would have the personnel to carry that out. Defenders would need to be excellent in one v one situations against teams that are capable of exposing a block when the offensive players are out of position.
Irrespective of that, every team needs to be able to adapt to different defensive situations in game. Only the training ground, partnerships formed and match experience can really develop this, hoping the players are up to it. We have a new partnership as it is now, so it's going to take time.