People thinking a top class DCM will shield our back 4 will be disappointed (under Ange). The way his system works even Rodri would not be able to defend as teams exploit the wide areas our FBs vacate. Ange's defensive system relies on (a) keeping the ball, (b) a very high line, and (c) winning the ball back aggressively in the opposition half before they can launch attacks. When the players are fit (and suitable for the system) it works quite well. That is why 3 months into the season we were the highest (or 2nd highest) scorers and had the third lowest goals against. Our problem, when all were fit, was that our front players could not beat a low block. Against teams that allow transitions we destroyed them (Aston Villa 4-1, Man U 3-0, Man City 4-0 etc.). However, we have three major problems:
1. When our back line aggressively pushes up to the halfway line without recovery pace (for example when we play Dragusin and / or Davies), the area vacated by the FBs is very exploitable.
2. When our forward line cannot aggressively press (for example when the front 5 have to play a game every 3 days and are knackered ) the opposition can cut through us.
3. Ange's system requires a lot of physicality and effort and is not sustainable across a PL season with midweek cup football.
My biggest complaint about Ange is that he does not change how we play. Not when VdV gets injured. Not when Johnson, Werner, Solanke all get injured. He still did not change the way we play despite Son, Kulusevski and Maddison looking like they're wearing divers boots when we try and press.
This has further compounded the injury problems, our defensive resistance, and player moral and confidence. Yes the club let him down with the squad depth and quality, and the inactivity this window is negligent. But he has not helped himself by not rotating more when the players were fit, or ada[ptign his tactics when we got injuries.
1. When our back line aggressively pushes up to the halfway line without recovery pace (for example when we play Dragusin and / or Davies), the area vacated by the FBs is very exploitable.
2. When our forward line cannot aggressively press (for example when the front 5 have to play a game every 3 days and are knackered ) the opposition can cut through us.
3. Ange's system requires a lot of physicality and effort and is not sustainable across a PL season with midweek cup football.
My biggest complaint about Ange is that he does not change how we play. Not when VdV gets injured. Not when Johnson, Werner, Solanke all get injured. He still did not change the way we play despite Son, Kulusevski and Maddison looking like they're wearing divers boots when we try and press.
This has further compounded the injury problems, our defensive resistance, and player moral and confidence. Yes the club let him down with the squad depth and quality, and the inactivity this window is negligent. But he has not helped himself by not rotating more when the players were fit, or ada[ptign his tactics when we got injuries.
