Nick, I'd agree with you Re Kouyate/the first goal although I can understand other people having a different opinions on it.
IMO, in how the system is set up and should be played- as soon as Kouyate triggered that he was pressing up then Ogbonna should've moved across 10 yards narrower to get into a better position to cover as Declan Rice was left with 2 players to mark and in a v.tough situation because of how high the team was it made offside much harder to play. At least If Ogbonna had come more central they could've established a better position to deal with 2 v 2 and delay them until cover arrived; even if it didn't develop how it did, he would still therefore have been in a good position to cover any switch of play wide anyway.
2ndly I'd support Kouyate stepping out but what he did do wrong was he got turned too easily to allow spurs to play directly into the space he vacated; if you are going to press aggressively and step out then you have to either win the ball/ force them back or concede a foul. Kouyate was just a bit naive IMO. It was actually one of the tactical changes made at half time by Slaven, the back 3/5 was too flat we had to be more aggressive, if you were the spare man then you could step out and initiate defending higher up and squeeze them better by adding an extra man into midfield zone. Cresswell played much better 2nd half as a result and was a key outlet for us.
Take the 2nd goal from Ayew; Ogbonna in open play from a counter attack has stepped up and beats Son in the air on the edge of his own box, not necessarily for an attacking edge (though that is how it eventually developed) but defensively it made more sense to go with the man than stand at the back 3 CB's v 1 recognised forward; also Son is an out-ball for them, so by engaging with him higher up and more aggressively you can stop him turning and getting going which stops him in his tracks but if you are doing so, you cannot get turned like Kouyate for the 1st. Ogbonna did it very well 2nd half and at times so did Kouyate. I like the system, it plays to our strengths, reduces our weaknesses and gives a good solid platform to make small but signficant tactical changes if required without changing the whole dynamic.
I'm reading a lot of comments about how this wasn't Spurs' first team. It wasn't our first team either. In fact I think they had more first teamers in the team than us
This is the cup we could progress in despite the draw as the big clubs have champions league progression and league campaigns to think of and will likely play a weakened side right up to the final, meaning if Slav takes it more seriously and targets it as our season we have a chance of progressing.
Although Arsenal will see it through the same eyes as us of course. ;wink
Good analysis, TWC. So forgetting form and fitness (as in the last few weeks of it), who do you think would be our best three CBs for the right kind of back three that can press and contribute to attacks?
Comments
IMO, in how the system is set up and should be played- as soon as Kouyate triggered that he was pressing up then Ogbonna should've moved across 10 yards narrower to get into a better position to cover as Declan Rice was left with 2 players to mark and in a v.tough situation because of how high the team was it made offside much harder to play. At least If Ogbonna had come more central they could've established a better position to deal with 2 v 2 and delay them until cover arrived; even if it didn't develop how it did, he would still therefore have been in a good position to cover any switch of play wide anyway.
2ndly I'd support Kouyate stepping out but what he did do wrong was he got turned too easily to allow spurs to play directly into the space he vacated; if you are going to press aggressively and step out then you have to either win the ball/ force them back or concede a foul. Kouyate was just a bit naive IMO. It was actually one of the tactical changes made at half time by Slaven, the back 3/5 was too flat we had to be more aggressive, if you were the spare man then you could step out and initiate defending higher up and squeeze them better by adding an extra man into midfield zone. Cresswell played much better 2nd half as a result and was a key outlet for us.
Take the 2nd goal from Ayew; Ogbonna in open play from a counter attack has stepped up and beats Son in the air on the edge of his own box, not necessarily for an attacking edge (though that is how it eventually developed) but defensively it made more sense to go with the man than stand at the back 3 CB's v 1 recognised forward; also Son is an out-ball for them, so by engaging with him higher up and more aggressively you can stop him turning and getting going which stops him in his tracks but if you are doing so, you cannot get turned like Kouyate for the 1st. Ogbonna did it very well 2nd half and at times so did Kouyate. I like the system, it plays to our strengths, reduces our weaknesses and gives a good solid platform to make small but signficant tactical changes if required without changing the whole dynamic.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
West Ham vs Bristol City
Bouremouth vs Leicester
;pray
Arsenal vs West Ham
Man United vs Bournemouth
Leicester vs Bristol City
Chelsea vs Man City
How on earth did we ever manage without ;doh
Although Arsenal will see it through the same eyes as us of course. ;wink
“It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that"
;goal ;goal ;goal
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Arsenal v West Ham United
Leicester City v Manchester City
Bristol City v Manchester United
But that line-up will only encourage those who do.
And even I'm a bit ;hmm