I don’t expect this thread to get much traction, but I wanted to consolidate the topic of pressing. Seems like ancient history when articles and YouTube videos popped up about Poch’s use of the press and how it differs from Klopp’s/Pep’s. When we were chasing the title we were the hot shit, with a team of minions hunting down the ball. It was brilliant to watch our whole squad suffocate the opposition in parts of the pitch and turn their mistakes into goal scoring opportunties. The press, for me, was a huge reason why we scored so many goals in the title chasing season and why we are currently struggling to challenge keepers.
So what happened to that courage to win the ball back?
The poll above gives a few choices for the fans here to select, but I also want to discuss other beliefs. I could very well be wrong and this thread could be dead soon, but I do feel we can all agree that something has changed.
For me, I think it comes down to management. I know some think that without Wanyama and Dembele, we lack the muscle to win the ball back, but I see Pool and City win plenty of the ball with technical midfielders. So for me it comes down to Poch. For some reason he has turned off the press and especially against teams like Newcastle, whom we just lost to.
In order to challenge for the title, we need to refocus our desire to destroy teams. We need to be winning the ball back as soon as we lose it. We need to give ourselves a chance to attack teams when they are out of shape. Poch, stop slowing the play down, and turn the volume up to 11.
So what happened to that courage to win the ball back?
The poll above gives a few choices for the fans here to select, but I also want to discuss other beliefs. I could very well be wrong and this thread could be dead soon, but I do feel we can all agree that something has changed.
For me, I think it comes down to management. I know some think that without Wanyama and Dembele, we lack the muscle to win the ball back, but I see Pool and City win plenty of the ball with technical midfielders. So for me it comes down to Poch. For some reason he has turned off the press and especially against teams like Newcastle, whom we just lost to.
In order to challenge for the title, we need to refocus our desire to destroy teams. We need to be winning the ball back as soon as we lose it. We need to give ourselves a chance to attack teams when they are out of shape. Poch, stop slowing the play down, and turn the volume up to 11.