I’ve watched the replay of Woolwich game a number of times. I think our midfield is a big problem. Here’s why.
1. Woolwich put our CB’s under pressure (pressing) and they hoof the ball forward. We looked like a longball team for a significant part of the match because the midfield didn’t present options.
2. Neither PEH nor Skipp are go forward players. Skipp in particular only passes sideways or backwards. When he passes backwards it puts our CB’s under pressure and they hoof the ball forward. See 1.
3. i think PEH was the worst player on the pitch. He didn’t DM and he didn’t go forward. He seemed to be a passenger.
4. Ndombele was quite good. Whenever he got the ball he was looking to go forward and create something. He wasn’t passing responsibility to his teammates like PEH and Winks Skipp
5. We were slow in transition. We won the ball in Woolwich half a few times but people then sat on the ball and waited for support. Also meant Woolwich got organised. We don’t seem to have the counterattacking confidence we had in the Man City game.
6. First two Woolwich goals happened from where the DM should be ie. cutbacks. I can’t blame the CB’s for that.
tl/dr? Here’s the summary
- I didn’t think Ndombele had a bad game.
- PEH was shite
- Dele was better than PEH
- Skipp’s passing is no better than Winks.
- midfield needs to present options for CB’s when in possession
Have to agree with most of that. For whatever reason, Holjberg kept progressing forward into the opposition half. When Skipp wasn't on the field this was leaving a huge gap in midfield and our CB's completely exposed - especially since our full backs had also pushed up.
Given that it happened the entire first half, I can only assume this was the instruction has was given.
My only guess is that the tactic for the first half was
1. Get the ball to Sanchez
2. Full backs to half way line, midfield 3 to final 3rd, front 3 end of 18 yard box.
3. Sanchez play long ball to Kane.
4. Kane knock out to the wings.
This didn't work at all since Kane lost the ball EVERY TIME. He has bad ankles and doesn't compete for headers effectively anymore.
As soon as we lost the ball, our midfield 3 and fullbacks were way out of defensive shape and it was then a mad dash (
or light stroll for Ndombele) to get back in position.
All the while Nano stood motionless and silent with his arms folded on the sidelines.