Not getting wide enough?

[Saint Garrett]

These are our players 3 average positions in the 3 games since MP took over. Seem extremely narrow and almost trying to force it through the top of the box? Maybe that will change when Lallana is back properly...?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the same graphic from Adkins last few games...

 

 

Edited 7 February, 2013 by Saint Garrett

[Lallana's Left Peg]

The width under Pochettino seems absolutely perfect to me. The inside forwards move into the middle of the pitch to press the ball which distorts it a bit, but when we have the ball plenty of width is offered. The issue is we just need to get better with the ball when we win it high up the pitch and can break.

[Ludwig]

Wide players have been swapping positions under MP, which will skew the results seen above.

[pingwing]

It's fine, under Adkins there was an imperative focus on getting out wide and crossing the ball in. Only down side is the only players that can do this in the prem are Lallana, Shaw, Lambert and Clyne which limits our attack badly. Watching Punch go out there and fail miserably to cross was infuriating.

 

So instead of watching us struggle with that attack option (especially when Lambert couldn't be the target) we've switched it up to focusing more on getting our 3 attacking midfielders and striker into the middle more where they are more effective. It doesn't negate wide play but it aims to use it more as a shock tactic (like the second goal against Wigan) instead of the staple of the game plan.

 

Pretty much suits the players we have more than anything else, Lallana works best with a lot of freedom, Guly works best coming inside, Steven Davis is the same, Punch is so hit and miss it doesn't matter, Gaston needs to play in the middle...

[Saint Garrett]

But we do score a lot of goals from crosses, especially the one to the backpost to Lambert. Seems crazy that teams still can't defend that, when he's been doing it for us for years!

 

Do agree that the swapping of positions will skew the results. I guess with the way we play with 'inside forwards' and then full backs bombing on its ok. Just need to be more clinical I feel.