SFKA South Woodford Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 Does anyone else find Koemans defensive shackling of Mane frustrating? Mane is constantly too deep to use his attributes to the full when the team is on the back foot, both against Leicester and Bournemouth when we were under pressure in the second half, Mane was dropping back to within 10 yards of our penalty area, meaning we had no 'out' ball. In this situation and particularly on opposition corners I would like to see him just inside our half looking for the cleared ball out from the defence to get one on one with the last defender, rather than having to try to play through the opposition team that are trying to box us into our own half or having the defence clear the ball just to see no one competing for it and it coming straight back at them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 Fair question. I do feel sometimes he is positionally shackled, especially when playing on the right, and is sometimes not as influential as he could be at times, although obviously is a massive player for us and one of the best attackers in the league for certain. Tough one, as really he needs to be part of the team shape but you also want him free to do maximum damage. When he drifts into central areas he does that best and also then brings Pelle's attributes into the game. Chelsea away a prime example of how best to use Mane. That day was more 4-4-1-1 with Mane central just off Pelle. Note: Obviously Mane is class, has been class and will be class this season. Ditto Koeman. I'm sure the coaching staff often have similar conversations as to how to get Mane on the ball in dangerous areas. Also our team shape is one of the key success factors and that relies on everyone being well drilled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasper57saint Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 I've been saying for a very long time now that we have to leave a 'speed merchant' near the centre circle when defending corners. Not only does it tie up two of the opponents defenders but also gives us a better chance of clearing upfield from those corners.Other teams do it why not us?Mane is not very tall so his presence for corners is not quite the same as Pelle's. I'll get me coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 One of the great things about Mane is that unlike a lot of speed merchants he has a real work ethic. However, he might be even more effective if he tackled back a little less. I am sure that the two silly yellow cards at Anfield were a result of him running himself into the ground and not thinking clearly. The yellow card at Sunderland was also due to him trying almost too hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 15 November, 2015 Share Posted 15 November, 2015 One of the great things about Mane is that unlike a lot of speed merchants he has a real work ethic. However, he might be even more effective if he tackled back a little less. I am sure that the two silly yellow cards at Anfield were a result of him running himself into the ground and not thinking clearly. The yellow card at Sunderland was also due to him trying almost too hard. doesnt that go against what Koeman says? he drops Cedric when he starts Mane wide right, Mainly because Mane offers little cover, or something along those lines mane is alright wide but excellent playing centrally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted 16 November, 2015 Share Posted 16 November, 2015 it's just Koeman's way of playing. defending from the front first - meaning that attackers pressure opponents on the ball from behind them as they run at our goal. Besides, Koeman also loves us to have the ball. Better that we have someone further back (when we're defending) who is excellent , and comfortable, on the ball. There's been numerous games this season and last that mane/tadic/etc. shielded the ball in our half toward the sidelines and instead of just hoofing it won a throw by smashing it against an opponent. Besides, it's wrong to assume that you can't start a counterattack from everyone starting the play in our half, or that you 'need' a target man or someone up front to start. Mane is so fast (think of away at chelsea) and Pelle so determined that even though the entire front line was in our half, we managed to break away, keeping possession, and eventually score. but literally just before that, tadic, mane and pelle were busy defending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonist Posted 16 November, 2015 Share Posted 16 November, 2015 I've been saying for a very long time now that we have to leave a 'speed merchant' near the centre circle when defending corners. Not only does it tie up two of the opponents defenders but also gives us a better chance of clearing upfield from those corners.Other teams do it why not us?Mane is not very tall so his presence for corners is not quite the same as Pelle's. I'll get me coat. fernandes used to do this, didn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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