So good to finally watch flowing attacking football again. But we did revert to the crap football type as we tired towards the end.

Much better last night, hopefully this was all by design as the he biggest difference was a midfield working as a midfield, it was immediately noticeable how close Enzo and Caicedo were playing, how they were communicating and staying together, whether deep with the ball, defending  or going forward. The last few games has left huge spaces in midfield for the opposition to rampage through with ease, that wasnt there for the majority of the game last night. 

The other difference was there was a huge amount less of dicking about with the ball at the back and midfield, much more speed getting it moving forward.

Our starting position was definitely further up the pitch defensively, as soon as we broke their press we moved on, or if there was no press the defense got up the pitch quickly.

37 minutes ago, dkw said:

Much better last night, hopefully this was all by design as the he biggest difference was a midfield working as a midfield, it was immediately noticeable how close Enzo and Caicedo were playing, how they were communicating and staying together, whether deep with the ball, defending  or going forward. The last few games has left huge spaces in midfield for the opposition to rampage through with ease, that wasnt there for the majority of the game last night. 

The other difference was there was a huge amount less of dicking about with the ball at the back and midfield, much more speed getting it moving forward.

Our starting position was definitely further up the pitch defensively, as soon as we broke their press we moved on, or if there was no press the defense got up the pitch quickly.

Agree, if you want to play fast you need to play highline unless the plan is to sit back and counter. 

A while ago pool lost all their CB and played two unknown CB (I can't remember their name) and those two poor cb were ripped up again and again yet Klopp continue with highline. 

That was so much better than any performance I can recall in about the last three seasons. And even two good goals scored in open play!

There was still of course some dodgy bits for example some of the defending in the box looked a bit chaotic.

It's encouraging that they are actually capable of playing well and enjoyably, but I've long since learnt that one swallow doesn't make a summer. Villa in their current form and their style of play was perhaps one of the more suitable opponents for us to play that well.

Edited February 8, 20242 yr by Snedger

1 hour ago, dkw said:

Much better last night, hopefully this was all by design as the he biggest difference was a midfield working as a midfield, it was immediately noticeable how close Enzo and Caicedo were playing, how they were communicating and staying together, whether deep with the ball, defending  or going forward. The last few games has left huge spaces in midfield for the opposition to rampage through with ease, that wasnt there for the majority of the game last night. 

The other difference was there was a huge amount less of dicking about with the ball at the back and midfield, much more speed getting it moving forward.

Our starting position was definitely further up the pitch defensively, as soon as we broke their press we moved on, or if there was no press the defense got up the pitch quickly.

Agree, but for me the biggest difference was the effort the players put in the pitch in comparison to Sunday. Yesterday they did not shy away from 50/50 balls and won most of the second balls, while on Sunday they lost every battle. That's down to motivation and effort. Well done Pochettino for the tactics but, overall for motivating the team. We might finally have found out that Pochettino is capable of leading this players.

Let's see if we go to Selhurst Park and the team plays with the same motivation. I don't care about the result as long as they put in effort and try as hard as they can like last night.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

Much better last night, hopefully this was all by design as the he biggest difference was a midfield working as a midfield, it was immediately noticeable how close Enzo and Caicedo were playing, how they were communicating and staying together, whether deep with the ball, defending  or going forward. The last few games has left huge spaces in midfield for the opposition to rampage through with ease, that wasnt there for the majority of the game last night. 

The other difference was there was a huge amount less of dicking about with the ball at the back and midfield, much more speed getting it moving forward.

Our starting position was definitely further up the pitch defensively, as soon as we broke their press we moved on, or if there was no press the defense got up the pitch quickly.

Good point on the midfield and playing close together it enabled us even when we lost possession to regain it and recycle it forward.  Enzo and Caicedo suddenly looked like team-mates.

The big question is whether we can play higher up the pitch with Silva.

Anyway Silva's wife will be quiet, well for 24 hours at least!

Still really struggling to see where that performance came from. 

Loads of tactical decisions that made the team function much better. 

Back 4 without Silva, allowed us to play a little higher, and move the ball a bit quicker.

Full backs actually at full back, bombing forward and over lapping. 

Enzo and Caicedo close enough to link together to escape pressure. Enzo dropping into the space vacated by Chilwell to dictate play. Caicedo dropping in between centre backs to form a back 3, which helped push the full backs on. 

Gallagher support pressing behind Palmer, and as a team making tactical fouls in opposition half when we didnt manage to pinch the ball.

Madueke and Jackson inverted, but still having width because of the full backs.

Jackson tucking into the striker role when Palmer vacated.

Honestly I've moaned so much about poor performances, so only fair to be vocal about all the positive things from last night, and I think at the very least it has showed that Pochettino still has the dressing room, just need to take that performance in the Palace game.

3 hours ago, RMH said:

Agree, but for me the biggest difference was the effort the players put in the pitch in comparison to Sunday. Yesterday they did not shy away from 50/50 balls and won most of the second balls, while on Sunday they lost every battle. That's down to motivation and effort. Well done Pochettino for the tactics but, overall for motivating the team. We might finally have found out that Pochettino is capable of leading this players.

Let's see if we go to Selhurst Park and the team plays with the same motivation. I don't care about the result as long as they put in effort and try as hard as they can like last night.

I think they go hand in hand to be honest, they looked  a lot more comfortable with the set up, a lot happier moving the ball forward quickly rather than pissing about at the back etc.

Yesterday reminded me of how we played during preseason, it was all positive, quick ball movement and always passing forward at any opportunity. 

Pochettino said everything we need to hear in his presser after the win. Every single point. I really hope his words are aligned with the club. 

sorry if posted before.

 

I'll be honest. Yesterday looked like the manager had got some foundations in place to build a team that will compete from next season onwards. He's left it bloody late though hasn't he? He's pulled a rabbit out of the hat when he was on the brink but he's likely not going to save his job unless we look like we did yesterday for the rest of the season.

Waiting seven months to partner Enzo and Caicedo is borderline indefensible but if Poch's going the next manager should be someone that will build our team and profile around them.

The upcoming fixtures will be hard and we've probably lost the element of surprise now that everyone saw how good we were yesterday in the 4-4-2/4-2-4 so I predict even Crystal Palace on Monday will be harder than Villa yesterday as I think we really took Villa by surprise but hoping we can build on that performance.

 

We really need to thump Palace 4-0 or 5-0. Roy is on the brink of being sacked and hopefully he’s still there by the time we play them, couldn’t have them at a better time.

Golden opportunity for us to get a really convincing win and build up confidence. We need it badly.

First game of the season that I miss and we play well apparently. Turns out it was my fault all along. Sorry for the sh*t season everyone, my bad.

6 hours ago, dkw said:

Much better last night, hopefully this was all by design as the he biggest difference was a midfield working as a midfield, it was immediately noticeable how close Enzo and Caicedo were playing, how they were communicating and staying together, whether deep with the ball, defending  or going forward. The last few games has left huge spaces in midfield for the opposition to rampage through with ease, that wasnt there for the majority of the game last night. 

The other difference was there was a huge amount less of dicking about with the ball at the back and midfield, much more speed getting it moving forward.

Our starting position was definitely further up the pitch defensively, as soon as we broke their press we moved on, or if there was no press the defense got up the pitch quickly.

How would have thought it eh? How do these managers get paid millions, for doing what some of us  on here have been saying we need to do for years....

32 minutes ago, yaz said:

First game of the season that I miss and we play well apparently. Turns out it was my fault all along. Sorry for the sh*t season everyone, my bad.

Please keep missing games then  ;)

So Poch confirmed the whole team had a team meeting, and a proper team meeting where the players aired their views on what has been going wrong this season and what can be done to fix it.

Next game we get Enzo playing where he should play, Caicedo and him tight with Caicedo dropping between the CBS to get the ball, as he did at Brighton and Gallagher pressed right up leading our press, and Jackson in his true position of left wing/inside forward.

Will we stick with this now? Was it Poch all along that wanted Enzo higher up?

Palace games line up and tactics will make interesting reading, as after that we mostly have top side after top side to face, and playing the way we did yesterday is exactly what we need when we face those teams.

Edited February 8, 20242 yr by axman2526

6 hours ago, evissy said:

Pochettino said everything we need to hear in his presser after the win. Every single point. I really hope his words are aligned with the club. 

sorry if posted before.

 

100% spot here Poch

Well if Enzo can hit another free kick as well again  that alone should see off Palace.

6 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

We really need to thump Palace 4-0 or 5-0. Roy is on the brink of being sacked and hopefully he’s still there by the time we play them, couldn’t have them at a better time.

Golden opportunity for us to get a really convincing win and build up confidence. We need it badly.

Oh no. I shouldn't have seen that. That's when we become a gift. Managers and teams struggling get a breather when they play us 😕

4 hours ago, abister1 said:

Oh no. I shouldn't have seen that. That's when we become a gift. Managers and teams struggling get a breather when they play us 😕

Charity FC incoming

1 hour ago, WhiteWall said:

Charity FC incoming

If we do manage to give something to Palace that's completely inexcusable, they are absolute garbage. I would go as far as saying the worst team in the league at the moment. And this time they're missing all their best players. 

Not a chance, we have to win this and win it comfortably. 

4 hours ago, Victor90 said:

If we do manage to give something to Palace that's completely inexcusable, they are absolute garbage. I would go as far as saying the worst team in the league at the moment. And this time they're missing all their best players. 

Not a chance, we have to win this and win it comfortably. 

My concern is that with them missing Olise, Guehi and Eze, and with all the unrest in the stands, I can see Woy digging in and being happy to take a point after our last performance. 

If we take the last two games out for the remainder of matches we have played well against pressing teams and have been sh*t against low block teams.

Pochettino has to work out how to defeat this tactic. We have to start with a high intensity and a lot of off the ball running. With a crowded final third, accurate shooting from distance and front foot following the ball in during the first 20. If we can pick up one or hopefully two goals they have no option but to come out thus creating space for us.

If none of this occurs I can see another frustrating game where the football is stifled and we become susceptible to a dopey break away goal.

2 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

My concern is that with them missing Olise, Guehi and Eze, and with all the unrest in the stands, I can see Woy digging in and being happy to take a point after our last performance. 

If we take the last two games out for the remainder of matches we have played well against pressing teams and have been sh*t against low block teams.

Pochettino has to work out how to defeat this tactic. We have to start with a high intensity and a lot of off the ball running. With a crowded final third, accurate shooting from distance and front foot following the ball in during the first 20. If we can pick up one or hopefully two goals they have no option but to come out thus creating space for us.

If none of this occurs I can see another frustrating game where the football is stifled and we become susceptible to a dopey break away goal.

It was interesting watching City against their last opponent ,Luton was it? Lots of long distance shooting and and also just walking or bullying the ball in. 

1 hour ago, ozboy said:

It was interesting watching City against their last opponent ,Luton was it? Lots of long distance shooting and and also just walking or bullying the ball in. 

City is so well coached and full of experience. They can hurt in so many ways. Their players can seamlessly be a crossing team, long distance shooting team or walk it in team and the structure for defending stays in tact. No wonder they won the treble. Maybe one day we have something like that.

I've thoroughly enjoyed Mikel's Obi One Podcast. Just had a listen to episodes with Frankie and JT on the weekend. Excellent insight to the club and what it was like in the glory days. JT for example said they trained so hard on the week they knew they could walk the actual game. 

They have talked about what the material is with players these days compared to back then. 

For example Jose ripped into Salah so bad he cried. These days you can't do that. The new generation doesn't perform on those terms.

I think if you look at Pep and Klopp you can see enthusiasm is one common aspect of those two. Poch is not that type. He is more of Carlo's type.