So first game out of the way for Arne. What do we think about it so far? Obviously the first game is no indication of where this season will go but we've noticed a lot even in preseason.
We all know where the squad stands tbh. I still have us as 3rd best squad in the league and with some obvious additions we can certainly propel ourselves even further.
The changes with Slot are so evident. The build up is much more patient both from the back and in midfield. I had a bit of a problem with Mac and Szosboss playing wider than usual in midfield basically leaving Grav for the central areas. Grav is not that man Slot...then Slot speaks about us not winning enough duels. He corrected himself at halftime though which is always great to see in a manager.
Also while the press is intense and aggressive...still feels a little uncoordinated and I can't figure out if it's coaching or just the players adapting. We hunt more in packs now and aggressive with the number of players we go into the press with, but we don't really mark opposition's passing options as well as we did under Klopp. Obviously it's unfair to judge any coach in the world against a Jurgen press but something to watch under Slot as the season progresses imo. A better one touch passing team and we could get sliced open at will.
Losing individuals duels is still there. Same as last season. I was surprised we identified Zubi as our deep-lying midfielder tbh...not because he's a bad player or because he hikes mountains on a daily basis to contemplate life's decisions, only to get back home realising that he forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer and then strops around house banging & shuffling everything in an aggressive manner...but because he's not really a duel monster himself, nor is he very good at tracking runners. Probably the two things we're missing most in midfield with our current players. Sure in possession we would've probably looked more composed with him & Mac dictating things, but no team holds the ball for 90mins.
Then again with a defense-minded LB, you could get away with a Mac-Zubi midfield partnership...but not if Slot tries what he did in the first half at Ipswich.
That second half though. Once it clicked we didn't take our foot off their necks. Completely different team. Apparently Ipswich only had a 4-game preseason which is probably why they were spent in the second half. Saying that it's great to see our intensity is still there. There's very few teams in the world that can go toe-to-toe with us for 90mins. Outrunning teams is like the backbone of our style of play tbh.
I like the 2-4 build up. I feel it suits our best players in that phase of the pitch. Van Dijk has immediate options and Salah & Diaz out wide. It gets Mac in possession is probably the best area of the pitch for him and then he can time those movements to the edge of box the sneaky fecker. No team has figured this out yet...man moves like a ninja on the pitch. It also gets Trent in the best area of the pitch for him imo. That half space in midfield on the right side is where Trent has always done his best work imo. That pass to Salah for the opener is a moment for most defenders but for Trent we see it all the time.
Don't cripple ourselves with injuries and we can do some serious damage this season.
First Thoughts
posted on 19/8/24
I don't think Slot wants an out and out ball winner. He wants a deep player who can receive the ball under pressure and get us on the move up the pitch. Obviously some ball winning is required which is why we went for Zubimendi. Gravenberch can do some of what is required but for me only one player in the squad can do all of what is required and that's Bajcetic. I'm not sure where Slot stands on chances given to young players but now would be the time to take that gamble. Gravenberch had a good game but I can't see him being the long term answer.
The second half showed that we need to get TAA into those inside right positions as often as possible. What he does in there I don't think there's many in world football that can match it. There will of course be times when this leaves gaps, which probably means Konate needs to start ahead of Quansah, for his covering pace.
Diaz needs to finish his chances. Szoboszlai needs to make sure he's having an impact on games. These are the two, besides Quansah for tactical reasons who could find themselves dropped if they don't work on their game.
posted on 19/8/24
"I don't think Slot wants an out and out ball winner. He wants a deep player who can receive the ball under pressure and get us on the move up the pitch. Obviously some ball winning is required which is why we went for Zubimendi."
Zero issue but then we're conceding that we will not win much midfield duels and we will rely more on our CBs to win these duels. You also then have to look at upgrading your LB to someone more defence minded to compensate for the lack of ball winners in your midfield.
We have energetic players that will press the life out of you in midfield but they're not ball winners.
It seems shortsighted imo to not acknowledge it as the obvious need in the midfield.
We need balance imo
I actually didn't mind Diaz performance over the weekend. Did almost everything right apart from a few final ball moments. That basically tells you why the fanbase is split on him tbh
posted on 19/8/24
Really good article
I was really encouraged.
Slot showed strong decision making and also demonstrated, by hooking Quansah, that you have to perform.
I REALLY like the attacking patterns, we’ve seen that triangle in midfield and then releasing the late runner a few times now. Teams will adapt to that though, so let’s see how we manage it. It’s very hard to mark though, and suits our players.
There’s a lot more to come too, in terms of fitness and form and if we can sharpen up our set pieces, and start to get goals from those again, I see us winning a lot of games this season.
Can’t wait for the next game.
posted on 19/8/24
Ipswich read it like a book and had a plan. They took a chance with a high line and 4 up pressing but very narrow as our full backs would be tucked in.
We were in trouble. But then they faded and got an injury and by the time they made changes were behind.
It was actually the CBs who were in trouble with ipswich as they couldn't pick their first pass. hats where all the issues stemmed from.
Yes there was a good bit of decision making and adjustment. And probably a riot act about duels.
But in the end the goals were good. the first was a perfect example of playing through lines like he'd want.
the second a classic vvd to salah moment.
posted on 20/8/24
First half was rubbish and then it all changed.
I was critical of szob thst 1st half but 2nd half, credit to him, he turned his game. He wasn't just running but doing intricate plays in small zones.
We need him to be consistent and if he can do that it would be fantastic for us.