We obviously had a lot of success last season playing a fast, direct style of football - whether viewed as counterattacking blitzkrieg or kick-and-rush hoofball, it got us some undeniably fantastic results.
However, there is some debate of late about our style of play and its continued effectiveness. Some argue that we're deliberately trying to attain more possession, while others would suggest that opponents are calling our bluff and foisting the ball upon us in unthreatening areas.
The question is: Can our style of last season be maintained as a permanent solution if we want to achieve our aim of being a Premier League stalwart? I think back to the reasons why Mark Hughes allowed Robert Huth to move on - He wasn't, and never will be, a ball-playing centre back. Throughout last season he was given the remit of simply defending, and to just get rid of the ball as soon as he felt uncomfortable; if that meant hoofing out of play, so be it. It was effective, but this kind of tactic and player didn't fit with Stoke's longer term strategy of being a better possession side. And, to be fair, they have finished 9th three seasons in a row, which is a very respectable return.
Although only Arsenal seemed to have the run of us last year, is welcoming low possession stats actually a disaster waiting to happen in the long run? It would traditionally be accepted that the better teams in the division control the game, and that to control the game effectively you need to see more of the ball. Is what we're doing a viable alternative, or would we ultimately be the Premier League equivalent of a supernova?
Long story short, are higher possession stats imperative for long term stability and success?
Possession football
posted on 12/12/16
Going by last season possession is not everything. Last season was a perfect example of Man Utd and Leicester City. Although we battered you in the league games especially at OT you got a draw in both games with hardly any possession. In fact when Vardy broke the record Leicester City barely had a kick of the ball and scored from our own corner
TBH I think SAF sides used to average decent amount of possession but it wasn't the main goal for us. The main goal was to build counter attacking sides and relentless attack with risk. Teams used to be scared so sat back so we had tons of possession in some games under SAF but the reality was our style was actually similar to Leicester City of last season attack wise as in very few passes per shot.
posted on 12/12/16
I think it’s one of those questions that doesn’t have an answer as it all depends on the individuals you have within the team. Whether you are a possession based team or a counter attacking team you have to be effective at getting the little spherical thing into the net otherwise it’s irrelevant what style of play you have. Possession statistics can often be skewed by teams that play the ball across the back four, but aren’t very effective further forward. We saw many teams play us last season, retain the ball in non-dangerous areas and then fall to the counter punch.
How many times have we seen England in recent games dominate possession and then completely run out of ideas in the final third? Tottenham are very pleasing on the eye sometimes but, when Harry Kane is not on form, often lack a cutting edge.
The reason we were so good last season is that we were so brutally clinical with little possession. This season, without Kante, we’ve recycled the ball that bit more slowly and Vardy and Mahrez have not been as decisive. The trouble with the counter attacking style is that it looks so aimless and frustrating when it’s not working and can easily descend into hoof ball.
I would say that, whilst getting better in possession is important to us, it’s not essential to winning matches. That’s simply down to the individual players being effective in their roles and doing them well – whatever style we play. If we became a team that retained the ball and claimed 65% possession, but weren’t as offensive, I would find it as boring as the aimless hoof ball we currently play when we’re not on form.
I think our bigger priority is to improve the quality of our squad. Our best eleven is mostly the same team as last year, but without Kante it’s actually worse. I think if we do manage to improve the squad with higher quality players we will naturally become better in possession, but I don’t think we should chase it as the elixir for long term success.
posted on 12/12/16
http://www.footstats.co.uk/index.cfm?task=league_shots
Leicester City still very clinical this season. Just 48 shots on taget and 21 league goals vs Man Utd 82 shots on target 20 league goals. Leicester City seen more goals scored for them then we have in the league. Maybe if Leicester City were more attacking they would have been very high up as Leicester City are one of the most clinical teams shots on target to goals ratio wise and keeper is playing okay too.
Leicester City are actually more efficient this season then last season.
posted on 12/12/16
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 2 minutes ago
http://www.footstats.co.uk/index.cfm?task=league_shots
Leicester City still very clinical this season. Just 48 shots on taget and 21 league goalsvs Man Utd 82 shots on target 20 league goals. Leicester City seen more goals scored for them then we have in the league. Maybe if Leicester City were more attacking they would have been very high up as Leicester City are one of the most clinical teams shots on target to goals ratio wise and keeper is playing okay too.
Leicester City are actually more efficient this season then last season.
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I can't follow the link as my work server blocks it, but the stats you quote are interesting.
As I said it's all about being effective in the roles players play and I guess those stats might draw the attention to the other area of our play that's not been so great this season - defence.
We were happy to let teams play last season as we were confident we could push them out wide and deal with anything that came into the box. This year we've been nowhere near as good. The game away at Manchester United being a case in point with some suicidal defending from set pieces.
posted on 12/12/16
Good question. My answer - I think possession is a meaningless vanity stat that has no bearing on whether you can play or beat any team.
So no, we don't need to improve our stats, but we do need to improve our effectiveness.
As per my other post I think there's something not in our higher possession this season but the way we've tried to play further up the pitch allowing teams to leave less space in behind.
Ranieri has tried to tweak the way we play and it's not quite worked. We went back to basics on Saturday.
We didn't try and play a higher line, invited the opposition on and hit them on the break. Before this it's been clear Ranieri has been trying to get us further up the pitch before playing balls in the the striker. And he's played a daft high line with two centre backs with no pace!
So, I don't want us to increase our possession. I want us to increase the number of chances created. As pert the stats above - that is where our main issue has come this year.
Goals win games. Not possession.
posted on 12/12/16
Possession football is mainly achieved by the back 4 passing across the back line. Time and time again, while gradually moving forward.
We tried this but it just condenses the play so as a through ball to Vardy is almost impossible.
Our back 4 need to stay deep and release the ball earlier, allowing more space in front for the quick players to use the extra room.
Hence our stats are lower than most, but effective.
posted on 12/12/16
^ that's what I said but in many more words and in a more confusing way!!
posted on 12/12/16
We don't have the players in the squad who are comfortable in possession. Mahrez the exception.
I think this group is better at moving the ball quickly and looking for the next ball rather than keeping hold and play-making.
We just don't look comfortable holding on to it individually, especially the defence.
Therefore, play to our strengths, which should be pass & move, pass & move.
It worked an absolute treat last season!
posted on 12/12/16
Mersey
I'll take that as a complement 😁
posted on 12/12/16
Possession is the biggest con in football. We got obsessed with it around 2008 with Barcelonas brand of football and it's been worshipped ever since. We now live in a world where a team who gets thumped somehow gets more respect because they dominated possession - it's almost worth as much as a goal to some people
It's a con and if there was a statistic of possession that counts or possession in the final third then that would be more of an interesting stat. Few teams can play proper possession football and really dominate teams. Barca under pep were the masters at it.