Premier League 2018/19

Who will win the league?


  • Total voters
    106

Total-Football

Senior Member
Nah, if they played like that and lost 3 or 4-0 that would be from Valverde's book. They actually stayed very close to Liverpool.

When Valverde puts up his defensive masterclass tactics, we usually end up stuffed with goals.

I don't know about staying close.. That was the most negative display I have ever seen them play in recent years. Even when they défend they are usually mighty dangerous in counters with players like son, kane etc.. Today, however, they had no purpose in life apart from defending and repeatedly clearing the ball.
 

jamrock

Senior Member
Poch still doesn't know what his best xI.

Still always goes back to the players he been riding with from day one, even when they clearly aren't ready.

What's did Ali do all game? Lucas would have offer something different.

Eriksen was meh at best. Mdombele or lo celso would have been better

son did what son does & was a beast though
 

El Gato

Villarato!
It’s actually somewhat sad Spurs have fallen into this hole. They have almost everything they need to challenge Liverpool despite some depth issues at the back and that gap in the Premier League is likely just an illusion, albeit if Pep’s defenders were fit and recruited a bit better, we wouldn’t need to even say it. Llorente leaving them removed the certain dynamic they lack. If they signed a decent backup keeper, CB and CF who all have something to prove and are willing to contribute, they could have bounced right into the race.
 

serghei

Senior Member
Spurs are only thought to be anywhere near Liverpool because of Pochettino. Same with Simeone. Make no mistake, these guys aren't perfect, but they are great managers without a shred of doubt.

If somebody told you back in 2009 or so, when we were trashing the likes of Atletico 6-1, with 4-0 in min 20 or so, that Atletico and Tottenham will be some of the best teams in Europe and both of them will play a Champions League final, they would've laughed in your face.
 

serghei

Senior Member
If somebody is interested, City are now playing vs Southampton. Pretty good demonstration on how to effectively push your midfielders very high and still have the proper shape (Foden and Bernardo are playing as near wingers on top of Jesus and Mahrez). The solution is to move the CBs very very high as well. So far, the City CBs are well in Southampton's half. This way, the team is still short, with the correct playing distances between the lines. This is very risky, but necessary in order to keep a short team. The shorter the team is, the more easier it is to create overloads based on numerical superiority in important zones.

In Valverde-ball, the midfielders move up, but the defenders keep the same position. So every time the midfielders push up, and occupy a position deeper into the opponent's half, the defenders lose the possibility to constantly pass to them due to not making the push as well. Long team in possession with huge distances between compartments equals slower and more difficult progression.
 
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FinBarcelonafan

Well-known member
If somebody is interested, City are now playing vs Southampton. Pretty good demonstration on how to effectively push your midfielders very high and still have the proper shape (Foden and Bernardo are playing as near wingers on top of Jesus and Mahrez). The solution is to move the CBs very very high as well. So far, the City CBs are well in Southampton's half. This way, the team is still short, with the correct playing distances between the lines. This is very risky, but necessary in order to keep a short team. The shorter the team is, the more easier it is to create overloads based on numerical superiority in important zones.

In Valverde-ball, the midfielders move up, but the defenders keep the same position. So every time the midfielders push up, and occupy a position deeper into the opponent's half, the defenders lose the possibility to constantly pass to them due to not making the push as well. Long team in possession with huge distances between compartments equals slower and more difficult progression.

We don't have the speed to play like this with the whole team. Pique/Lenglet lack the foot speed. Semedo could work with Guardiola's system.

Not to mention, the lack of pressing from our top-2, Messi/Suarez. We can't put as much pressure on opponents as City. They are just faster/quicker than us. It would be too risky with our bad work rate. Opponents could break our pressure much easier.

Didn't Valverde start one year with similar idea, but we ended up conceding too many goals, so we changed back to current model? (We had defensemen very high, but wasn't working)
 

serghei

Senior Member
We don't have the speed to play like this with the whole team. Pique/Lenglet lack the foot speed. Semedo could work with Guardiola's system.

Not to mention, the lack of pressing from our top-2, Messi/Suarez. We can't put as much pressure on opponents as City. They are just faster/quicker than us. It would be too risky with our bad work rate. Opponents could break our pressure much easier.

Didn't Valverde start one year with similar idea, but we ended up conceding too many goals, so we changed back to current model? (We had defensemen very high, but wasn't working)

Neither does City in particular, with their slow & error prone CBs. But having a good shape and a short team is the no1 priority.

The opponent being far weaker matters too. You don't see City play this way vs top counter attacking teams.
 
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Barcilliant

Senior Member
they are fucking mentality giants for a reason...

Mentality and tactics are instilled by the manager. This is why Liverpool can win despite having some pretty ordinary players. There is a system, there are fit, hungry players and the manager has huge charisma and balls to boot.

Contrast this with spineless Shitverde. No system, no tactics, no fitness and no motivation. Seniors enjoying their complacent existence.

Fuck Valverde and Barto.
 

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