Our style of play

[dom9]

Interesting article on tactical fouls.

https://theathletic.com/1603079/2020/02/18/tactical-fouls-man-city-arsenal-liverpool?source=shared-article

I won't post the whole thing but basically, we're the cleanest tactically foul team in the league. I found that surprising. I've noticed some recently, particularly from Gomez. But yeah, considering how high we press, the numbers of fouls given in those challenges is remarkable.

At the end, City are in second place, and top? Arsenal. Now managed by a former City Coach.

[Irishnev]

Interesting article on tactical fouls.

https://theathletic.com/1603079/2020/02/18/tactical-fouls-man-city-arsenal-liverpool?source=shared-article

I won't post the whole thing but basically, we're the cleanest tactically foul team in the league. I found that surprising. I've noticed some recently, particularly from Gomez. But yeah, considering how high we press, the numbers of fouls given in those challenges is remarkable.

At the end, City are in second place, and top? Arsenal. Now managed by a former City Coach.

who was overtly encouraging it on that documentary

[Buzzo]

Interesting. I’d imagine Klopp and the team are working on this. I think our ‘in game management’ has been non existent without Henderson.

[ame]https://twitter.com/premleaguepanel/status/1234097169327697921[/ame]

[Norbs]

So, life without VVD begins and after a minute confusion between Gomez and Adrian looked like it could be a really long night. We hung on there and had a huge slice of luck, hopefully the defence can start to get familiar with each other and a clean sheet will help settle the nerves

[baitman]

We won't play such a high line without Virge and the midfield will need to dominate a bit more.

Fabinho is solid

[SB]

We won't play such a high line without Virge and the midfield will need to dominate a bit more.

Fabinho is solid

I think we’ve looked ropey since playing a high line so this might help us play to our strengths

[RedReet]

I think we’ve looked ropey since playing a high line so this might help us play to our strengths

We finished on 99 and 97 points when playing a high line. It's how we play.

[Cormack74]

I thought JK had admitted it's even higher this year?

[RedReet]

I thought JK had admitted it's even higher this year?

Why, what did he say?

Since signing Virg we've always played a high line. Last year we pushed further up with many thinking we were using VAR on offsides to our advantage. Whether we are slightly higher again is irrelevant (if statistically true) as the concept is still largely the same, it only becomes an issue when we are conceding goals.

No coincidence I'm sure, but most media attention on our high line tends to be when Alisson is out of the team. If he'd come back with Virg still fit, I don't think we'd be talking about a high line being a problem in a few weeks time.

[Cormack74]

I can't remember that's why I asked the question rather than putting it as a statement

But I thought it had been mentioned. Maybe we were trying it in some of the games at the very end of 'last' season. JK deffo spoke about it though - presumably after we had shipped some goals.

[RedReet]

I can't remember that's why I asked the question rather than putting it as a statement

But I thought it had been mentioned. Maybe we were trying it in some of the games at the very end of 'last' season. JK deffo spoke about it though - presumably after we had shipped some goals.

Oh right.

I remember reading/hearing about us taking more chances, risk vs reward etc, but not specifically relating to how high our back line is.

Either way, playing a high line is nothing new. Carra tore us to shreds on MNF (I think) last year saying we needed to drop 10 yards further back and this just feels like history repeating itself. Unfortunately this time we probably have no choice but to drop a bit deeper to play to the strengths of those we have available.

[SB]

We finished on 99 and 97 points when playing a high line. It's how we play.

With Virg & Matip & Alison it hasn’t been a problem but since the restart we’ve conceded more goals than at any other recent time. Loads of those goals have come from balls over the top exposing our high line & the fullbacks pushing up the field. Gomez has been caught out positionally as has Trent & Adrian isn’t a good sweeper like Alison is so what’s the answer? I’d suggest not playing such a high line & leaving us exposed to counter attacks as a possibility.

[Fredo]

We've got the worst defensive record in the league at this stage.

[BigChief]

We'll start our first league game without VvD. The defensive record can only get better.

[SB]

We'll start our first league game without VvD. The defensive record can only get better.

Sell