15 Jan 2022 16:21:22
How about this as an observation and question.

We go 2-0 against the scousers and then start to play and get competitive.

We go 1-0 down against City and then get competitive.

Is this to do with our players or manager? Are we a team that is content to keep the ball passively? Or, are we just a team that lacks tempo or appetite to dominate opponents?

Other descriptions are more than welcome!

1.) 15 Jan 2022
15 Jan 2022 18:01:24
Against these teams I think we're keeping it tight and looking for one golden opportunity on the break, which has previously worked under Tuchel Vs such opposition. That goes out the window when we let a goal in, and we can subsequently take the shackles off to get back into the game.

Questions are asked why we didn't give it a go when we loose by a goal or nick a draw under these circumstances. Just as questions are asked about being naive when we play more open and get comprehensively beaten by the likes of City.

2.) 15 Jan 2022
15 Jan 2022 19:10:23
It’s not just give it a go “J”.

We generally only press with two players and very rarely push that press into one side of the pitch. City press with a three particularly against the sides or corner flags.

When we play out of from the back we tend to play across the line for an age. This isn’t always the man with the balls fault, lack of movement in front is a continuing issue that hasn’t changed from last season.

Attacks have to be balanced with a solid defence and that includes midfield but as I keep saying our midfield rarely goes beyond our CF.