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TACTICAL ANALYSIS - Sheffield United vs SpursThe flaws of 4-2-3-1 + Why 4-3-3 is a must going forward for Spurs:
@TahaFTBL
Sheffield United heavily favors the exteriors for build-up.
Against Spurs, 79% of attacks came from the wide areas (37% Left, 43% Right) which were achieved through triangles between CM, CB, and WB creating wide overloads.
Early warning signs:
Against Spurs, 79% of attacks came from the wide areas (37% Left, 43% Right) which were achieved through triangles between CM, CB, and WB creating wide overloads.
Early warning signs:
The main movement which affected Spurs was horizontal ball movement: (See image below)
1) Sissoko and Lucas would attempt to prevent the overload.
2) Lo Celso moved centrally to cover centrally.
3) But this allows an easy switch, creating a numerical advantage for SHU.
1) Sissoko and Lucas would attempt to prevent the overload.
2) Lo Celso moved centrally to cover centrally.
3) But this allows an easy switch, creating a numerical advantage for SHU.
A similar pattern caused the first goal to be conceded:
1) The MF receives the ball from the left (look at positions of Sissoko + GLC = centre-right Space)
2) The ball is moved out wide, another overload (2v1)
3) The ball is cut-back; 1-0 SHU.
1) The MF receives the ball from the left (look at positions of Sissoko + GLC = centre-right Space)
2) The ball is moved out wide, another overload (2v1)
3) The ball is cut-back; 1-0 SHU.
Build-up issues:
Spurs rely on the MF2 for build-up, SHU opted to man-mark GLC + MS, with a 3rd player looking to block the option to the full-back.
Spurs rely on the MF2 for build-up, SHU opted to man-mark GLC + MS, with a 3rd player looking to block the option to the full-back.
To resolve this GLC and Sissoko split, to create further passing options opening up the space centrally for Bergwijn to receive the ball.
But either poor pass execution, or SHU closing the space mean Spurs went backwards.
But either poor pass execution, or SHU closing the space mean Spurs went backwards.
Spurs completed 637 passes (SHU 312) yet only completed only 58 more passes into the final 3rd than Sheffield United.
But when Spurs did progress into the final 3rd, the offense was narrow limiting Spurs’ attacking potential with no offensive output on the left.
But when Spurs did progress into the final 3rd, the offense was narrow limiting Spurs’ attacking potential with no offensive output on the left.
On the few occasions Spurs looked dangerous during open is when an attacking option existed wide left.
Stretching the SHU defence creating space for those centrally, otherwise as seen in the tweet above they could defend narrow closing all the space for any of the attackers.
Stretching the SHU defence creating space for those centrally, otherwise as seen in the tweet above they could defend narrow closing all the space for any of the attackers.
Spurs looked promising on the counter-attack at times, but failed to find the final pass.
Spurs failed to register a single shot on target from any of the counter-attacks below:
Spurs failed to register a single shot on target from any of the counter-attacks below:
In the 2nd half, SHU dropped into a 5-3-2 low block. Spurs struggled to create, having only 1 shot in the 2nd half (Kane's goal)
Spurs offensive shape improved as a result of Davies' positioning (as discussed in the preview) creating more passing options.
Spurs offensive shape improved as a result of Davies' positioning (as discussed in the preview) creating more passing options.
But despite getting into promising situations, Spurs failed to find the killer pass.
SHU exposing Spurs' MF 2 continued through quick switches.
(Look at the position of the MF2) and the space available to SHU #2.
(Look at the position of the MF2) and the space available to SHU #2.
The 2nd and 3rd goals came through the wide areas but came about as a result of lazy defending and individual errors....
The 4-2-3-1 may have systematically ‘cost’ Spurs this game, if we ignore the lack of sensible defending/ lack of final pass, Sheffield United very much controlled the game without the ball as well as look threatening as a result of wide overloads.
The 4-2-3-1 deficiencies are...
The 4-2-3-1 deficiencies are...
Highlighted with the lack of a true DM with defensive instincts and positional awareness.
GLC and MS were tasked with competing against a midfield that outnumbered them while being responsible for preventing wide overloads with the responsibility to providing impetus to offense.
GLC and MS were tasked with competing against a midfield that outnumbered them while being responsible for preventing wide overloads with the responsibility to providing impetus to offense.
The 4-3-3 solution:
- 3rd MF reduces the burden on the MF 2 allowing the screen to move horizontally protecting the back 4.
- 3rd MF prevents the need for the wingers to drop back as much
- 3rd MF reduces the burden on the MF 2 allowing the screen to move horizontally protecting the back 4.
- 3rd MF prevents the need for the wingers to drop back as much
At times the winger on the alternative side of the ball had to cover the extra opposition attacker.
- Hence the 3rd midfielder reduces the defensive burden on the wingers, leaving them higher up the pitch. Through vertical channel balls Spurs can better counter-attack.
- Hence the 3rd midfielder reduces the defensive burden on the wingers, leaving them higher up the pitch. Through vertical channel balls Spurs can better counter-attack.
The use of the MF 3 reduces the physical and defensive burden on the midfielders and the dual eight midfielders is much better suited to the midfield profile Spurs possess in Lo Celso, Sissoko etc allowing their strengths to come to the forefront i.e transitioning/ball carrying.
Summary: The 4-2-3-1 is an experiment gone wrong. The 4-3-3 MUST be used going forward.
A more in-depth analysis of the 4-3-3 will arrive in the near future, which in my opinion is much better suited to Spurs and can help transform this side.
Thank you for reading. #COYS
A more in-depth analysis of the 4-3-3 will arrive in the near future, which in my opinion is much better suited to Spurs and can help transform this side.
Thank you for reading.
#COYS
