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Let's take a look at our player's avg positions in games at different points in the season.
This will tell us
- their roles
- how well they stuck to it
- how they evolved
- what worked & what didn't
And my personal favourite
- how formations are misleading
LET'S GO!
Let's take a look at our player's avg positions in games at different points in the season.
This will tell us
- their roles
- how well they stuck to it
- how they evolved
- what worked & what didn't
And my personal favourite
- how formations are misleading
LET'S GO!
Here are the 4 games we will looking at:
1. Our first game
2. Our low point vs Burnley at home
3. Pogba + Bruno + Martial + Rashford + Mason
4. Our final game
Here are the avg positions of each
Now let's dive in
1. Our first game
2. Our low point vs Burnley at home
3. Pogba + Bruno + Martial + Rashford + Mason
4. Our final game
Here are the avg positions of each
Now let's dive in
1. Our First Game
United 4 - 0 Chelsea
- first time this lineup is playing together
- defense already look to be in solid shape
- Martial tending to drift wide
- Jesse & Pereira stuck off position
- no width on right
- strikers isolated
So what's happening?
United 4 - 0 Chelsea
- first time this lineup is playing together
- defense already look to be in solid shape
- Martial tending to drift wide
- Jesse & Pereira stuck off position
- no width on right
- strikers isolated
So what's happening?
The intention here is right
It's 4-2-3-1 if Lingard, Pereira & Martial were in the right positions
If they were Utd can attack with a 2-3-5 & defend with a 5-3-2 : The way Ole wants to play
One reason is Lingard & Periera swapped positions during the game
1st game rustiness
It's 4-2-3-1 if Lingard, Pereira & Martial were in the right positions
If they were Utd can attack with a 2-3-5 & defend with a 5-3-2 : The way Ole wants to play
One reason is Lingard & Periera swapped positions during the game
1st game rustiness
2. Our Low Point vs Burnley
United 0 - 2 Burnley
- United without Pogba, Rashford, Shaw & Lindelof
- Jones, Mata, Pereira starting
- Mid & attack cut off
- defense again solid
- no coordination in attack
- no space up front
- no width
We were poor on the field and it shows
United 0 - 2 Burnley
- United without Pogba, Rashford, Shaw & Lindelof
- Jones, Mata, Pereira starting
- Mid & attack cut off
- defense again solid
- no coordination in attack
- no space up front
- no width
We were poor on the field and it shows
This is what losing your best players can do. These players haven't played together & it's evident there's no clarity or communication up front.
Mata and James providing no width doesn't help. Neither does Fred & Matic providing no support.
An injury lead poor performance.
Mata and James providing no width doesn't help. Neither does Fred & Matic providing no support.
An injury lead poor performance.
3. Pogba + Bruno + Martial + Rashford + Mason
Villa 0 - 3 United
- a beautiful 2-4-3-1
- that adapts to 2-3-5 & 5-3-2 comfortably
- Matic covering for Shaw (more fwd FB)
- Rash & Mason playing as inside fwds
- Martial front & central
- Bruno focus of attack
- Pogba the center
Villa 0 - 3 United
- a beautiful 2-4-3-1
- that adapts to 2-3-5 & 5-3-2 comfortably
- Matic covering for Shaw (more fwd FB)
- Rash & Mason playing as inside fwds
- Martial front & central
- Bruno focus of attack
- Pogba the center
No surprise this was one of our best games.
Ole's tactics become clear.
He wants Pogba to be the heart, Bruno to create, MMM to score, full backs to support & Matic to rotate.
Simple | Exciting | Attacking | Effective
Note: Just the 4th game together for our best XI.
Ole's tactics become clear.
He wants Pogba to be the heart, Bruno to create, MMM to score, full backs to support & Matic to rotate.
Simple | Exciting | Attacking | Effective
Note: Just the 4th game together for our best XI.
4. Our Final Game
Leicester 0 - 2 United
- defense solid as always
- Bruno dropping deep to link up
- Mason deep due to lack of creativity on right
- Martial now always staying front & central
We are not at our best but the shape isn't too bad
System slowly getting ingrained.
Leicester 0 - 2 United
- defense solid as always
- Bruno dropping deep to link up
- Mason deep due to lack of creativity on right
- Martial now always staying front & central
We are not at our best but the shape isn't too bad
System slowly getting ingrained.
Looking through these 4 it's evident to see how Ole wants United to play and what the roles he wants for each player.
As the season progressed our players have gotten better at their roles, our shape has improved & we look more composed.
Our injuries didn't help any of this.
As the season progressed our players have gotten better at their roles, our shape has improved & we look more composed.
Our injuries didn't help any of this.
The argument that Ole has no tactics is nonsense. It is unfair to the man's ability to play an exciting brand of football and also his ability to tailor a style of play that best suits his players.
Like any manager with the right players & time, the process will become results.
Like any manager with the right players & time, the process will become results.
How Formations Mislead
This shows the team sheet formation we see before the games are just a representation of the organisation more than the positioning.
So when you ask why not play a certain formation, check their positions to see why they're setting up like that.
This shows the team sheet formation we see before the games are just a representation of the organisation more than the positioning.
So when you ask why not play a certain formation, check their positions to see why they're setting up like that.
In other words, a 4-2-3-1 on paper can be played a million ways depending on the player's roles & instructions.
In Utd's case our inconsistencies initially are growing pains of learning to play a certain way.
The more they play the better they'll get & so will the results.
In Utd's case our inconsistencies initially are growing pains of learning to play a certain way.
The more they play the better they'll get & so will the results.
Average positions available on the sofascore.
Thanks to @Tactical_Times for the help!
The point about Lingard & Pereira being off positions because they swapped was pointed out by @pkwestel.
Follow them ASAP if you're not already.
Thanks to @Tactical_Times for the help!
The point about Lingard & Pereira being off positions because they swapped was pointed out by @pkwestel.
Follow them ASAP if you're not already.
