Man U v Leeds

[cyril evans awaydays]

Re: Man U v Leeds

completely different to the way Newcastle used to play. Newcastle had very skillful attacking players, who didn't do much in defence, like Ginola.
This Leeds team try to engineer attacking opportunities by really aggressively pressing the opponents in their own half and by out running them. if you beat the press then you can make spaces in the midfield by running directly up the middle.

both weak defensively but very different types of team.

Like all tactical changes good teams spend lots of time working out ways to neutralise and outwit them. Leeds were blown away in the first 5 minutes but didn't change tactics noticeably and got more punishment. They don't have the players to play those tactics against the best teams but don't seem to have a Plan B.

They seem to have enough to stabilise in the division and prosper against poorer teams though and I would prefer to watch Bielsa giving it a go in the Premier League than a season of Warnock's top flight insecurities.

The point I was making a little while back was that Harris seemed to be the main culprit for a schooling by a better team whilst Bielsa, because of his stature in the game got away relatively scot free.

[Steve the Tea]

Re: Man U v Leeds

Sean Morrison would have had a hat trick against either team on that showing.

Quite right, sir.

What amazed me on Sky tv was the obnoxious love-in over Leeds. They looked shambolic at the back and Man U looked like they could score with virtually every attack. Being a great coach, that Sky were repeatedly insisting Bielsa was, had clearly nothing to do with having the ability to defend. To be a great coach all you have to do is attack, attack and attack with no regard whatsoever to the other half of the game vis keeping the ball out of your net! By this token losing a game 5-1, 7-2 or 6-1 means nothing as long as you attack when you have the ball.

StT.
<><

[Rjk]

Re: Man U v Leeds

Quite right, sir.

What amazed me on Sky tv was the obnoxious love-in over Leeds. They looked shambolic at the back and Man U looked like they could score with virtually every attack. Being a great coach, that Sky were repeatedly insisting Bielsa was, had clearly nothing to do with having the ability to defend. To be a great coach all you have to do is attack, attack and attack with no regard whatsoever to the other half of the game vis keeping the ball out of your net! By this token losing a game 5-1, 7-2 or 6-1 means nothing as long as you attack when you have the ball.

StT.
<><

let's not forget the same week they won a game 5-2 in the same week, if they had won that 1-0 and lost 2-0 nobody would be commenting.
I don't think they are naive, their best means of defence is to make sure the game is played as far away from their defence as possible, by winning it back in the opponents half. they won't suddenly become an effective deep-block defensive unit and long ball merchants just because their press has been beaten a few times in a game, it takes just as much Training to make that system work.
just like we can't instantly become an attractive passing side if hoof ball isn't working.
perhaps all their eggs are in one basket, but so far it is keeping them out of Trouble. if they become an average team that can play a bit of a number of ways I'm not convinced they'd be any more effective

[surge]

Re: Man U v Leeds

They took off their best defensive midfielder at half-time. If that's because they recognised it wasn't their day and have a hectic schedule over Christmas then I would tip my hat to bold squad management.

Bielsa has inspired many highly acclaimed managers. It doesn't necessarily make you a great manager to inspire others but part of your game needs to be great and he's still showing that.

Quote on twitter going around from Norwich boss saying attacking teams struggle most in the first year of premier league but are more likely to succeed second year whereas reverse is true for defensive teams. Leeds definitely give you chances so maybe we'll see how they manage second "easier", season.

[Tuerto]

Re: Man U v Leeds

Like all tactical changes good teams spend lots of time working out ways to neutralise and outwit them. Leeds were blown away in the first 5 minutes but didn't change tactics noticeably and got more punishment. They don't have the players to play those tactics against the best teams but don't seem to have a Plan B.

They seem to have enough to stabilise in the division and prosper against poorer teams though and I would prefer to watch Bielsa giving it a go in the Premier League than a season of Warnock's top flight insecurities.

The point I was making a little while back was that Harris seemed to be the main culprit for a schooling by a better team whilst Bielsa, because of his stature in the game got away relatively scot free.

I don't think that Bielsa does a Plan B. The way i see it is that the way Bielsa plays can improve hugely if the correct players are brought ln.

[Rjk]

Re: Man U v Leeds

looks like the bielsa way is proving more effective than the route one merchants tonight

[WJ99mobile]

Re: Man U v Leeds

looks like the bielsa way is proving more effective than the route one merchants tonight

Regardless of the score line, it’s by far more entertaining than route one and also more entertaining than tiki taka