Milan Van Ewijk and Tatsu Sakamoto - Casualties of the System (23 Viewers)

[robbiethemole]

Haha I must be some sort of genius!

Don’t worry you’ll find plenty in my future posts

Bloody hell boosh! Have you been in rehab? Far too sensible for the old you

 

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[blunted]

In depth football observations. Way too difficult to grasp for the I know fuck all but have finally mastered the art of dismissing anything that doesn't fit into my limited understanding of football brigade. Props mate.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

The reality is, Sakamoto hasn't looked the same since his injury, and I don't really think that has a lot to do with the manager and tactics. I think it is a lot more to do with his own mindset/confidence, which you can pick up from a weaker energy level, and being less inclined to try and take a player on/track back and make a tackle. MvE has also looked a level below this season, which again transcends the manager and system.

It is an interesting read, and I do think at times our shape is a problem for us, but I am not convinced playing MvE as a centre back is the way forward. I also think to have the ability to go into such detail like this, but miss what is hiding in plain sight (i.e. shoehorning Sheaf into a currently winning team) is a bit batshit. The current team at the moment, perhaps with the addition of Wright is about as good as we are going to get. We've won 5/6 league games, and I don't think there is need whatsoever to rip something out that is working so much. We have a healthy level of competition, which is a good thing, so if players don't perform we have the ability to give others a chance.

P.S. I put a poo emoji on the original analysis, just for revenge on all the times many of us have done a thoughtful post, only to get shat on! I did however, enjoy to read it and it gives some food for thought.

The winning system is the tactical approach to the game, not the formation.

Lampard has touched on 5-3-2 being a temporary measure and the players have adapted well and a few wider points about that specific formations pros and cons. Against QPR, similarly, was a successful night because we switched to 4-2-3-1 and won the game.

In the end, we’ll revert back to 4-2-3-1 because we have better players to influence the game imo. We’ll continue to give Rudoni a free role in a 10 or roaming CM with Grimes and another CM to give a bit of balance. MVE, will probably benefit from having someone to overlap with whilst Bidwell is a well balanced LB despite his limitations.

I’m looking forward to seeing how we end the season.

 

[Chicken Mcgraw]

Thought Sakamoto was very good yesterday, seemed to be able to operate in his usual way despite his starting positions. Seems this is the way we’ll set up from now. Very fluid of course but this was the most common I noticed:



Rudoni in that left wing spot worth noting.

Also a fair bit of Grimes in the back 3 with both fullbacks allowed to push on.

 

[SleepyGinger]

Rudoni was popping up everywhere yesterday

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Posted on the match day but looked like Milan backed more backup with Bidwell coming forward.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Rudoni was popping up everywhere yesterday

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Posted on the match day but looked like Milan backed more backup with Bidwell coming forward.

View attachment 41646

Interesting shape, quite similar to a 4-2-4 shape in attack and I’m torn whether or not we play 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 when Haji returns. I’m erring more to 4-2-3-1 with one of EMC/Haji RW because that gives Rudoni more freedom to roam and look for overloads on either flank as opposed to operating more on the flanks.

 

[Chicken Mcgraw]

 

[Chicken Mcgraw]

These 2 have really nailed their rotations last few games. The issues mentioned have been sorted so it seems. I would like to see Sakamoto cross more often and not use the overlap as much. I feel his delivery is far more dangerous. I understand using the overlap puts it in the defenders mind but I feel they will always track the run regardless and it would be much better served as a dummy.

Thought MvE tucking side was more prevalent than normal yesterday:





Being honest, those are the kind of positions I envisaged Dasilva taking up rather than MVE. Makes me think there is still room to bring in either a more defensive minded LB or even a more adventurous one. Dasilva would be valuable in midfield whilst we are in possession but it’s something we only seem to use in one off games. I wouldn’t be surprised if we looked at a LB in Jan which seems mental given we already have 3.

Regarding Sakamoto, I hope he continues contributing as he has been. Those contributions have been lacking since he joined so long may they continue

 

[stupot07]

Sakamoto gets plenty of crosses in, he attempted 10 crosses yesterday, for contest EMC attempted just 2.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Sakamoto gets plenty of crosses in, he attempted 10 crosses yesterday, for contest EMC attempted just 2.

What does that look like for the whole season? Sakamoto has 3 more successful crosses than EMC and a better %. Fotmob gives the % and successful crosses but not the number of attempts.

EMC has created more chances, better xG but less xA. In short, they serve different roles and imo, EMC is slightly more important right now. Why? We have no attacking threat down the left whereas down the right, MVE is just as a credible threat on the right hand. Sheff U was a good example here because BTA was completely shutdown on the left whereas on the RW, MVE is the ‘out’ ball (hence 4/5 goals at RW, 1 at LW).

That said, Sakamoto has been great for us and is also undroppable at this moment. When Rudoni is back, it sounds strange to say but I believe BTA will find himself on the bench.

 

[fatso]

What does that look like for the whole season? Sakamoto has 3 more successful crosses than EMC and a better %. Fotmob gives the % and successful crosses but not the number of attempts.

EMC has created more chances, better xG but less xA. In short, they serve different roles and imo, EMC is slightly more important right now. Why? We have no attacking threat down the left whereas down the right, MVE is just as a credible threat on the right hand. Sheff U was a good example here because BTA was completely shutdown on the left whereas on the RW, MVE is the ‘out’ ball (hence 4/5 goals at RW, 1 at LW).

That said, Sakamoto has been great for us and is also undroppable at this moment. When Rudoni is back, it sounds strange to say but I believe BTA will find himself on the bench.

I know its just an opinion, but I'd be suprised if the leagues top scorer was dropped after a run of 8 wins in 9 games for a player who only played 10 minutes of those games.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I know its just an opinion, but I'd be suprised if the leagues top scorer was dropped after a run of 8 wins in 9 games for a player who only played 10 minutes of those games.

For the second top scorer though.

My view is that when push comes to shove, Lampard prefers Haji to BTA. If Simms starts v Boro and continues a decent run of form, it complicates team selection further. Not necessarily a bad thing!

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

I know its just an opinion, but I'd be suprised if the leagues top scorer was dropped after a run of 8 wins in 9 games for a player who only played 10 minutes of those games.

BTA has had a top spell, no doubt about it, but if everyone is fit I don't think he makes it into the team, and I'm not even sure he will start on Tuesday, as I think before the game yesterday the plan for Tuesday was to bring him in for Simms. Now I'm not so sure. That said its not often that every player is fit, available and on form, which means BTA will play regularly regardless.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

BTA has had a top spell, no doubt about it, but if everyone is fit I don't think he makes it into the team, and I'm not even sure he will start on Tuesday, as I think before the game yesterday the plan for Tuesday was to bring him in for Simms. Now I'm not so sure. That said its not often that every player is fit, available and on form, which means BTA will play regularly regardless.

I think that's probably it really I don't think it's necessarily as linear as Rudoni in, BTA out.

There will be plenty of opportunities to start. Also, particularly away from home, Lampard might look to use certain players over others dependant on the opposition and their setup.

 

[harvey098]

BTA has had a top spell, no doubt about it, but if everyone is fit I don't think he makes it into the team, and I'm not even sure he will start on Tuesday, as I think before the game yesterday the plan for Tuesday was to bring him in for Simms. Now I'm not so sure. That said its not often that every player is fit, available and on form, which means BTA will play regularly regardless.

I imagine it’ll be Wright and BTA for Simms and Eccles which feels harsh when both just scored but that would be my guess

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

I thought Wright was out for 2 weeks?

 

[DannyThomas_1981]

Just my view we look far more balanced with a midfield 3 and 1 forward supported by EMC and Saka.

We control the tempo of the game and possession far more with the 3 in midfield.

I would guess that the preferred midfield three is Grimes/Rudi/Torp (with Eccles very close to a starting place).

I still think that the preferred front 3 is EMC/Wright/Saka with Rudoni proving the creativity and transition to make our forward line tick. Playing BTA has crowded out Wright - and he's badly missed Rudoni's link play and passing.

 

[Captain Dart]

I imagine it’ll be Wright and BTA for Simms and Eccles which feels harsh when both just scored but that would be my guess

Haji is injured for 2 to 3 weeks so that won't happen.

 

[harvey098]

P

Haji is injured for 2 to 3 weeks so that won't happen.

It’s a bloody fair point mate