11 May 2022 17:53:39
I see all this stuff about Ange changing tactics for Europe. I think Stubbsie started it with his 'Plan B' post.
As I see it, there are two ways to play successfully in Europe.
1. Sit in, put in a multiplicity of bruising tackles and hit on the break. Successful teams using this method - Atletico Madrid and Rangers to name but two.
2. Play attacking, fast passing, one touch football, either through the middle, or with overlapping wingers. Successful teams using this method - the old Barca, Liverpool and Man City to name but three.

I know which group I prefer and I know which style Ange will be aiming for.

Can't wait for next season
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Ps. One for Stubbsie, What on earth is an inverted full back - overlapping? playing high up the pitch? ?.


1.) 11 May 2022
11 May 2022 18:52:10
HH - with better players then Sensei Ange might not need to change tactics. This new Iraqi boy looks a bit gifted and if Sensei gets further improvement in key areas we could be immense very shortly.

Inverted fullbacks. Basically the defenders don't defend out wide but defend closer to the middle of the park. So insread of defending say 3 yards from the touchline they defend say 12 yards from the touchline. It usually is played to combat wingers that like to cut inside instead of taking it wide to the byeline. The defender then has the opportunity to be a playmaker from a more central part of the pitch too - or so I'm told! I just think it gives away too much space for other opposition players to exploit. We are okay at it but when it goes wrong, my does it go wrong.

Like I said in an earlier post I'd like to sit Sensei down and explain where he is going wrong!

Now let's do this tonight and return to the natural order that has been set over the last decade.


2.) 11 May 2022
11 May 2022 20:18:25
Thanks for that Stubbsie, I think I get at least half an idea of what you mean.
I feel a bit like Souness (heaven forbid) when some young pundit talked to him about a ‘low block’. He said ‘ you mean they are defending deeply’. I suppose each new generation has to invent its own language to validate themselves. ? In my day we would have said an inverted full back was a player who ‘shooed’ his opposing winger to the outside, but I appreciate that is maybe an over simplification.
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