Greenlizard0 Premier League Football Thread ** spoilers ** [14th - 16th January 2025]

UTD just aren't holding onto the ball well enough to allow those wingbacks to get into position. Always the problem with this formation, fine in a slower tempo league like Italy or Portugal though

This is the question isn’t it. To see if it works we need to rebuild the side in its image. If it still fails it’s another complete rebuild…
 
This is the question isn’t it. To see if it works we need to rebuild the side in its image. If it still fails it’s another complete rebuild…

There is a reason it doesn't really work as a controlling formation in the Prem, league is just too quick for those wingbacks to get up and down the pitch. Fine if you use a 5-4-1 or something to close out a game though
 
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Boos at half time - that's going to help!
It's very messy. Robbo's list of observations is accurate. I've actually been super impressed by Southampton's press. Ugarte and Mainoo just can't handle it and the back three/five are very deep. You can also see that players are trying to force it and making mistakes when they don't need to force it and conversely they aren't taking risks to break the lines when they should. That's the challenge in learning this system.
That said Southampton don't look like a team that is bottom of the league so credit to them.
The issue is the you've only got one player who's actually decent at retaining the ball (Mainoo).

Against teams who expect to beat you (which lets face it, is most now ;)), your setup is starting to improve things, as they come at you and your midfield with Mainoo and Ugarte plus the wing backs is solid. Against Saints you're being asked to control and progress the ball, and frankly your players aren't good enough at that.
 
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Look at the space in the centre of the pitch, just dire stuff, Southampton could get a few more goals if this continues...
 
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