Man United vs Spurs
Man United vs Spurs should be a very interesting game, two differing styles, the style we struggled against when playing Ajax, although we did famously overcome them.
Both full-backs become attackers, either going outside or through the inside channel.
A holding midfielder drops to either the right side or left side of the two centre-backs.
The other holding midfielder remains centrally.
The number 10 joins the striker further advanced leaving the other two attackers either on the edge of the box or to join inside the box as and when the opportunity avails itself.
There are always 4 defending.
For an explanation of channels and zones read the article below but basically, the two United full-backs attack the Wide Area or the Half-Space, shown in the second graphic.
COYS
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Zones help you understand Spurs' style of play better - 1,762 words
A discussion on zones helps you to understand each player's role & Conte's system better.
How can Tottenham exploit this?
Upon turnover, Spurs can either stretch the 4-man defence by attacking quickly in wide areas, something we have been doing all season.
This takes one of the centre-backs out of position to mark a winger with a holding midfielder against the other winger.
Son should be able to use his pace, on the right, against a centre-back or holding midfielder, which against Everton was Christian Eriksen.
Balls from one flank to a player cutting in from the other flank to the far post could be productive, the type of ball Kulusevski plays.
Spurs could exploit the space by playing the same ball a little further out with the wide man running into space, with Kane occupying the other defender.
Equally, with only one holding midfielder, Spurs can counter-attack centrally and quickly be one-on-one with the 3-man defence, by-passing the holding midfielder.
If we can exploit a the situations where Eriksen drops to the right side of a back three pitting him against Son, there is only going to be one winner for me.
This could be our route to success.
I suspect, as much as possible, Luke Shaw will be the player on the left side staying to help the centre-backs and Eriksen taking up the wide left role.
In attack Manchester United create overloads because they retain the width with advanced full-backs, but they will then be susceptible to fast counter-attacks.
As a defensive unit, Spurs push teams out wide so it'll be an interesting game.
The two United graphics come courtesy of United Peoples so a big thanks to them.
441 words
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Spurs Chat with THBN after the Everton game
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A discussion on zones helps you to understand each player's role & Conte's system better.
An article that talks about Lloris, Sánchez, Conte and talks about xT (expected Threat), expected crossing threat and figures showing the expected threat from each player.
This article asks Is VAR just a marketing tool and looks at the tactics of Marseilles head coach Igor Tudor.
2 comments
I was just catching up on your blog and read the sad news. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family are doing ok and celebrating your love for your lost one. Your family will be in my prayers.
Am I interpreting it incorrectly or does the ManU formation in attack leave them without much of a midfield? They would need excellent service from the back 3/4 to keep all those players in motion. Maybe that link in play would come from Erikson. Perhaps close marking him might stifle their attack.