[Albion] Man City work out Arsenal (and Brighton?)

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Interesting article on The Times today talking about how Man City went direct to beat Arsenal. Way more often than against any other team this season.

But look who comes just behind. It appears they used a similar tactic against us. Go direct, use a big front man to ruffle some feathers, sacrifice some possession but bypass the press.

Have any other teams exploited this potential vulnerability against us this season?

 

[Jim in the West]

Our next opponents did - and they will again tomorrow

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Yes, but Arsenal don’t have Dunk, Webster, Veltman or Estupinan.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Our next opponents did - and they will again tomorrow

That was with Potter though, who was more one dimensional in his approach, we tend to play with more width under RdZ which in itself creates space (all IMO of course ).

I thought in the first game Fulham dived more than any team I’ve seen in the PL so tomorrow will be interesting.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I was thinking of Fulham when I read the article (firewall so didn't share the link).

Direct and disruptive is how I expect them to play.

 

[Icy Gull]

I was thinking of Fulham when I read the article (firewall so didn't share the link).

Direct and disruptive is how I expect them to play.

Mitrovic in one of his two favourite games of the season, bullying Albion defenders and scoring….

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

I'm not sure that hitting it long to a 6ft 5 lightning quick Nordic freak with 30 goals or whatever already is quite the revolutionary tactic it's being made out to be.

 

[Frankie]

After last week I'm certain we'll see more high balls into the 6 yard box,Bob will be targeted as a potential weak link and there's no argument against it if your the opposing manager there will have been that conversation with his players

Fulham have one of the best headers of the ball in the league so they'd be daft not to try and exploit the chance of a few howitzers into the box, it's a bit disrespectful to view Fulham as just long ball merchants because quite clearly they have more to their game than that.

They simply played better than us the last time we met and i think we're far better equipped now in terms of organisation and understanding what the manager wants so I'd like to think it won't be so easy for them this time around,this is a very big game for both teams,and a chance to build a little gap between us and poor Chelsea who didn't realise they hadn't purchased a £100 million striker when the window closed.

 

[zefarelly]

Yes, but Arsenal don’t have Dunk, Webster, Veltman or Estupinan.

One of Dunks achilles is a long ball over the top To a half decent striker. If he doesn't get it he gets sent off or booked trying .

 

[dazzer6666]

That was with Potter though, who was more one dimensional in his approach, we tend to play with more width under RdZ which in itself creates space (all IMO of course ).

I thought in the first game Fulham dived more than any team I’ve seen in the PL so tomorrow will be interesting.

We also had a bit of an odd line-up, going 3-5-2 with Groß and Trossard up front.

 

[zefarelly]

I'm not sure that hitting it long to a 6ft 5 lightning quick Nordic freak with 30 goals or whatever already is quite the revolutionary tactic it's being made out to be.

Hardly a crazy idea is it.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'm not sure that hitting it long to a 6ft 5 lightning quick Nordic freak with 30 goals or whatever already is quite the revolutionary tactic it's being made out to be.

As I said in the ‘arry thread. English football is returning to the dinosaur age

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm not sure that hitting it long to a 6ft 5 lightning quick Nordic freak with 30 goals or whatever already is quite the revolutionary tactic it's being made out to be.

To be honest, I'm all in favour of any tactic that bypasses SockBoy.

 

[el punal]

Our next opponents did - and they will again tomorrow

They might. Don’t forget we played poorly at Craven Cottage and Fulham took advantage. We are a much better team these days. Lightning striking twice - hope not.

 

[The Wizard]

They played it long more because Arsenal pressed them high, as did we and as did Man City. It’s not that hard to work out really.

Teams go long against us all the time, Palace and bumfluff did it constantly, didn’t work for them.

 

[Triggaaar]

Interesting article on The Times today talking about how Man City went direct to beat Arsenal. Way more often than against any other team this season.

But look who comes just behind. It appears they used a similar tactic against us. Go direct, use a big front man to ruffle some feathers, sacrifice some possession but bypass the press.

Ruffle feathers? Should have been a foul against Webster.

 

[The Fits]

I'm not sure that hitting it long to a 6ft 5 lightning quick Nordic freak with 30 goals or whatever already is quite the revolutionary tactic it's being made out to be.

Peps achievements in football are undeniable but I'd wager every other manager in the league would have Man City on at least as many points this season.

 

[Triggaaar]

Peps achievements in football are undeniable but I'd wager every other manager in the league would have Man City on at least as many points this season.

So Pep has been the worst (or joint worst) performing manager of the season?

 

[LamieRobertson]

That was with Potter though, who was more one dimensional in his approach, we tend to play with more width under RdZ which in itself creates space (all IMO of course ).

I thought in the first game Fulham dived more than any team I’ve seen in the PL so tomorrow will be interesting.

Fulham play sone good football and the results reflect that …but boy they certainly do and I anticipate they’ll get plenty of abuse tomorrow

 

[jimhigham]

One of Dunks achilles is a long ball over the top To a half decent striker. If he doesn't get it he gets sent off or booked trying .

Feels like a little while since we had a proper game changing decision like that go in our favour. Would be nice to catch a lucky break tomorrow after last week’s astonishing bout of bad karma.