www.vavel.com
Gotta be happy with that. Spot on that De Zerbi is fulfilling Potter's potential.Goes into our tactics. Good summary imo.
De Zerbi's Brighton - Destined for Success?
An insight into the changes Roberto De Zerbi has made at Brighton and why he and his side seem destined for success.
We certainly seemed to have a more solid defence under Potter. But I’m not sure about our attack having more freedom, we used to have tons of shots and possession under Potter. RDZ has somehow made the players finish the chances, I’m still not clear how he has done this?
It’s true, however I do think that the RDZ tactics, of playing rapid short passes through the lines is incredibly difficult to negate if done well. Where we seen to struggle is against a low block (same as Potter) and if we go behind as teams are less likely tocome on to us (same as Potter). In my opinion like. I take your point about revisionist thinking, there seems to be a fair bit of it about. In equal parts due to residual anger over the manner of Potter’s leaving, RDZ ‘s success (although we still are not winning much at the Amex!) and Potter’s travails at Chelsea.
Couldn't agree more. I am far more nervous about our defence than I was under Potter and far more expectant that the ball will go in, but like you say I on the face of it I don't feel there has been much change in our chances created. One aspect that has changed is RDZ does not make excuses for missed goals. But then don't forget that before Potter pissed off we had scored 11 in 6 games, admittedly 5 were in one game, but there was clearly an improvement, as there had been the previous season. Don't get me wrong I really like RDZ and I think Potter leaving after setting the squad on the right track was a blessing in disguise, but RDZ has walked in to an already successful team. The genius lies with TB, being able to grab (at short notice) a manager whose style just meant a few tweaks rather than wholesale changes.
Could it be a simple as we break much quicker much of the time now, so the opposition defence is not back in place by the time we come to shoot/head the ball, so less players in the way and they can choose where to place the ball rather than snap shots or shots from distance? The keeper is also more exposed as he doesn’t have as much defensive cover.
And yet our average shots on target and shoot accuracy has increased this season compared to last. That can’t all be down to Maupay?
They're usually somewhat related...
That’s how it looks to the naked eye at least. Hence us drawing the oppo out before playing through the lines at pace. We pull teams out of position then tear through them, creating space then attacking it at speed. This quite often leaves defenders and keepers exposed. At least 3 goals at Everton were scored like this.
It’s interesting to watch. We actually start the build up very, very slowly (as the daft bint that sits behind us CONTINUALLY points out when Colwill is stood on the ball), waiting for the oppo to engage with our back line, ideally in numbers. We wait until the last possible second (higher risk), drawing them in as far as possible and then almost flick a switch and ping it several times between players ideally looking for runners that have broken the lines to exploit the half-space. The other big, big difference we have is Mitoma now starting regularly - he doesn’t even need a space because his dribbling is so hot.
To be fair, isn't any tactic aimed at scoring more goals easily countered once the other team have identified it?
What I love about this tactic is going to teams like mboro and Carrick clearly telling his players not to engage with colwill.... But .... The thick northern monkey crowd can't help themselves booing and cajoling the players to get stuck in, which the players fall for, hook line and sinker. They press , we break the lines , bang, GOL. See second goal on Saturday.
