Two teams 1 One team 0
An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective
“ I’ve been in football a long time. Games like today make me realize that when it’s time to leave football behind, I won’t be missing anything.”
That was Roy Hodgson. On Saturday. I’ve seen Roy Hodgson upset, and he still manages to keep his composure, but he was very serene when he said this.
In my opinion, this may well be the most important quote of this Premier League season so far.
If the PGMOL cared, which I think is a waste of a thought, then they would be rattled by this. Because he’s not the coach of an elite club and he didn’t shout and scream, this will be left alone. He is saying so much more than ‘the referees are not doing a good job currently.’ He has fallen out with his lifelong love. That is so very much larger than just an angry man comment. My guess is that if he is fired because Palace are not doing well or just decides that the end of the season is enough, he will be done completely. Now I understand that he is 76 years old and might have been thinking about retiring anyway, but maybe not.
I thought for a while that it was going to take a coach moving out of the league or retiring to say what they actually think and what the other coaches actually think about the refs and VAR, in order for proper change to occur. I hope that Roy Hodgson takes this opportunity because he will be doing football players, football fans, football coaches, and probably a whole lot of marriages a huge favor by telling the truth.
Of all the games to miss, I actually missed this one live. I’m on a date weekend with Lori. I avoided the score until the end and so I know that I’m not being reactionary because I haven’t even watched it yet. What I have done though, is watched the clips of the major incidences at Villa Park. I’m calm and I’ve enjoyed my day with Lori. We are in Asheville, North Carolina. An eclectic town with such good food and interesting people. Tomorrow I will go home and watch the game and continue writing this blog. For now, I just feel disappointed that Arsenal haven’t capitalized on City falling away but still calm and very much believing we can still win the league. I’m just more rattled by this comment and how it was presented and what it actually means.
Arsenal Football Club are now in a very interesting situation which is none of their doing. I don’t think it’s exaggeration at all to think that if we do not win the Premier league that the PGMOL will have had a very large say it. What do Arsenal do about this? What would you do? Arteta must think what we think. That he is the poster boy for the new distraction in football. The distraction which is focusing on players and coaches abuse of the referee, when in fact, that is a minor problem at best compared to the major issues. Like this…
I’ve actually paused and come back to writing this now.
I’ve seen the Hodgson interview in full now.
Hodgson said that the problem with football is “the referees.” They pushed him further and he states that he has a major problem with the fact that his coaches have prepared meticulously for the game, and that they can’t come to the sideline and instruct the players. They are screamed at by the fourth official to sit down. You should read Arseblog’s post about this. This and all of the other rules distracting us from the ineptitude/corruption that are in place to protect the referees from nasty words, players, and a fourth official.
Look at the world. People who love power are always encouraged when they see people who have power, abusing it.
If it were me, I would be very intentional in the timing of my request to speak to Howard Webb. My life experience has taught me that you make more impact when you are happy, calm, and maybe even jovial when you have something serious and critical to say. I don’t think Arsenal are going to leave this alone. I don’t think it could get any worse for Arsenal if they were to complain again. If it is currently 8/10 in the ‘Arsenal are being targeted’ league the refs can’t go to 9 or 10 out of 10. It would be too obvious that it’s intentional. They will have to still be able to offer some level of excuse.
Just found this (above). Others picking up on it.
I paused for a while today before deciding what my opening piece would be. I’m personally less interested in commenting on what everybody else is talking about and I’m sure that people reading have had enough by the time my blog comes out. On this occasion though, I think that it’s unavoidable. I saw a brighter red flag last summer than I’ve seen in a while. When a World Cup uses a new technology in semi-automated offside, and it improves the game and the world’s best league says ‘no thanks,’ then I get wide-eyed and am very suspicious.
I’ll comment below on the game and my thoughts on the player but when we’ve only lost two games this season and both of them were so obviously reffed to advantage the opponent then on some level everything else is secondary.
Beyond Arsenal, football has to be very, very careful. The Premier League is by far the most popular league in the world. The Saudi league I’m sure is trying to take over. Most of you who read this blog are actually from other countries other than England. The Arsenal fan base is most certainly larger outside of England than in it if you add up those who do not live in England and those who do. I’m not sure what the numbers are but I won’t be surprised if there were more Arsenal fans in Nigeria than in England because of Kanu. Anyway, this group will be the first to give up. Almost all of them have other sports in their country that they follow. If football in the Premier League is corrupt or more to the point, that is the perception, then the interest will fall away, because what’s the point right? If we’re watching a movie and it’s not real and fair then the only people that will probably survive are the ones that need it as a drug, or have that WWE mentality where they don’t really care if it’s real or not.
I enjoy reading The Bearded Gooner’s tweets and listening to him, also. Like many Arsenal fans in the States, he invests just as much time into Arsenal as those who live close by. He is sometimes excitable, but not like this. This is different. I find it worrying, and I find it a representation of how others will be starting to feel.
The situation is so bad that I genuinely cannot tell if this is a joke or not….
I’m assuming that it is, because Paddy Power normally offers light humor when everybody else’s heads are exploding. The thing is though, it’s humor that they offer. This isn’t funny. If it is funny then that tells you everything because I can’t tell the difference.
This tweet (above) is obviously supposed to be funny but if you had never watched the sport before and only watched Newcastle v Arsenal and Villa v Arsenal you might think that this tweet is just stating opinion.
On this occasion, I wanted to comment on the contentious moments. There were 8 of these. Arsenal got 0 out of 8.
PGMOL SINS:
Pau Torres on Rice 43rd PK: Was a penalty. VAR didn’t even look at it. Rather suspicious.
Jesus PK: I hate that this is a penalty because Luiz legitimately tried to get the ball. My opinion is worth nothing though. The rules say that this is a PK. This has been a PK for the last 3 seasons. So, what changed? Palace got a penalty five hours earlier for the same thing. Was there a change in the PGMOL laws at half time?
Havertz goal: Firstly, if the ball did hit Havertz’ hand (which I could only identify after the 11th look) then the rule needs to change because the direction of the ball didn’t change and Havertz gained no advantage. Also, Havertz’s header was going in and the first action was a handball from Cash who stopped the ball from going in the goal. Isn’t this a penalty if it’s not a goal? Finally, and most suspicious of all, the ref obviously saw the incident because he made the decision that it wasn’t a goal. So, how could he not see the header hitting Cash’s arm? That was the easiest part of the mess to see. And how did VAR not tell the ref that it was a ‘clear and obvious error?’
Eddie elbow: The worst decision of the day and there is a lot of competition. Even easier for VAR to give a red card than Bruno’s assault on Jorginho. Carlos looks at Eddie and elbows him. Off the ball, not even got the jumping excuse. What is the most suspicious of all the suspicious things I’ve said are suspicious is that VAR aren’t supposed to recommend yellow cards. The ref didn’t see it but somehow chooses a yellow card instead of being sent to look at an incident he didn’t see.
Cash tackle: Matty Cash, Ben Godfrey and Christian Romero are the players that would call themselves the ‘hardmen of the league.’ The truth is that they are cowards and liabilities. If I was reffing I would just send them off in the warm up so we could get on with the game without fear of broken legs. Nobody would notice that I’ve just invented a new rule because it would blend in with all the other absurdities which are now normal. Matty Cash would’ve broken Trossard’s leg if he didn’t pick it up off the ground. By law, that is a red card even if he misses him. This was his second offence. I can’t remember who the first assault was on and I’m too tired to find out. It doesn’t matter anyway. He should’ve been sent off before the game because he’s Matty Cash and also because somehow he is pretending to be Polish with the most British name in the league apart from Jack Hinshelwood.
Ball hitting ref: Did you see when the ball hit the ref and he didn’t stop the game until we had a counter. I’m exhausted and that explanation was poor so just trust me. It was embarrassing. Another rule just made up at half time that nobody knew about.
I’ve wondered if the PGMOL are so afraid of being sued by Liverpool at the end of the season for the game against Spurs, that they are trying to organize for them to win the league. That might be a crazy thought but what happened on Saturday afternoon can’t exactly be described as sane.
As I alluded to in my tweet (below), it feels like Arsenal are one team playing against two teams. And one of them isn’t actually a football team.
POSITIVES:
Lockdowns
So, we didn’t win and a robbery was performed but there were many positives that went unseen.
As we’ve heard way too much over the last week, Villa have won every home game since Emi Martinez headed it into his own net and Martinelli beat the rush goalie.
When I got home, Max told me that Villa only had about 3 chances. That didn’t sound like the mighty Villa I’d been hearing about at home. After watching, this is what I saw. How did this new world-beating team manage to look like the good ole Villa that I’ve watched my whole life. A decent team with decent players who flatter to deceive. In order for that to happen, Arsenal had to be rather good, right? They were. Villa play the high line to squeeze opponents, yet lost out on the benefits of this as Arsenal are still rather good when squeezed. Leon Bailey looked like the Leon Bailey who sits the bench, yet looked world class against City. Jesus was a menace game long, but Watkins was largely invisible.
I think what I’m trying to say, in my normal long-winded fashion, is that Villa were nullified and even though we didn’t score, I was hugely impressed that we created so much especially when City created so little against this so-called superpower.
Earlier shooting
This is a repeat thought from a few weeks ago, but still very relevant. Do you remember Saliba’s goal last season v Bournemouth away? The one-touch curler. How often do we score with our first touch? I know we do when we receive a cutback to the PK spot but apart from that we are ‘careful’ to not risk a wild shot and so we take touches. Shooting is an interesting thing. It seems like Arsenal are trying to perfect ‘when you should shoot’ instead of shooting often. I’m ok with that as a general thought but you have to study the xG to see that making another pass isn’t always as smart as it looks. There are two types of scenario that I’m thinking about. Firstly, when we are shifting the ball around the box to find someone in a ‘better position.’ Sometimes that is exactly what we need to do. If Saka, for example, is WIDE open then give him the ball. What you have to be cautious of though, is what looks like a better shot might not be because by the time the ball is shifted and possibly controlled there are the same amount of defenders standing in front of him as there were standing in front of the player who gave him the ball. To spot this don’t make your judgement based on what the still shot looks like when the passer makes the choice. Make it when the shooter is poised to shoot. The picture is often exactly the same or often worse. UNLESS….. we trust ourselves to hit more first time shots.
Second example…. we are on a 3 v 2 breakaway. The player with the ball is running through the middle with help to his left and right. It seems like you should pass with an overload. Often the dribbler will pass and you think he should’ve just shot it himself because the receiver has a tougher angle and again, by the time he gets it, controls it and shoots he has the same scenario as the dribbler did but a worse angle.
Arsenal, like all the other teams, are guilty of this. I think with more on- touch shooting we can change the xG on these efforts. Also, with better movement you can allow the player with the ball more room to shoot himself.
Jesus vs Watkins
I’ve touched on this earlier, but there is a clear gulf in ability between these two. We have been linked to Watkins and he is certainly an improving striker. I like him. When I see Jesus on the field against anyone that might be an Arsenal option, I’m reminded that we need to sign a striker as an option and not necessarily to replace Jesus. I’d move Jesus’ position as I’ve stated in previous articles but i’m not the coach and I don’t think Arteta will do this.
Man marking and double teaming
One of the reasons that we nullified Villa was because tactically we stopped their two CM’s from dictating play. Havertz sat on one and Odegaard sat on the other. Luiz and Kamara in particular, normally feed the right wing but weren’t allowed to do this. When the ball did go out to Bailey or Diaby, Rice had already positioned himself left of centre to be able to double team with Zinchenko. Very smart from Arteta.
Is something not right at Manchester City?
I’m not sure. It just seems odd how a team with so much money and depth seem to fall apart when Rodri can’t play. Surely they should’ve found someone they trusted more than Phillips in the summer. Oh, yeah, we bought him 🙂
Arsenal Women
What an impressive and important performance that was! Chelsea are top of the league and now we share this honor and with such a convincing win we will have confidence to believe that we can win the league. After being ripped off again it was lovely that the ladies made us smile. If you don’t watch them, I recommend it. Very similar to the guys and a team with even stronger depth. 59,000 fans at the Emirates is quite something too. I think it’s not only genuine fans, but those that are fed up of watching the men because they think the PGMOL are corrupt and VAR is spoiling their experience.
Kai Havertz
It’s quite amazing what confidence does to a player.
As mentioned previously, we have a player here with an almost full toolbox. Fast, aggressive, skillful, goal scoring ability, aerial ability etc…. we are seeing a flower in bloom. I was listening to the Arsenal Vision Podcast last week (highly recommended) and they were saying that he has twice the positive defensive stats than Granit Xhaka had last season at this stage. And just to think, we gave him no credit whilst he was trying to find his game. These stats didn’t just show up 3 weeks ago, he’s been defensively dominant all season.
We are honestly silly to have doubted Arteta when he signed Havertz. He wasn’t even a target as the club didn’t know he was available, yet as soon as he was, we changed target. Think on that. That’s what you do if you want a striker and go for Ivan Toney then get a call telling you that Haaland is available. You did months of research and got involved in hours of persuasion and then you change targets. We know that Arsenal are now buying in the world class category or potentially world class, yet said, ‘no thanks and went for Kai Havertz who was clearly a player too good to resist. Now I understand that when he came from Chelsea he didn’t look like a shiny diamond but was obviously a diamond and not any old rock. Why did Arteta buy a dull diamond then? Well, take any player in our squad. Let’s say Odegaard. He was somewhat of a rough diamond too. He is a completely different player to the one we signed. He is now a leader, a goalscorer and arguably has the highest pressing and workrate of any other midfielder in world football. Let’s look at Saliba. Another unpolished diamond. Now arguably the best CB in Europe. Gabriel. A risk of a signing. Now starting CB in one of the most competitive National teams in the world. Look at Saka and Martinelli’s stats. Better every single season.
Arteta bought Havertz because he’s not a Football Manager. He’s a Football Coach. He’s also a bloody good manager too. Whenever he or his players are complimented, they always say that there is ‘more improvement’ to come. Mikel Arteta improves players. That might well be his best quality. He saw Kai Havertz and wondered where his diamond polishing kit was knowing that he could get him to potential. Havertz is in mid-polish. But they all are really. Himself included.
NEEDS:
Chipping
I have wondered for many years why chipping has vanished? I’m talking more of chipping the keeper. I understand that keepers are more agile and athletic now, but still. The opportunities are there but not taken. I wonder if this is because football training has become obsessed with keeping possession and defensive organization. That it has taken the creativity away or even the time to learn the skills needed to be creative.
Watching Villa’s high line prompted me to comment. With the keepers now sweeping up behind it is now almost a dare to play it there. Most balls that are hit have a lower arc on them and defenders are able to back pedal and header them or they run through to the sweeper keeper. Chipping has a higher arc, is more delicate and therefore doesn’t go as far. Zinchenko is the best we have at it but I have to admit frustration at the fact that very few can do it. My other spot triggered a bad memory. I’ve only ever coached one girls soccer team. I did a decent/actually quite bad job. My issues were that they controlled any bouncing ball with their belly and jumped for a header when a ball was about 30 ft above their head. The worst one was when they were chasing a ball. If I said, “Go, go, go,” they would double their speed. I never understood that. I distinctly remember losing it at half time once. We had been working hard at training on possession. Saturday rolled around. Our opponent had decided that it was a good idea to stand on the half way line. Literally. The entire game. Even when we came at them they didn’t retreat. My team just played their sweet possession in our half with our strikers begging for the ball over the top into 60 yards of freedom. It never happened. They didn’t play ‘the game,’ they played what they’d practiced.
When watching Arsenal I was frequently hoping for us to hit it first time over the top. If you chip it first time without controlling it, you are far less likely to have your players offside and far more likely to deceive the back four who are not expecting it.
Liverpool fan
Essentially the ref is from Australia and has always been a Liverpool fan. Coincidentally, and most certainly just a coincidence, Arsenal could’ve overtaken Liverpool again yesterday. If I was the PGMOL I would ensure that my officials are not involved with games that impact the team they support. Actually, scrap that. I’d get brand new officials from abroad and this crew can go work at Top Man.
Zinchenko
Credit to Maxwell McDonald. He kept getting me to rewind the Villa goal to point out that Zinchenko wasn’t taking up any defensive position at all. That the other players’ positions made some kind of sense and that he looked lost/lazy. On the other hand, he was – yet again – a huge asset on the ball. His passing and chance creation is superior to even Odegaard as far as consistency goes.
HOPES:
Fatiguing players
Players throughout the league are starting to drop like flies. Fatigue related injuries, I’m sure. If Arsenal are smart, starting with the PSV game then we can take advantage of this. Also, we are right at the point of many players getting their fifth yellow card. Another thing for us to be careful of. I’m reminded of those players that seem to mysteriously get their 5th yellow or a red just before Christmas.
Pregame warnings
Would it be right to have the PGMOL give their refs a ‘heads up’ before games of who is likely to take advantage of the rules? Maybe they do this anyway. Even approach players before the season/certain games and tell them that they are ‘on watch’. I’m thinking of Emi Martinez in particular. He has learnt to ‘get injured’ and waste time whenever the opponent has rhythm or his team are winning at the end of games. It’s hard in the moment to tell a player that you think he’s not hurt. I think he would listen to them more so before the game. Many would say that it is ‘part of the game.’ I would disagree. It’s cheating and if the cheat wins then the cheat will continue and then find other ways to cheat. What is also interesting is that American sports are now catching on to football’s deceptions. American Football is now rife with ‘injuries’ when the crowd gets excited and their opponent has momentum. So, you get the 57th commercial break because the TV companies love this cheating and see another window for advertising.
Miguel Gutierrez
Again, I’m promoting the idea of Arsenal looking at the Girona left back. Just scored a cracker against Barcelona too. If we had an overlapping left back and left White at the back, then we could get Martinelli to come inside. He is fantastic at hugging the wing but we are missing the opportunity to get our best finisher closer to goal.
The new foul
Have you noticed this? Running through the back of attackers. Defenders are now running at attackers who have their back to goal and not slowing down. Not trying to necessarily win the ball either. Just running through the attackers legs. Saka is the biggest victim in the league.
Nwaneri
Congratulations to Nwaneri for getting 5 goals on Saturday against Crewe. What is rather interesting is that he plays striker now more than his natural attacking midfield. I have a theory. Ideally he is a right winger. The first team don’t need a starter in that position but are looking for a striker, perhaps. They don’t want Nwaneri to be stuck behind Saka so…..
Arteta
Mikel Arteta watching from the stands was probably good for him and the team. The team knows their patterns and have their automatisms. It was likely interesting for both parties. Arteta got to see how they handled a game with no sideline coaching and the players being left to it is good for them.
Villa win the league?
I predicted pre-season that they will get top four. Brighton too. Brighton will struggle to get there now but have the talent to do so. Villa could. The issue I see with Villa is that high line. I think that a high line and offside trap as high as Villa’s, is massive risk. When everyone has played them once in a few weeks, everyone will be better prepped. It’s not just that tactics can be countered, it’s that there is literally nothing a team can do if the attacking team figures out a) chipping the ball over the top with the correct weight and b) timing of runs. Even better, have a midfielder make a run from deeper because they can do even less about this.
Biereth
Mika Biereth is quietly scoring at a goal a game ratio. Unfortunately, he could score a goal every 10 minutes but not get credit because he plays in Scotland. I wonder if we have a return clause so as a last resort if we want and can’t get a striker he might be a last 15 minute option? His strength is in the air. I think that’s where my thoughts are.
John McGinn
I’ve been watching him all season. One of the league’s most improved players. Every team needs a player like this. A strong, hard working, serious player with hugely improving technique. He would be a really good ‘closer’ for Arsenal.
Ramsdale replacement
After scouring for a good while, I think that Marcin Bulka the Polish GK at Nice should replace Ramsdale if he leaves. He is 6 ft 6 in and also a great shot stopper and very good with his feet. If Raya’s height is an issue at any point then this would be a smart choice.
FINAL THOUGHT:
We all need a giggle after all that.
Would love to hear from more of you in the comments. I reply (by email) and I always reply.
I love to find out about the people who are kind enough to read and share kind words. Many of you have quote tweeted my blog and I wanted to say thank you for that too.
Mike
Former Highbury regular. Moved to TN, USA in ’99. Married with 3 kids. Coached in UK and US for 27 years.
Mike McDonald Soccer Academy in Morristown TN, Olympic Development coach, Regional Premier League Champion.
A pleasure to read. Many interesting insights, and I can’t remember a one that I disagreed with, but the refereeing overshadowing the game is so true. Compared to pre-VAR days it has gotten sharply worse.
Evening Mike,
Just done reading this and as always it’s bang on!
I’ve made a lot of grumpy old man noises ( and been told off by the good lady plenty ) while reading but it’s because it all resonates with me.
How you feel that a lot of fans will leave it as it gets more ridiculous, I agree as I get more enjoyment from watching Peterborough in L1 ( my local side ) as it’s just football without the bollocks, celebrating when a goal goes in without the fear they’ll find a way of taking it away from us.
In your blog you say about the Havertz one saying he got no advantage from the handball but was still disallowed, when Newcastle scored joelinton handled it and they said there was no advantage even though Gordon scored from it!
If that doesn’t say there’s some cheating going on!
And on Havertz, anyone who has played football could see he was an upgrade on Xhaka, who I really liked, but Havertz has just got a better awareness, touch, vision and game!
I feel as though I could go on for ages with my rambling moaning nonsense, but just wanted to say I always look forward to reading this and hope this cheating crap doesn’t stop you from wanting to do this.
Make sure you do put those around you first and remember it’ll take some spectacular cheating to stop us!
Thanks
Walter
Worth the wait Mike. the refs and the fa have always had a bias against us, especially when we do well. It happened during the early Graham years (recall the two point deduction?) and the early Wenger years. I was watching the PSV match earlier and a couple of things occurred to me. First, we never talk about the refs in Europe as the decisions are fair. Secondly our opponents don’t foul us with impunity. Is this because they no the referees will punish them?
The bottom line is as an Arsenal fan you have to put up with this but victory when it does come will taste all the sweeter.
Mike, thanks for your thoughtful article. It covers almost everything with depth, plus your usual Mike’s jokes here and there.
The lost against Villa is something I can accept. The boys did everything. A sturdy defense, various attacking pattern, and never give up till the last minute. Not everyday the reward is equal to the effort; that’s football for us.
Well, I can complaint about two failed counter attack. Martinelli’s chip got a clearence; Saka moved too early to receive the ball and punished with offside.
I understand ball possession is important and part of our style. But there are many teams who darely make pressing and counterpressing regardless of their table position. It is not bad to invest more counter attacking session, especially since we are blessed with a lot of gifted through-baller and fast legs. The movement of current player reminds me of Pippo inzaghi in 90’s; get as deep as the last defender, moves soon when you hear the sound of kicked ball.
It became irrelevant in modern game with VAR interference where a pinky finger can be accountable for offside. There must be some coaching solution for this. Well, not really, VAR not even care to draw the last line sometimes..
Dont be too harsh on ref, Mike. I dont want you to be banned from writing blogs. Where else should I look for a reliever after Arsenal match?
COYG
Hello Mike,
I guess there’s no shame losing to Villa since there was not a lot in it. Our losses have been very close games which means we are hard to beat.
Our attacking okay was disjointed and Ødegaard had chances to score and Jesus was not sharp enough all game.
Havertz however had an outstanding match creating chances and made a lot of attacking runs.
As for the injuries, it happened to most teams especially during the winter months and it would come down to how they are managed.
Let’s see how the season goes.
Best Regards
Francis
Evening and thank you for a well thought out post after due contemplating:-).
There are so many well articulated thoughts in that post that I dont know where to start but at the obvious (obvious&clear).
The refs are tipping the scales and we´re fighting against 2 opponents. I think its childish and petulent by PGMOL. Like they´re above critisizm and we will get punished, spanked, by our temeority to raise our voice!
Its really ridicolous and as you write, why should we follow a corrupt league. Why should we give our time, commitment and money to a league that is no longer just?
Grrrr, im really not pleased with this. Its hard to comprehend.
Been trying to put this into words without it coming out as a rant, but really feel like officiating in this country is on a knife edge.
Arteta has been made the scapegoat and poster boy for actually speaking up against the poor officiating whilst others can say whatever they want. Reminds me of that Friends scene “it’s not what you said, it’s how you said it”
I personally believe Clubs and Fans need to come together on this like they did when news of the ESL broke. Currently tribalism takes over and we laugh when happens to others whilst get frustrated and angry when happens to us. It needs to be a collective if any change is going to happen. Like you say in your peice how can a decision 5 hours earlier be a penalty, but the same/similar 5 hours later be play on/nothing to see here?
The PGMOL 1/2 hour advert every now and then does nothing but highlight their ineptitude and lack of accountability and also their lack of willing to be held to account due to having Michael Owen as the host. Have someone that will question Howard Webb, let them be the one to raise the incidents they want to talk about, not just incidents the PGMOL have sifted through, analysed and prepare for
Always great to read your blog. Watching the game, I truly cried out for a one-time pass with Martinelli, Havertz and Saka waiting to make a run.
This looked like a role for Jorginho. He did it frequently at Chelsea and it destabilized teams.
One thing, I wanted to ask is do you think that having Martinelli and Saka switch places, helps them get off shots quicker as opposed to cutting in and setting themselves up for a shot? I ask this because there was a chance, Saka had where it looked like a good chance until the ball came to him. He cut into traffic and Martinez made a comfortable save
Great article as always Mike. Hope you and Max can make it to Union
Place pub to watch the Liverpool match. I’ll buy Max a round!