Plenty to whinge about. Its up to Ole to manage things accordingly and NOT play high intensity every game if he can see the shitty squad can't hack it.
If it happens, we whinge - Ole will have failed to properly manage what he has to work with.
Swarm
- Thread starter Billy Blaggs
- Start date
If it happens, we whinge - Ole will have failed to properly manage what he has to work with.
I've seen too many players have fantastic pre-season performances where they look bright and hungry only to go back to their usual when the season started to pay too much heed to it. Nkoudou was probably our biggest example from last pre season, I also remember all too well Lamela having a fantastic pre season and a number of our fans being convinced it was going to be his breakthrough season because of it.
I get what some fans are saying, that they're happy Ole clearly has a plan, but this should be the minimum expectation for any manager, no? From what I remember Ole has spoken from day 1 about wanting to press and play with intensity, this isn't new information and you definitely did try and play a pressing game for a little while after he took over, especially in certain games. The intent under Ole has always been to try and play on the front foot with energy, the problem has always been does he have the squad to do that over a long term basis, or will it fizzle out?
I don't think a few pre-season games can answer those questions. This is when players are desperate & hungry to prove themselves before the season, they're fit after a break as well and many are trying to win opportunities in to a starting XI so again, seeing energy shouldn't be a real surprise. Especially when you have a number of young players involved like Greenwood, AWB and James, who will naturally be desperate to show they want to be in the starting XI.
The question is: a) will this last and will some of your other key players (pogba, martial etc) be down for it long term and b) will some of those showing real energy and desire have the ability to match when it comes to the competitive scene. That's why I pay so little attention to pre-season because whilst it's very easy to get excited by great performances there, especially from youngsters, it so often comes to very little. And that isn't a dig at United or your pre season specifically but a general point .. we beat Juve 3-2 the other day and from what I hear Skipp was majestic in the heart of midfield, but I'll read very little in to that as well.
The thread title is swarm, indicating a high press. That's what we're excited about. We've been frustrated about low energy levels and passive defensive pressure for years now, so seeing Ole try to rectify this is indeed exciting and indicates the right direction. Nothing more, nothing less.
The problems you pose cannot be answered save the passage of time, and even so, they're not the point of the post. I do agree with your general point about preseason though, just don't think it applies much to this post given the context of the club.
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What if he has to in order to get the squad used to the style? We haven't pressed in years, would probably take a season or so of us doing it consistently in order to get used to it.
If he's entering his third year and still can't get the balance right I'd agree with you, but not for the first year.
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I agree that pre season can be a bit too early, teams have space etc to play. However, I think what United fans are more excited about rather than individuals is the type of football. Ole changed 11 players and you could still see what he wants them to do.
So if Martial doesnt do it, there is James, Greenwood, etc to step in and take his place.
Preseason isn't a guarantee of anything happening during the actual season but it's not irrelevant. That Ole has set us up to play progressively is a signal of intent and his preference. What that amounts to remains to be seen. But it's obviously not completely unimportant.
It just shows how a thread can get hijacked from its original intent. Debate about preseason usefulness rather than what we are actually seing on the field.
I really liked the tempo of the pressing, the swarm mentality.
As Ole inferred, after we won the ball high up the pitch, we were missing incisiveness and quick attacking thrusts, or a misplaced pass gave the ball back.
I also think that for this system to work, we need to be quick to win the 2nd ball in the midfield.
I really liked the tempo of the pressing, the swarm mentality.
As Ole inferred, after we won the ball high up the pitch, we were missing incisiveness and quick attacking thrusts, or a misplaced pass gave the ball back.
I also think that for this system to work, we need to be quick to win the 2nd ball in the midfield.
As much as I dislike Fred, he is possibly the best option for 2nd ball pressing out of all the players at our disposal, UNLESS we can obtain Fernandes. Mata can harrie and pressurise, Mctominay is strong and deceptively quick but Fred is probably our quickest. We need Bruno to take Ander's positionand become a major valve in the heart of our midfield.
I agree that Fred is our best bet as a disruptive 2nd ball winner. Unfortunately, he’s not a great passer and has a lot of loose touches. Ugh.
I think Mata is in the specialist phase of his career. You can’t play him as part of a midfield 3 in a 4-3-3. Hopefully we can bring in Bruno....
have to say, overlooked young James Garner too, I wonder if he's going to get a better run this season and maybe force OGS to watch and consider him. I know he is still young and relatively inexperienced but in pre-season, he has proven himself to be quite attack minded and his goal was because of his drive. Hopefully gets some chances this term and, if we don't get Bruno, he can play alongside the likes of Mata and Pogba, maybe even Mctominay and increase his skillset. He does look like he enjoys driving at defences and siturbing opposition play which could be where we start our swarming if they get out of defence.