An enormous excavation after a deflating end to the year, looking at tactical evolutions, attacking dynamics, luck/variance, the wingers, both boxes, and what must change to reach the heights we seek
Brilliant post Billy! There is one query I have since you mentioned him quite late - the role of Vieira. I feel we solely missed him through injury at a time where he was gathering form.
Do you think he is a rotation choice for Martinelli/Saka, or can he also help serve in midfield for Havertz/Ode?
I love Vieira and think he was sorely missed over the last few weeks when final actions and individual brilliance were desperately needed. I might write about complementary “pods” on the team at some point and I’d love to see Martinelli/Vieira (L8)/Havertz (9) at least once. That feels nice to me.
I worry about his ability to integrate for the next few months while every game is going to feel max-pressure. I hate putting young players in the situation of having to play perfectly or not play at all. Not fair to them.
Another great read. Thanks Billy for a great analysis of MØ's new role and it's impact: both positive and negative. Pity that his blinder of a performance against WH amounted to nothing. That's football sometimes! Hope the actual outcomes start converging with the expected outcomes soon. Think we are still one or two key players short to properly challenge for the title. I am still optimistic but a lot of things need to line up for us if want to keep the title and trophy dreams alive.
Billy, great post, and as always, worth the price of admission 😊
One thing I want to ask: do you have any insight on why our substitutions have been, in technical terms, dogshit(tm)? Do you feel it's just an extension of the "practical concerns every coach have"?
I generally think the specifics of subs can be a little over-indexed, the moments are so scarce the touches so few. It’s more: do you have real, scary quality to introduce? Our answer is so-so.
Think there have a couple good examples of Arteta pushing all the right buttons this year, too. When you beat Man City thanks to three touches by three subs, you get to feel good.
Thanks for the thoughtful analysis of a disappointing end of year run. I don’t think panic is warranted at this point. I still believe this team can be competitive on all fronts, but we might need a little more luck and less injury issues than we’ve had so far this season. 😀
Great post. I think you highlight the underlying issue which is the risk / reward dynamic that Liverpool are currently balancing so well. We have sacrificed creating goal scoring opportunities for defensive solidity.
A really interesting insight to what MA is thinking and trying to do. So far this season, all of the title contenders have experienced a blip, I believe this is Arsenal's blip and they'll fully recover to be right in the hunt at the ned of the season.
Nice to see you experimenting with short-form <3
🥵
Thank you so much for this! I needed this a lot after being exposed to all the engagement-driven twitter negativity
Brilliant post Billy! There is one query I have since you mentioned him quite late - the role of Vieira. I feel we solely missed him through injury at a time where he was gathering form.
Do you think he is a rotation choice for Martinelli/Saka, or can he also help serve in midfield for Havertz/Ode?
I love Vieira and think he was sorely missed over the last few weeks when final actions and individual brilliance were desperately needed. I might write about complementary “pods” on the team at some point and I’d love to see Martinelli/Vieira (L8)/Havertz (9) at least once. That feels nice to me.
I worry about his ability to integrate for the next few months while every game is going to feel max-pressure. I hate putting young players in the situation of having to play perfectly or not play at all. Not fair to them.
Another great read. Thanks Billy for a great analysis of MØ's new role and it's impact: both positive and negative. Pity that his blinder of a performance against WH amounted to nothing. That's football sometimes! Hope the actual outcomes start converging with the expected outcomes soon. Think we are still one or two key players short to properly challenge for the title. I am still optimistic but a lot of things need to line up for us if want to keep the title and trophy dreams alive.
Billy, great post, and as always, worth the price of admission 😊
One thing I want to ask: do you have any insight on why our substitutions have been, in technical terms, dogshit(tm)? Do you feel it's just an extension of the "practical concerns every coach have"?
I generally think the specifics of subs can be a little over-indexed, the moments are so scarce the touches so few. It’s more: do you have real, scary quality to introduce? Our answer is so-so.
Think there have a couple good examples of Arteta pushing all the right buttons this year, too. When you beat Man City thanks to three touches by three subs, you get to feel good.
Thanks for the thoughtful analysis of a disappointing end of year run. I don’t think panic is warranted at this point. I still believe this team can be competitive on all fronts, but we might need a little more luck and less injury issues than we’ve had so far this season. 😀
Thanks Billy - I too have been away so have not had access to last few games. Brilliant analysis
Welcome back!
Brilliant analysis, thank you!
Billy, I read widely on this stuff and you are, without a doubt, the top of the pile. Keep it up and keep the faith. Belated New Year wishes.
Great post. I think you highlight the underlying issue which is the risk / reward dynamic that Liverpool are currently balancing so well. We have sacrificed creating goal scoring opportunities for defensive solidity.
Brilliant as always man!
Good piece Billy. I’m curious in your analysis on Vieira albeit same sample size on the pitch. Cheers.
Just answered elsewhere in the thread!
A really interesting insight to what MA is thinking and trying to do. So far this season, all of the title contenders have experienced a blip, I believe this is Arsenal's blip and they'll fully recover to be right in the hunt at the ned of the season.
That and Liverpool haven’t yet. Inhaling wayyy too much copium right now haha