2019/20 Marcel Brands

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Just heard Marcel has tonight boarded a red-eye flight to Barcelona to get these deals over the line
 
MarcelsGoat said:
Silva’s Defensive Approach

With the team operating in a 4-1-4-1 in defence, the key for Silva is to fill space and cut out options for his opponents. The wingers drop back to help cover the wing backs, stepping in and out of the centre of the pitch depending on which way the opponent is attempting to go to break the side down. That said, wingers never step far in-field, as that of course is the domain of the two central midfielders and their deeper defensive midfielder.

A pressing game is of course implemented here, but not to the level of a Mauricio Pochettino or a Johan Cruyff. Players are encouraged to get harry opponents and push them further back, sometimes hunting in packs, but swiftly returning to their positions as to shut down space. Players shadow the ball as it crosses the field, pressing where possible to force errors and push the player further back. As mentioned earlier, the midfield is spring-loaded in this sense for the high paced counter attack. With players willing to break from their positions to win the ball back, the momentum is behind them and against the player dispossessed when the ball finally returns to Silva’s side.

The defensive midfielder shadows the play behind his midfield four, adding an extra body to cut out space to creative outlets. His pressing game is not restricted to the zone behind his midfield – straying further would leave too many gaps behind, and that sort of over-commitment could be the difference between a clean sheet and a goal. The key for the players here is using their own initiative; Hull centre back Curtis Davies reports that Marco Silva physically moves his players in to the positions he wishes them to fill during phases of play, working meticulously to show his team where to be and when to decide to be there. As a game develops, players take these lessons and apply them on the fly – “where would Marco put me if we were training?”, if you will. These sorts of perfectionist details, coupled with the faith Silva puts in his troops and freedom he allows them to make their own choices, breeds a confidence and assurance amongst his team in defence that has immaculately highlighted by Hull’s revitalised defensive shape.


Doesnt sound like a man who doesnt do defence.
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Can you post this in the Silva thread, too?

Keep in mind, the 4-1-4-1 wasn't employed as often at Watford because he had at least at first Capoute and Doucoure, who he employed as 2 defensive mids, but not like you saw today with Gana and Morgan. But when one would rush up, the other would still usually sit behind the ball a bit. Cleverly sat up higher and 2 mids sat behind him, but the concept was still the same. He DID employ that 4-1-4-1 with Carvalho at Sporting. My guess is that he wants a Doucoure type to play with Gana - or at least someone athletic and tall to help with aerial battles. But definitely one that can bring the ball up a bit.

I am also not surprised Silva was ticked at us playing the back back today and possessing the ball so pointlessly. When Silva's team at Watford has the ball, he was borderline obsessive about passing it around in the back to spring his wingbacks. Once they got up the field, it was either working 2 v 1 with the wing or a quick pass to the ACM to spring the winger. He does NOT want his team to collective push higher and play some possession based football. he DOES want a good passing, team, though.

And so does Brand, FYI. His last PSV teams could really pass, but were not obsessed with possession.
 



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