When I got to the, "Wait, is it actually fun?" part I immediately thought of this Zarek comment. It still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

On the opposite end of the field, #MNUFC need to make more of our established possession in the final 1/3. It’s less dangerous than our transitions & set pieces, but they can't always be wasted.

Lod & Pereyra must find better spaces. Connect & create. They were dreadful in Game 1.

Clip showing a few of the points:

(2/2 🧵)

Ceding space in the 6-yard box twice for the two best chances of the game (per xG) is certainly a bold game plan. 😅

DSC asked about playing in a back 4 vs 5:

🔵 When in a 5, important to "calling in the wingbacks to make sure they're narrow enough"
🔵 When in a 4, make sure we are "shifting enough"
🔵 Both systems require compactness

#MNUFC

Boxall asked about playing in a back 4 vs 5:

🔵 Boxy prefers back 4
🔵 Easier to 'exert dominance' over opp. striker
🔵 Able to play more progressive passes (jokes DSC plays more passes)
🔵 Gets in more challenges
🔵 Overall feels more involved

#MNUFC

Markanich’s comment on the latest Sound of the Loons podcast immediately made me think of Caden Clark’s comments when he left. Noticeable difference…🤔

#MNUFC

100% based take from @jonmarthaler.com

We saw some interesting things in this new back-4 system, but should it scare any future opponent or expect much from it this season? Probably not...

#MNUFC

We saw a few patterns with this new system vs KC:

1. Lod constantly dropping deep to collect. (Had 12! progressive passes received, most all season)
2. Lod & Bongi swapping positions. (Would've liked to see more Bongi runs in-behind)
3. Lod/Pereyra drop deep together & wingers move central.

#MNUFC

Could see some of our principles in the 442...

Shape: Very compact, minimal space between the lines. Focused on the central areas.
Triggers: Back passes often triggers team to close space. (Trapp directs)
Counter-press: 1-2 press (Bongi this situation) while rest of the defense recovers.

#MNUFC

Ramsay comments on #MNUFC switching to a back 4 at halftime:

🟦 Allow for better pressure on the ball
🟦 Another player higher up the pitch to connect with
🟥 Game becomes more open than Ramsay would like

Ooooo almost got into some interesting tactical comments. Ramsay discussing Lod vs. Bongi at striker - pros/cons of each & who do play around them to compensate for their specific abilities.

Something to keep an eye on the remainder of the season.

#MNUFC

Manny's take on what #MNUFC needs to do to beat San Diego:

🟦 Organized & structured defensively
🟦 Our box midfield needs to win the midfield battles
🟦 Containing Dreyer

"He's (Lod) going forward late, or arriving late, or he sees space he can drive into." -Manny

#MNUFC

Manny talking about Lod and his position next to Trapp with a single forward (box midfield) setup.

#MNUFC

When a 10 does get near him/the front line, it can create space, and this needs to happen far more often IMO. (Vid for example)

#MNUFC

(2/2 🧵)

Yeboah troubles.

When #mnufc has possession in the middle 1/3 we usually see a 3-box-3. (Vid for examples)
I feel like this isolates (often 1v2) Yeboah when our wingbacks stay wide & neither 10 pushes forward near him or towards the front line.

(1/2 🧵)

Yeah, Lod or Gressel probably should've covered that area a bit better for sure. They probably didn't imagine Harvey driving the ball into a 1v4 though.

And rest defense I see more as our defensive set up vs. transitions while established further up the field (we mostly do a 3-2):

#MNUFC