Thread by @nufcsanjay

THREAD 🧵: Newcastle United 21/22 vs 22/23 - Tactical Analysis 🔎

Eddie Howe has thrived with a 4-3-3 formation at Newcastle United, but his adaptations within that to suit the players at his disposal between last season and this season have been particularly impressive. #NUFC

For most of last season, Howe’s 4-3-3 mid-block was pretty conventional. With Trippier mostly out through injury, and Krafth in his place, Howe was forced to have our fullbacks sat fairly conservatively.

The only intricacy was that we’d switch into a 4-2-3-1 at the start of the build-up phase. This meant Bruno Guimaraes would drop deep into the right channel to aid with ball progression.

Meanwhile, Shelvey would form a double pivot alongside him, with Joelinton moving into a no. 10 position.

This allowed us to have the numbers and technical quality to play out from the back, while not risking moving our fullbacks too high.

Our wingers sat fairly narrow in the half space to be a progressive passing option. Bruno would often use this option, and it allowed us to move the ball into our front three.

It also meant that we could keep our passing fairly risk-free through the quality of our movement.

This season however, Howe had started to adjust the system to get the most out of our new additions, and to allow us to keep the ball for longer spells. With Trippier being an ever-present at RB, and Burn often slotting in at LB, we’ve shifted into a 3-3-4 shape in possession.

On the right, Trippier sits very high, almost like a conventional RW during sustained periods of possession. Almiron’s understanding of the role has improved a lot, and he’s becoming very adept at making out-to-in runs, usually off the back of a one-two.

Hence, a lot of our passing in the final 3rd comes on this flank, due to Trippier’s quality, Almiron’s runs, and Bruno’s tendency to drift to this side.

His tendency to do so is increased when Longstaff is in the side, who often positionally interchanges with Bruno as the no. 6.

On the left, Joelinton has started to play a really interesting role for us. With Burn sometimes tucking in as a LCB, Joelinton shares the role of drifting to the left touchline in build-up with ASM, before moving back into the a conventional no. 8 role in sustained possession.

It’s such a difficult role to play, and he’s not got the appreciation he deserves this season.

The positional understanding and physicality and it takes to offer so much protection in transitions, while also being an attacking presence, is ridiculous.

Both him and Willock look to either underlap or overlap the wingers when the ball is on their side, or attack the area if the ball is on the opposite side. Their athleticism has allowed them do this, although at times they’ve lacked the final ball when in crossing positions.

Joe Willock has been a solid performer this season, but when Shelvey returns I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in the side occasionally.

In games where we need to be more disciplined, having Shelvey as our no. 6 and Bruno as the right-sided 8 gives us more control and protection.

Allan Saint-Maximin has maintained a similar role to last season whenever he’s been in the side. Joelinton covers for him defensively, and we look to drag teams towards our right in sustained possession to create as much space for ASM as possible when we do move the ball left.

The sacrifice that is made by this system is numbers in the first phase of build-up.

However, this is negated by the passing angles created for Schar and Burn - and most importantly - the addition of Sven Botman. His ability to break lines through his passing is phenomenal.

The results of this system tweak are as follows:

1⃣ Schär and Burn have helped cover the half-spaces in transition where opposing wingers usually will have space to burst into. It’s helped maintain pressure as long as they win their duels.

2⃣ Trippier has played much higher, allowing him to influence the game in the final third as often as possible. We all know how good his end product and ball retention is.

3⃣ We’re getting a lot more bodies attacking the area, and the first goal against Fulham illustrates that. Hence, it’s no surprise that we’ve attempted the third most crosses in the league (behind Man City and Liverpool).

4⃣ We’re keeping the ball for longer spells. We’re still at our best in transition when we attack with speed, but we’re becoming able to control games with the ball, while finding the quality to create chances.

Howe averaged 41.2% possession in 21/22, but now we're at 53.1 %.

I’ve mostly focused on in-possession features here, but out-of-possession we’re still top notch.

We're sitting higher and our press is the most intense in the league, and we pick the right moments to execute it. Whenever we drop into a low block, we’re still very resolute too.

Like last season, our no. 6 (usually Bruno) is given the license to press high in central areas, especially when counterpressing, while the two no. 8s help to cover. It’s a fairly unique strategy, but helps to maintain wide coverage while also utilising Bruno’s pressing quality.

What’s next for this side?

Firstly, finding a way to get both Isak and Wilson in the XI. In the short term, Miggy won't be dropped, so it'll be one or the other. The long term plan is for Isak to be our no. 9, but I think we’ll see him play in that right half-space role too.

In terms of recruitment, a right-sided forward like Maddison seems likely to happen soon, and a long-term no. 6 to allow Bruno to play as a no. 8 too.

A RCB is a must-buy as well, maybe even in January. Schär can be profligate in possession, and inconsistent defensively.

All in all - very promising stuff. On top of all the tactical improvements, it’s backed up by the numbers.

Howe’s adapted since last season, and it’s working. We’re playing brave and entertaining football, and the signs seem to be that we’re only going to get better. #NUFC