Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️ Profile picture
Jun 30, 2021 β€’ 9 tweets β€’ 4 min read β€’ Read on X
π’πšπ§πœπ‘π¨ 𝐓𝐨 π”π§π’π­πžπ [π“πšπœπ­π’πœπšπ₯ π“π‘π«πžπšπ]

πŸ”΄Enhances the right flank? yes to a degree...
πŸ”΄Freedom to roam (is AWB a good fit?)
πŸ”΄Likes to switch flanks...
πŸ”΄What formation/signings will maximise his potential?

CC: @TacticalPad

#Sancho #MUFC #Donedeal Image
Pre Sancho signing, United have really struggled down the right hand side. At one stage they even put Rashford there but he did not look happy at having to vacate his favoured left sided role.

Greenwood and Mata, came inside often and AWB did not bomb on enough... Image
Sancho when he does stay out on the right, can drive at men and beat them in all manner of ways (drop of shoulder, skills, quick one two and get in behind). Therefore he will definitely improve the flank.

However as he has evolved as a player, he drifts away from this flank... Image
He tends to come inside, act as a 10 or inverted forward and link up/control play. He is more than just a winger. He is the English 'Neymar'.

United's attacking shape could become narrow yet again, which means the problem he was brought in to solve remains unsolved. Image
One solution (not a popular one and not guaranteed to work) is to play him on the left instead. Which begs the question - why spend that money to solve a problem position to play him on the left (where you have strength).

In-game switches is better... him and Rash take turns. Image
Another solution is to bring in a more aggressive right back. Think Lamptey or Maehle... but these type of right backs may leave gaps behind for the counter.
This could lead to defensive instability and Ole does not like this. He is abit Southgatesque in this respect. Image
A crazier solution but one which almost certainly gets the best out of him is make him an inside forward in a 3-4-2-1.

This doesn't get the best out of United's main man Bruno Fernandes, so is in effect a non-starter.

Looks beautiful though doesn't it? Image
Is Sancho a surefire hit? I am fairly sure he will not be a 'flop' but whether he hits expectations is a tough question to answer as he may need a new tactical system/new signings to help get the best out of him.

Very intriguing time to be a United fan. Welcome Jadon!
@maramperninety keen to see your series and if it reflects the findings above.

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More from @pythaginboots

Apr 9
#ARSBAY Tactical Preview & Predictions [Thread]

Prediction: Leaning towards Gunners... but Bayern can hurt them if either counter via Sane or have too many periods where they set up camp in final third.

➑️ Bayern build up looks compromised with Arse press very strong, Pavlovic/Kimmi only routes out
➑️ Bayern should surprise press, not sustain it, as Raya to Havertz will cause issues
➑️ Arse must avoid allowing Bayern final third 'camping' as wide areas are vulnerable, too many box threats

See thread below for more points and in-depth details...

#FCBayern #Arsenal #UCLImage
Arsenal if they select Zinchenko should be pretty strong at building up, unless they choke - Kane/Muller are not your go-to forwards for central pressing and I'd advise them to sit off and protect passes going into Zinny/Jorginho rather than put pressure on the CBs and tire themselves out.Image
The other drawback of pressing is that Raya has laser-like long kicks and Havertz is a beast in the air, so aerial flicks to Odegaard or guys like Jesus cutting in and Bayern will be caught cold.

The best way to deal with Arsenal is 'stifle' - not go toe to toe all game. Press now and again to catch them by surprise.Image
Read 7 tweets
Oct 3, 2023
Manchester United v Galatasaray - Analysis

➑️ Hojlund, Mount can hold head up high - solid
➑️ United looked fluent for once in possession
➑️ Dalot - sell, not good enough.
➑️ Onana - atrocious. Taibi vibes atm, sort it out!
➑️ Gala were piranha-like, smelt blood.

#MUNGAL #UCL Image
Honestly a tough pill to swallow that.

The United midfield actually functioned well, Mount, Hannibal as wide midfielders - it suited them, it made sense and the football was actually enjoyable.

The Dalot error for the Zaha goal epitomises everything that is wrong with him. He is just 'flimsy' and Lindelof is the same. They're too soft to play for United.
Onana's 'aura' is in the toilet. He needs to get a grip of himself because if your ball playing is in the gutter too... then he has no other attribute which is of a 'world-class' level.

Needs to stop holding himself to account and actually do something about it. Only performances count from hereonin.
Read 5 tweets
Sep 23, 2023
Arsenal v Tottenham: NLD Preview

➑Outcome of the game may hinge on Spurs’ midfield rotations
➑Will Ange’s narrow rest defence be exploited?
➑Raya + Havertz combination from goal kicks
➑Saka v Udogie. Solomon v White. Who can isolate the fullbacks better?

[Thread]

#ARSTOT Image
Spurs have been mightily impressive this season in circulating the ball during the build-up, despite not possessing top-tier ball progressors.

To compensating for this, they heavily rely on the off-the-ball movement. While maintaining a 2-1-2 structure, their players constantly swap positions to carve out spaces within their framework.

We’ve seen what happens they struggle to move the ball like in the first half against United, so it’s imperative they nail this part of the tactical battle.
Spurs adopt an extremely compact shape in their defensive positioning when not in possession. This leaves them exposed to attacks from the flanks.

Arsenal usually keep their wingers stationed wide, which presents an opportunity for them to exploit in attacking transitions.
Read 6 tweets
Sep 20, 2023
#FCBMUN [Tactical Thread]

➑️ Rather have Obama in goal than Onana
➑️ 5-4-1 shape off ball yet Sane walks past 3 players
➑️ Musiala sends Casemiro almost into retirement
➑️ Reguilon and Rash = good attacking chemistry, poor defensive chemistry
➑️ Kane v Hojlund

#MUFC #FCBayern Image
So United started well. Generally proactive but dropping back into a 5-4-1 or 4-1-4-1 shape to frustrate Bayern with Casemiro floating between cb/cdm.

Whilst Sane was having moments, none of it was really coming off and Kane looked isolated. ETH's gameplan seemed to be working. Image
Then came the first goal. Rashford with some pitiful defending against Sane, allowing him to cut in and then Eriksen comes in as cover but makes a feeble challenge and then to put the icing on the cake... a horror handling show by Onana. 1-0 Bayern and a smash and grab goal.
Read 11 tweets
Sep 2, 2023
NUFC - Last season, we were among the rare few to say they'd feel liberated by the Carabao Cup concluding, whether loss or not, and that Willock & Isak would provide them with a second wind for the tiring Joelinton & Wilson to ensure a top 4 finish. It's worrying that this is September, not February, but the need for changes is clear. Suggestions:

A) When your attack loses trust in the defence, the final ball is often forced, and vice versa. When the defence knows that the attack is too brawny, they'll not defend in tandem as a unit. Livramento needed to provide recovery pace in defence & thrust in attack to take the pressure off both sides of the pitch, no more Matty - who is a target for the opposition to pin their wingers on. Burn as LCB & Targeted LB is a recipe for relegtion.

#NUFC #NewcastleUnited
B) Midfield rotation: Last season, the constant norm was GuimarΓ£es & the 2 slots were rotated between 3 players. Now it seems that Howe is sticking to a settled 3 - a bad idea, especially given the game style they go for - very taxing. With the UCL too, this needs to change. We did say that Tonali alone won't fix the midfield.
C) While Trippier can't overlap like he once could, he can defend better since the coaching of Simeone & has more composure in the middle third connecting with his midfield; move Gordon onto the RW as Almiron has blown his load ever since the middle of last season & needs the overlap. Gordon is a solo running machine from both flanks.
Read 5 tweets
Aug 21, 2023
Many young players become memes despite their overwhelming talent being quite obvious but it just seems nothing is going for them and they are on the verge of being written off…

Probably the best example of zero to hero is the rise of Gareth β€˜Fail’ into Gareth Bale.

[Thread] Image
I watched a young Bale feature for Saints vs WBA at the Hawthorns and was instantly bewitched. Magical left foot, so cultured… felt like an alien, a left back who just didn’t fit the mould of a British full back. I remember signing him on football manager that night πŸ˜‚
Having joined Tottenham as a gangly 17-year old, there were expectations aplenty placed upon his young shoulders and they certainly weighed him down in his early years. Patience is so important in bringing through young players, they need to feel like they can make mistakes…
Read 15 tweets

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