Thread by @grokxai

Elliot Anderson vs Aston Villa
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https://twitter.com/__TheNearPost_/status/2050050213277249979

Just a small thread- for me to note my observations, thoughts and potential details.

Blocking Lanes
Anderson runs all game, but also shows the right balance b/w defending your man vs. defending space.

Stays in Onana's shadow- when the ball is passed to Torres, he shifts to cover the space in the middle and block out the passing lane.

Finding space
Anderson never stays right in front/behind the man marking him. Always tries to stay diagonal to create room to receive. Draws Onana in, capitalises quickly to receive in space- props to the GK for the pass.

Takes it on the half-turn, smooth hips that allow him to twist and turn- did not expect it personally.

Another excellent bit of creating separation- Watkins is in his shadow, directs the centre-back to receive, drags the striker away him (finds himself in space for an awfully long time here).

Slowing the game down to find an option and release an attacker- Anderson understood the assignment.

Dangerous tackle to make, with the studs high and all- very lucky not to get booked.

But the awareness is good- loads would focus on stopping the carrier but Anderson knows that MGW is pressing him, and spots Watkins running. The decision-making is clear

Deception and ingenuity

Drags the ball back with his sole, moves his hips away, immediately bursts in the opposite direction thru a feint + sole of the foot.

Switches of play

I like how Anderson scans, and the next option is to immediately change the picture after finding space. Doesn't need extra prep to play the pass because he already knows his next course of action. Very useful scanning.

- Hits the ball through the middle to make it lower and relatively quick. This could be better, but I have seen him do these switches before.
- Ankle is fully locked for a clean striker, non-shooting foot is firmly planted to the ground.

Doesn't spend too much time in the air, makes it to the player's feet, right before the defence reorganises itself.

Using the sides of your foot to make a pass can also mean you take some time to readjust your hips/body orientation to figure out where to pass.

Anderson 'stabs' the ball, hitting it with the top part of his foot (the laces).

At this point it's v clear Anderson likes using different parts of his foot for passes- combine this with how he uses his hips to deceive, and it makes for a great tool.

Speaking of deception.
I love that he receives, fixes himself towards the space on Onana's left- then he punches a quick ball towards Onana's right. My criticism would be that the ball shouldn't bobble, and it is overhit- it still sustains pressure but-

I think a better pass could help MGW either receive it on the turn or help him run into space.

When Anderson passes, he doesn't stay in one place- he moves immediately after which means he's giving his teammates a passing option. The weight, here, could be better- forces Neco to receive with back to goal rather than face goal diagonally.

Short-distance, Anderson's passes are generally clean and help find pocket players very well. This clip surprised me. First, He positions himself/his hips towards his left- Rogers takes the bait. Then, he immediately shifts to his right.

Against McGinn, he uses the left stiff arm to keep him at bay, able to move to his right and eventually utilise his footwork/shiftiness to gain yards of space away from him.

I hadn't seen enough of this- maybe this is frequent in his game but if not, I'd like to see more of it.

Sometimes your FBs aren't always where they should be- Rodri defends wide areas when he has to, and it looks like Anderson does too.

He's also there to protect cutbacks when needed. Here, he's marking Tielemans but the second Villa's wide player releases it to #26, you can see Anderson sense the space close to the box potentially be exploited.

Anderson does most things you'd want from a deep midfielder. He scans with the intent to change the picture, defends his zone but also shows the intelligence to defend space. His biggest area to improve would be the details in his passing

Do I think he's worth the big money? I am not so sure personally. I think, for that amount, you'd want to see a little more final third impetus, but I doubt his price tag would be questioned because he's relatively easy to slot in, and will deliver good performances

Anyway end of thread, there are so many great Anderson pieces I've seen on this app, my favourite two being the ones I've linked, but I just wanted to write this to jot down *my* observations
vrdfr.substack.com/p/pl-snapshot-…

x.com/aar0n_nt/statu…

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