The game vs Chelsea and Wolves were clear examples of how many teams will look to play against us. They follow on from the way Brighton were successful against us last April.
With our 343 formation, we play 2 in CM with the wing backs offering the width. Now most teams play a 433, so we are already out-numbered in CM. The trade-off is that we have numbers in defence and it has been a pretty clear pattern that we are less able to dominate games because of this BUT we do not concede a lot of goals or a lot of clear chances. Very very rarely does any team get in behind our defence.
Against Chelsea they played the 343 formation, but within that, RLC effectively became a 3rd CM when in possession, and Mount drifted constantly into spaces between the lines, dropped into midfield to add further numbers, so at times it was 4 vs 2 in CM. For all the dominance this gave them, they did not really create many clear chances as this numbers and possession comes at the cost of attackers.
It was similar vs Wolves, they had numbers in midfield when without the ball and made it very hard for us to get on the ball and control the game, and they controlled. it. Again, not really creating any really clear chances, one header that went just wide.
What's similar about both these teams was that they effectively played with just midfielders ahead of their defence.. This meant they had lots of good ball players, buzzing around and outnumbering us, defence pushing up to congest the space making it hard for us to break out, but it often broke down in the final third where our numbers made it hard for them, especially as both lacked an attacking focal point up front.
As mentioned, BHA played a very similar game and were aggressive in closing down Kane and Kulusevski who are key to us playing the ball out, retaining possession and attacking.
I think we can expect to see a lot more of this sort of approach against us this season. Not all teams will be as well drilled, or capable or of the quality to stop us. But the way we play invites this approach. Those who play with more conventional strikers may well cause us a few more problems in the final third but this will inevitably leave a few more spaces compared to those teams who effectively play without a proper striker. Villa last season, for example, play with 2 strikers, with lots of attacking intent, but we picked them off 4-0 away!
Some fans do not appreciate the way Conte sets up to play. It is never going to be kick and rush football. His approach is very well drilled, starts from a solid defensive base and looks to spring attacks from there. Counter attack is our most effective weapon, but in the moments that we look to gain more control, we do lack a bit of creativity of the edge of the opponents box. Perisic helps this. He adds a Kulusevski type option on the left hand side, good crosses, better link up play, working the space cleverly.
Away from home I think a lot of teams will be that bit more attacking, making it a more open game for us. But at home this season I think many will be very happy to really pack out the middle third. Its not really a Conte thing but I think we need to start a lot faster at home. An early goal is a spanner in the way most teams will set up against us. It will force them into changes and open the game up.
BUT i do think teams will make it very hard for us at home this season, we will see plenty of games like Wolves where it is made very hard for us to play but at the cost of cutting edge. We will need patience and sometimes just accept that its the 3 points that matter.
Tactics against Spurs
posted on 24/8/22
comment by Diamondlights (U20501)
posted 7 hours, 28 minutes ago
I'm short.... 343 is very italian/ defense first ! you can win Serie A playing that way but i cant see it working in todays PL... all teams carry an attacking threat and those that don't will have so much of the ball eventually they will catch a break... personally i think we are better suited to play 433 especially with an new CB to go with Romero.... Our front three speaks for itself (any combo) & a MF of PEH, Bissouma and Bentancur has a nice balance.....id be ok with Royal, Romero, Dier and Perisic at the back.
I know the results have been good since Conte arrived but i don't love watching us.... The likes of Liverpool, City, leeds. brighton & arsenal are a far more enjoyable watch than us... We're drab and overly defensive... the first halves of all three games have been crap... can't keep relying on a HT b0llocking from Conte every week.... try getting the formation right from the start and play with some positivity and be on the front foot.... We'd hammer a lot more team than we currently do
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Send it here:
AntonioC@spurs.com
I'm sure he'll appreciate the helping hand
posted on 24/8/22
Let`s be fair this kind of football under Nuno would have been unacceptable, but because it is Conte it is OK.
Yes Spurs are getting results, but the football, especially first halves is carp.
I am also with Ted, basically formations go out of the window as soon as a ball is kicked. Players are not static objects, they do actually move around.
posted on 24/8/22
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 2 hours, 37 minutes ago
Let`s be fair this kind of football under Nuno would have been unacceptable, but because it is Conte it is OK.
Yes Spurs are getting results, but the football, especially first halves is carp.
I am also with Ted, basically formations go out of the window as soon as a ball is kicked. Players are not static objects, they do actually move around.
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Spurs are top scorers in the league since Conte joined
posted on 24/8/22
a bad first half away at Stamford bridge and then again after a slow start in the infamously slow starting 12:30 kick off games does not deserve this type of panic from certain posters.
posted on 24/8/22
It's as if winning football is not enough for some...are we really that fecking entitled that this regime will never satisfy some who are bored by watching Spurs winning and scoring loads in the last 6 months. A couple of poor halves at the start of the season and dummies are being spat out. I dispear of some of our fanbase
posted on 24/8/22
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 50 seconds ago
It's as if winning football is not enough for some...are we really that fecking entitled that this regime will never satisfy some who are bored by watching Spurs winning and scoring loads in the last 6 months. A couple of poor halves at the start of the season and dummies are being spat out. I dispear of some of our fanbase
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posted on 24/8/22
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 8 minutes ago
It's as if winning football is not enough for some...are we really that fecking entitled that this regime will never satisfy some who are bored by watching Spurs winning and scoring loads in the last 6 months. A couple of poor halves at the start of the season and dummies are being spat out. I dispear of some of our fanbase
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It's like people have forgot about the Jose/Nuno era already
posted on 24/8/22
comment by Edbo (U17933)
posted 55 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 2 hours, 37 minutes ago
Let`s be fair this kind of football under Nuno would have been unacceptable, but because it is Conte it is OK.
Yes Spurs are getting results, but the football, especially first halves is carp.
I am also with Ted, basically formations go out of the window as soon as a ball is kicked. Players are not static objects, they do actually move around.
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Spurs are top scorers in the league since Conte joined
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Not disputing that Edbo, and a lot of that was last season. This season whilst they have been scoring, the first halves in all three games have not been good.
posted on 24/8/22
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 30 minutes ago
It's as if winning football is not enough for some...are we really that fecking entitled that this regime will never satisfy some who are bored by watching Spurs winning and scoring loads in the last 6 months. A couple of poor halves at the start of the season and dummies are being spat out. I dispear of some of our fanbase
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Not sure any are saying that. Don`t exaggerate. We are all happy with the results. Just want to see a bit more action from the start of matches. Supporters, like myself, pay good money to go to watch football, we do also want to see some better stuff for the whole 90 minutes from time to time. Is that to much to ask?
posted on 25/8/22
Teams are going to turn up, pack the mdield and try and stop us playing. Its not a recipe for open flowing football. Get used to it