Players increasingly play in systems that complement their positive attributes while covering for their deficiencies. It’s why we played asymmetrically on our left and right sides. Same goes for covering the half-spaces whether we have the ball or not.
Gravenberch’s support system got dismantled. He’s no different from what he was before.
We can decide to see if he will sink or swim, or we can just make a decision in the off season, whether to bring in complimentary pieces for him or replace him with a midfielder of a different profile.
Revionism?
Your adding factors never mentioned. Distracting!
Of course our overall performances were influenced by these however we are talking about the performance of one player over his career at the club.
I am repeating what I said at the time so there’s no revisionism on my part.
Others can disagree with my analysis at the time and such disagreements are common.
The thing that is important now is, is Gravenberch performing now?
What are his strong points?
What are his weak points?
Then for the manager to determine how/if he can be used and if the player himself can change so he can be used and fit in.
In terms of Gravenberch I think it is going to be a long hard struggle.
As for the midfield in general I think Macca and Szoboszlai are much easier for Iraola to work with. I think Nyoni is an almost perfect fit however he is young so shouldn’t be over exposed. I like McConnell however haven’t seen enough of him.
Wirtz is a shoe in when/if the others ‘get their act together’.
Only time will tell what will actually happen.
Could it simply be that the opponents has figured a way to fully nullify his style of play?
Yep and that will always be the case. It´s why I advocate for specialists not generalists. Combined in the system you get players excelling at what they do best, and between the whole, they make up for each others´weaknesses.
With Grav and on what you say, I think he had the perfect setup that doesn´t exist now. He has too many limitations to really be worth it and especially on that wage.
1 Like
Our system changed which meant his strong points were nullified.
We went from being progressive to pretty negative. Our pressing wasn’t as good the pressing permitted Gravenberch to get interceptions in. Once you start asking him to work as a pivot on the back foot he struggles.
Above all he was over used imo and became too tired mentally and physically in the championship season (where our style changes were at a very slow pace).
Sure some teams might have worked to nullify us which would ask the question why were they concentrating so much on us? It doesn’t seem probable unless it was easy to do and everyone new and discussed how to do it (without us knowing).
I think that’s just a football saying to indicate that your system isn’t good enough.
Of course we can discuss the effect that Slot using TAA less and less before he left had on the situation. Which imo was enormous particularly for Salah. However then we are no longer talking about the performances of a specific player.
Thank you @Quicksand and others, it is a new word for my limited vocabulary 
.
I say this genuinely, that I am all for having a Susie Dent thread, where we can post less commonly used words and their definition/context.
2 Likes
If you want to set that up I’m all up for it.
3 Likes
Ermm, nudge, nudge.
1 Like