by sussexpob » Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:16 pm
I think its the little details you see all over the team that, for me, have always shown Gareth can't manage himself out of a paper bag. I think to myself would literally any side in the top two divisions of British football give him a job? Probably actually, there are some idiot chairman's out there, but its like watching a bad amateur coach. He just seems to pick a formation and a team without really understanding how it all works.
I mean, the 3-4-3 formation sort of accepts you will be ganged up in the centre of midfield.... when Chelsea won the league with it under Conte 6 odd years ago, Kante was a total heat-sinking rocket, and Cesc Fabragas is arguably the best passing midfielder to have ever played in the PL. So with that quality it works.
But Declan Rice passes with the speed of a Glacier melting in summer. And he's not exactly that mobile either, so his defensive play isnt great. Maybe in a 4-5-1 where he's the defensive player in a 3 that just passes to a playmaker he'd be ok, but with a two you simply cant have a person with zero, and I mean zero, attacking intent or ability.
You end up with teams 3 v 2 in the centre, who dont even need to worry about Rice. Double mark the second guy and thats it. Let Rice have all the space in the world to pass backwards.
So regardless of how much quality you have in the final third, if the ball gets jammed 40 yards behind, it doesnt matter.
I mean look at spurs currently - Bentancur and Hojberg are not exactly world class footballers, but they work hard as a 2 and try to get the ball to the forward with minimal fuss.
For me Ward-Prowse is far better than Declan Rice, even if he wants that defensive style midfielder in there.
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And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!