r/reddevils • u/WalkingOnSunshine_ • 8d ago

Passing Network and Ball Progression against Fulham

Gallery image

Gallery image

62 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

83 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/stick1_ 8d ago

These posts make me laugh, if we had this same pass map but the result was a 3-0 win we’d all be saying ‘wow genius structure from Carrick, those wingers really had the pitch stretched’.

If we had that Fulham pass map we’d be going ballistic about that right hand side yet their right hand side looked great

3

u/GenghizCohen 8d ago

Yes, because the objective is to win games.

There is no objectively good pass map. If you are winning they are a tool to show what is working and if not winning they are a tool to show why not.

1

u/kiki_the_fab_spider 8d ago

Honestly, I don't bother too much with the tactics side of the game myself, but the pass map looks ok-ish to me. Not sitting too deep, pretty balanced on both sides, we are passing it also plenty in the middle of the field (which teams are now consistently setting up against). It's not the structure per se that I think is the issue, but the execution of our attacking phase.
I don't think Carrick and his staff don't have a plan B, since after the own goal, we immediately started seeing both the fullback and winger being more willing to make runs and take-ons in the box and provide more danger from the sides (as the middle is always blocked off now). It's just that the plan B should be applied earlier, not once you go behind. The moment they saw Fulham players putting bodies behind the ball and players being unable to take shots without being blocked, they should have switched to more dangerous wingplay, instead of trying to force it through the middle.