IMO the underlying lesson/exposure has been just how poor we are as a group of individuals and as a team when we don't have possession based short passing to hide behind. For a supposedly technically based style and squad we have been shockingly poor.
Goals win you the points whereas a defence may win you the season.
That said I don't think the defence/back5 is so much the issue as much as it's the midfield which has been basically non-existent off the ball and stopping the counter.
I expect the transition out from defence will improve with better distribution from the GK - particularly in terms of control and then springing the counter. The FBs will need to learn to become an attacking thrust rather than being an out ball as seen under AW.
I expect to see us become more adept at working the ball down the flanks as seen for Iwobi's goal v CFC. As such I expect our play to more resemble Germany at the WC in Brazil where they worked the flanks and the ball was seldom played through the middle other than to switch flanks or to provide the ball into the opposition area.
I expect to see us drive to the by-line more often looking to turn the opposition defence towards their own goal.
I expect to see the CAM playing a key role in the attacking patterns in supporting the ball and creating numerical overloads, rather than looking to be part of the front line. Off the ball I expect the CAM to press alongside the CF, and then to drop into midfield if the press fails so as to provide a passing option or look for the 2nd ball option.
I expect to see the CMs play a supporting role to the flanks both on and off the ball, but the DLP will become the primary creative player in terms of tempo and direction.
We'll know they are starting to 'get it' on the ball when we see the midfield 3 acting more like CMs in their roles as opposed to the free form play under AW, and the FBs looking to driving to the by-line. Off the ball the obvious mark being the high press supported by the CM for that side, whilst the other drops central to support the CBs if the ball breaks free or is played over the top.
