banduan wrote:
yup, he has an impossible job. But regardless he has to be accountable for the decisions he makes.
Except if he is about 'the system' like an LVG type, then there can be no middle ground in terms of either the resources required nor in relation to adapting the system to suit the resources available = it's either one thing or it's not.
I also think there is an inherent culture issue that is still prevalent regarding the player mentality and accountability. I know AW has been gone for over 2 seasons but I still think there are aspects of his methodology/philosophy that are still present that both Emery and Arteta are struggling to eradicate, and it may take changes to the players and coaches to get everyone onboard.
Another point to this is the club should have been aware of his adherence to the system and requirements during the interview process, and any issues are firstly on the club if they went ahead with the appointment knowing that such a style is very difficult to pull off. Likewise there should have been discussions about some of the issues in regards to possession based styles, width, passing and playing out from the back. No one should have any cause for complaint if due diligence was exercised by both parties.
Bottom line IMO it is the inability to transition moving through the midfield with any pace or vertical intent/play that is at the core to our current issues with our play.
Second to this is the conflict in interest between retaining/using width and the possession based passing to feet, and the inherited short passing to feet culture that does not create/encourage the creation of space/movement ahead of the ball, and nor does it encourage the players to look for it.
Key in all of this is Xhaka as he is ideal for setting the tempo in a style that prioritises possession, but not suited to a system that requires speed and verticality in transition.