Forensic Burnley Analysis

Knocking on Heavens Door

The Selections

It’s absolutely fascinating to watch the development of a coach. For the first two years Pochettino was religiously wedded to the 4231 formation. We yearned for him to show some tactical diversity and years three and four he did this, becoming one of the more tactically flexible coaches in the Premier League.

Another criticism that could be fairly levelled at Poch’s first three seasons was a lack of willingness to rotate, resulting in fatigue of key players especially toward the back end of a couple of his seasons. What we are seeing this year is an absolute revolution in his rotation strategy.

I’m not sure how much necessity has been the mother of Poch’s invention here, world cup’s, Asian games, injuries, a summer of inactivity, but whatever the motivation, Poch has really embraced the concept for the first time – properly – this season. 

The thing is, when your basic coached ethos is as good as Pochettino’s, you can rotate, and be better for it.

Apart from preventing physical and mental fatigue, you keep everyone to a standard of performance, because they will be aware that they are no longer safe from a performance rotation. Win win. 

Great to see Poch muster up the Bow Locks to start Skipp today, and the kid didn’t let him down, but then, they rarely do. Davies as a CB.

I would have preferred to see Sissoko rested in this one with Eriksen started and then rested for the cup in the week. 

The Structure

Poch opted to revert back to his trusty old 4231, with Skipp and Sissoko as the CM2’s.

I wish he’d played Alli deeper and gone 433, I think this would given our midfield more creativity, pulled a deep Burnley bus park out a little, and instead of clogging up an already over populated front end, would have meant Alli and Sissoko could ghost in from deeper, harder to pick up areas, whilst maybe getting Moura and Lamela isolated up against defenders.

Poch’s development as a coach has been a fascinating evolutionary process to observe. Incredibly impressive. But next on my wish list is the embrace of football’s one true format, the 433. At least occasionally. 

The Game

We’ve watched this game at least hundred times in the last few years haven’t we?

We’ve become an elite club that demands it of those much lower in the footballing food chain. An obdurate oppo, deep block, well drilled, well dug in and our forwards deciding en masse to have a bit of a bumble. 

I don’t begrudge the Burnley’s of this world their tactics, but the best they deserve for trying not to lose is a point, and if they don’t get that, no one should have any sympathy at all. 

We absolutely dominated this game. And as ever, went through many of the right motions. But as often happens on these days, what mostly caused us consternation was a lack of composure on those rare, hard earned moments of opportunity in the final third. 

Moura was the first to look the gift horse in the mouth, just chipping wide from a great pass from Lamela. 

Then Sissoko was put through by a great ball from Kane, and rather than shoot he chose to fizz the ball at Lamela. Finesse will never be Sissoko’s friend and with no space or time to take the touch the pace of the ball needed, Lamela floundered. 

I can’t fault anyone for effort, but all the AM’s were guilty of not taking enough care at times. Days like today need cool heads, a composed mind when all around is turmoil, and without Eriksen, this quality is in short supply.

Alli’s improved his bumble count, but still has the odd day like today when you need him to just take a little more care of the ball.

It’s why I prefer him in a slightly deeper role on days like today, it forces him to grow up; let Moura, Son and Lamela fanny around

Both full backs played their part, offering the width required to help us pull Burnley out of congesting the central areas, but both have had better days with their delivery.

Trippier the busier, but too often finding a claret body blocking his cross, he did play one of those lovely trade mark passes to put Sissoko through in the inside channel, only for Sissoko to again be found wanting with the crucial next pass. Rose’s end product has always been incredibly poor and today was no exception, marks for effort for both players though. 

And so it went, on and on, pressure building, mostly us fans’ sphincters; hard won, very infrequent chances came and were wasted. Hart saving smartly from Lamela, Son shooting inexplicably wide.

We were knocking. Knocking. And then that moment arrived. There are fewer sweeter spots in football than a late, late winner against a team that have spent 90 minutes doing their best to frustrate the hell out of you. 

Heaven.

The Individuals

Lloris – He does love to put the wind up us doesn’t he. Not much to do, but one horrible piece of distribution gave us possibly our only real moment of panic. 

Trippier – Was very involved, good midfield play, couple of nice passes, couple of decent crosses, but too often found a Burnley body in the way. 

Alderweireld – Not really tested in any way, but decent enough, sprayed some passes about. 

Davies – Again, barely tested, but fine. 

Rose – Catches the attention with his energetic verve, did put in one decent cross that Lamela nearly scored from, but end product wise, his arse has rarely cashes the cheques his energy has written. 

Sissoko – Another performance with decent endeavour, but his technical deficiencies will always ultimately hold him back at this highest of levels – certainly in midfield. Got into two or three great positions today, and didn’t make the most of any of them. Decent game overall though.

Skipp – What an impressive debut. He was calm, assured, technically proficient and zipped the ball about with confidence.

There was a moment early on when you saw the advantage he is going to offer us over the likes of Dier (or Sissoko) in midfield, when he received the ball with an oppo up his arse, and just shimmied one way, then tother, shook off his man and zipped the ball away to a team mate. On a day which no one else really stood out as outstanding, I’m giving him my MOTM. 

Lamela – Tried hard, loved him chasing down Bardsley, played a lovely ball for Moura, unlucky a couple of times, decent effort all in all.  

Alli – Like Lamela, tried hard, found the congested central area hard to operate in, but a couple of times he just need to check himself and do something tangibly composed, instead of attempting something flamboyantly flippant. Did play a part. 

Moura – Lots of flitting, not enough constructive composure. 

Kane – We’ve definitely got the real Kane back now. Lots of effort, lots of putting himself about, did some unselfish running, set up Sissoko with a great ball, nearly did likewise for Alli, and then that fabulous final moment, when he found the poise to find Erikson for the winner. 

Subs – All had their moments, but Eriksen once again was the most influential. Played in midfield, saw plenty of ball in his short time and once again popped up with a vital winner.