In ALL comps this season (after 90 mins) we’ve P12, W10, D1 and L1. Scored 28 and Conceded 13 with 3 clean sheets (25% of games).
Let me focus on the ‘conceded’ stat for this thread if I may?
Of those 13 goals conceded 9 (70%) have been scored in the last third of the game.
What is this down too? Number of factors of course. We’re winning matches at that juncture so teams go all or nothing to try and pull one back. Maybe a shift in formation and opposition throwing attackers on? Potentially.
Or is it our ‘protection dips’ in the final third of the game. It’s where I’d put my money on. We seem less compact when out of possession. Fabinho and Gini get ‘leggy’ late on – remember Meireles was the same?
Solution? I liked Klopp’s 4231 switch at Sheffield United which gave us more ‘mass’ so to speak when the home team had possession. It also allowed us to not neglect our attacking game hence Gini’s late strike.
I just feel that a hard worked lead could be blown soon unless we learn to control and see out games with a little more tightness in mid. Now, we have done it in some games (eg. above) but this is our chance, being 8 points clear’ already to get the job done and look more formidable throughout the 90.
Call me a nitpicking twat if you so wish (we’ve amassed 101 points over the last 38 games – bloody hell!) but the porousness in our mid just concerns me a tad.
Am I the only one here? Love to hear your thoughts.