What's the reason behind this?

[Zippity]

Our press was one of the main reasons for our success 2 years ago.

Why have we changed our style to a worse (imo) one? We were so good at it and now we're one of the worst.

[Jammy89]

Could it be injuries?

We're don't trust our back line as much so we fall back in numbers and don't end up regaining the ball till we're in our own half.

Agree on your point about it being our success 2 season ago though.

[Zippity]

Aye, could be. Botman is a big miss but I'd worry if one player being out could force such a drastic change.

It seems almost like a change of philosophy?

[Xamand]

For all his shortcomings with the ball at his feet (or should I say his one foot) Miggy doesn't half chase down defenders relentlessly - a lot more than Murphy, Barnes, Gordon and Isak. It's not just his constant running either, it's the way he angles his pressing so effectively

[Ragatino]

Aye, could be. Botman is a big miss but I'd worry if one player being out could force such a drastic change.

It seems almost like a change of philosophy?

Our style has changed quite a lot this season. We're not flat out closing down all match this season. EH is trying to evolve our style to be more possession based. We dominated the ball against Everton, everyone said it was our best performance, aside from City, yet we didn't win the game.

We've not been at our best in the majority of games. Isak hasn't been fully fit and we've not been completely at it in terms of pressing at all this season.

We will get back to that standard in due course.

However, like XG, it's a nice metric to discuss but in reality is only means something when goals aren't being scored.

If we were banging in the goals and winning games, which in most part we are, these stats are meaningless.

[toonviking]

Its because our defence has been missing Botman and Schar (as a pair) for so many games.

Also other injuries.

We have been much deeper lately. And it has worked against Spuds and City.

When everyone is fit again, we will se the high press more often.

[Ragatino]

Its because our defence has been missing Botman and Schar (as a pair) for so many games.

Also other injuries.

We have been much deeper lately. And it has worked against Spuds and City.

When everyone is fit again, we will se the high press more often.

Also very true. Botman has been a massive miss.

Sooner he's back to full fitness and match sharpness the better. Hopefully this will be the only injury he faces for a good 5-6 yrs!

The man is absolutely class at the back. Best CB I've seen in a B&W shirt in 40 yrs of supporting the club.

Honourable mentions to Albert, Woodgate and a few others but Botman's positioning and ariel dominance completely shuts down opponents 'long ball / get out of jail' play.

That as you refer to Viking, allows our press to suffocate the opposition. If they throw it long we clean it up Botman first ball, Joelinton/Bruno etc 2nd and we're back in control and on the counter attack.

We saw teams realise that 'going long' was useless so they played is short allowing out the high press to do it's damage.

Sooner we get back to that the better.