Bentaleb & Mason roles misunderstood by fans
It seems to me that there are a umber of Spurs fans who don't understand the role, or the difference in roles, of the two defensive midfielders.
They do not both play the same game under Pochettino, they are not both players who defend and attack, one defends and attacks, one defends and defends. They line up in a slight stagger, one plays a little in front of the other if you were to transfer that to a formation map.
Back in May I explained what we could expect from Pochettino - "The Pochettino system is a 4-2-3-1 formation with high-pressing, two defensive midfielders, ball playing centre halves, distribution from the goalkeeper on the floor and the fullbacks providing width. An attacking trio support the lone striker and he places a significant emphasis on passing. His defensive midfield duo play staggered, one slightly in front of the other who has more attacking responsibility."
The article goes into the tactics and reading them again you can see how they are being employed.
May Article - Prior to his appointment
What Tottenham could expect from Pochettino
Those comments have been borne out by events on the field but the differing defensive midfield roles haven't been grasped by a section of fans who complain a player like Bentaleb isn't rushing forward, they don't seem to grasp that isn't his role.
We basically have six players to fill the role and they are split three and three between:
Mason, Paulinho, Dembele
Bentaleb, Capoue, Stambouli
The first three, Mason, Paulinho and Dembele are the attacking defensive midfielders, that meaning they defend and support attacks or join counter attacks when the opportunity arises, while the second three, Bentaleb, Capoue or Stambouli, play the defensive role and remain defending to assist the centre-backs, thus allowing the full-backs to play advanced.
A main duty is to switch play, in other words the point of attack by collecting the ball from one side and moving it to the other. You will see a centre-back bounce the ball off him or play it to him to play to the other centre-back if an opponent is near.
With split centre-backs the width of the penalty box the defensive midfielder can't lose the ball by trying to be clever because the opposition would have a free run on goal. If he can turn or if he has received the ball from one advanced full-back, his role is to play it to the other one, unless he spots a telling forward pass, which we have seen Bentaleb playing this season.
The role is not recognised by fans but every team has one of these players and they are all moaned about, managers though know their value as a conduit. Michael Carrick is constantly moaned about but has performed the role for years at Manchester United and won countless trophies. You rarely find him in the opposition box or in advance of the ball.
The defensive defensive midfielder can take his time and play the ball slowly, slowing a game down or play it quickly to speed a game up, Pochettino prefers a fast game. His role though is to be available for a pass and be able to lay it off again quickly. The idea being that the receiver of the ball then has the time to pick a pass or go forward into space.
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To many it looks as though he is doing nothing but in fact his role is pivotal to the side, Capoue plays the role too slow, Bentaleb plays it quicker and is being asked to work on his passing, Stambouli is finding his feet at Premier League level.
That attacking defensive midfielder can perform the same duty when required but as mentioned is tasked with the responsibility of getting forward as much as possible, just as Mason did after 82 minutes against Manchester United. He missed but the point is he was there, that's part of his role, it's not a part of his defensive colleagues role.
They do not both play the same game under Pochettino, they are not both players who defend and attack, one defends and attacks, one defends and defends. They line up in a slight stagger, one plays a little in front of the other if you were to transfer that to a formation map.
Back in May I explained what we could expect from Pochettino - "The Pochettino system is a 4-2-3-1 formation with high-pressing, two defensive midfielders, ball playing centre halves, distribution from the goalkeeper on the floor and the fullbacks providing width. An attacking trio support the lone striker and he places a significant emphasis on passing. His defensive midfield duo play staggered, one slightly in front of the other who has more attacking responsibility."
The article goes into the tactics and reading them again you can see how they are being employed.
May Article - Prior to his appointment
What Tottenham could expect from Pochettino
Those comments have been borne out by events on the field but the differing defensive midfield roles haven't been grasped by a section of fans who complain a player like Bentaleb isn't rushing forward, they don't seem to grasp that isn't his role.
We basically have six players to fill the role and they are split three and three between:
Mason, Paulinho, Dembele
Bentaleb, Capoue, Stambouli
The first three, Mason, Paulinho and Dembele are the attacking defensive midfielders, that meaning they defend and support attacks or join counter attacks when the opportunity arises, while the second three, Bentaleb, Capoue or Stambouli, play the defensive role and remain defending to assist the centre-backs, thus allowing the full-backs to play advanced.
A main duty is to switch play, in other words the point of attack by collecting the ball from one side and moving it to the other. You will see a centre-back bounce the ball off him or play it to him to play to the other centre-back if an opponent is near.
With split centre-backs the width of the penalty box the defensive midfielder can't lose the ball by trying to be clever because the opposition would have a free run on goal. If he can turn or if he has received the ball from one advanced full-back, his role is to play it to the other one, unless he spots a telling forward pass, which we have seen Bentaleb playing this season.
The role is not recognised by fans but every team has one of these players and they are all moaned about, managers though know their value as a conduit. Michael Carrick is constantly moaned about but has performed the role for years at Manchester United and won countless trophies. You rarely find him in the opposition box or in advance of the ball.
The defensive defensive midfielder can take his time and play the ball slowly, slowing a game down or play it quickly to speed a game up, Pochettino prefers a fast game. His role though is to be available for a pass and be able to lay it off again quickly. The idea being that the receiver of the ball then has the time to pick a pass or go forward into space.
Recent Articles
As reported earlier, Berahino is fabrication
Lloris sees a change at Tottenham
The more Fazio's Spurs have the better
Argentinian striker ideal for the English game
Spurs still watching Driussi
Van Gaal looks for excuses, Pochettino doesn't
One incident shows why Mason is preferred to Dembele
Spurs rue clinical finishing
To many it looks as though he is doing nothing but in fact his role is pivotal to the side, Capoue plays the role too slow, Bentaleb plays it quicker and is being asked to work on his passing, Stambouli is finding his feet at Premier League level.
That attacking defensive midfielder can perform the same duty when required but as mentioned is tasked with the responsibility of getting forward as much as possible, just as Mason did after 82 minutes against Manchester United. He missed but the point is he was there, that's part of his role, it's not a part of his defensive colleagues role.
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Spurs fan since 71 living in Stockgolm.