⚪️⚫️ Team Analysis
🔍 Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
▫️Same suffocating press
▫️New build-up approach in the first phase
▫️Runs in behind, few passes : efficiency in the second phase
BIG THREAD 🧵⤵️
🔍 Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
▫️Same suffocating press
▫️New build-up approach in the first phase
▫️Runs in behind, few passes : efficiency in the second phase
BIG THREAD 🧵⤵️
Some things don’t change between seasons : and Newcastle pressing is still suffocating, doesn’t let any time to the opponent to build-up properly. The fact Guimaraes and Tonali step up to complete the second line of press makes short passes difficult for Aston Villa.
In the press, Joelinton and Tonali had to man-mark Kamara and Douglas Luiz because Villa strongly relies on these two to move forward in build-up. On the channels, whether it be Burn or Trippier, their timing in the press was key to not let any opportunity to create space.
Last season, Emery managed to take advantage over Howe’s pressing, due to some delay in the man-marking. He understood the lesson, and we could have seen this man-oriented press done with discipline. Villa couldn’t use width to stretch lines, Newcastle didn’t let the possibility.
In the first phase of build-up, Eddie Howe seems to modify the approach with a 4-2 shape, Guimaraes and Tonali moving around the structure, Joelinton higher on the pitch ready to make runs in behind (huge quality).
Guimaraes and Tonali need time to understand each other on the pitch, especially in the coordination of their moves : sometimes they were on the same line, forcing defenders to make longer passes, more risky (Kamara-Luiz did a good job in first half).
Howe’s objective is to have a fluid coordination between Guimaraes and Tonali. It means dropping-off at the right time, and only one midfielder (the second staying behind). I think we will see results soon enough, I trust Eddie Howe for that.
However, we have seen some ideas of what midfield should do when the opponent duplicates your structure.
Guimaraes and Tonali did well by dropping off or move on the channels, but I think it will be much better in the future.
Guimaraes and Tonali did well by dropping off or move on the channels, but I think it will be much better in the future.
Guimaraes and Tonali manage their distance quite well, especially to bypass the press from Aston Villa. These passes schemes are important for Newcastle because as soon as they have enough space, they can have more depth in their passes : direct way of play.
Eddie Howe didn’t change it at all: maximize efficiency by reducing the number of passes and verticality at all cost. That’s why Joelinton has the profile of running in behind to receive through-balls.
Eddie Howe demands from his midfielders to attack spaces created behind the defense, to reinforce this efficiency in passes : one touch, moving forward, and exploit spaces.
As I said, first phase of build up is key for Newcastle, because, given the direct way of play from Howe, the objective is to get enough space for Newcastle’s « quaterback » profiles (Guimaraes for instance)…
So they can have enough time to reach wingers or Joelinton’s runs in behind. Even if it doesn’t succeed all the time, they repeat it until it breaks the defense. This requires excellent physical condition, and that’s why Howe insists a lot in training sessions.
Tonali, for his first game in premier league, showed to everyone he is ready to face the challenge. Sandro doesn’t hesitate to attack spaces as we saw before, with a good reward because he gave Newcastle the lead.
To conclude, Eddie Howe didn’t change many aspects of his game, just adapted his first phase of build-up due to the new profiles (it’s still improving, it will take time). But the intensity, pressing, and verticality are always here, with the same energy.
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