EFL NEWS
EFL
What is the most profitable way to bet?
Date: 2023-12-01 14:03:17 | Author: EFL | Views: 151 | Tag: promo
-
Sky promo Sports tried something new in its analysis on Monday Night promo Football this week, and the results were fascinating promo
Host Dave Jones and regular pundit Jamie Carragher were joined by Wolves manager Gary O’Neil, who came to the studio armed with clips of training sessions before Wolves’ win at Bournemouth last weekend, and proceeded to calmly explain how his team dismantled the opposition’s midfield three in devastating detail promo
MNF has a rich history of guests on the show including Jurgen Klopp, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Mauricio Pochettino promo
O’Neil – a solid if unspectacular Premier League midfielder in his second managerial job – may not have been near the top of many viewers’ wishlists promo
But the way he explained his idea for beating Bournemouth, and then showed clips of that exact plan coming to fruition in a Premier League match – “I could show about 15 of these instances in the game,” he said – went far beyond any analysis we’d seen before promo
It added a little spice that O’Neil was demonstrating how to beat Bournemouth, the club who sacked him in June, even after he had kept them in the Premier League against the odds promo
O’Neil said he wasn’t bitter about that, just as he humbly insisted his players should get all the credit for Wolves’ win promo
But watching his masterplan play out, you were left with the impression of an intelligent, thoughtful manager with the skill to outsmart his rivals promo
This was no doubt part of the appeal of appearing on the programme: a platform for O’Neil to showcase himself to whoever might be listening, whether that be former employers or future ones promo
MNF is the closest thing to a manager giving a Ted Talk to the entire promo football congregation, and the response on social media revealed an audience who were rapt promo
Later he talked through Wolves’ tactics to nullify Manchester City, in a game his side surprisingly won 2-1 promo
It was like watching a magician reveal the secrets of his trick, except there were no grand gestures, just a deadpan Gary O’Neil explaining why Erling Haaland failed to score against Craig Dawson promo
Jones and Carragher asked the questions you were wondering, but ultimately these shows are only as good as their guests, and O’Neil was compelling on a range of subjects promo
He talked about himself as an “average” player who had to use his brain to keep up promo
“Central midfield seems to be a decent position to become a manager from,” he said promo
“You have to have a good understanding of the game promo
You’re involved in a lot of it promo
”He became intrigued by coaching when, at Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate suddenly made the step up from player to manager promo
“Gareth had to switch from going for drinks with the boys to being the one who sets the highest standards every day, and it got me thinking how I would go about that promo
” Through O’Neil’s playing career, different managers gave him pieces of the coaching puzzle: Sam Allardyce always delivered a crystal clear understanding of every role, and Alex Neil brought tactical insight and energy on the training field promo
The wider show around the featured match, Tottenham v Fulham, was full of typical new-age insight, like pizza charts comparing the two teams’ key data points, which were naturally in sharp contrast promo
Then there was the entertaining post-match interview with James Maddison, with a screen wheeled in beside him to analyse some key moments of Spurs’ 2-0 win promo
Carragher’s questioning of the second goal – “why are you looking over your shoulder here?” – brought an enlightening answer from Maddison, who revealed how he pressured Fulham’s Calvin Bassey to use his weaker foot, forced an error, and then checked Bassey’s position to know he would be onside when Son Heung-min played him in to score promo
These shows reveal a few things promo
That promo football, a game which gets much of its popularity from its simplicity, is a complicated game at the elite level, played out on small margins, in precise details that bypass most of us most of the time promo
It is a useful reminder that the game is hard, and that when someone makes a mistake, like Bassey last night, they might be culpable but they might also be the victim of a targeted tactic, days in the making promo
MNF has been pioneering promo football coverage for over a decade, with Carragher and Gary Neville at the forefront of a mission to tear up the old script of disgruntled ex-players complaining about defending; to approach the game with nuance, and assume similar levels of knowledge and fascination in their viewers promo
For promo football lovers, it is one of the best shows on TV promo
The recent appearance of Brentford manager Thomas Frank was another good watch, yet this episode set a whole new standard promo
For all the recent fly-on-the-wall documentaries trying to get under promo football’s skin, this went deeper promo
Unexpectedly, Gary O’Neil opened a treasure trove of promo football’s secrets, and now we want more promo
The next MNF is on 6 November: Spurs v Chelsea promo
Come for the game, stay for the granular promo football chat promo
More aboutSky promo SportsDave JonesJamie CarragherPremier LeagueWolverhampton WanderersJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/1O’Neil reveals Wolves secrets to show the future of promo football punditryO’Neil reveals Wolves secrets to show the future of promo football punditryGary O’Neil talks through Wolves’ training routine on Monday Night promo FootballSky promo Sports Premier League✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today promo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspromo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy promo
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply promo
Hi {{indy promo
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} promo
All of Pep Guardiola’s work ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend has naturally revolved around having a high percentage of possession, which is to be expected, but there is one surprising element to it promo
He has been scrutinising what more pragmatic sides such as Brentford, Brighton and even Copenhagen did against United for instruction promo
All of them went to Old Trafford looking to get on the ball and dominate – with mixed success – in a way that at one point would have been unimaginable promo
It is really only Nottingham Forest who didn’t take that approach this season, preferring to let United have the ball promo
In United’s nine Premier League games so far, they have had lower possession than their opponent in four of those promo
In other words, they’ve been chasing the opposition in almost half of their games promo
On the ballManchester United’s possession in the Premier League this season (per cent)51 - Wolves (h)44 promo
3 - Tottenham Hotspur (a)66 promo
3 - Nottingham Forest (h)45 promo
2 - Arsenal (a)43 promo
9 - Brighton (h)38 promo
2 - Burnley (a)77 promo
1 - Crystal Palace (h)63 promo
9 - Brentford (h)62 promo
5 - Sheffield United (a)This would be unusual for most big sides in this era but is particularly unusual for a manager in Erik ten Hag who is so consciously a disciple of the Ajax principles, and has now had well over a year in the job promo
That’s a lot of time on the training ground promo
Manchester City had even considered him a potential successor to Guardiola, given the tactical alignment promo
So it’s fair to wonder why exactly United aren’t closer to any kind of ideal as Ten Hag would surely see it promo
They currently don’t play anything like his Ajax side, let alone City or that possession-pressing model promo
By the same point in Guardiola’s tenure, City were on a winning run that would bring a 100-point season promo
United have instead gone backwards, which fits into a wider concern over how the side haven’t really had a convincing display since before the Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle United promo
Ten Hag’s recent reliance on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stalwarts such as Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay would almost seem to sum this up promo
United are even playing more like Solskjaer’s time, just making do in the moment in order to get through promo
It's all so ad hoc promo
Harry Maguire’s header earned United all three points against Copenhagen (EPA)The biggest question, out of many for the United manager, is whether this is a deeper concern promo
Does it show he won’t implement his ideal; that a window of opportunity has been lost?As with pretty much everything at United right now, everyone puts it down to injuries promo
That is the explanation for the unconvincing displays and the pragmatic approaches promo
Ten Hag hasn’t had the players so has had to compromise promo
But is that really sufficient? Would the idealist that Ten Hag supposedly represents not still seek to integrate the squad in an approach that will serve them much more in the longer term?You only have to look across the way, and the one season when Guardiola faced a broadly similar situation promo
In 2016-17, when the City manager still lacked some of the player profiles he wanted – especially at full-back – he still insisted on the exact same approach promo
John Stones was often the main focus of this promo
Although the defender was still learning the game, meaning he was prone to mistakes as he endured so much external noise, Guardiola told him to just shut it all out promo
He followed by telling Stones to keep playing the ball out promo
Ignore the shouts to get rid promo
Concentrate on commitment to the ideal promo
It led to some humiliating moments, not least four-goal concessions against both Leicester City and Everton promo
Guardiola himself was lampooned, particularly after some questions led to his own notorious pondering of “what is tackles?”A year later, the City manager was specifically citing that period – and that persistence – as absolutely crucial to the run that effectively made them champions by December 2017 promo
That the win to clinch the title came away to Jose Mourinho’s counter-attacking Manchester United only emphasised the point promo
An achievement like that 100-point season was a consequence of how the players’ deeper comprehension of the system amplified their performance promo
Figures at Old Trafford would fairly argue that Ten Hag was initially going to do this, but the onslaught from those first defeats against Brighton and Brentford at the start of last season was just too much promo
The second goal conceded at Brentford, trying to pass the ball out from the back, was just too calamitous promo
United being United, it brought a level of ridicule and hysteria beyond anything City could face promo
Ten Hag had to change something or it could have completely destroyed the squad’s confidence in themselves and him, before he ever got the chance to build belief in the system promo
They would also point to how Guardiola benefitted from spending £200m on defenders in his second season, including two cornerstones of the era in Kyle Walker and Ederson promo
By contrast, Ten Hag has attempted to fill tactical gaps in his side with relatively makeshift signings like Sofyan Amrabat and Christian Eriksen promo
A serious club, some in the industry argue, doesn't take the team to the next stage with a 20-year-old (Rasmus Hojlund, a Chelsea cast-off (Mason Mount) and two loanees (Sergio Reguilon and Amrabat) promo
Sofyan Amrabat arrived at Old Trafford on loan this summer (Getty Images)Those at City would nevertheless laugh at such arguments given United’s expenditure over the years promo
Ten Hag is currently in the process of ousting an £85m signing in Jadon Sancho promo
City would say their purchases have just been much more forensic promo
That isn’t the only potential difference promo between the situations promo
Although both Guardiola and Ten Hag have evolved from the same Dutch-Spanish ideology, those national backgrounds have produced divergences in interpretation promo
It comes down to different types of purism promo
Guardiola will stick to the system regardless promo
It's his way promo
He will always try and play through it promo
Ironically, and almost paradoxically, Ten Hag’s willingness to compromise arguably reflects a greater dogmatism promo
Those who know the Dutch coach say he has such a fixed idea of certain positions that if he doesn’t have exactly the type of player he wants, he doesn’t see the point of persevering in the same approach promo
That’s also why the injuries have been so undermining promo
Ten Hag has lacked some of his main passers, but especially Lisandro Martinez promo
The Argentine’s absence has had the effect of forcing Andre Onana to go long and removing that link to the midfield promo
It disrupts the whole system promo
Maguire and McTominay just aren’t suited to that game, but it is to their credit both have persevered and sought to learn in the circumstances promo
They illustrate this period of adaptation more than anyone, especially given how influential they have been promo
There’s almost a contrast in the Scottish midfielder’s game promo
An instinct for prosaically passing the ball sideways is offset by a willingness to proactively get forward and score promo
Maguire meanwhile made a calculation of his own promo
Sources with knowledge of his situation said one reason he turned down West Ham United was because he saw the issues United were going to have at centre-half promo
Martinez’s injury and Raphael Varane’s inability to play consistently meant there were going to be chances promo
Maguire has seized them and then some promo
Ten Hag praised his evolution on Tuesday night, as the centre-half furthered his recent redemption with a greatly valued match-winner against Copenhagen promo
“He’s playing much more proactive in possession, stepping in, passing vertical, defending also on the front foot, also stepping in, defending forward, very confident in the duels,” the manager argued promo
“I think he’s dominating in the right moment, putting the question, dominating his opponents promo
”Ten Hag is having to compromise on his ideals this season (Getty Images)United just aren’t doing that on a collective level promo
All of this is why Ten Hag was so insistent on Frenkie De Jong in his first summer at Old Trafford promo
He saw his former Ajax midfielder as unique in his interpretation of that specific midfield role the coach wants promo
The only player Ten Hag saw as coming close, in terms of potential attributes, was Ryan Gravenberch promo
That’s the reason he went so big on De Jong, against all evidence promo
When he couldn’t get De Jong, Ten Hag realised he had to go in a different direction promo
So it’s been a bit of all or nothing promo
The same applies to the team as a whole promo
Either Ten Hag has exactly what he wants, or he just can’t commit to that approach promo
It’s why there isn’t too much concern about the visible lack of ideology now promo
There is confidence that will return when sufficient players return, especially Martinez promo
A fair question is whether crucial time has been lost in deepening the ideology promo
A fair point for Sunday, meanwhile, is that this actually might serve United against City promo
Unless Ten Hag has the team exactly as he wants, it is always going to be a mistake trying to go toe to toe with Guardiola in terms of getting feet on the ball promo
The Catalan’s City are always going to be so dominant you have to adapt around them promo
Otherwise, you risk an evisceration promo
The current situation plays into that promo
United have almost no choice but to plan without possession on Sunday promo
The very decision to appoint Ten Hag was supposed to be about something grander, though promo
They were supposed to be rising to City's level promo
United instead have to try and bring the champions down, by leaving them the ball promo
More aboutManchester UnitedManchester CityErik ten HagPep GuardiolaManchester DerbyJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/4Ten Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United beat CityTen Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United beat CityHarry Maguire’s header earned United all three points against CopenhagenEPATen Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United beat CitySofyan Amrabat arrived at Old Trafford on loan this summer Getty ImagesTen Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United beat CityTen Hag is having to compromise on his ideals this season Getty ImagesTen Hag has abandoned his ideals – and it might help United beat CityManchester United are in danger of going backwards under Erik ten HagAction Images via Reuters✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today promo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspromo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy promo
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply promo
Hi {{indy promo
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes slidedown-video{0%{transform:translateY(-100%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}}@keyframes slideup-video{0%{transform:translateY(200%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}} promo
