this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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Could a teams attack be more important than its defence for points in the league (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I think possession and the ability to keep the ball is the most important quality in a team and can lead to the highest amount of points in the league. If you could score goals with a strong attack and could keep possession theres really no need for a good defence as you wouldn't need to defend.

I think this is what Man City is doing to some extent. Pretty much every single player on their team can attack and is somewhat of a goal scoring threat/build up. Even Ederson isn't the best shot stopper, but he doesn't have to be because he has fewer shots to save. Instead he is amazing playing with the ball and great distribution which in turn helps Man City keep possession.

To wrap things up, I think this has some sort of truth, but if technically you focused on your squad being able to score and then be able to keep possession, theres really no need for much defensive capability. Obviously players make mistakes and this is hypothetical but thought was interesting and I think Man City has somewhat implemented this strategy. Obv with their financial backing and what not it helps them to attain players of this calibre but it also seems this is in their type of training/tactical dept.

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Feel free to point out flaws could be completely wrong about this theory

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Is this serious?

You can't get points if you can't score, but you can still win points if you can't defend.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Is this a surprise to you? Just look at the cost of players, a good forward on average will be more expensive than a good defender, showing teams value a attack over defence

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The mistake you're making is considering possession a part of attack, it's not. Keeping the ball away from the opposition has a bigger impact on your defense. On the whole, a team with a perfect defence and a terrible attack will do better than a team with the inverse, more often than not.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

So let me get this straight, key to your “thesis”, is have better players at every position, like Man City. You are a genius.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

In 1936 man city scored the most goals in the league and got relegated, been a good attacking side is meaningless without a good defence.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

In 1936 City ranked 9th for goals scored and came 9th. Yes, one of the teams who scored more than them were relegated (Aston Villa).

More pertinent is that the league hasn't been won with less than 60 goals scored since 1910. It ain't that era of football any more.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You have to score at least one goal in order to maximise points total. No one ever won the league with 0-0 results.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The biggest thing that goes against this is Liverpool. Before they brought in Virgil, Fabinho, and Allison. They were a competitive team but couldn’t get over the hump to win titles and cups. As soon as they brought in the defensive stalwarts and proper DM, the team improved exponentially

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Neither in itself. 99% of the time the winners are who strike the best balance between the two.

Even us of this season and last had a strong defense or attack at any one time bar the Lamps period (currently we're scoring loads and under Potter despite everything we had the third best defense ITL).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

My guy, even Suarez in god mode, with Sturridge and Coutinho and Sterling well, as well as Gerrard having good seasons, they still didn't win the league with their rope defense

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You can't win the league conceding 50+ goals but it was a fun ride

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

One of the best managers to ever manage the game said, "Attacks win you games, defence wins you titles". You can agree or disagree with him, but I'd listen to him over the average redditor.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The quote gets taken at face value too much. City are where they are more for their attacking prowess. Attack is the best form of defence and all that jazz.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I would love to see Ferguson and Wenger create throwaway accounts and shit posting on Reddit while leaving subtle hints at who they are.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Cheers, Big Sam is crying now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Easy to win games if you can score a lot of goals. I think this is the premise of soccer Actually having a good defense is great too as long as they can pass forward and not back…..

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

On the one hand you can't win if you can't score

But on the other hand, if your opponent scores more than you then you'll definitely lose.

A good defence will guarantee you points, while a good attack will offer you wins. The trick to winning is having both