Regis Le Bris says he has analysed our defeat at Watford with the squad, and praised his team for their tactical flexibility and the way they adapted after a tough opening half an hour.
STARTED IN 4-4-2
“We analysed the game with the players this morning. We are disappointed because we lost and we want to win every game, even away against a good team. We had this first 25 minutes where it was difficult to deal with their offensive shape with our 4-4-2 block. We talked about that this morning, about some details we need to solve."
SWITCHED TO A BACK FIVE
"We used another shape and I think it was another good layer for us because this shape with a 5-4-1 was interesting. I think we solved the problem at that minute. We conceded a goal before (the tactical change) but then I think we had good moments after. We dominated the game and in possession it was interesting with many switched plays and good chances. We equalised logically, I think, but against this kind of team with many strong players, they have ability in one-on-ones and counter attacks. In the end, we made two mistakes and we lost the game.”
PLAN A/B/C/D
“It is still a new experience, with new players. You can analyse their strengths on a screen and then on the pitch it is different because the players can solve things with their shape, or struggle with this new experience. I think it is important for us to have in our toolbox many different options that we can use if the first one doesn’t work well. So this experience against Watford was useful for that, we didn’t win the game and we didn’t have a point at the end but for our shared experience we are still in the learning process and we are still building new foundations. This one was interesting for that background.”
SUBS IMPRESSED
“During the Championship these players will have opportunities to play. For me, it is just the identity of the club that when we have the opportunity to give them new experiences, minutes, to understand the rhythm and to show their qualities as well, we will do this with huge confidence. We trust these players, we trust this process, we trust the identity of the club. Sometimes they will play, as is the case for Tommy (Watson) for example, his first touch was difficult but then the second and third one and so on, that was interesting. They need experience, they need confidence, and we are happy with that.”
FOLLOWING THE GAME PLAN
“We spoke a lot about identity and it is clear that we want to press high and we want to have many fast attacks in our game. But during a single game we can’t use this weapon all the time, we need to choose the right moments. Especially during a week like this, with three games in a row, this “blueprint” of our game, the part of the game where we maybe need to control possession or have a lower block to control the opponent’s possession, we need to use these moments differently. I think it was in the mind of the players during the game at Watford. It is a balance. It’s not implemented in the game plan, it is something you need to use in real time with the understanding of the game, the momentum and the dynamic. It wasn’t so bad, I don’t think, against Watford, but obviously we need to improve every moment of our game. That part of the dynamic was interesting.”
