By Soren Schamberg
Part One
Midfields are incredibly influential when it comes to the end result in a match. A team that can force transitions of the phases of play in the or near the midfield into their favor are more likely to be the team that is creating the most chances.
This can be seen and is evident in the match between Watford and Manchester United on 11/20/21. Although Manchester United has a glut of talented players, they found themselves in difficult positions due to a strong Watford midfield. Watford caused problems in the first half in particular leading up to the first major event, a penalty for Joshua King being taken down in the box by McTominay.
Back up just a couple of seconds from when the penalty occurred and you will see Luke Shaw attempting a throw-in. As you can see, Watford already have a numerical advantage in Man U’s own half, making the throw-in not as routine.
Bruno Fernandes needs to make movement in order to give Shaw an option, but the pressing Watford player puts Fernando’s under pressure, forcing him to make an error with his attempted clearance.
The clearance is mis-kicked and goes towards the Man U goal where a high pressing Watford striker, Joshua King, is able to put pressure on McTominey who make a clumsy challenge and gives up the penalty to Watford.
Part Two will be published next week.
By Soren Schamberg
