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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Because of this switch from #MUFC, Nuno felt comfortable in taking Wood off for #NFFC in the closing stages, replacing him with Dominguez who slotted in as the centre forward. There's a lot less responsibility on the Forest front line & Dominguez was rarely troubled in an unfamiliar position.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Even higher up, it's still just Mainoo behind the #NFFC front line. This means Man Utd either have to play difficult balls forward to the strikers or play to wider areas. Both options suit Forest who now have more men in the defensive line and are comfortable at defending crosses with Morato.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

#NFFC have already gone to a back 3/5 so there should be more space in the middle, but Amorim removes a player from the space which means Forest have less to worry about in central areas during the build up. We see now there's just Mainoo occupying that space behind Forest's front line.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

For me #MUFC were much less threatening when Bruno came off, not just because of his departure but also that of Ugarte.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

As Wood is caught in two minds (like he was in the first) to either press De Ligt or stay back, we see Hudson-Odoi make a very smart call for #NFFC in moving to drop into the space to cover Ugarte.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

A few minutes later as we see #MUFC back in their normal build-up shape, #NFFC return to their conventional line of 4 with Jota Silva waiting to press Martinez again, Nuno's instructions still clear in his mind.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Once again, as #NFFC intercept the ball because of the well-timed and well-constructed press, Forest have multiple numbers in the final third and can create an opportunity to score another goal.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Onana looks for a risky pass for #MUFC into Mainoo - if it comes off then they'll have a decent chance to get forward with #NFFC players caught up the field - but MGW sees this pass and moves to intercept it.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Wood continues to press forward for #NFFC onto Onana and is followed by his team mates Hudson-Odoi and Jota Silva. There's no easy short pass for Onana.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

As Ugarte drops deep to try and get on the ball, #MUFC pass backward. Knowing there's nobody behind him now, Wood can trigger the press for #NFFC onto the defence.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

After the 3rd goal #NFFC are still looking to try and create turnovers. Again Hudson-Odoi on the wing is furthest forward, taking on board Nuno's half-time instructions. MGW & Wood are still occupying #MUFC's central midfielders.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

This gives space for MGW to receive the ball for #NFFC - and even he has the option to pass and slide in Jota for a chance on goal. Instead he takes the shot which thankfully goes in!

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

It's a poor pass and Hudson-Odoi picks it up and travels forward. Because of the numbers forward for #NFFC, CHO has 3 options. He can pass left to Wood, continue on the ball himself, or pass right to MGW - this means Ugarte is hesitant to commit at this stage.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Hudson-Odoi now is the man pressing from the wing as requested by Nuno - #NFFC have 4 men in the final third as Yoro plays a pass down the line for Fernandes.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

It's important to press as a team, so it's great to see MGW follow his team forward to prevent easy passes for #MUFC. #NFFC have now triggered the press and will be in a promising position should they turn the ball over.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

#NFFC were by no means passive for the whole game. When the #MUFC build-up shape isn't in its normal shape, Forest press with intent and with numbers to try and create turnovers. Here Wood presses Onana and Jota Silva looks over his shoulder before pressing Martinez.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

At half time Nuno asked #NFFC to stay narrow centrally and press from the wingers. Jota Silva implements that instruction straight away and jumps onto Martinez as soon as he receives the ball, as Wood & MGW stay on the #MUFC central midfielders.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Immediately after the goal, #NFFC drop back deeper to reduce the space behind the first line. This is perhaps a little more passive than they'd like to play, but it provides a platform to regain a little control in the match.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Eventually Bruno Fernandes moves into the space for #MUFC, and Anderson isn't tight enough so he can play a simple pass to Ugarte who has lots of space to move in to. Because #NFFC's central midfielders are wide, there's a huge gap between the front line and defensive line.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

De Ligt continues to carry the ball forward as Ugarte moves a little further behind Wood. The striker is caught in two minds weather to press for #NFFC or drop deeper.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Wood was only really caught out once for #NFFC, and unfortunately it led to the equalising goal for #MUFC. Initially here he's in a good position as we see De Ligt gesturing for a team mate to move into the space between Hudson-Odoi & Wood.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Throughout the game Wood was consistently looking over his shoulder, monitoring the movement of Ugarte. He continued to make slight adjustments to cut off the passing lanes for #NFFC.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Right from the start of the game we see that Wood is staying close to Ugarte. #NFFC are trying to restrict #MUFC from playing any easy balls into the central areas during the build up phase.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

There was similar plan behind #NFFC's first line, as Anderson & Yates largely went man for man with #MUFC's attacking midfielders.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

How did Nuno set up #NFFC to prevent #MUFC from playing the ball into central areas in the build up phase?🧵 Forest set up with MGW & Wood deeper, looking after the Man Utd CMs. The winger on either side is expected to push forward when the ball is on their side of the pitch.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I'm also a little disappointed with Milenkovic, who is standing arms behind his back ready to block a shot. He's an experienced defender and it's a surprise he didn't spot this chance for Man City - unfortunately he reacts too late and can't prevent the shot.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

#NFFC simply cannot allow de Bruyne to have this much space in the D - Gibbs-White needs to spot this and drop in to the passing lane.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

As Doku gets past Yates - Dominguez has no choice but to pres for #NFFC. de Bruyne knows this, and is about to backtrack into the space in the D. Gibbs-White is trying to keep tabs on Gundogan behind him, but he will be caught out here again for the second goal.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Doku now has the ball, and ideally I think Aina should be forcing him wide for #NFFC into a low-danger area. That doesn't happen though, and Forest's decent shape centrally is about to be tested.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

For the second #ManCity goal, #NFFC are again set up well initially. You could argue Gibbs-White could perhaps be a little deeper, but otherwise all attackers are covered here.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Gundogan now has a big gap between himself and MGW - and we can see de Bruyne still holding his position waiting for that ball to the back post. #NFFC will have looked back at this and feel very disappointed with how the deadlock was broken so easily.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Jota instead looks to move more centrally, perhaps an understandable decision as #NFFC would rather protect the central areas - but obviously in hindsight it was a bad call. This is where MGW lets Gundogan run past him way too easily, and this is what directly leads to the goal.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

As City move down the left, Gibbs-White is in a good position and is much deeper than Gundogan - Jota Silva is quite far away from de Bruyne but there's lots of time to rectify that.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Some poor off the ball actions from #NFFC led to the first two #ManCity goals on Wednesday night - let's have a quick look at them before we hope to see them rectified later today🧵

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Thanks Tom, there’s still time for all of us to learn a bit more!

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

This is not the first time we've seen Nuno implement different styles out of possession this season and is further proof that #NFFC in general are a much more well drilled outfit than we've seen in the past 2 seasons.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

We then see a similar story where #ITFC go long to an isolated forward and #NFFC are once again able to turn the ball over.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Despite everything we've seen so far, #NFFC continue to switch things up. Here Gibbs-White knows there's no immediate danger behind him, so he presses Burgess instead of Jota. Wood recognises this and fills the gap that MGW has left just in case in a really smart piece of movement.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

The rest of the #NFFC team spot this and give Davis no passing option for #ITFC - he looks to go long but hits it straight out of play and Forest have possession again. This is a great of really good play from Yates that will not be rewarded in any publicly available data.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Here's another example of Jota Silva pressing the centre back for #NFFC - Burgess wants to go across goal but Forest are once again preventing any pass so he has to turn back left. Yates does a tremendous job here to spot this and hustle out to the wing.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Once again, even if Szmodics is able to control this ball for #ITFC, he's surrounded by 3 #NFFC players and will find it hard to retain possession and find a team-mate.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Part of a functional press is knowing when to drop as a team and when to go - here #NFFC have dropped off but they still ensure there's no easy short pass forward. Burgess is forced to play a low-percentage ball through the lines.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Because of this. #ITFC are forced to go right. Once again now we see #NFFC look to force a box around a ball receiver. Tuanzebe wisely ignores this option and goes down the line where Ipswich do well on this occasion to progress the ball forward.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

This is a great example how & why #NFFC miss Wood & MGW when they're not in the team - they truly lead the team from the front whether the press is reactive or proactive. Here Gibbs-White gestures for Jota to go higher on Burgess whilst he and Wood prevent a pass into midfield.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

30 seconds later and #NFFC offer up a different shape to #ITFC. As they allow Burgess to move forward, Forest drop back slightly and look to try to implement the box in midfield to trap potential recievers. There's no easy option for a short pass here, so Burgess goes long to an isolated forward

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

#NFFC were unable to retain possession, but this initial turnover is the trigger for a much more intensive press. Forest have 6 players pushing up now going one on one - once again Burgess is forced to go long and this time Forest keep possession.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Even if Szmodics is able to control the pass, he's surrounded by Williams & Yates. It's Yates who intercepts the pass for #NFFC.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Anderson also pushes high on Morsy for #NFFC, and all of this leaves Burgess no option but to try and go longer and clip a ball for #ITFC into Szmodics.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Jota does really well for #NFFC to get wide quickly and #ITFC are forced backward. Gibbs-White has also moved back a touch to prevent any future easy pass into Morsy, and Yates has pushed up to support Wood on Cajuste.

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WT Analysis @wtanalysis.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Jota presses Burgess for #NFFC - but he has a dual responsibility in the system yesterday to also monitor Davis for #ITFC. Burgess can only go wide, and Jota has to adjust quickly to get out to Davis. Notice also the smart movement from Wood to drop onto Cajuste as MGW moves forward to O'Shea.

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