In light of Iraola’s philosophy, we should push the defensive line higher when in possession. I realise that this leaves huge spaces in behind if we lose the ball, but it also allows us to react quickly when things go wrong - it’s a compromise. Looking at BOU a few weeks ago, I noticed they were using similar movements. If we want to play with such a high level of risk, we have to make sure we control the territory between the attacking and defensive lines so that the shape doesn’t become stretched. Is this the right solution? I don’t know, but it seems to be the one that best reflects the patterns Iraola promotes. We also have the right profiles among our centre-backs - Virgil, Jacquet and Araujo all possess the athletic qualities and physical attributes needed to play this way.
The second option would be to modify his approach, but that feels like a distant possibility given his low aversion to risk. I’m a fan of people who believe in their ideas wholeheartedly and look for ways to make them work rather than changing their views on football under pressure #LFC