Middlesbrough Vs Norwich

Middlesbrough Vs Norwich: Caught in transition.

Score: 5 - 1

Possession (%): 48 - 52

xG: 2.72 - 0.84

· Middlesbrough’s build-up against Norwich’s cautious first phase press.

· Exploiting Norwich’s jumps.

· Finding space between Norwich’s lines.

· Individual errors and the risks associated with horizontally expansive build-up play.

Base Formations:

Michael Carrick and David Wagner’s sides were both set up in 4-2-3-1 base formations, but Carrick’s Middlesbrough frequently transitioned into a 4-4-2 shape while Wagner’s Norwich pressed in a compact 4-4-2 structure.

Within the first minute of play under the lights at the Riverside, Norwich’s pressing strategy was clear. Middlesbrough always tried to build up with a three-man back line; this was either using their goalkeeper Zack Steffen, in the first build-up phase, or right back Tommy Smith (14) in their second build-up phase.

Ahead of this three was a narrow double pivot of Hackney (30) and Howson (16). In the second build-up phase, Ryan Giles (3) pushed higher than Smith, allowing Ramsey (11) to invert into the left half space.

Middlesbrough’s double pivot play a vital role in their build up; together, Howson and Hackney are key to Middlesbrough’s central ball progression. David Wagner had to find a method to nullify these two players.

Norwich pressed in a narrow 4-4-2 shape with a front two of Sargent and Pukki blocking passing lanes to Howson and Hackney. Gibbs and Sara were sat just behind the double pivot, while Marquinhos and Hernandez stayed narrow.

Although this setup meant conceding a 3v2 numerical disadvantage against the first line of Middlesbrough’s build up, it successfully negated the Howson-Hackney double pivot. But if Norwich thought that strategic success was enough to counteract Middlesbrough’s build up, they were totally mistaken. In fact, Norwich’s setup created a tactical issue in an even more dangerous space: between their defensive and midfield lines.

In the second phase of Middlesbrough’s build up, with Sara and Gibbs staying tight to Howson and Hackney, a gap was created in front of Norwich’s back four. In this space sat Chuba Akpom (29) and Aaron Ramsey (11), while Giles (3) and Forss (21) occupied the wide areas.

The positioning of Akpom and Ramsey, on the blind side of Sara and Gibbs, created a dilemma for Norwich: whose role was it to stay tight to Akpom (29) and Ramsey (11)? Should Gibbs and Sara have dropped deeper but risked freeing Howson and Hackney? Or should Aarons and Sorenson have closed them down, making it easy for Middlesbrough to play in behind?

As it turned out, Norwich chose to do both concurrently. The nearest ball-side defender would jump onto the player between the lines, while the far-side full back would stay deep to create a back three; this meant Norwich often left Middlesbrough’s far-side player unmarked.

After just seven minutes, this was exactly the dilemma Middlesbrough exploited. The sequence started with Steffen between McNair and Lenihan. As McNair received the ball, Tommy Smith dropped to maintain a 3v2 advantage.

Hernandez was slow to press, giving the right back time to find Forss. Having made a run into the wide area – dragging McCallum with him – Akpom received a bounce pass and was left with space to run into behind McCallum.

With Sorenson taken out of the game by Forss, and Ramsey still unmarked between the lines, Norwich were left facing a 3v2. After a simple combination between Akpom, Archer, and Ramsey, Middlesbrough’s opening goal would go on to be a precursor of a dismal evening on Teeside.

In the first phase of Norwich’s build up, they set up with a 2-4 shape with a staggered midfield two between wide full backs. One of Gibbs or Sara would drop while the other stayed higher.

In response, Middlesbrough’s 4-4-2 pressing structure became more of a 4-1-3-2 shape as the nearest central midfielder to the dropping Norwich midfielder would join the second line of pressure. For example, if Gibbs dopped deep, Hackney would step up into Norwich’s defensive third while Howson stayed on Sara.

Like Middlesbrough, Norwich often built up with a back three. But Norwich created this shape in a different way to the home side. In the second phase of Norwich’s build up, Liam Gibbs would drop between or alongside Sorenson and Omabamidele while Sara remained in midfield. This created Norwich’s 3-1 build-up shape: a common occurrence since Wagner’s arrival.

In this phase of Norwich’s build up, Hackney and Howson remained in midfield to create a 2v1 against Sara. Middlesbrough’s ball-side winger would invert to press the extra centre back, creating a 3v3, while the ball-side full back jumped onto Norwich’s free full back.

While Norwich used a midfielder to create a line of three in the build-up, Middlesbrough’s use of a full back allowed their double pivot to remain in midfield, thereby creating a 3-2 build-up shape and rest defence.

The latter provides optimal passing angles, with players in close proximity, while the former is a more horizontally expansive build-up method. There’s a fine line between the risk and reward associated with such a shape; with players low on confidence and facing an organised press, the risks heavily outweighed the rewards on Friday night.

With big distances between players, and a significant void in central areas, the 3-1 build-up and rest defence has been problematic for Norwich of late. As the space between players increases, as do the chances of losing possession. Once possession is lost, the spaces are too large to counter-press effectively.

Despite the result, Norwich had good spells in possession. But given their failure to convert chances, and countless individual errors, these spells were rendered immaterial. Out of possession and in transitions, Norwich really struggled; in such circumstances, giving the ball away as cheaply as they did was always going to be problematic.

Given the individual errors, it would be harsh to lay the blame exclusively at David Wagner’s door. But after what was a night to forget for Norwich fans, it is hard to ignore the irony of a side being caught in transition so easily with a manager known for his sides’ quality in such situations.

David Wagner is a top manager but, with a young side low on confidence, he needs to find a way to mitigate individual mistakes if Norwich are to prolong their play-off hopes this season.