We promise we’re not reading too much into the Aris Limassol game. It was, after all, against a side who played in the Europa League last season and took four points off Rangers. The Cypriot outfit were also notably speedy, especially down their right wing.
But it was a reminder, more than anything, that Town were not strong on defensive transitions last season, and as a result, were vulnerable to counter-attacks — an issue compounded by the squad, and particularly the back line, not being blessed with pace.
There were few sides better in the air than Town over the past few seasons, as Matty Pearson and Michal Helik’s goal tallies attest. Plus, if they were able to drop in and defend the width of their box, they generally did OK.
But it was during those quick opposition breaks that Town were exposed. That flaw, we think, is why Andre Breitenreiter abandoned the high-pressing style that had served his side so well against Watford and Leeds in his first two games in charge, but then led to calamitous performances against Cardiff and West Brom.