I think this is spot on

Looks to me like Smiffy and Shakes are "derisking" our style of play. We do still broadly play out from the back, but last couple of games we haven't been evangelically wedded to that approach, as we were at times under Farke. If it needs to get sent to lift pressure, it gets sent. As a result, players like Hanley are under less continuous pressure and are less likely to make those one/two critical mistakes a game. The Hanley doubters (me included at times) would always point to those mistakes that tended to cost key goals - you just can't get away with that in the Prem. If Smiffy can put Hanley in positions where he won't make those mistakes, then his other tremendous attributes will shine through.

Posted By: Under soil heating, Jan 17, 11:07:35