Counter attacking/making use of pace

[Bergen Blade]

"Yes raul, you are right again" would have done....

Congratulations, for once you got it right!

 

[Pinchy]

Kitson can make a big difference. His ability, control and hold-up play are vastly superior to his recent predecessors. Look at his contribution to the winner at Orient. He is capable of keeping the ball that much longer and more constructively so as to enable our midfielders and full-backs to get further forward in support. Doyle, for example, made a terrific forward run when Cresswell took that shot from outside the box at Orient. That sort of direct play is fine, but should not be confused with the kick and rush, hope for the best, gerritupfield garbage that is the stock-in-trade of the discredited abomination of Hoof.

It's coming together nicely and we'll only get better but this is a new team. I continue to believe DW can deliver all we expect and more but it will take time and patience. I fear some of us (choose to?) forget just how bad we were under the anti-football mis-management of Quickfix and (especially) Semi-Pro. Never again, thank you.

 

[DazBlade88]

That sort of direct play is fine, but should not be confused with the kick and rush, hope for the best, gerritupfield garbage that is the stock-in-trade of the discredited abomination of Hoof.

I'm glad you've said this too Pinchy, it's one of the things that really bugs me about alot of opinions on football these days.

Keeping possession is always fine, but some people seem to forget the aim of the game is to score goals. You can play attractive football in a direct style, and still play possession football when it's necessary.

There's a huge difference between direct football and the long ball game!

 

[BusheyBlade]

There's a huge difference between direct football and the long ball game!

Look at Chelsea in past seasons, especially under Mourinho and potentially under Di Matteo now. Lots of long balls and getting it forward quickly to great effect, but no one would accuse them of being a "long ball" team.

 

[Balham]

There's a huge difference between direct football and the long ball game!

Long ball = hoofing the ball forwards at every available opportunity, hoping for a kind bounce/rebound/flick-on

Long pass [direct] = measured, aimed at a team-mate or into his path.

Long pass is good, long ball bad (IMHO).

 

[stannyblade]

Long ball = hoofing the ball forwards at every available opportunity, hoping for a kind bounce/rebound/flick-on

Long pass [direct] = measured, aimed at a team-mate or into his path.

Long pass is good, long ball bad (IMHO).

When Man Utd players just hoof it though it is described as a pass.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

When Man Utd players just hoof it though it is described as a pass.

It's a pass if it goes to someone, a hoof it it doesn't. Easy

 

[Pinchy]

Look at Chelsea in past seasons, especially under Mourinho and potentially under Di Matteo now. Lots of long balls and getting it forward quickly to great effect, but no one would accuse them of being a "long ball" team.

No, but I would travel 100 miles to watch Arsenal rather than half a mile to watch Chelsea.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

When Man Utd players just hoof it though it is described as a pass.

Man Utd's players are good enough to hoof it into the path of a superior player finding space instead of directly onto the forehead of an opposition defender.

 

[BusheyBlade]

No, but I would travel 100 miles to watch Arsenal rather than half a mile to watch Chelsea.

That, Pinchy, is where you and I will have to agree to disagree. For all the great football they play, Arsenal haven't really looked like winning anything of note in years. I'd far rather have Chelsea's style and winning record.

 

[blade too long]

according to Yorkshire television , 1989 promotion season 2 identical 45 yard forward passes
hopeful long ball = Sheff Utd
precision long passes = Leeds

and according to the bbc
Alan Woodward scores direct from a corner on motd
comment , oh what a lucky goal
1 weeek later on motd
George Best scores direct from a corner in identical circumstances
comment Oh the sheer genius of the guy

perception is half the battle, we get a bad press every time

 

[Pinchy]

according to Yorkshire television , 1989 promotion season 2 identical 45 yard forward passes
hopeful long ball = Sheff Utd
precision long passes = Leeds

and according to the bbc
Alan Woodward scores direct from a corner on motd
comment , oh what a lucky goal
1 weeek later on motd
George Best scores direct from a corner in identical circumstances
comment Oh the sheer genius of the guy

perception is half the battle, we get a bad press every time

We haven't exactly helped ourselves, have we?

 

[blade too long]

wouldn't make any difference , if we played like Barcelona the press would say it was kick and rush

 

[Bergen Blade]

Our winning goal at Preston yesterday was a counter attack.

They attack down our right hand side, but we win the ball. Maguire passes it up to McAllister who passes it back to McMahon. At this point Preston want to regain possession and they have all their front six in the photo below:




It's a dangerous situation for us to lose the ball here. But if we can somehow get past their front six, we have a good chance, as they are stretched.

They can't prevent McMahon hitting a perfect long pass in behind their defence. In this situation you often require a quick forward to outpace the opposition defenders. But Preston's defence is sloppy and even Kitson can run onto the ball and chip the keeper.

Kitson deserves credit for his awareness. He realises it is a good ball, runs at full speed and punishes their sloppiness. Well done Blades.

 

[Foxy]

Preston played a high line far too much, which we managed to get in behind a number of times....

Have you looked at the challenge on Miller yet Bergs? looked probably a red card live.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Preston played a high line far too much, which we managed to get in behind a number of times....

Have you looked at the challenge on Miller yet Bergs? looked probably a red card live.

My immediate reaction was also red card. The only argument against is if Miller's touch was so strong that the goalkeeper would have been likely to get to the ball before Miller, if he'd not been fouled.



Having seen it a couple of times more, I think Miller would have got to the ball first, hence a red card should have been given.

 

[JohnDenver]

Having seen it a couple of times more, I think Miller would have got to the ball first, hence a red card should have been given.

Having seen it once, and from a great vantage point, I thought the keeper could get there first. Given the position of the ref, and the fact a red card needs to be for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, I like the fact he went for yellow.

That said, similar incidents usually seem to result in a red.