Proper football

[Bergen Blade]

Blades defender Tony McMahon insists the dressing room is united in their support of Weir.
“The players are behind the manager 100 per cent,” he said.
“You can see we play miles better football. This is how we want to play, this is how I was brought up to play, proper football. The ball on the ground, passing it round.

But there are situations in games where you MUST do things quickly, directly, with urgency, pace and movement, before the opposition have time to regroup following sloppiness. (See video below of Bayern Munich's goals this week)

We will not score enough goals until we get better at this. Do the players know it? Or do they believe chances will come if they just keep passing it around, slowly from side to side?

 

[davidpinder]

We haven't a good enough side to play "proper Bayern style" football. We need a happy medium, yes keep it on the floor similar IMO to Danny Wilsons first season. Give Wilson this side we'd be top 6 now.

 

[Bergen Blade]

We haven't a good enough side to play "proper Bayern style" football. We need a happy medium,

Yes, but my main point is that Bayern do not just play it slowly from side to side. They are superb at identifying the situations where they should go forward quickly. For the third goal, watch how Robben starts sprinting as soon as he sees his midfielder win the ball.

It doesn't take world class players to try to implement that in our football style, and I see no reason why Brandy shouldn't try to copy what Robben did when we win possession in good positions.

 

[davidpinder]

Yes, but my main point is that Bayern do not just play it slowly from side to side. They are superb at identifying the situations where they should go forward quickly. For the third goal, watch how Robben starts sprinting as soon as he sees his midfielder win the ball.

It doesn't take world class players to try to implement that in our football style, and I see no reason why Brandy shouldn't try to copy what Robben did when we win possession in good positions.

But who will pass it to brandy if he makes that run?? And just say someone did who would have passed it to them?? that would mean 2 out of 2 passes forward ??? Thats just crazy talk.

 

[Large Mendonca]

Bergen being very observant as usual. The best teams mix play up all the time, there's nothing wrong with going direct now and again if that's the best way to punish the opposition. We debate play on here like there's only two ways to play the game.......

 

[JohnDenver]

Bergen being very observant as usual. The best teams mix play up all the time, there's nothing wrong with going direct now and again if that's the best way to punish the opposition. We debate play on here like there's only two ways to play the game.......

It's not even about directness per se. It's about doing things fast and with greater risk when the potential rewards are there.

Man City were tactically bobbins the other night, but Bayern's ability to cut through them as well as play keepball was just awesome. It's a German/Spanish hybrid of footballing perfection.

 

[Bergen Blade]

But who will pass it to brandy if he makes that run?? And just say someone did who would have passed it to them?? that would mean 2 out of 2 passes forward ??? Thats just crazy talk.

Bayern's last goal is actually just a one pass goal, and the one pass i a fairly easy one, the kind which even Doyle should be able to make. This is the effective, or easy if you like, way of doing it. Punishing the opposition's mistake immediately.

What we have done - although Preston (and from reports, Wolves) was an improvement - is slow it down, wait for teammates to come jogging up to their attacking positions, while the opposition also get back behind the ball, then pass it backwards again. This is the difficult, ineffective way of trying to score goals.

As mentioned, there have been small signs of improvement lately and I hope it continues tonight.

 

[Pinchy]

Yes, but my main point is that Bayern do not just play it slowly from side to side. They are superb at identifying the situations where they should go forward quickly. For the third goal, watch how Robben starts sprinting as soon as he sees his midfielder win the ball.

It doesn't take world class players to try to implement that in our football style, and I see no reason why Brandy shouldn't try to copy what Robben did when we win possession in good positions.

I agree. The best football teams play a possession game. They do, however, have a capacity to quicken the pace at the opportune moment, usually to devastating effect. Arsenal, Swansea, Barcelona and Bayern all do this superbly at their respective ability levels.

What they don't do however is "mix it up" in the sense of reverting to hopeful long balls, whereby the next player to touch the ball is left to chance. It's all about passing with purpose. I think we'll get there, given time and patience. The alternative is too grotesque to contemplate. Happily, the club has no intention of turning back, though we must, of course, improve sooner rather than later.

In fairness to Tony McMahon, he does not actually advocate passing slowly from side to side, That is, however, a necessary part of the structure of a proper football team. You have to have a cruise control as well as a sharply responsive accelerator.

Florent Cuvelier and Jose Baxter have also made their football principles public. I'm delighted to hear it. Can someone have a word with Mrs. Doyle?

 

[Kev Gee]

whats the point in passing if you just play it around in front of 10 opposition players behind the ball??

 

[oldblade]

whats the point in passing if you just play it around in front of 10 opposition players behind the ball??

Well, if we manage to do it for 90 minutes we might get a 0-0 draw, which would be one more point than we've got in the last 6 games.

 

[Pinchy]

It's not even about directness per se. It's about doing things fast and with greater risk when the potential rewards are there.

Man City were tactically bobbins the other night, but Bayern's ability to cut through them as well as play keepball was just awesome. It's a German/Spanish hybrid of footballing perfection.

You make the key point. I absolutely agree.

I love your last sentence and intend to have it tattooed, in full, on my male member.

 

[blade too long]

its called attacking , offensive approach , buggar being negative , if they score 3 score 4

plus its good to watch

 

[Trafford]

McMahon also said that we can still go up as champions this season - everything else that he says has to be read in this context!!

 

[broomhillblade]

whats the point in passing if you just play it around in front of 10 opposition players behind the ball??

Exactly - we end up with a side playing "proper football" and the fans will be deserting the team in droves.

 

[Selly]

You make the key point. I absolutely agree.

I love your last sentence and intend to have it tattooed, in full, on my male member.

It would have to be a damn small font...

 

[Pinchy]

It would have to be a damn small font...

Yes, but it will help to hammer home the point!

 

[SotonBlade]

....on my male member.

There's a female member????

 

[Pinchy]

There's a female member????

Sometimes, I hear, but I wouldn't know. Perhaps Darren could assist?