I was at the match yesterday and sat in North Stand where I've sat for about the last 8 seasons and sit with real reds I've kinda got to know.
In conversation, a question was repeated on about 3 occaisions, "what's happened to Bolton?".
After watching the game, the question got me thinking. There are 3 ways to play the offensive game breaking it down to it's simplest form, passing game, direct game and set pieces.
We used to play direct and rely on set pieces, now we play the passing game only in the main.
It's fair to say that our set piece ability in the past has kept us in the Prem 10 years along with certain other sides.
I used always get the feeling that something was going to happen from a set piece in the past, now I just expect nothing to happen and the opposition to catch us on the break.
We used to be as good as any side at them either direct from a corner or free kick and good at winning the second ball and done at it's best is an excellent way of 'free' pressure and goals.
We achieved this through concentrating on it in training and players like Cahill, Taylor, Nolan & KDavies were key players in it.
We need to add more to our game than just passing it about. Saying we play 2 wingers, we hardy get any corners either because they always cut inside.
For me it's an area we can and should improve upon just by doing more in training because we aren't going to survive much longer if we don't.
Set pieces
posted on 15/1/12
thats what i was trying to say myself about yesterdays totally gutless performance but couldnt articulate quite as well as this comment.some people thought we played well yesterday well sorry it was totally unacceptable.
posted on 15/1/12
Anyone saying it is about tactics is wrong IMO. Today Swansea went out and played good stuff against Arsenal and won. The reason, young players with plenty of pace. This is something we currently do not have in most positions.
posted on 15/1/12
Anyone saying it is about tactics is wrong IMO. Today Swansea went out and played good stuff against Arsenal and won. The reason, young players with plenty of pace. This is something we currently do not have in most positions.
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Surely that IS down to tactics, Swansea played to there strengths and had tactics that suited their players. We try to play a passing game with players that can't actually string more than 5 passes together.
posted on 15/1/12
Tactics is for open play moses.
My point is that set pieces can add an awful lot to a side if a team is well drilled enough.
We used to be one of the best teams around at it, but now we don't make anything of them.
posted on 15/1/12
Surely that IS down to tactics, Swansea played to there strengths and had tactics that suited their players. We try to play a passing game with players that can't actually string more than 5 passes together.
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Yesterday, we set up defensive, we were not looking to ''pass it around'' , we were looking to defend.
posted on 15/1/12
Tactics is for open play moses.
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I was replying to an earlier comment. However, on the subject of set pieces, as said earlier, we don't really have anyone of great quality to provide great balls, only really Petrov IMO.
posted on 15/1/12
Yet again Moses post iceberg titanic syndrome
posted on 15/1/12
Yesterday, we set up defensive, we were not looking to ''pass it around'' , we were looking to defend.
*****
That was the tactic.
It used to be the case that, if were playing a team like Utd, on their own turf, you'd be on a hiding to nothing if you tried to sit back and defend, and try to soak up the pressure for 90 mins - especially if you've got the worst (proven) defensive record in the league.
That used to be the case, but ....Hang on .. that still IS the case!
No doubt Swansea used up a year's worth of luck today, and Arsenal only put out a very weakened side. (thought I'd get those in before someone else does )
posted on 16/1/12
The most important thing in football, regardless of ability is.... work rate. Everything else is secondary.
Swansea, worked harder than arsenal yesterday simple as. you can say they played beautiful football, the real fact is, arsenal allowed them to pass it about.
We have one player equipped to keep the ball and be an "arsenal" type player..... Mark Davies.... yet coyle seems to think, eagles, petrov, ngog, Muamba, Coker, can all do this. He is sadly mistaken.
Allardyce played to our strengths, he also worked out the opposition, i.e, who pulls the strings in Man U's team.... scholes, he would of had muamba man marking scholes at all times....he would also of made us double up on Nani. Coyle, does not do this, he doesnt go in with a plan, he says to them, go out and show me what you can do.... a motivation tool. This is ok, if your players actually have ability, im afraid we are sparse on these types of players. We cant keep the ball, our set pieces are poor and we have a tactically inept manager...........
i dont know how people cant see this
posted on 16/1/12
Spot on BWFCCLEGG Rule 1 against top teams - Stop the opposition playing - don't let them sit in their usual comfort zone, dictating the game.