Todays Game

[Father Jack]

[so a ball winning defensive midfielder is a must then?

 

Anyone know what Nick McKoy's up to these days?

[lovely stuff]

I still think we will make the play-offs this season.But it has to be said that without Stuart Blackburne/Wallace/fabio/Jones,we do look very 'mid-table'.

 

The reason we leak goals is down to one main factor.A lack of pace in midfield and defence.

[Barney]

I still think we will make the play-offs this season.But it has to be said that without Stuart Blackburne/Wallace/fabio/Jones,we do look very 'mid-table'.

 

The reason we leak goals is down to one main factor.A lack of pace in midfield and defence.

 

I think we'll be there or thereabouts for the playoff places too, and I agree about us looking ordinary without those 4 players, but then take the best 4 players out of any side in the league and I think they'd struggle. I'd add Wild and Rob Blackburne to the list of quality players, as well as possibly Ellams and Thompson (although I've not seen either of them enough to really judge).

 

Still not sure I totally agree about the pace comment - I do agree that pace can get you out of trouble, and might bail us out at times, but with good organisation, proper covering and ball retention, we can defend well as a unit, and not be reliant on pacey defenders to sweep up. To be fair, if Wild or Edwards had loads of pace too, they'd probably be playing at a higher level than they are at the moment.

[Enfield United]

 

agree our football is very basic and we do not have some of the quality players we had last season, but what we do have is a well constructed team plan and shape, good team spirit and willing players to put their bodies on the the cause.

 

our game plan seems very much a percentage approach of boot the ball away, throw in long balls, harrass and battle and hope that stuart, roberto or adam wallace get opportunities to put away.

 

Not sure I understand: the red bits seem to contradict the blue bits. If indeed our game plan is to boot the balla way and knock long balls about, it is no surprise that we lost, but I don't think my spies have reported that that is our general approach.

 

After the Leyton heroics this was a very disappointing result. Obviously I wasn't there but my spy tells me the defence was awful.

 

OK let's bounce back big time at Northwood.

 

 

Its difficult to explain everything in type without writing a novel so I'll try to briefly tidy up my 'contradictions'. Basic play=Direct balls played forward under instructions to do so, by doing it quickly and regularly it will minimise the time the ball is in our defensive area thus reducing the opportunities of our opponents scoring. This 'plan' is a percentage one. Keeping our shape in a constructed way is making sure our players hold the positions they are selected to play in in correct distances and angles to each other, which is again a well constructed and basic format. Play this well without making silly errors and with lots of energy should over a season give its rewards, so long as you have the players to do this.

 

 

I agree totally with Barney's comments above I think he is spot on with his views and analysis.

 

I wish we had the players who could build from defence, but lets get real, if we had those sort of players they'd be at conference level, we must not lose sight we are only a Ryman North team div 1, and as Barney says we should only complain if theres a lack of effert from individuels.

[GIO]

THAT'S A FACT... JACK!

[Father Jack]

THAT'S A FACT... JACK!

 

Actually, no it isn't. To quote from Steve Newing's programme notes from the 13th October:

 

"The following players are no longer with us for varying reasons, Dave Allen, Sammy Winston, Vinve Rispoli and Paul Killick"

[MbrunoB]

And again you spoil a perfectly good, uninformed rant!!

[Father Jack]

[The Invisible Man]

Ah I see what you mean, thanks for clarifying EU.

 

I must admit I am not one those who subscribe to idea that the lower the level, the cruder the footballing style, or philosophy, must be. I firmly believe that "good" football is the best approach, even at playground level. Of course the relative standard of "good" football may be lower. You will lose some games to "basic" teams but in general you willdo better, and you will entertain and lift the spirit. In short, I go with Rous's comment - there is no substitute for skill - and with the famous Blanchflower quote about it being a game of glory. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I would not pay to watch a long ball team at any level. If you get two of them playing each other, my god that's boring.

[Arkwright]

And again you spoil a perfectly good, uninformed rant!!

FJ should really be re-directing the rants to the Woeful thread, that after all is what it's there for.

[Jim Cunneen]

THAT'S A FACT... JACK!

 

Actually, no it isn't. To quote from Steve Newing's programme notes from the 13th October:

 

"The following players are no longer with us for varying reasons, Dave Allen, Sammy Winston, Vinve Rispoli and Paul Killick"