We play it back too much
It’s another groan I hear all the time. Why do we play it back so much? It’s always going across the back, why don’t we go forwards?
Anyone who has played Pro Evolution Soccer will know football isn’t all flair, shooting and lofted through balls. Sometimes, it’s a grind. Sometimes, it’s about patience and probing.
When we play a ball from side to side, we’re moving the opposition, pulling them in different directions. It tests their movement and awareness and gives us a chance to maybe find an opening. If you have a woollen jumper and you keep pulling it in different directions, eventually it will snag and a hole appears. That’s what we want to do with the opposition players.
Usually, teams come to us with two banks of four, meaning two walls to break down. That’s why we can’t just probe forward because they’ll defend it well.
Think about us away at Bury. How many times did Bury actually get away through the centre? Very few, you know why? Because we’re best in this division without the ball. I laughed because I was told you don’t score goals without the ball, but that’s not right. When team look to shift play and open us up, we’re the best in the division at not having holes pulled in us.
If we’re the best, it make sense to assume the other 23 are not and that’s why we play from side to side, retaining possession and waiting, almost like a wild cat stalking its prey. If that doesn’t work then after 75 minutes we bring on Rheady and attempt to smack our prey in the face with a battering ram.
Good article probably your best of Feb 2019!
Just disagree on the Akinde and Rhead partnership at home. Sides are just sitting in especially the poorer sides. It may be something to try at the start of games at home or for a longer period before Akinde tires.
You have missed Frecklington just passes it back.sideways (see side to side passing) or Rhead is better than Akinde (although you have covered that one extensively)
Great article Gary. Really sums up all the talking points accurately and puts them to bed… Well done!
Vast majority of supporters know little about the tactical side of the game, myself included. Danny does through his press conferences try to explain as he did today what the plan was but on the day were not able to execute effectively. Part of the game is that fans have a view… its part of the interest. Danny need not and should not listen to any of it because he is far more qualified. A draw at home to 5th place team should not be a surprise… if and when we are promoted… fans need to get a grip. Losing 4 in 34 games is not the norm! It will be much tougher next season!
Great article. Probably just add that Gilks could do with some work on his distribution.
I don’t mind them passing it across the back, but often it is too pedestrian and predictable. We need to vary it, in my opinion. Other than that, I’m with you.
Agree with all of the points.. ?
Of course it should be made clear that it is only your opinion that these common held fan opinions are not accurate. In fairness I agree with large parts of what you have put. Glad you chose not to tackle the ‘Tom Pett isn’t a winger’ one……… he isn’t. Gilkes’ distribution (as per comment above) was awful and with regards to the Bolger sub, no issue per se other than it was used to put Bostwick virtually up front, which I found slightly strange. That said, when it works like it did and we score a 96th minute equaliser then who can argue?
Well I watched the Exeter match, read this article and then watched the highlights twice. I am afraid there were mistakes made by a number of people in the Imps games and I guess Danny will be acknowldging them in the dressing room if not in the interview. Gilks had a poor game – the goal should have been a straight forward catch and the distribution was poor. Several players were below par and were lacking in normal skills. Exeter were a better team and there seemed to be no tactic which worked in this respect, except Rhead and route 1 at the end, which often does work but has a limited life if we are to go further up the leagues. Finally, it would be better if the management could keep calm during the course of the game – their enthusiasm and success is what we are all enjoying – great – no complaints – but making good decisions is must easier when you keep calm!