Alternative Euro 2004: U75 Team Needed

[flimsier]

snipped...

In reply, my 2p.

We were poor. Very poor. I thought there was little positive to take from today except that it'll be a laugh to watch us. I can't agree with the 'we'll play better if we accept we're not going to win' stuff though.

I thought the mistakes today were very very basic. You identify the lack of passing, but we barely had the ball on the ground; it was long ball, lose it, and so on. When we had it on the ground, we didn't give each other options, but as I say, we rarely got to that stage.

In actual fact though we were 5-2 up after 40 minutes or so (lost 10-6) before we started playing ridiculous long balls.

I'm not sure about the lack of midfield thing. I'm not sure if you mean that there were no midfielders staying in midfield, people playing in the middle of the park the whole game would've been no good thing IMO, or if you're saying we couldn't play football in the middle of the park today. Didn't indeed. I agree with the latter.

It seemed that we were caught too often because there was a real lack of discipline - I mean in terms of seeing ourselves as a team. Someone (or two) need(s) to, for example, stay back even when we are attacking (because as you quite rightly point out - there are no offsides - I think a lot of goals will be scored in this tournament by teams going forward too much and being caught) because unlike 11-a-side you can't walk the defence forward and force the opposition forwards to do the same.

We need to remember the pass and move stuff that we did two weeks ago. It works. I do think it was cramped today though. Passing isn't easy when its impossible to get more than a yard of space.

I didn't actually think there was a lot of negative shouting. I will get annoyed with myself in the warm-up if I do something wrong, let alone a real game, but I think we all played to enjoy it. What was frustrating was that people didn't really agree where they were playing beforehand, and so no-one knew what their own job was, let alone anyone else's. Because there were different people with different ideas, people were telling each other completely different things.

Now, the biggest problem, imo, was ball watching. We look like 8 year olds in the school playground, all chasing the ball and ignoring the man we are marking. I think being a lot clearer about positions and roles will solve that - but I think that we still have to 'track back' (and not so back) when defending, thus not allowing the opposition space. This was one of my major faults today.

I actually don't think we need to worry too much about scoring goals. CF showed he can. I think I can score, and if we create chances, there's a number of people well capable of sticking the ball away. I think we need to focus on how we're going to not concede. One of the things about that of course, is not to give the ball away in the first place and to recognise that defending well starts from the front - at self.

I completely agree about ensuring we enjoy it. I don't agree that having a laugh will make us better though!

 

[rorymac]

<makes 'trouble a brewin' face at gaffer>
It's what I do .. I'm frontline .. in yer face.
Takes the pressure off the gaffer especially since her and the centre half ... aint sayin nuffink.
You'll get no scandal out of this assistant manager.
Anyway ... Filter ... Flimsier .. fuck me we even sound like losers ..Hey you don't get paid to think. You kick a fuckin football very fuckin poorly in all honesty and the gaffer and me do the fuckin thinking like.
The gaffer don't need this just now so shape up or ship fuckin out.
This is a tight ship we run here and you're either with us ...
Or it's parks fucking football.
That's yer fuckin level to be fair.
Nice lads in many ways.
Come 'ere you ...
<bear hugs rebel players>
<makes victory sign at gaffer>
I fancy a proper crack at the whip to be fair. I've had offers ... do you really think Joe Kinnear was 1st choice ?
Aint sayin nuffink.

 

[the B]

If you really can't manage to keep someone at the back - I could feasibly play a bit...if there is anything I can do, it's stay at the back (can't really do runs forward anyway...) and it's what I'm actually quite capable of doing (or thought I showed I could do).

 

[Numbers]

No need the B no need.

last night, for the first 45/60 mins we played very well in stages. that's 45/60 mins. relahni covered the back, flimsier up front, BH and ChrisF up and down the park, LD controlling the left midfield slot. me - well..... and Lurk was great in goal -

that's 7 of us, no subs and this was our 2nd game together, that's 2nd game together. we played against people we should have pissed on but they play together every week.

it wasn't all doom and gloom - the 1st game we played together nobody spoke really, last night we all did. not a problem.

we were 5-2 up and it should have been more and we played solid for over 45 mins, more like an hour. we only lost the game in the 2nd half, when Chris was playing with them and we started getting tired etc...

we know we need a man at the back. last night we were cruising without putting the foot on the pedal, what I noticed with us when we are in that position is that everyone pushed forward... trying to have a slice of the pie..

a little more discipline and then knowing/staying in what our positions are - and we'll be fine.

 

[flimsier]

we know we need a man at the back. last night we were cruising without putting the foot on the pedal, what I noticed with us when we are in that position is that everyone pushed forward... trying to have a slice of the pie..

a little more discipline and then knowing/staying in what our positions are - and we'll be fine.

Fair enough. You say it much more positively and succinctly.

 

[Relahni]

Right, well that was pretty fucking pants..

I'll put my 2p's worth here.. and I'm gonna be completely honest.

>>>

We're shit, as a team.. we have some good players, but as a team we're pants.

I think that's a little bit harsh Chris. Bearing in mind we didn't know what our roles.

My 2p on how we should play.
GK - needs to be a bit more agressive - pick the ball up - don't go down to
early.
RD - push up but not too far. Always be goal side marking and tight. Always goal side marking.
LD - push up but not too far. Always be goal side marking and tight. Always goal side marking.
CD - the king pin - the rock - the Sol Campbell - the foundation of our team etc etc. NEVER EVER EVER goes left or right - ALWAYS stays in central defence - always - NEVER goes up - he's the goal keepers comfort blanket. Central is HIS ZONE!
RM - offering support for up front, create chances - primarily but has to be RD and CD's comfort blanket too.
LM - offering support for up front, create chances - primarily but has to be LD and CD's comfort blanket too.
CA - finish - make space - for LM and RM.

Therefore the back three are the foundations - they have to keep it tight. The king pin CD should never ever ever stray from the central defence. It's his zone.

It's pretty basic.

Where I think we are going wrong - passing and distribution. Some of the passing was woeful last night. Giving the ball away far too cheaply. Remember what Rollem said - when we have the ball in our half - it's build up time - it's about building up our play! Also remember when they have the ball in our area it's about them finishing. Why give them the opportunity to finish! It makes no sense whatsoever. Don't lose the ball in our build up play area!

Going on Forest Gump style runs. There were a few times when we were dribbling with no final result. I would prefer it if we just kicked the ball out for their goal kick. Pass and move! Remember the two touch thing. Pass and move. No dribbling Forest Gump style. Pass and move.

I'd say from our team last night. I'd pick Brixton Hatter as the King Pin of our defence. He stays in the centre at all times. Never tracks left or right. He stays put. I'd have Tony on the right - always marking goal side and not pushing too forward. LD Rudeboy on the left. He's a terrier in defence and I like the look of him especialy closing down. Myself just in front of LD - linking up with Flimsier and creating - but offering support for LD and BH. Chris doing the same of the right. And Flims tucking them away.

Remember we still have JTG, Sleater and maybe Ringo to come into the fold. BUt I firmly believe we should have a sturdy outfit. Knowing what our positions and jobs are.

Of course we'll probably get dicked in the tourno. But it's meant to be enjoyed. I want to win, that's how I play. I shout at myself and my team mates when fuck ups are made. We all make mistakes, it's just infuriating when we make basic errors like losing the ball in daft positions.

Having a laugh etc - yeah I see what you are saying but I much prefer being on the winning side to losing. I'm competitive that's the way I am.

What do you think to the tactics?

 

[Relahni]

we know we need a man at the back. last night we were cruising without putting the foot on the pedal, what I noticed with us when we are in that position is that everyone pushed forward... trying to have a slice of the pie..

a little more discipline and then knowing/staying in what our positions are - and we'll be fine.

Tbh - last night when I was at the back we had no-one giving Flimsier support. BH is a defender so we swapped. I think my best position is probably at the back in that role, but I don't think we have many creative players or finishers and I do create chances and can finish.

Therefore, in this team I think I'm more effective in that creating role. Dunnow, what do others think?

 

[ChrisFilter]

i think the creativity was a bit stifled by the length of the pitch to be honest.. should be fine on a longer, layed out pitch..

i probably was a bit harsh last night, i was achey, and grumpy

good heading again by flimsier btw.. corners are sorted at least..

i think we will be fine.. i just think last night was a little frustrating.

 

[Relahni]

i think the creativity was a bit stifled by the length of the pitch to be honest.. should be fine on a longer, layed out pitch..

i probably was a bit harsh last night, i was achey, and grumpy

good heading again by flimsier btw.. corners are sorted at least..

i think we will be fine.. i just think last night was a little frustrating.

It was frustrating because we weren't organised. We do have some good qualities in our team - heading, finishing, passing, running, tackling etc.

It's not going to be any good if we aren't organised. Some of the sloppy stuff towards the end, I think we should put down to tiredness.

 

[flimsier]

But when you were at the back, relahni, we were winning and scoring. I agree you are useful up there, but I felt like we missed you at the back when you went up there.

I'd suggest either the same as you did or Scott and you swap (and then you and BH if necessary!)

I also think Nick's a good keeper, but we may be slightly stronger with tony in goal and may wish to change it around if we are getting dicked on.

Ringo playing up front would help us, but obviously there are no promises there.

So what about either GK - Nick, LD - BH, RD - Tony, CD - Relahni, RM - Scott, LM - CF and S - flim

or GK - tonie, LD - BH, RD - Scott, CD - relahni, RM - ringo or sleater, LM - CF, and S - flim.

I'd actually much prefer to play in your LM or RM slots.

With either of those its important people follow the person they are marking when we are defending... otherwise we just give away space.

 

[ChrisFilter]

i was sloppy at the beginning, but like i said, i was feeling terrible..

btw, wasn't suggesting you shouldn't play in a creative role with my last post.. just defending my lack of creativity :

 

[flimsier]

corners are sorted at least..

I suspect we were taking them from a bit too close in, but I have to say that filter's delivery was superb, particularly the near post one we scored with early doors.

We have to get them first though.

 

[Relahni]

But when you were at the back, relahni, we were winning and scoring. I agree you are useful up there, but I felt like we missed you at the back when you went up there.

I'd suggest either the same as you did or Scott and you swap (and then you and BH if necessary!)

I also think Nick's a good keeper, but we may be slightly stronger with tony in goal and may wish to change it around if we are getting dicked on.

Ringo playing up front would help us, but obviously there are no promises there.

So what about either GK - Nick, LD - BH, RD - Tony, CD - Relahni, RM - Scott, LM - CF and S - flim

or GK - tonie, LD - BH, RD - Scott, CD - relahni, RM - ringo or sleater, LM - CF, and S - flim.

I'd actually much prefer to play in your LM or RM slots.

With either of those its important people follow the person they are marking when we are defending... otherwise we just give away space.

I was thinking about that too. I thought I was missed at the back. I'm happy to play anywhere for the team. Central back is my best spot - I think you may be right with Tony in goal.

I quite like these options

GK Nick/Tony
RD Brixton Hatter/Tony/Relahni
CD Relahni/Brixton Hatter/JTG
LD Scott/Brixton Hatter/Relahni
RM ChrisF/Sleater/Ringo/Flimsier
LM Sleater/Ringo/Scott/Flimsier
CA Flimsier/ChrisF

Remember last night we were missing Sleater and Ringo who look like midfield players to me. I'd be more than happy to play anywhere, but at times last night I was a little lost up front and given the small pitch I was a little lost at the back.

 

[Relahni]

I suspect we were taking them from a bit too close in, but I have to say that filter's delivery was superb, particularly the near post one we scored with early doors.

We have to get them first though.

Agreed with CFilters corners - su-fucking-perb. I scored from one. They disallowed it! Post my arse! That's the perils of jumpers as goal posts.

 

[flimsier]

Friendly should assist with any decision making, and of course the gaffer's got the final word...

I'm in favour of the solidity of Relahni AND BH AND (maybe) tony at the back



(and I didn't think that was a goal, but I kept quiet!)

 

[Relahni]

Friendly should assist with any decision making, and of course the gaffer's got the final word...

I'm in favour of the solidity of Relahni AND BH AND (maybe) tony at the back



(and I didn't think that was a goal, but I kept quiet!)

I like the look of Relahni - Brixton Hatter and Scott in defence. Not sure if Tony or Brixton Hatter can play on the left.

I want three defenders to keep it tight and I want them to sit back. Always goalside marking too.

I didn't see it to be honest, they were claiming everything, so I thought it would be worth a go. The other one, my left foot rasping shot that fucking surprised me was a post without question.

 

[flimsier]

I like the look of Relahni - Brixton Hatter and Scott in defence. Not sure if Tony or Brixton Hatter can play on the left.

Which would give the option of playing Tony in goal.

Cool!

 

[flimsier]

40 fucking pages?!?!

How long will this thread become?

 

[Relahni]

Which would give the option of playing Tony in goal.

Cool!

yep that's what I was thinking. Am looking forward to this friendly. Are we all agreed on the positions?

 

[ChrisFilter]

might not be able to make the tournament I'm afraid.. apparently there's another team with a vacancy on the left.. Ingerland maybe? bloke who rang me had a scandinavia accent, wasn't too clear.

 

[Relahni]

might not be able to make the tournament I'm afraid.. apparently there's another team with a vacancy on the left.. Ingerland maybe? bloke who rang me had a scandinavia accent, wasn't too clear.

lol.

Where do you play ChrisF? Left or right?

 

[ChrisFilter]

yup, positions are fine by me.. getting a lot more confident in front of goal, and touch will improve with some proper boots as opposed to massive trainers..

 

[ChrisFilter]

I'd choose to play on the right in 11 a side.. but 7 a side, and looking for goals, the left is fine cos I can cut inside and get a better shooting chance for my right foot..

 

[Relahni]

I'd choose to play on the right in 11 a side.. but 7 a side, and looking for goals, the left is fine cos I can cut inside and get a better shooting chance for my right foot..

So that gives us options up front too. If Scott isn't left mid - you could switch - Sleater or Ringo on the right. We have options.

I do think that you and Flimsier are the finishers of our team.

 

[ChrisFilter]

i hope so, more confident than at first.. and starting to lose my stupidly polite demeanour.. less polite, harder tackling, and being a bit slefish in front of goal.. although that doesn't mean I'm going to hog it, I just mean if I can stick it away, I will, rather than setting up someone else for team spirit reasons.. if that makes sense!

 

[flimsier]

i hope so, more confident than at first.. and starting to lose my stupidly polite demeanour.. less polite, harder tackling, and being a bit slefish in front of goal.. although that doesn't mean I'm going to hog it, I just mean if I can stick it away, I will, rather than setting up someone else for team spirit reasons.. if that makes sense!

You mean like I did for your first goal to give you confidence

 

[flimsier]

i hope so, more confident than at first.. and starting to lose my stupidly polite demeanour.. less polite, harder tackling, and being a bit slefish in front of goal.. although that doesn't mean I'm going to hog it, I just mean if I can stick it away, I will, rather than setting up someone else for team spirit reasons.. if that makes sense!

Rollem said about you that you're a much better player when you get angry with yourself and stop saying sorry. I tend to agree...! That does rather cut across your post from last night though, doesn't it?

 

[Relahni]

i hope so, more confident than at first.. and starting to lose my stupidly polite demeanour.. less polite, harder tackling, and being a bit slefish in front of goal.. although that doesn't mean I'm going to hog it, I just mean if I can stick it away, I will, rather than setting up someone else for team spirit reasons.. if that makes sense!

imo, Chris Filter has improved a lot. Agree totally about being too hard on yourself. Sometimes you were having a go at yourself when it was unwarranted last night. Can remember when we did a one two and you miss controlled a fairly awkward ball under pressure and had a go at yourself.

The way I saw it was you passed the ball, you moved into position - thumbs up from me! It wasn't like a real basic error or owt and didn't put us under any pressure.

Agree with you getting a little tougher etc. Good player though. There is a lot to be said for you and Flims up front.

 

[Rollem]

tell me if i'm talking rubbish...

Rollem said about you that you're a much better player when you get angry with yourself and stop saying sorry. I tend to agree...!

yep

right you have all at some point or another covered what i was gonna say this morning, but just coz i like the sound of my own voice heres my snip bits for what they are worth:

goalkeeping - not sure who'd i'd prefer to be honest- nick or tony. if we play nick, tony can be in defence, but in all honesty, i dont think you looked happy that at times mate. maybe we alternate the two of you on wednesday and see who fits best in the nets?

defence - you're supposed to be at the BACK you know!! keep this tight and we might get somewhere, little runs up are all well and good, but if you find yourself in front of their too often you gotta ask yourself what position you are playing! thought rudeboy did a great job making a nuisance of himself agianst the oppostion, and BH much more comfy playing in CD. tony often found out of position, but reckon your strength was an asset. i know my prefered defence and its upsets relahni but whilst having him back may mean less 'creativity or distribution' up front, if we're letting in more than we score it defeats the pobject.
my preferred back three = Rudeboy - BH - Relahni

midfield - AARRGGHH!! all over the shop at times, in and out, weaving (sorry trying to weave) in between the opposition with the ball when theres a blatant easy pass right by you! pass the ball. dont panic and think you are on your own, remember you are a team.... preferred midfield = LM - filter RM - sleater? ringo?

up front = flimiser i think. only one who seemed to find the right space at times.

i got the feeling last night that you all thought i was having a go at half time, i wasnt. you were all shouting like headless chickens at times, poor rudeboy didnt know whether he was coming or going for being told "go up, come back, go up, come back...." only when he started ignoring you did he look and play happy. aint a good sign really....

all in all though, i think we needed a game like last night to wake us up a bit. we aint that bad, and i dont think we should be imagining getting our arses whipped at the tournament. no point turning up if you reckon we're gonna lose is there?!

>phew!<

right, on a brighter note, the friendly has been confirmed for 7pm next wednesday. will pm you all the details. have been told "friendly" will be the important word as no-one wants injuries so close to the big day! rudeboy, if you can let nick know that would great. ringo is burying his mum today, but i will speak to him next week and see how he feels about a kick about. think sleater is back by then too?

 

[ChrisFilter]

You mean like I did for your first goal to give you confidence

yes and no... i really appreciated that btw..