Alternative Euro 2004: U75 Team Needed

[flimsier]

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

I didn't really do that to give you confidence; it was because you were in a position where you couldn't miss, and I had a decent chance, but no better.

I didn't mean to be patronising. It was a joke.

 

[Relahni]

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?

My 2p on the goalkeeping. I think Tony is a better keeper. Nick is good but if I was being critical, he goes down a bit too early, his communication wasn't great and some of the goals he let in yesterday were trickles. But he made some good saves and he played much better last week. Maybe he needs to be a little bit more aggressive and perhaps handle the ball more. Tony is more aggressive and it willing to get stuck in and put his head where it might get hurt. It's good that we have two decent keepers but think Tony gets my vote.

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

I think most of the defensive probs was more down to lack of organisation last night. I really don't mind playing in the CD role at all. Like I said, I think it's probably my best position. I'm happy playing anywhere except for in goal. We looked a lot more solid when I was in the CD role last night. Agree with the back 3 - would have LD Rudeboy on the left - Brixton Hatter on the right and myself in the middle.

 

[flimsier]

I agree with relahni.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

It's not all doom and gloom!

afternoon all!

Last night wasn't perfect but there's plenty of positives to be taken. I think the initial posts after last night were a bit harsh. Basically our problem was not sorting out our positions before the game started - this was the reason we had no midfield and were running round like headless chickens. But that's an easily solvable problem. Also the pitch was shit and a little small.

Positives from last night:
- Our team is taking shape nicely
- We ALL played well at times
- LD Rudeboy esp played well and is a tenacious defender
- We talk a good game now. Our teamwork on the pitch is much better than before.
- We can score goals. Flims and ChrisF are our strikers
- We can pass and move (but need to do it more)
- We've shown we have the fitness to easily deal with the games
- We can get stuck in and fight for the game
- I think there's more team spirit there than we think!

Other things I think we learned:
- The long ball can be used appropriately, but I think we were sometimes too desperate to get it up the other end of the pitch. If we move up too quick, we have no support. (But of course, it's great to use to catch the other team on the break)
- We lost the ball too often, often from the goalie. In my opinion, the goalie should ALWAYS roll the ball to a defender. Anything else, like a long kick out, is instantly a 50-50 ball and comes with the potential to lose possession.
- We hurried a bit too much. The game can, and sometimes should, be slower. A slow build up from the back can draw the other team towards you and give our strikers room to manouvere. Simple good football really.
- I cannot really effectively play anywhere other than defence. Right/left is not a problem but I've been a centre half/full back since the age of 5 and I'm not gonna play anywhere else now!

I think we've all been a bit too negative - we're better than we think. We should have pasted that team proper, and we showed we could for 30/40 mins. It's easy to get pissed off when things aren't going well and I apologise for getting a bit fucked off and going AWOL for 15 mins in the middle of the game - it's just wanting to do well.

For me, these are my faults that I am going to improve on (what are yours?):
- I do go on forays up the pitch sometimes (it's the full back's job), but I need to check there is someone covering. I wouldn't be so risky in a real game.
- I do fuck around with the ball too much sometimes and try to take on a player when it is not necessary. It's about playing it simple. Again, I wouldn't be so risky in a real game.

So there we have it. We're not a bad team and we'll improve for the tournament too. Well looking forward to the friendly, it will be a good test and we'll be able to guage how well we're doing. NICE.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Agree with the back 3 - would have LD Rudeboy on the left - Brixton Hatter on the right and myself in the middle.

Yeah, that's what I'd do............... but of course it's the boss's decision!

 

[ChrisFilter]

my faults I need to improve upon are:

keeping the ball on the ground - this is not 11 a side.

getting stuck in, and being less polite.

bit more selfishness.

 

[Rollem]

Agree with the back 3 - would have LD Rudeboy on the left - Brixton Hatter on the right and myself in the middle.

fine by me. wasnt sure how happy BH was on the left/right but seems its ok so back three sorted

Rudeboy - Relahni - BH

think i agree about preferring tony in goal, but cant really remember too much about his style there, seems ages since i've seen him play there...

wednesdays friendly is great timing in my opinion, chance to build our confidence back up and cement our formation.

 

[Relahni]

Yeah, that's what I'd do............... but of course it's the boss's decision!

Yeah, of course, but that's a fairly good platform on which to build from.

All this goes to show the benefits of having 7 a side practice matches.

We have knowledge of what our positions are, what is expected now. Should be good next week. Looking forward to it.

 

[LDR]

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?

I'll make sure Nic knows and I'm hopefully seeing Ringo this weekend.

Sorry about leaving quickly last night but I hurt my thumb somehow, my comedown from Sat night kicked in, and I just wanted to be home.

I'm happy to play anywhere but prefer the left and I'm happy with the tactics discussed.

 

[Rollem]

my comedown from Sat night kicked in, and I just wanted to be home.

thought you looked a bit grumbled matey!

 

[LDR]

thought you looked a bit grumbled matey!

It's the comedown. I didn't got to work today 'cause I was in such a bad mood this morning.

 

[Relahni]

I'll make sure Nic knows and I'm hopefully seeing Ringo this weekend.

Sorry about leaving quickly last night but I hurt my thumb somehow, my comedown from Sat night kicked in, and I just wanted to be home.

I'm happy to play anywhere but prefer the left and I'm happy with the tactics discussed.

I was impressed with the LD Rudeboy. I like the tenacity. He was pretty effective going forward too.

 

[ChrisFilter]

I didn't really do that to give you confidence; it was because you were in a position where you couldn't miss, and I had a decent chance, but no better.

I didn't mean to be patronising. It was a joke.

oh I know.. don't worry, didn't feel patronised

 

[Rollem]

I was impressed with the LD Rudeboy. I like the tenacity.

the only player to knock that BIG guy off the ball too

 

[Numbers]

shit man... I go out for a cpl of hours lunch (got word that contracts have been exchanged on the house btw so was celebrating... I'm fucking langered now and have no intention of working this afternoon... my brother has just landed in London and I have tomorrow and Monday off... that's another thread tho' (check drugs later)) and there's been 50 posts approx..

I agree with what everyone is saying. I think defence should be LD on the left, Relahni in the middle (and stay, even if lightweight up front - it aint your job) and BH on the right - obviously LD and BH pushing up when needed. As for the middle, ChrisF and either sleater or ringo and then superstar flimsier up front (man has he got some heading capabilities and positioning sense).

Chris/Relahni/BH/flimsier - all comfortable with the ball.
LD - Mr Tenacious (see the way he knocked big John off the ball)

Nick is a good goalie but it's more gung-ho than anything, IMO. but he is good.

That leaves me warming the subs bench but hey if that's what's needed that's what's needed I aint got a touch, but as the gaffer has said I've got strength and will stick me 'ead in where it hurts (ask your man from wolves)

I can play in midfield tho lads.
that I caN
"NO YOU CAN'T"
"what"

As long as I know where I should be - I'll be there, sticking the boot in. I conceded loads of position last night, at times it was 3 on 1 but I made some class interceptions and never stopped running... steve ovett like.

and I always smile, I do be sweating - but I always smile.

friendly like...
peace

Tony or is it Tonie

 

[Rollem]

I think defence should be LD on the left, Relahni in the middle (and stay, even if lightweight up front - it aint your job) and BH on the left - obviously LD and BH pushing up when needed.

disagre slightly with the last comment. pushing up is all well and good, but not at the expense of defence....which was evident in abundance last night. pass it to the midifled who should be getting themselves into available positions.

Nick is a good goalie but it's more gung-ho than anything, IMO. but he is good.

That leaves me warming the subs bench but hey if that's what's needed that's what's needed

nope, i dont think thats the case necessarily young man, but good that you are willing to pull together for the team . nick is "gung-ho" which is great, but sometimes this is at the expense of an open goal. and too many long balls out when defenders are begging for the ball. lets play around with you guys on wednesday (oo-err! ) and see what we can come up with....

 

[Relahni]

I agree with what everyone is saying. I think defence should be LD on the left, Relahni in the middle (and stay, even if lightweight up front - it aint your job) and BH on the right

Agreed.

This is all good, we know our positions. We can work as a defensive unit.

I'm slightly concerned with my defensive heading. Did a woeful one from a corner last night. Headed away to a central position and not to the left or right - truly shite. Did a couple of block tackles which is good though.

Was ok with positional awareness at the back - lost that a bit at times with the small pitch but was ok. I'm not leaving that central zone - we need something to build on and I'm more than happy to do it. I do need mouth from the keeper and I think Tony is probably better than Nick in that respect, but Nick is pretty good at encouraging and like that also. Going on our performance last night, it's now a case of not getting dicked too badly.

That's why we don't want to be doing headless chicken runs from defence and need three back at all times - except for corners.

 

[Rollem]

i am REALLY looking forward to wednesday's friendly !!!

 

[Relahni]

i am REALLY looking forward to wednesday's friendly !!!

yeah me too. Plus we can all be safe in the knowledge of what is expected from each other. That's the key. If we went into last nights match with knowledge of what we all need to do and stick to it. I don't think we would have lost by so much - just an opinion.

We should really get you a directors chair though pet. The floor is no place for a pregnant lady.

 

[ChrisFilter]

jesus' mum did alright on the floor in a stable although joseph wasn't playing football..

that's bible class for today kids

 

[Rollem]

LMAO

 

[Numbers]

disagre slightly with the last comment. pushing up is all well and good, but not at the expense of defence....which was evident in abundance last night. pass it to the midifled who should be getting themselves into available positions.

I pretty much disagree with all of that.

keep 3 at the back at all times. include the goalie and that's 4 out of 7 - leaving 3 people in attack -

3 people aint gonna break down 5/6 people when attacking (cos they'll be defending) - as relahni has said you ALWAYS need a man back, no more than 1 when we're attacking, the 2 (left & right) need to push up and support midfield, only up as far as midfield, cos then midfield can push up and attack the final 3rd, then when they attack, midfield drop back into midfield and defence back in to defence.

remember last night was a small pitch, the actual pitch will be bigger and a lot more ground will have to be covered. there will be too big a gap if 3 peeps stay back.

just me trippence like...

 

[Relahni]

I pretty much disagree with all of that.

keep 3 at the back at all times. include the goalie and that's 4 out of 7 - leaving 3 people in attack -

3 people aint gonna break down 5/6 people when attacking (cos they'll be defending) - as relahni has said you ALWAYS need a man back, no more than 1 when we're attacking, the 2 (left & right) need to push up and support midfield, only up as far as midfield, cos then midfield can push up and attack the final 3rd, then when they attack, midfield drop back into midfield and defence back in to defence.

remember last night was a small pitch, the actual pitch will be bigger and a lot more ground will have to be covered. there will be too big a gap if 3 peeps stay back.

just me trippence like...

I'm with Rollem on this one. We are shit. We need 3 back at all times. If we push forward, bearing in mind our passing last night we'll get dicked every time on the counter. 3 at the back at all times. One centre - one left - one right.

 

[Numbers]

so let me ask this. when we are pushing forward, is it all down to 3 players to cover midfield and forward positions. probably find we'll be more fragmented with massice gaps being left in the middle of the park. I agree we need 3 back but when we're attacking we need the 'wing' backs to push up, obviously aware of people on the counter, but that's why they push up to midfield when midfield push up front and drop back when the midfield drop back into position - I get it from a very good source (Irish 5-a-side runners up) that push up and drop back as a unit, leaving 1 man back and 1 man forward at all times, they other 4 pushing up and back when needed.

am I making sense??

 

[Rollem]

you both make sense

i am not necessarily saying we need three at the back at all times, if anything we can maybe afford to have two, but definatley no less. one man just cant do it, its asking to be caught out imho.

we dont want to crowd midfield either. there will be times when there opportunities for members of the back three to push up a tad, when they do its the responsiblity of the reaming two defenders to cover temporarily. but if a defender does push up, it should be to make play for the midfield. its their number one priority to track back.

 

[ChrisFilter]

from the opposition point of view.. when I played against you it was pretty much me and another lad versus tony at times.. however that was after an hour, when people will have been lagging, and that was 5-a-side at that point. I reckon 2 that stay back, and maybe one can push forward a tiny little bit.. like two central defenders, and one with licence to head up a little bit if need. 3 mounting an attack should be more than enough at our ability level..

 

[flimsier]

It depends on how many they leave up front, of course, but then that's about the people at the back communicating and realising when one person has recieved the ball, pushed up to support, or whatever.

Several times when we were playing well at the start yesterday I'd have to play a ball back, so those 'staying back' are obviously not ignoring the game when we are pushing forward, they're just allowing the strikers/ midfield players some space to play and providing options (rather than at the end when we had 3/4/5 players in 'the box'.

 

[Relahni]

It depends on how many they leave up front, of course, but then that's about the people at the back communicating and realising when one person has recieved the ball, pushed up to support, or whatever.

Several times when we were playing well at the start yesterday I'd have to play a ball back, so those 'staying back' are obviously not ignoring the game when we are pushing forward, they're just allowing the strikers/ midfield players some space to play and providing options (rather than at the end when we had 3/4/5 players in 'the box'.

That's why I went up front as there was no support. I'm more for keeping it tight at the back. We aren't going to win the thing so I'm looking at damaged limitation. I like Rollem's 3-2-1 formation.

Re wing backs - if they do push up - I want the 2 midfielders to drop a little bit back to offer support to the defence like a kind of 1-2-2-1 formation.

I guess it's moving forward and back as a solid unit.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

There's gotta be some leeway for a defender to push up, especially if it's a quick break - but yes, we should always try to leave at least 2 at the back. We're intelligent enough among us to see when we need to cover - so if (say) relahni goes on a mazy run up front, the rest of us in defence will have to recognise that we need to stay back and cover. easy!!

 

[Brixton Hatter]

...and now for the important stuff

Have we got a kit for Wednesday's friendly?

I'm gonna bring a camera - we need to take a team line-up photo before the game!