Sky_Blue_Dreamer
Well-Known Member
It's not about just always 'arsing about'. If you just lump it up the pitch everytime you get pressed chances are you're going to be spending a lot of time defending.When "arsing around with it" (and i consider this the entirely suitable expression) we are forever one pass that is under-hit or mis-directed from one of those close forwards snapping it up and either scoring or getting brought down because the defender believes there is no other choice. Sure, roll it (or take a short goal kick) to a fullback/wingback, but then the midfield need to be making themselves available to receive a pass and move the bloody thing forward or out to a wide channel. If the likes of Sheaf, Eccles and Torp are as good as most seem to think, this should be in their skill-set, but they are not strong enough at trapping, holding the ball and turning when they are getting hassled by opposition midfielders.
It's being absolutely wedded to the philosophy so other teams know you're going to try and play it out. if you mix it up then the opposition will have less certainty about whether to press. Of course it does also need someone up the field capable of either flicking the ball down or holding onto it. Doing it with Godden or Tavares up front on their own for example would be a waste of time.