johnniericoh
Member
Just watched a "rather" one sided game between Spain and Scotland tonight and have got to ask the question why are we (the British) so far apart with respect to ability, skill, fitness etc compared to the Spanish national team and the Spanish league teams.
It was there for all to see - no hulking 6'3" centreforward, no hoof balls, no mis trapped balls just very near perfection on a football pitch.
We seem to be light years away with our application skills.
When Spain attack they have six players in front of the ball when they defend they miraculously conjur up six behind the ball all in a split second.
The approach play is at times somewhat cautious but with multi passing leading to a sudden opening a goal is almost guarranteed.
The ball seems to be glued to feet and will not be relinquished whatever the pressure - even if lost it is quickly regained.
Movement with the ball is mesmerising always looking to the one/two,s to split defences with the final pass rolled out for a simple goal - Spain rarely blast thirty yarders.
Possession at 60/70% is a norm which ensures more goal scoring opportunities than any opposition.
There is no "box to box", "works his nuts off", "good engine" nonsense within the Spanish vocabulary - each player has consummate skill and ability in abundance and can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
The question is why can't we learn from this and change our tactics and playing personnel to try and arrest the inevitable decline in our performances - if we don't adapt quickly our solitary achievementv 45 years ago will remain just that.
It was there for all to see - no hulking 6'3" centreforward, no hoof balls, no mis trapped balls just very near perfection on a football pitch.
We seem to be light years away with our application skills.
When Spain attack they have six players in front of the ball when they defend they miraculously conjur up six behind the ball all in a split second.
The approach play is at times somewhat cautious but with multi passing leading to a sudden opening a goal is almost guarranteed.
The ball seems to be glued to feet and will not be relinquished whatever the pressure - even if lost it is quickly regained.
Movement with the ball is mesmerising always looking to the one/two,s to split defences with the final pass rolled out for a simple goal - Spain rarely blast thirty yarders.
Possession at 60/70% is a norm which ensures more goal scoring opportunities than any opposition.
There is no "box to box", "works his nuts off", "good engine" nonsense within the Spanish vocabulary - each player has consummate skill and ability in abundance and can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
The question is why can't we learn from this and change our tactics and playing personnel to try and arrest the inevitable decline in our performances - if we don't adapt quickly our solitary achievementv 45 years ago will remain just that.
