I'm blogging while quietly recovering from the local RA Annual Presentation Dinner last night before setting off for my Sunday League Trophy Quarter Final just up the road. It was an excellent night with some brilliant food and great company. The night was, as is always the case with gatherings of referees, full of stories and reminiscing as we reminded those who have progressed to the professional game (and those of us who still work at Grass Roots) of some of the highlights, low lights and downright hilarious incidents we've experienced together.
Tribal rivalries surfaced from time to time as fans of professional teams exchanged views (politely and with much leg pulling) on various games over the years. I talked about my following Leeds United around England and my decision to chance a trip to the Champions league Final when Leeds got to the semi finals in 2001. As things turned out, Leeds were knocked out by an efficient Valencia team who in turn lost to Bayern Munich in the final (which I still went to and thoroughly enjoyed).
That was the extent of my globe trotting in support of Leeds United but now looking back I have to question the rationale of buying a ticket, booking a hotel and flight to Italy, for a game we weren't even guaranteed to be playing in. A similar thought about the lengths people will travel to watch football had crossed my mind earlier in the day at my Supply League Assessment game. It was at the oldest football ground in the world, Sandygate, home of Hallam FC. The reception from the club was, just as in my previous visit, very welcoming. The strong coffee before kick off and at half time was just the thing needed on a chilly day.
The club had hoped for a decent crowd because of the impending Steel City Derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United being played on the following day (today). I don't know how the figures measured up to their usual attendance but the main stand was fairly full with the make up of the crowd varied and it was fairly evident that some of them were making their first visit to Sandygate. They had come from far and wide as a number of visitors were given a brief tour and licence to roam the ground before kick off. I think they were probably part of that dedicated group of spectators known as "ground-hoppers" who visit as many grounds as possible each season.
One of a pair sitting just in front of me was introduced to the crowd before the game, having travelled from Aberdeen! The two sitting behind me spent the whole of the first half commenting on the game in a language I didn't recognise but it was definitely Scandinavian in origin. Then there was me, from 30 miles up the M1 ... what a merry band we were. Despite the cold weather we were treated to a competitive game, with 6 goals (but a 4-2 defeat for Hallam) and perhaps some of those slightly more local first timers might be tempted to make a return if that is the usual fare on offer. Right, where are my flags ...
Showing posts with label UEFA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UEFA. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Pep Guardiola
The FA should not let Pep Guardiola leave London. They should offer him the moon and the stars to keep him in England and offer him the role of FA Technical Director in charge of all Coaching Development.
Last night his team demonstrated that "knocking it high/long for the big lad to knock down for the nippy boy to run on to/hold until the midfield cavalry arrive" or the "high ball over the top for the nippy lad to chase" are just not good enough. Sure these skills work well for players who may not have the technical ability/guile to pass the ball short and move so the team can move upfield as a unit, always in possession, always frustrating the opposition. Playing percentage football doesn't guarantee success, neither does possession without opportunity but pass and move will create opportunities and, as we saw last night, when the move breaks down, if your unit has compressed the opposition into their own penalty area, they will make mistakes which can be exploited.
Other teams, other countries will see the success of the Guardiola style, which isn't that far from the philisophy of "if God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there" espoused by the greatest manager England never had. Power and athleticism have their place but they must be harnessed to the skills demonstrated last night at Wembley. The skill to change direction midstride, to evade a challenge by the turn of an ankle and to effect a change of pace to create space for an opportunity, the one opportunity that will make a difference and to have the mental as well as physical strength to place the ball as if it was from a standing start.
The style has to be enforced at youth level so the players adopt and practice the necessary skills, so they move through the circle of competence and these skills become second nature, being demonstrated almost subconsciously. Such change can't be achieved overnight and there will be disappointments along the way but these will be minor in comparison to the riches which await.
The lesson has been given, but does football in England have the appetite to change direction, stop chasing the pot at the end of the season and work towards proper, effective player development which will build the foundations of a dynasty?
Last night his team demonstrated that "knocking it high/long for the big lad to knock down for the nippy boy to run on to/hold until the midfield cavalry arrive" or the "high ball over the top for the nippy lad to chase" are just not good enough. Sure these skills work well for players who may not have the technical ability/guile to pass the ball short and move so the team can move upfield as a unit, always in possession, always frustrating the opposition. Playing percentage football doesn't guarantee success, neither does possession without opportunity but pass and move will create opportunities and, as we saw last night, when the move breaks down, if your unit has compressed the opposition into their own penalty area, they will make mistakes which can be exploited.
Other teams, other countries will see the success of the Guardiola style, which isn't that far from the philisophy of "if God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there" espoused by the greatest manager England never had. Power and athleticism have their place but they must be harnessed to the skills demonstrated last night at Wembley. The skill to change direction midstride, to evade a challenge by the turn of an ankle and to effect a change of pace to create space for an opportunity, the one opportunity that will make a difference and to have the mental as well as physical strength to place the ball as if it was from a standing start.
The style has to be enforced at youth level so the players adopt and practice the necessary skills, so they move through the circle of competence and these skills become second nature, being demonstrated almost subconsciously. Such change can't be achieved overnight and there will be disappointments along the way but these will be minor in comparison to the riches which await.
The lesson has been given, but does football in England have the appetite to change direction, stop chasing the pot at the end of the season and work towards proper, effective player development which will build the foundations of a dynasty?
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