League of Dreams Friendlies

Willy - fancy pitting my wit's against the Masters Welshy or LSTD if both fancy a Friendly v me?

Di

i was going to draw it but seeing as some people are making a request ill see what i can do

Thanks Willy .

Montrose F.C

---------------D.Marshall----------------
Stones-----Stark-----Fazio-----Pieters
---------Fletcher------Carvalho---------
Cuenca--------Morrison---------Boetius
----------------Batshauyi-----------------

Brenet, Cairney, Mastour, D.Alli, el Haddadi, McCormack, Armstrong

first pre season friendly and a chance for us to show what we are all about

David Marshall in goal is a good shot stopper, very brave and off his line quickly to shut down forwards, close there angles down and make it as difficult as possible to get a shot away. Off hi line for high balls and punch clear what he cant catch.

back 4 led by Fazio, his experience is vital alongside Stark. To start Fazio is going to be the spare defender, he will take a step back off Stark allowing the young CB to pick up the CF, where he will look to keep very close eye on him, dont give him the freedom he needs to get in on goal. Bully him off the ball and generally make life hell for him. Like said Fazio sits spare, just in case Stark loses his man, he is there to stop him in his tracks. Fazio at 6'4 will go for all high balls and clear any danger coming in. The fullbacks I want first and foremost to defend the lines, show that we will be no pushovers this season. keep the wingers to the wide areas and away from danger. Dont allow them to step inside. Pace no problem so can keep up. Dont dive in either. When attacking one at a t ime, get up and over lap the winger giving us an extra man and caue there fullbacks problems.

William Carvalho is the main DM, his job is to keep there AM away from dnager and not to allow him the time or space to dictate play. Get right in his face and always watch his movement, even if we are in attack. Once the ball is won, simple balls to those around him. Fletcher, my newly appointed captain, will be vocal and lead the team from the front, sitting alongside Carvalho I want him to dictate play from deep, look to get the quick AM trio away with nice simple balls, and at times through balls to create goal opportunities. His vision is fantastic. he doesnt do things at 100 mph, calm and controlled and allow the forwards to do the running so he can just play them in. Defending sit alongside Carvalho and help him break up play.


Excited with the AM trio, quick, skillfull and can score goals. The wingers I want to attack the fullbacks, can go to the outside and knock it passed them to chase and cross in or play nice one twos with Fletch, Morrison etc which will allow them to sprint into the danger area and get a shot away on goal. Drive at them time and time again, its a friendly so go out and show the crowd why we brought you in.

Morrison in the free role, do want you want. you have the talent to be a game changer, look to link up with Batshauyi as quickly as possible as this is the partnership that could lead us to Div2 success. Pass and move, always looking to get into space to get a return ball. One twos with the wingers to get them into space or indeed up to Batshauyi and drive passed him looking for the striker to knock it on to him.

All 3 AM's I want when they have it to chase the fullbacks and DM when they come forward, dont allow them the time on the ball to get it moving forward.

Batshauyi is strong and powerfull and can score a variety of goals, good in the air so look to leap early as the crosses come in to beat the CB. Two good feet so look to power passed the defender and get a dshot away. If the shot isnt possible then always get the head up and look for others driving in to support. Always on the last foot runniong the line look to exploit gaps in there defence or at very least drag defenders away freeing up space for others to drive into.

Captain;- Darren Fletcher
Penalties:- Michy Batshauyi
Free Kicks: Ravel Morrison
Corners:- Wingers

Subs:-

65 Mins - Mastour > Cuenca, el Haddadi > Boetius
70 Mins - Dele Alli > Morrison, McCormack > Batshauyi
80 Mins - Cairney > Fletcher

Captain: Lucas Biglia
Corners: Fischer/Markovic
Short Range Attacking Free Kicks: Markovic/Fischer
Pens: Saviola (Kishna)

Formation: 3-4-3 (Sweeper System)

-----------------------------Zoet
----------------------------Reyes
------Gouweleeuw--------------------Rekik
----------------------------Biglia
----------Hiljemark------------------Ritzmaier
--------------------------Klaassen
----Markovic-----------------------------------Fischer
---------------------------Saviola


Starting: Zoet, Gouweleeuw, Reyes, Rekik, Biglia, Hiljemark, Ritzmaier, Klaassen, Markovic, Saviola, Fischer

Subs: Stevens, Aké, Horvath, Andersen, Kishna

We will line-up with two lightening quick wingers in Markovic and Fischer patrolling each flank with the intelligent and technically superb Davy Klaassen behind the talented all-round centre forward Javier Saviola.

My intentions are to pack the midfield with Hiljemark, Biglia and Blind protecting the back-three of Reyes, Gouweleeuw and Rekik.

We will operate with Diego Reyes as a sweeper. Pre-historic as it seems today, playing a sweeper will help to negate York’s threat in the attacking third. With the two most central attacking players (could be two forwards, could be a forward and an attacking midfielder) being picked up by Gouweleeuw and Rekik – this will leave Reyes to pick up stray balls, runs from deep and anything York throw at him.

We will be comfortable in having 3 defenders against the 2 most central attackers, Gouweleeuw and Rekik will comfortably pick up an attacking player each and if they fail to control York’s forward line, Reyes is the contingency plan.


With Gouweleeuw and Rekik picking up these 2 most central attacking players our defence is narrow. This would give York’s wingers a lot of space to move forward. We will anticipate this by instructing our two central players – Hiljemark and Ritzmaier to track these runs.

With Hiljemark and Ritzmaier now tracking the runs of the wingers, it would leave Biglia outnumbered in midfield. Davy Klaassen will always look to drop into midfield so that we will always have a spare man. This spare man again will be Diego Reyes – whose game intelligence and reading of the game will allow us to defend well.

When we are faced with doubling-up from our opposition (i.e. the opposition putting a winger and full back on to one of our defenders), we will use this to our advantage by switching the ball quickly and directly which will lead to our team finding an area of the pitch with no opposition player in. Such tactical nuances will be a distinct part of this FC Eindhoven team. This is an obvious and logical tactical ploy; this logical style of play will also be mixed up at times with a some individual flair – but expect at times for even talented players like Fischer to play a pass instead of attempting to pass his marker.

These tactics have proved that they can work by one of the greatest Ajax teams. The quick movement to an area where York may be a man-short will allow us to keep possession comfortably as well as creating opportunities. We will hope to have the opportunity to find space in the most predictable of positions on the pitch.

Biglia and Klaassen will always be available to receive the ball, and are capable of dissecting York’s midfield with ease.

Our flexible, hard-working system will allow us to have a spare-man available when York have the ball, but significantly, it will gave flexibility and strength in keeping possession. With Biglia and Klaassen both floating around the half-way line and attacking third respectively, we can move the ball with ease.

York may find it difficult to react to these players, as if they do move out of position to get closer to Klaassen and Biglia, the shape of York’s team may fall apart. If an attempt is made to combat the constant space we hope Klaassen will be receiving. This will only give slick-heeled Markovic and Fischer more space to receive the ball.

My use of Ritzmaier and Hiljemark will also be of interest too. As well as having defensive responsibilities, they will be instructed to run from deep to connect with our wingers and forwards. It will be their late runs that will often be the most dangerous to penetrate York. To do this, both Hiljemark and Ritzmaier will show superb tactical understanding and discipline, not to mention supreme physical fitness. The combination of quick passing and runs from deep will be a constant menace for the York back-line. The implication of this will be that if York try to play a high-line to combat the threat of Klaassen, then York will have to drop deeper and deeper to negate the threat of our quick triangles through the midfield.

We will constantly be looking to stretch York’s defence with Fischer and Markovic always looking to stay wide in the build-up of moves. It will therefore be unsurprising that either Ritzmaier or Hiljemark will be the ones to break the deadlock in this game.

Saviola will not operate as purely an out and out centre forward – as he will also have a license to come a little bit deeper for the ball and run at defences, putting his pace and ability on the ball to full use. In that sort of scenario I will allow Fischer or Markovic to come a bit more central and make sure that Ritzmaier or Hiljemark push out a bit wider to cover - meaning we will still keep a good shape in attack and also be well set out if York do try a counter. When Fischer or Markovic come a bit more central, this is where we will use our technical ability, acceleration and sheer pace to full effect. Markovic, Klaassen, Fischer and Saviola’s creative partnerships will give even the sturdiest of defences a very testing time through their combined technical abilities and pace.

Saviola is a complete centre forward; a deadly finisher, excellent with the ball at his feet, strong presence in air and hard working for his team. All of these combined with his unique scoring record makes me feel entirely confident that his name will appear on the score sheet many times throughout the season.

Subs:
80th Minute: Kishna on for Saviola

Comment Deleted by Article Creator

Comment Deleted by Article Creator

--------------------Pantilimon
Wisdom---De Vrij---Martins Indi---Mendy
--------------Kallstrom—Emre Can
Weimann--------Carroll-----Cavaleiro
-------------------Campbell

Subs: Fernandes, Tiago, Oliveira, Zelalem, Llorente, Betinho, Akpom

Team Tactics: I want you to stay organised, keep your shape and your concentration. They will be trying to hit us hard in this game as they are desperate to get back into the top 4 race. This is our chance to knock them out and strengthen our position. We need to keep possession on the ground. Use quick, silky passing. They enjoy playing with physique so we need to prevent them. Keep pressing them and keep the play at a fast tempo. I believe we have a team with more stamina and more pace to out last them in this game. I want us to use the wings a bit more during this game especially down the right as I consider their left side of defence to be their weakest area in their team. Weimann has the pace, skill and gumption to outwit his opponent and out perform him. Our midfield need to stick to their positions and stay as a unit. Keep the men behind the ball and play on the counter. However I do not want a defensive display. They will just leave gaps behind them if we invite them forward. Their defenders are prone to mistakes.

Positional Tactics:

Pantilimon should keep in his goal controlling his defenders to keep to their positions. He must use his strength to beat everyone to the ball. Communicate constantly with the defence to prevent confusion and mistakes.

Wisdom is going to be employed at right back and will use his reasonable pace and good communication to get forward and assist attacks especially on the counter when their full back pushes up as he inevitably will, overlapping Weimann and whipping in low crosses for the strikers. Also he will stick close to Lavezzi when they are attacking so that the winger does not get enough time to use his pace. He will not be afraid to get stuck in. He must also go up to add to the pressure against their defence. He should stay out wide to create a crossing option and he will try and drill the ball into the centre. I want him to bring the other defenders towards him in order to open up space for Weimann to take advantage of. While defending Wisdom should try and push the player back. This means it gives our players the chance to get into their positions and also limiting any attacking options for them. If he can’t do that he should push him out wide to a position where he has to kick the ball off. This is because running into the box would be dangerous for us to handle so this will be prevented.

In Martins Indi and De Vrij we have two players that complement each other to make a good centre back partnership. De Vrij will deal with the pacier side of their attacks and using his class and composure to set up attacks from the back trying to spread the ball to Kallstrom and full backs, who will then create the opportunities. De Vrij should use his height and strength to keep the striker(s) out of the game. I want him to keep with that attacker at all times not allowing him to break up space. If he tries to move De Vrij away and allow space to occur then he should temporarily leave him and try and trap him offside. Because De Vrij will be attacking he should act as help temporarily to prevent players cutting into the box. He should try and header every ball out of the box or kick it away. When he does kick it away he should kick it towards the wings so that we can create a counter attack. He should stay back when we’re attacking unless we have a corner or free kick. Martins Indi will deal with the striker using his brute force to get to balls ahead of him and superior aerial ability and experience that will be all important. Martins Indi should use his experience and strength to keep potential runners into the box out. We do not want any space opened up. He should look to keep command of the defensive line making sure it’s not too high but not too deep. For De Vrij I would like him to be up in the opposition’s box for corners and free kicks. Martins Indi should stay just outside the box before the free kick/corner is taken and then run in round the back when it is.


Mendy will be playing left back as he can provide good crosses when going forward and is a solid left back defensively, not being afraid to put a tackle in. He will also try and overlap on the left so that the full backs can get the crosses in and offer the width because Cavaleiro doesn’t naturally offer width. We need a full back with a bit of class about them to deal with their winger which we feel Mendy has for sure. He will be told to stay close to the right midfielder when they are attacking so that the opponent isn't given enough time to hit killer passes. This also means there is likely to be more space to exploit for Mendy when attacking. Mendy should act as a Wing Back. This is because we want to create some stability at the back. They will be dangerous on the counter so if we look to keep some players back we can prevent goals from occurring. However I would like him to go up every now and then if my attackers do need the help. He should also look to keep the attackers back or push them out wide. When we have a free kick or corner our full backs should stay back in case of a counter attack.

Kallstrom will act as a wall in front of the defence. He should look to disrupt their attacking play and be in the oppositions face, and watch the advances of their playmaker who will break from midfield and make runs into the box. Kallstrom has the power to cope with the strength of their playmaker and also the pace to follow the runs made by him. He will break late and Kallstrom should watch the runs into the box and look to cope with the balls put into the box which are heading for this player. He should not break forward but hold his position and not get caught up field. I want him to control the style of the game we play. While acting as cover for our defence he should also separate the midfield from the defence by keeping hold of the ball and form attacks.

Emre Can will be our Deep-Lying midfielder. This means he will be linking our defence with our attack. He should take hold of the ball and then make runs forward and then supplying it to any of the front 4 ahead. When we’re attacking I want him to move up and stay in space. This will mean he will be an option for the others to pass to. He should also look to open up space for the other attacking players. When off the ball he should be a ball winning player by standing in front of their players and also covering up any spaces.


Weimann is being employed at Right Wing to take full advantage of the extra goal threat provided from him and very good passing ability. He will stick out wide when Wisdom is pushing forward so that they can overlap and when this happens Weimann will not be afraid to whip in a low ball for the strikers similarly to the full backs. I want Weimann to use his skill to keep the ball and then try and make runs into the box. This will cause the defender to follow him and opening up space for the full back to run into. He must use his pace to outrun the full back but also his quality control of the ball to dribble round him. He will use the full back when the space has opened up. He should work with Wisdom to create space in the opposition’s box. Use Wisdom out wide to bring their full back to him so Weimann can run into the box with less challenge. If that doesn’t work then he should bring the full back to him and then use Wisdom. When we’re off the ball I want him to make runs back to help protect the defence by helping Wisdom cover their full back. They should both pressurise him to make a mistake or remove the ball from that area. Weimann should also be cautious of the other midfielders. When defending a corner he should stay just outside the box so that he can start a counter attack when or if we win the ball back. I expect Weimann to help out defensively.

I would like Cavaleiro to do the same as Weimann in this case however as a left winger he is being used as he has the necessary pace to beat full backs and combines trickery with accurate passing and crossing. He is able to use both feet which be be very handy. Cavaleiro will usually stick to the wing and will look to run at the full back who i expect to be Ivanovic and will confuse the defender by cutting both inside and outside and knocking in lower crosses. When he is in a shooting ability he will look to hit the corners. When attacks are going on Cavaleiro will help out defensively.

Carroll should use his pace and strength to make runs into the box and opening up space for Campbell. He should do the same for the wingers as well. He will look to supply the ball to the wingers as well. He must make runs all around the front of the defence going right, left and centre. This will create himself as an added option for his wingers and also open up space for the other central players to run into. This will also cause his defensive midfielder to move out of position and allow our wingers to use that space by running into the centre or the other 2 central midfielders to run into.

I would like Weimann, Carroll and Cavaleiro to intersect and change positions every now and then to cause their defenders to move out of position and open up space. This will also force them to constantly adapt to changing their defensive style.

Campbell must use his pace and skill to open up spaces for the wingers and central players to run into. He should make runs to the wing forcing the centre backs out wide. Therefore players like Emre Can, Carroll and the wingers can cut into the centre and take chances by themselves. He should look to overpower their defenders with his pace and strength and height. He should constantly look to move into space to create himself as an option for the defence. He should also try and assist others in attacks. When we’re defending he should mark the player at the edge of the box. When we win the ball back he can run up to keep himself an option on the counter.

Subs

If Winning

75 Mins – Betinho for Campbell
85 Mins – De Vrij and Tiago for Cavaleiro and Weimann (Play a 6 man defence and hold on)

Captain: Carroll
Vice: Pantilimon
Pens: Campbell
FK: Campbell
CK: Cavaleiro

LSTD 1 v 2 Willy
Drogba(Piazon)
Campbell(Weimann), Kallstrom(Campbell)

A slow game with players taking it easy, neither really dominated but Willy took the win, Drogba gave LSTD the lead with a lovely through ball from Piazon. but Willys team came back in the second half with Campbell and Kallstrom with two quick fore goals assisted respectively by Weimann and Campbell himself. Wouldnt read too much into this friendly as really it was all about fitness

MOTM - A lively second half by Campbell shaded it over young Piazon

My intentions are to pack the midfield with Hiljemark, Biglia and Blind protecting the back-three of Reyes, Gouweleeuw and Rekik.

Should read
My intentions are to pack the midfield with Hiljemark, Biglia and RITZMAIER protecting the back-three of Reyes, Gouweleeuw and Rekik.



No probs if the game is forfit