FARCELONA vs. Whoever TBag's Team is Impersonating.
(4-3-3)
--------------------------Speroni-------------------------------
Arbeloa------Martinez------San Jose------Balenziga
------------------Tiago-----------Gabi------------------------
---------------------G. Dos Santos--------------------------
-----Tello---------------Bamford---------J. Dos Santos-
Subs - Gil, Gurpegi, Cuenca, Kent, Arduriz
Tactics -
General - Game today is really to get the four front men on the ball and in the game, relying on their ability to secure the goods up front, whilst the other 6 create a defensive platform upon which the attackers can spring off from without fearing counters and such.
Defence -
FBs are to be relatively reserved, which really plays into their hands here today because they're getting on in years, and Arbeloa's talents have always been defensive as oppose to offensive. The deep lying nature of the FBs is to encourage TBag's forward, opening up space at the far end of the pitch for our front three to exploit. I've seen Kurzawa is out, and I'm assuming he's TBag's first choice LB, so hopefully he has to play an inexperienced one who should be eager to get forward, falling into our cunning trap!
CBs - Inigo Martinez will mark the point man if TBag plays one up top. Martinez will mvoe out to meet the threat higher up the pitch, with San Jose just behind him to mop up.
Martinez should look to win the ball on the initial phase of the defence. Should he be beaten San Jose will look to shepherd the attacker away from goal, slowing the attack down, allowing Martinez to recover and get a second chance of winning the ball.
Should the point striker run past Martinez for a through ball, San Jose will immediately pick him up, chasing him back to goal, whilst Martinez will look to close off the pass through. This is because, as I said above, San Jose will be sitting a bit deeper, giving him a 10 yard head start on any runs the strikers will be attempting to make.
Midfield -
Tiago and Gabi offer a solid base to build from, passing ability and a reserved nature in their play should see them control the centre. Sitting just in front fo the CBs, they should close the space behind them down for TBag's creative players to work in between the lines. As with the defence, these two will always sit deep, offering a block to TBag's forward forays.
However, just because they're sitting deep doesn't blunt their attack, both can spray balls long and should look to hit the spaces (hopefully) left out wide by TBag's FBs being pulled forward. If they can't do this, the ball should go to GDS.
Dos Santos (G.) should look to immediately turn and run directly at TBag's defensive midfielders. He has the skill and pace to beat a man so if he's doing this constantly then eventually he'll break through into the danger zone. Once he's clear of the midfielders he needs to pick the correct pass, and the correct pass is dependent on the space available.
If the FBs have gone forward for TBag, there will be a period of time when the wings are open and free, when this is the case Di's two wingers will be moving out wide, at this point, out wide is the correct pass. Once it's out wide, GDS should lurk on the edge of the box for rebounds and cut backs.
If Baggy's FBs have recovered, the wingers will be looking to move into a narrower trident with Bamford, in which case he needs to keep running at the defence until a CB engages him, the pass is then made into the space left by the engaging CB.
Strikers -
Apologies Welshy, this is basically a copy and paste of my own Stockport tactics for this bit, I feel like it's a tactical ploy that should work and is flexible to the situation of the game.
A narrow, trident in attack, is how these three will start off. But should a Basin-and-Toilet FB charge forward, Tello and JDS shouldn't be afraid to drift wide, demand the ball, and drag a CB out into the wing position (putting Bamford and the second striker (Tello/JDS) up against one CB). Should the ball come out wide to one of these two, Bamford will run to the front post (I expect the CB that's left in the box will follow him) and JDS/Tello will got to the far post (the FB on his side may chase him, but Tello/JDS should have the advantage of moving first and reaching the post unmarked because of it.
Should the BlazingSmoke FBs stay deep, the trinity will move centrally, working within the width of the penalty area. This will mean two BasicallyStoke players (the FBs) are completely out the game, sitting deep to mark no-one. It also means we should have a numerical advantage up top (3 attackers (+ GDS) against 2 CBs) so it's a case of pass, move, through ball. All the intricate play that these three are more than capable of pulling off. GDS will also be involved if the attack is coming through centrally, trying to pull a CB out of the defensive line and opening up space to exploit.
Before the ball has reached the front three, who will tend to be level with each other when they attack, Tello and JDS can drop a little deep, adding numbers to our passing game and working in the space between the lines of midfield and defence. All three need to put in a shift closing down the defenders who receive back passes.
FL Fart team vs Sekhukhune Lions
----------------------1. Jefferson---------------------
2. Carvajal---17. Zapata---16. Rojo---3. Armero
--------------------5. Cambiasso----------------------
-----------8. Lampard----19. Yaya Toure----------
7. Menez---------9. Morata-------10. Ronaldinho
4-3-3 for my men this week, we're fairly low on numbers with last week’s star man Wijnaldum out injured and Pirlo, Mexes and James all sold to make room for a big new signing who unfortunately didn’t arrive in time to play today.
Jefferson starts in goal to celebrate his real-life promotion to Brazil's #1 shirt in Dunga's new-look squad. Playing behind an excellent back 4 he'll act as an ordinary keeper without any of these modern "sweeper keeper" fancies. He's a great shot stopper and commands his area well.
The back four are all quick, all fairly young and all powerful runners. Carvajal and Armero will get up and down the line all match long, whereas Zapata and Rojo are both fast and aggressive and will look to dominate the Lions’ attack in the air and on the ground. They’ll sit reasonably deep given that the Lions don’t tend to play an orthodox striker, denying space in and around the box for the Lions midfielders to play the ball into. We’ll look to win the ball back in our own half and counter at pace while the multitude of Lions midfielders are banked in front of our defence; Zapata and Rojo will distribute the ball quickly to the flanks.
The midfield contains enormous guile and experience, and no small amount of skill. Cambiasso will harry and keep things simple, whereas Lampard is returned to his more natural advanced midfield position. He’s free to dictate the tempo with incisive passes out to the flanks before making his trademark late surges into the box. Toure will do his usual thing, dominating his opposite number and being a frightening source of pace and power on the counter. He’ll be expected to bomb forwards and support the strikers but also to help Cambiasso give the Lions midfield no space to operate in.
Up front we have a bag of tricks. Menez is flamboyant, lightning quick and capable of just about anything. Ronaldinho we all know is a box of tricks who can turn a game on its head in an instant. Morata is an excellent young all-round striker who will lead the line while Menez looks to get in behind and Ronaldinho drops deep in search of the ball. Both wide men will have licence to roam as they see fit, switching flanks at will, pulling the Lions back line out of position and causing havoc. Menez and Ronaldinho will have a field day pulling the defence all over the shop and leaving massive gaps for Lampard, Morata and Toure to exploit.
This week I'll bring on utility man Adam Matthews for his debut after 70 minutes to replace Carvajal, and Mario Pugliese will come on for Lampard after 80. He’ll be expected to sit a little deeper alongside Cambiasso, inverting the midfield triangle. Pugliese is a canny and composed passer of the ball and I’ll ask him to retain possession in our own half, and when we’re in possession higher up the pitch he’ll look to play through balls to our front men.
Captain: Yaya Toure
Pens: Ronaldinho
FKs: Ronaldinho
Corners: Ronaldinho
SUBS
33. Sam Johnstone
12. Adam Matthews (on for Carvajal, 70)
13. Jeffrey Bruma
23. Mario Pugliese (on for Lampard, 80)
28. Andreas Pereira
GW8
Blyth vs Pride 4-3-3
.................Howard.........
Maggio...Barzagli..Rugani...Robertson
....................De Jong..................
...........Gauld............Cristante.........
Berardi..........Destro..............Insigne
Subs: Rubinho, Souttar, Palombo, Dongou, Neilton
Capt: De Jong
Freekicks: Insigne
Corners: Insigne
Pens: Destro
Hit heavily today through injuries and suspensions so going for a youthful attacking line-up, will play fast paced free flowing football as we look to take the game to gáy-pride. Should be some good match-ups on the pitch and I think we have enough quality to swing a close game in our favour.
Howard: Makes his debut today after signing from Fart. Big and strong and a good shot stopper will command his area and marshal the defence. Tourettes will be encouraged and if he takes a for calling the ref a mother fúcker then so be it.
Maggio/Robertson: Normally given licence to push on but today will be more disciplined and stay back as lets be honest Robben is Prides only hope of victory. whichever flank he patrols our full back will stick to him and give him snidey kicks to see if he really is made of glass, Don't dive in as if you miss he'll be away but feel free to bring him down.
Barzagli/Rugani: Barz will man to man mark Immobile be like a second skin and basically rough him up in close in quarters, trying to put him off his usual game, force him to play with his back to goal and slow down their attacks, with the ball Barz will keep it simple with short crisp passing. Rugani will be the spare man and use zonal marking tracking runners and tidying up any lose balls, more comfortable in possession will be allowed to carry the ball out Baresi style. Both men will push up for all set-pieces as Maggio/Robertson cover.
De Jong: The enforcer of the side, will look to go head to head with Mascherano (if he plays Midfield not if Pride does a Barca and plays him CB) control the centre of the pitch and control the game so De Jong will need a real performance today.
Cristante: Milan starlet and one of about 50 Pirlo heirs, will get to match himself with his idol. Sits in the middle of the park dictating the pace of the game 2 footed so will get the ball down and spread it around the park trying to stretch prides midfield and defence
Gauld: playing deeper than usual and being asked to perform a duty he's not usually accustomed to doing, will be asked to play the box to box role, he may not have the defensive skills but all he has to do is add pressure to their ball holders and track runs, unless your called Glen Johnson how hard can it be? with the ball he has fantastic technique will look to run with the ball, drawing tackles/fouls from Prides strong but not especially quick centre mids.
Berardi/Insigne: Have them lined up as wingers but really they're more like inside forwards that will push out wide when we have the ball to try and over-load the opposition defence, both are full of tricks and can over play the game at times but their direct running and going for goal can pay dividends and should be encouraged
Destro: focal point for the attack will spend a lot of time back to goal holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Has a good touch and a decent scoring record so can play the lone striker role well enough. Will look to split the centre backs and force one of them to make a decision on who's marking him, full of running will look to drag his marker out of position for Berardi and Insigne to cut into that space
Subs: 65 mins regardless
all my game changers are out so subs are like for like to give us fresh legs
Neilton > Berardi The "new Neymar" will come slot straight into Berardi's position, no system changes
Doungou > Destro again like for like, squat and strong the bull like striker will be more like a battering ram charging at a tiring defence
The end
Colchester United v SWINDON TOWN
----------------------Stekelenburg
--------------Schär------------Hinteregger
Jedvaj-----------------------------------------Schennikov
--------------------------------Bentaleb
-----------------Denís Suárez
---Kampl------------Óliver Torres------------Tadic
----------------------------Saviola
Subs: Zelenika, Márquez, Engels, Horvath, Ould-Chikh
Tactics: We’ve picked a team where all 11 are comfortable on the ball. We’ve a composed defence, starting with probably the most experienced and assured keeper in the league in Stekelenburg in goal. Stekelenburg is an intelligent keeper who dominates his area – gives good, clear instructions to his defenders, and distributes the ball well.
In central defence we have a strong International pairing. Both do the simple things right, no fuss, and both will look to play the ball with composure, work together and anticipate through balls through to the opposition’s forwards. Both also have good height so are strong in the air to deal with any aerial threats they may come up against. Both Schär and Hinteregger have the ball playing ability to bring the ball out of defence, and create forward momentum from the back. Both will go up for corners in the opposition’s penalty box.
Our full backs are strong, pacy and intelligent. They’ll look to put the opposition’s wingers (or inside right/left forwards under pressure – trying to either take their attackers into positions where they cannot get the ball into our area – or if necessary force them inside where Bentaleb and Suárez will look to dispossess them. Whilst both first and foremost should concentrate on their defensive play, Jedvaj and Schennikov have the pace to provide overlaps for Kampl and Tadic, in the knowledge that Bentaleb’s presence is there to support the centre backs should we be ht on the counter.
Bentaleb will be the defensive midfielder. Covering all along the line – looking to support the centre backs and full backs. He’ll look to play good short passes into Suárez or well-timed balls out to Kampl and Tadic. When Schär and Hinteregger go up for corners Bentaleb will remain defensive and cover any counter attacks.
Suárez will combine well with Bentaleb and between the 2 of them we will hope for a good deal of possession. Suárez has an awesome turn of pace and will look to find the space to make progress into the oppositions half – from where he’ll look to bring Torres and Suarez into the game with precise 1-2s and well placed and timed through balls. Suarez will also look to bring Kampl and Tadic into the game – by slotting the ball into spaces where they can make runs into the danger areas or look to get crosses into the box.
Kampl and Tadic will constantly look to make themselves available to their teammates – they’ll work with our fullbacks to run into space and look for the return pass. They’ll look to beat the oppositions fullbacks on pace and skill and send dangerous crosses into the penalty area. They’ll also use their pace to come in – play 1-2s with Suarez/Torres to look to create chances for themselves or Suarez/Torres and Saviola. Kampl is insanely talented. Powerful and incredibly quick, he is literally a steamroller when running at a defence and the opponent’s left back will have to be up to the challenge. As a player who can also play as a sole forward he also knows exactly how to score when given the opportunity. Tadic meanwhile is full of pace, and full of tricks – a real whippersnapper with a hunger for creating and scoring goals.
Torres will play in the attacking midfield position – a little dropped off from Saviola – he will look to exploit any space in front of and between the oppositions defence. play well placed and well-timed through balls for Saviola – or look to create the space for himself – by working with his teammates to create accurate opportunities on goal. Torres will also like to interchange with Saviola making it difficult for the opposition to pick him up, or at very least allowing someone like Saviola to lose his marker. Torres is the ultimate box of tricks; watch out for him bamboozling his opponent. His opponent’s better watch the ball not the player or else Torres will run riot in his offensive role.
Saviola plays up front, and boy we have got fireworks on our hands here. Lightning pace and a footballing brain that others can one weep off. Working in tandem with Torres they’ll fluctuate between which one is the most advance. Looking the ball off of Suarez, or the two wide men, maybe Saviola will pick the ball up deep and play a sublime 1-2 with Torres before smashing one in the back of the net. Or maybe he’ll drift wide to the left, slipping the simplest of touches back in to the incoming and clear on target path of Suarez or Torres. Or maybe he’ll use all his guile in and around the penalty box to gratefully receive the ball into his feet from those talented players around him, or run onto one of their sublime through balls.
Swindon
Captain: Saviola
Free Kicks: Tadic
Corners: Kampl/Tadic
GREAT SCOTTPORT! vs. Fishguard AFC
What do you call a Fishguard when it's at work? A net! Wahey!
--------------------------Forster--------------------------
Clyne---------Ginter------------Fonte---------Durm
----------------------Schneiderlin-----------------------
--------------Rakitic-------------Hughes---------------
---Deulofeu----------Lambert-----------Draxler----
Subs - Horn, Lascelles, Reed, Muric, Ings
Tactics -
General - Welshy always sets his team up for a tactical battle, it's where he shines. So really, it's less about who puts out who, and more about who comes out on top in the tactical shuffle dance that we call "tactical shuffle dance".
Injuries have knocked out (at least) one of Welshy's wider defenders, and as he tends to play 3 at the back as it is, we are going to use our wingers to exploit the gaps left either side of the Welshman's defence. This is where the damage will come from for us, with two of our most dangerous players given time and space to pick out a cross, or run at pace into the penalty area and directly at Welshy's CBs.
Welshy also has changed his tactics slightly, to go all out attack with his front four or so. So I'm going to ask the defence to sit back, Clyne and Durm won't venture too far forward, and should stick to their wingers (without WBs they don't have the problem of overlapping runs).
Defence - Generally, as discussed above, Welshy doesn't tend to play with any FBs, so without any threat of an overlapping run, we can keep a nice, narrow back four, forcing the ball out wide, ensuring the main threat to deal with will be crosses. With Forster, Ginter and Fonte in the middle, we should dominate the aerial ball (and any low crosses) because they are all tall, very strong, powerful players. Forster, for example, has about 20cm on Finbogason who I'm assuming Welshy will play as his point man.
Clyne and Durm will keep nice and tight to Fonte and Ginter, this will close gaps in the middle and naturally make the ball move out wide. This, as I said, plays into our hands. These two won't be asked to break forward, because, with no FBs to beat, the wingers shouldn't be needing their help to beat a man. However, if Welshy's CBs start as a fairly wide three, they should try and get up, just behind the wingers, for 'give and goes' to get beyond the enemy CBs.
Ginter and Fonte will keep a relatively deep line, this again will force the ball out wide as the chances of Fishguard getting through the middle are dampened (i.e. there can be no cheeky through balls played behind us). Once the ball goes wide, Ginter will be the one go for the ball at the near post because he's the powerful strong defender who should win everything. Fonte will be marking the opposition striker, keeping close enough to a) prevent the striker getting in Ginter's path, allowing a clean clearance, and b) offering a distraction should Ginter fail to clear the ball, Fonte will prevent the striker having a free header on the cross.
Forster will be looking to mop up any balls that go beyond GInter, i.e. anything that goes beyond the near post. His height and power means he should be relatively unhindered in his taking of the ball.
When clearing the ball, the defence should look to get it out wide to the wingers. This is because the midfield, with Welshy's tactics, tends to be quite a congested area, whilst the wingers should be in a fair amount of space and will have time to take the ball down and pick a pass/run.
Midfield - As I said just above, the midfield tends to be a packed area when we come up against Welshy, so it's imperative that we get it out wide as quickly as possible, right into the areas where space should be available. At this point, I'm expecting Welshy's LCM/RCM to move out to meet our winger, giving us a numerical advantage (or at least equality) in the middle, so if the winger does not move forward, the ball can go right back into the middle where our players should have the quality to take the game to Fishguard.
Schneiderlin will be deep again, everyone knows his qualities as a DM so I'm not going to patronise you by telling you them. Should one of Welshy's midfielders break from deep, looking to get on the end of a cross (again, the attack that our defence will be limiting them too) Schneiderlin will chase back, ensuring they won't get a free header. What mustn't be forgetten about the Frenchman is he's a fantastic passer of the ball, so once the wingers have dragged a Fishguard midfielder out of position, he must get involved with the play to ensure the numbers game we've just set up isn't wasted. Sitting deeper than the other two, he offers an option if there are no runs to find or Rakitic/Hughes is put under too much pressure.
Hughes and Rakitic will sit slightly more advanced, and from here they must be looking to play the wingers in at every opportunity. Both are technically superb passers, being able to pass, control, and move in tight areas, even under pressure. So they should work the ball around until the opportunity to spray it out wide once the space has opened up for Draxler or Deulofeu.
Once that ball has gone, they need to move into space, just incase the Double D's can't move forward, offering an option to keep the ball and restart the move.
Once the ball has gone wide, and the wingers have decided to move forward rather than play it back into the middle, Rakitic must follow the run, lurking at the edge of the box for pull backs and rebounds. His cannon of a shot should provide a distinct threat to Welshy's goal. Hughes sits back with Schneiderlin just to negate any counter attacks.
Strikers - As discussed above, Deulofeu and Draxler will be starting out wide in the space that is naturally left by Fishguard's attack -3-5-2 formation. From here, they need to make a choice, a) run at the Fishguard defence, b) cross it in for Lambert (near post) opposite winger (far post) or c) realise that the space and move is breaking down, so draw out a Fishguard CM, and play it back in to Hughes/Rakitic to restart the attack against a now numerically weakened Fishguard midfield.
I'll just quickly run through these scenarios to show what our attackers should be doing:
A) If Draxler or Deulofeu choose to run at the CBs, they need, first and foremost, to get into the box, making it suddenly a lot harder to take the ball of them safely. They need to keep the actual running loose, I'm not going to demand they get to the by line and cut it back every time, and likewise I'm not askign them to cut inside and have a shot, do whatever feels right at the time.
When they start moving into the box, Lambert needs to move towards the six yard box towards front post for any rebounds or short passes into that danger area. The opposite winger needs to do the same as Lambert, but towards the back post offering an option should the ball go beyond Lambert, it should offer him an easy finish. Rakitic should be around the D, with all the defenders rushing back to deal with the three attackers now in advanced positions, I expect him to find space enough to take a touch and power a shot in from any pull backs from the wingers.
B) Crossing should be looking to find Lambert at the near post, Lambert needs to try and move back, pulling the defenders away from that area, before rushing forward to try and isolate the RCB/LCB depending on which side the ball is coming from. The opposite winger should be making a late run into the box, the late run allows the winger to build up speed and momentum for a header at the far post - This momentum is all important because against the two CBs that Lambert has dragged to that side they wouldn't otherwise have a chance of winning it.
C) passing it back, the ball should come out to them fairly quickly, if they are closed down before they can move forward, they need to get the closing midfielder right out position, before getting the ball back to Rakitic and Hughes (who will have moved out to offer an option). This gives the midfield a (sorry to use this term again ) numerical advantage because the winger has pulled one of Welshy's four (he usually uses 4, but with Klassen out it may be less, exacerbating the problems we're causing here ) well out of position.
As this is happening, Lambert needs to be getting right on the shoulder of the defenders, pushing them back making sure they can't compensate for Welshy's depleted midfield. The winger on the other side needs to get right out wide, right into the space so that when the ball comes back into the middle, Rakitic/Hughes can immediately have an option to keep the move going at pace.
Subs -
Losing/Drawing -
60 - Ings on for Lambert. Ings is much faster, and probably a better finisher than Lambert, however he lacks his power and heading ability. This means we should focus on getting the two wingers running at the defenders, using Ings' threat of pace to pin them right back.
80 - Muric on for Schneiderlin. Muric out to LW, performs Draxler's role. Draxler goes into a No.10 position in a 4-2-3-1 with Rakitic and Hughes getting forward. We need all three of the attacking midfielders to run at the defence, who, against Ing's pace, will be dropping deep opening up space between the Fishguard midfield and defence.
Winning -
70 - Muric on for Deulofeu - Draxler swaps to RW, Muric LW. Just fresh legs to ensure that a plan that is evidently working so far is kept at a high pace.
80 - Ings on for Lambert - Ings' pace keeps defence's naturally deep, ensuring Welshy can't pressurise high up the pitch and won't be able to throw the kitchen sink at us in the last minutes for fear of having the game totally killed off.
Stockport County v FISHGUARD SPORTS
Captain: Blind
Free Kicks: Hojbjerg
Pens: Finnbogason
Corners: Meleg/Fischer
----------------------Rajkovic
--------------Veltman------------Blind
van Beek---------------------------------------Aké
------------------Bazoer
------------------------------Höjbjerg
---Meleg------------Andersen------------Fischer
---------------------Finnbogason
Subs: van der Hart, Reyes, Scholl, Tankovic, Jovic
Tactics: We’ve picked a team where all 11 are comfortable on the ball. We’ve a composed defence, starting with a young but very assured keeper in Rajkovic in goal. Rajkovic is an intelligent keeper who dominates his area – gives good, clear instructions to his defenders, and distributes the ball well.
In central defence we have a strong International pairing. Both do the simple things right, no fuss, and both will look to play the ball with composure, work together and anticipate through balls through to the opposition’s forwards. Both also have good height so are strong in the air to deal with any aerial threats they may come up against. Both Veltman and Blind have the ball playing ability to bring the ball out of defence, and create forward momentum from the back. Both will go up for corners in the opposition’s penalty box.
Our full backs are strong, pacy and intelligent. They’ll look to put the opposition’s wingers (or inside right/left forwards under pressure – trying to either take their attackers into positions where they cannot get the ball into our area – or if necessary force them inside where Bazoer and Höjbjerg will look to dispossess them. Whilst both first and foremost should concentrate on their defensive play, van Beek and Ake have the pace to provide overlaps for Meleg and Fischer, in the knowledge that Bazoer’s presence is there to support the centre backs should we be ht on the counter.
Bazoer will be the defensive midfielder. Covering all along the line – looking to support the centre backs and full backs. He’ll look to play good short passes into Höjbjerg or well-timed balls out to Meleg and Fischer. When Veltman and Blind go up for corners Bazoer will remain defensive and cover any counter attacks.
Höjbjerg will combine well with Bazoer and between the 2 of them we will hope for a good deal of possession. Höjbjerg has an awesome turn of pace and will look to find the space to make progress into the oppositions half – from where he’ll look to bring Andersen and Finnbogason into the game with precise 1-2s and well placed and timed through balls. Höjbjerg will also look to bring Meleg and Fischer into the game – by slotting the ball into spaces where they can make runs into the danger areas or look to get crosses into the box.
Meleg and Fischer will constantly look to make themselves available to their teammates – they’ll work with our fullbacks to run into space and look for the return pass. They’ll look to beat the oppositions fullbacks on pace and skill and send dangerous crosses into the penalty area. They’ll also use their pace to come in – play 1-2s with Höjbjerg/Andersen to look to create chances for themselves or Höjbjerg/Andersen and Finnbogason. Meleg is extremely talented. Powerful and incredibly quick, he is literally a steamroller when running at a defence and the opponent’s left back will have to be up to the challenge. As a player who can also play as a sole forward he also knows exactly how to score when given the opportunity. Fischer meanwhile is full of pace, and full of tricks – a real whippersnapper with a hunger for creating and scoring goals.
Andersen will play in the attacking midfield position – a little dropped off from Finnbogason – he will look to exploit any space in front of and between the oppositions defence. play well placed and well-timed through balls for Finnbogason– or look to create the space for himself – by working with his teammates to create accurate opportunities on goal. Andersen is the ultimate box of tricks; watch out for him bamboozling his opponent. His opponent’s better watch the ball not the player or else Andersen will run riot in his offensive role.
Finnbogason plays up front, and he’s what is known as a complete centre forward. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he is extremely dangerous when dropping deep and running at the defence with the ball in possession. He is also a big strong lad, and centre backs are not used to playing against a forward who is gifted but also has a certain ruggedness about his style. He’s also fantastic in the air, and a deadly finisher.
Subs:
Tankovic on for Andersen in the 70th minute, Jovic on for Finnbogason on the 85th minute
For the benefit of Haak, post match
Sekhukhune Lions
General
Captain: Ospina
Vice Captain: Krychowiak
Penalties: Krychowiak
Corners: Calhanoglu
Freekicks: Calhanoglu
Starting Line-Up: 1-4-3-3
------------------------Ospina--------------------------
--------Gouweleeuw-----------Dragovic-------------
Aurier----------------------------------------Ghoulam
---------------------Krychowiak------------------------
----------Jorginho-----------------Sertic---------------
Sterling-------------------------------------Calhanoglu
----------------------Lacazette-------------------------
Subs:
Stark
Coric
Akinfenwa
Kostic
Benzia
Tactics
I’ve broken down our game-plan into 3 key phases that are important in the way we play the game.
Ideally we are a lightening quick transition footballing team that presses from the front and high up the pitch so effectively we will look to win the ball as close to their goal as possible or move the ball up the pitch towards the opposition’s goal as quickly as possible and score. This does not mean regular long punts up the field but by using the quickness of our one touch, short passing game and using the pace & dribbling ability of the attacking players. However when we do not win the ball from our initial press, we will revert to our defensive block to limit the opposition’s chances of scoring. Everything is done as a team. We defend and attack as a collective unit, limiting the space between the lines in which the opposition plays in.
The Offensive Organisation:
This is the general shape, movement & positioning of the team when we are in a long spell of possession and in the attacking phase. When in attack we will get forward in numbers, using the footballing intelligence & movement of our attacking midfielders & striker to create passing angles and overloads in the opposition’s area of the pitch both out wide and in central zones, looking to drag the opposition’s players out of position and exploiting the space they leave open. When the opposition is using a deep defensive block to shut out our team we will use our fullbacks to create numbers out wide to stretch the opposition (this will be assisted by our CDM splitting the CBs wider allowing the FBs to move up the pitch) simultaneously using our wide-forward to cut inside to create overloads in the central areas giving us a number’s advantage. When creating chances from the wide areas with the FBs or WFs, we will mostly use cutbacks instead of crosses but can use crosses when the perfect opportunity arises. Making runs behind the defence and beyond the striker is not prohibited by our attacking midfielders. There is a lot freedom in the movement of our striker & attacking midfielders. No one player is restricted to a specific zone on the field or specific task. All four attackers (Sterling, Ziyech, Calhanoglu & Lacazette) will either be provider or finisher with Jorginho providing the support needed and Krychowiak anchoring the midfield and supporting the centre backs. This is why the four of them have similar attributes, to make our style of play fluid & effortless when in a long spell of possession. Shooting from outside the box is not prohibited either. Remember that our players will also press instantly from the front when we lose possession of the ball but also retreat back to our defensive block when we don’t recover the ball from our initial press.
The Offensive & Defensive Transitions:
This is the players’ movements & reactions when moving from defence to attack & back again, whilst illustrating the movement of the ball and this is arguably the most important aspect of our game. Winning the ball back when your opposition is disorganized is the perfect moment you have to benefit from the game. We will aim for rapid movement up the pitch, with progressive passing to exploit the space left by the opposition. Whether it is from our defensive third of the pitch or whether we have won the ball back in our attacking third of the pitch we will exploit the disorganization of the opposition. We expect most of our attacking play will be as a result of our aggressive high press so we will use the following 3 triggers for pressing the opponent from the front:
1. The ball is played to a player facing his own goal
2. The ball is played to a player against the sidelines (using the sideline as an extra man in our favour)
3. A difficult bouncing ball is played to a player facing his own goal.
When any of these 3 triggers are errr…triggered, the players closest to the ball will press quickly and in numbers and another 2 or 3 players will hold of slightly adding depth to the press and closing down the easy option pass of the opposition. Once we win possession of the ball, we break in numbers again exploiting the opposition with either the pace of our attack and/or our quick one-touch passing. We also understand that we will not always get it right when pressing the opposition so will employ a 5-second rule on pressing from the front after which, if we did not win back possession of the football, we will revert to our defensive block. If we don’t win the ball after our initial phase of pressing it is imperative that the players work their way back into our defensive zone of the pitch and close the space that the opposition will look to play in. This must be done with the same speed at which we look to initiate our attacks. Close the space quickly and look to frustrate the opposition with intelligent positioning and non-fairy like tackling before winning the ball back and breaking forward at rapid speed again. We will compact the central zones and force the opposition wide where the quality of the chances are not as high and thus limiting the chances of breaking through our midfield and scoring against us. With regards to attacking from deep, long diagonal balls and quick releases are not prohibited as well when the perfect opportunity arises. Our forwards have the pace to run onto the through-balls.
Defensive Organization:
This is the team’s general shape and positioning when the opponents have the ball. Remember this is our defensive block we go into if we could not win the ball through our pressing phase. As a team we will defend deep in our half and close the space in the middle of the pitch. We will try to force our opponents to the wide areas of the pitch where their impact on the game should be minimal. Also when forcing the opposition closer to the touchlines, we will use the touch line as an extra-man and press them so that we can win possession of the football. More often than not we will outnumber the opponent when they are close to the touchline. The defence will always be organized and focused at all times. If the play is on the left of the field the team as a whole will move towards the left and squeeze the space and vice versa if the play is on the right. We more often than not will try to force our opponents to play hopeful crosses into our box where we have 2 towering CBs who are great at dealing with crosses. If a cross is coming from the right our LB will also move into the box to help deal with crosses and vice versa if the cross is coming from the left. The midfielders will be in & around the box pressing the opponent should they try to play it through the centre. Our wide forwards will help the midfield in closing the space in the centre and then proceed to help the fullback after we have moved the opponent towards the touchline. The wide-forwards are the real work horses in the team and I have 2 very good, hard-working wide-forwards. Our striker will also drop into our half to help the midfield press the opposition’s defence. Also the reasoning behind dropping the striker deep is to draw the opponent’s defence away from their goal creating ample space for us to counter attack.
Substitutions:
62-65min – Kostic for Sertic, to get fresh legs out wide and switch into a 1-4-2-3-1 with Calhanoglu taking up the CAM position.
75-77 min – Stark to replace Krychowiak to get some fresh legs in midfield.
80-82 min – Benzia for Calhanoglu to get some fresh legs upfront alongside Lacazette.
Week 8 - FC Pride
------------------------Enyeama------------------------
Janko----------Luisao---------Omerou------Oczipka
---------Kouyate-----Mascherano------Pirlo----------
------------Robben--------------T.Hazard-----------
-----------------------Immobile------------------------
Subs: Abidal, Rosicky, Lawrence, Green, Lingard
Squad: Areola, Ondoa, Abidal, Kouyate, James, Perrey, Schöpf, Suliman, Rowe, Robert, Roberts, Baker
Injuries: Samper, Wilson, Halilovic, Britton
Enyema takes his place in goal, he's and ever present at club and international level and has the experience needed to command his defence. He'll be looking to claim aerial balls and play the ball out to feet rather than hitting it long.
Janko and Oczipka take up the fullback positions. Oczipka is very much the modern attacking fullback though he is also good defensively. He has excellent positional awareness and gets up and down the pitch tirelessly. Janko is a beast with similar attributes as well as being solid. The fullbacks will provide width to our attacks, working in unison with the wide forwards.
Luisao and Omerou take up the cb slots. Luisao is a leader who is big, strong and powerful and has bags of experience. Omerou is a strong and quick, upcoming defender who is already a fully fledged international.
Mascherano will take up the defensive midfield role. He's an intelligent player who has ability with the ball at his feet. It's very difficult to get past him. When the fullbacks push on, Mascherano will sit between the 2 centre backs creating a back 3.
Kouyate and Pirlo will take up their midfield roles either side of Mascherano. Kouyate has been likened to Patrick Vieria in his heyday. He's strong, fast and can get up and down the pitch, he'll help keep us solid in the middle of the pitch. Pirlo is the the man with magic at his feet. He will set the tempo of our play. He'll make the passes that make us tick, slowing the game down if we're under pressure or being more direct if the counter attack is on.
Robben and T.Hazard occupy the wide midfield roles, both are very capable assisters but also have an eye for goal. Everyone knows Robben as one of the current best wingers in the world. Both men will be very important in linking the midfield and the attack. They will have a very high work rate today.
Immobile leads the line, he's young and quick with an eye for goal. He's a goalscorer who's also very good with the ball at his feet. He is capable of creating a chance for himself or holding the ball up for supporting players to join the attack.
We have a tough away trip this week so we've moved away from our overly gung-ho way of playing. We're going to be a bit narrower to force our opponents into wider areas of the pitch. I feel we have plenty of strength, height and experience to be able to deal with balls into our box, they'll find it very difficult to get in behind us and should ultimately not have space to create chances.
We're going to let our opponents have the ball in their own half, we won't start to press and close them down until they move into our half. This should help us in terms of counter attack as they will feel like they can push out and leave gaps in behind for us to exploit. As soon as we win the ball, our wide men will push forward, with Immobile coming to receive the ball. He'll have options left and right and also back to Pirlo or Kouyate in the centre of the pitch.
We're keen to keep the ball on the deck and not give the ball away needlessly. Aerial balls will only come when Pirlo receives possession on the counter and there is room for our attacking players to run into in behind. Otherwise we'll look to play in triangles and make our opponents chase the ball.
Captain: Pirlo
Penalties: Robben
Freekicks: Pirlo
Subs after 75 mins if losing:
Move to 4-2-3-1
Rosicky on for Kouyate, cool head to find a killer ball
Green on for Hazard, lightning pace
-----Masch---Pirlo
Rob------Ros------Gre
----------Imm
If winning/drawing:
Lingard on for Hazard to add more energy
GREAT SCOTTPORT! vs. Fishguard AFC
What do you call a Fishguard when it's at work? A net! Wahey!
--------------------------Forster--------------------------
Clyne---------Ginter------------Fonte---------Durm
----------------------Schneiderlin-----------------------
--------------Rakitic-------------Hughes---------------
---Deulofeu----------Lambert-----------Draxler----
Subs - Horn, Lascelles, Reed, Barmby, Ings
Tactics -
General - Welshy always sets his team up for a tactical battle, it's where he shines. So really, it's less about who puts out who, and more about who comes out on top in the tactical shuffle dance that we call "tactical shuffle dance".
Injuries have knocked out (at least) one of Welshy's wider defenders, and as he tends to play 3 at the back as it is, we are going to use our wingers to exploit the gaps left either side of the Welshman's defence. This is where the damage will come from for us, with two of our most dangerous players given time and space to pick out a cross, or run at pace into the penalty area and directly at Welshy's CBs.
Welshy also has changed his tactics slightly, to go all out attack with his front four or so. So I'm going to ask the defence to sit back, Clyne and Durm won't venture too far forward, and should stick to their wingers (without WBs they don't have the problem of overlapping runs).
Defence - Generally, as discussed above, Welshy doesn't tend to play with any FBs, so without any threat of an overlapping run, we can keep a nice, narrow back four, forcing the ball out wide, ensuring the main threat to deal with will be crosses. With Forster, Ginter and Fonte in the middle, we should dominate the aerial ball (and any low crosses) because they are all tall, very strong, powerful players. Forster, for example, has about 20cm on Finbogason who I'm assuming Welshy will play as his point man.
Clyne and Durm will keep nice and tight to Fonte and Ginter, this will close gaps in the middle and naturally make the ball move out wide. This, as I said, plays into our hands. These two won't be asked to break forward, because, with no FBs to beat, the wingers shouldn't be needing their help to beat a man. However, if Welshy's CBs start as a fairly wide three, they should try and get up, just behind the wingers, for 'give and goes' to get beyond the enemy CBs.
Ginter and Fonte will keep a relatively deep line, this again will force the ball out wide as the chances of Fishguard getting through the middle are dampened (i.e. there can be no cheeky through balls played behind us). Once the ball goes wide, Ginter will be the one go for the ball at the near post because he's the powerful strong defender who should win everything. Fonte will be marking the opposition striker, keeping close enough to a) prevent the striker getting in Ginter's path, allowing a clean clearance, and b) offering a distraction should Ginter fail to clear the ball, Fonte will prevent the striker having a free header on the cross.
Forster will be looking to mop up any balls that go beyond GInter, i.e. anything that goes beyond the near post. His height and power means he should be relatively unhindered in his taking of the ball.
When clearing the ball, the defence should look to get it out wide to the wingers. This is because the midfield, with Welshy's tactics, tends to be quite a congested area, whilst the wingers should be in a fair amount of space and will have time to take the ball down and pick a pass/run.
Midfield - As I said just above, the midfield tends to be a packed area when we come up against Welshy, so it's imperative that we get it out wide as quickly as possible, right into the areas where space should be available. At this point, I'm expecting Welshy's LCM/RCM to move out to meet our winger, giving us a numerical advantage (or at least equality) in the middle, so if the winger does not move forward, the ball can go right back into the middle where our players should have the quality to take the game to Fishguard.
Schneiderlin will be deep again, everyone knows his qualities as a DM so I'm not going to patronise you by telling you them. Should one of Welshy's midfielders break from deep, looking to get on the end of a cross (again, the attack that our defence will be limiting them too) Schneiderlin will chase back, ensuring they won't get a free header. What mustn't be forgetten about the Frenchman is he's a fantastic passer of the ball, so once the wingers have dragged a Fishguard midfielder out of position, he must get involved with the play to ensure the numbers game we've just set up isn't wasted. Sitting deeper than the other two, he offers an option if there are no runs to find or Rakitic/Hughes is put under too much pressure.
Hughes and Rakitic will sit slightly more advanced, and from here they must be looking to play the wingers in at every opportunity. Both are technically superb passers, being able to pass, control, and move in tight areas, even under pressure. So they should work the ball around until the opportunity to spray it out wide once the space has opened up for Draxler or Deulofeu.
Once that ball has gone, they need to move into space, just incase the Double D's can't move forward, offering an option to keep the ball and restart the move.
Once the ball has gone wide, and the wingers have decided to move forward rather than play it back into the middle, Rakitic must follow the run, lurking at the edge of the box for pull backs and rebounds. His cannon of a shot should provide a distinct threat to Welshy's goal. Hughes sits back with Schneiderlin just to negate any counter attacks.
Strikers - As discussed above, Deulofeu and Draxler will be starting out wide in the space that is naturally left by Fishguard's attack -3-5-2 formation. From here, they need to make a choice, a) run at the Fishguard defence, b) cross it in for Lambert (near post) opposite winger (far post) or c) realise that the space and move is breaking down, so draw out a Fishguard CM, and play it back in to Hughes/Rakitic to restart the attack against a now numerically weakened Fishguard midfield.
I'll just quickly run through these scenarios to show what our attackers should be doing:
A) If Draxler or Deulofeu choose to run at the CBs, they need, first and foremost, to get into the box, making it suddenly a lot harder to take the ball of them safely. They need to keep the actual running loose, I'm not going to demand they get to the by line and cut it back every time, and likewise I'm not askign them to cut inside and have a shot, do whatever feels right at the time.
When they start moving into the box, Lambert needs to move towards the six yard box towards front post for any rebounds or short passes into that danger area. The opposite winger needs to do the same as Lambert, but towards the back post offering an option should the ball go beyond Lambert, it should offer him an easy finish. Rakitic should be around the D, with all the defenders rushing back to deal with the three attackers now in advanced positions, I expect him to find space enough to take a touch and power a shot in from any pull backs from the wingers.
B) Crossing should be looking to find Lambert at the near post, Lambert needs to try and move back, pulling the defenders away from that area, before rushing forward to try and isolate the RCB/LCB depending on which side the ball is coming from. The opposite winger should be making a late run into the box, the late run allows the winger to build up speed and momentum for a header at the far post - This momentum is all important because against the two CBs that Lambert has dragged to that side they wouldn't otherwise have a chance of winning it.
C) passing it back, the ball should come out to them fairly quickly, if they are closed down before they can move forward, they need to get the closing midfielder right out position, before getting the ball back to Rakitic and Hughes (who will have moved out to offer an option). This gives the midfield a (sorry to use this term again ) numerical advantage because the winger has pulled one of Welshy's four (he usually uses 4, but with Klassen out it may be less, exacerbating the problems we're causing here ) well out of position.
As this is happening, Lambert needs to be getting right on the shoulder of the defenders, pushing them back making sure they can't compensate for Welshy's depleted midfield. The winger on the other side needs to get right out wide, right into the space so that when the ball comes back into the middle, Rakitic/Hughes can immediately have an option to keep the move going at pace.
Subs -
Losing/Drawing -
60 - Ings on for Lambert. Ings is much faster, and probably a better finisher than Lambert, however he lacks his power and heading ability. This means we should focus on getting the two wingers running at the defenders, using Ings' threat of pace to pin them right back.
80 - Barmby on for Schneiderlin. Barmby out to LW, performs Draxler's role. Draxler goes into a No.10 position in a 4-2-3-1 with Rakitic and Hughes getting forward. We need all three of the attacking midfielders to run at the defence, who, against Ing's pace, will be dropping deep opening up space between the Fishguard midfield and defence.
Winning -
80 - Barmby on for Deulofeu - Draxler swaps to RW, Barmby LW. Just fresh legs to ensure that a plan that is evidently working so far is kept at a high pace.
80 - Ings on for Lambert - Ings' pace keeps defence's naturally deep, ensuring Welshy can't pressurise high up the pitch and won't be able to throw the kitchen sink at us in the last minutes for fear of having the game totally killed off.
--------------------------------------
I've swapped Muric for Barmby, although I suppose it's really up to Welshy and Tippy if they're happy to accept these tactics
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
______________________Navas__________________
Coleman_______Hendrix_______Can_________Shaw
_____________Tielemans_____Teixeira___________
Ward-Prowse__________Barkley____________Brandt
______________________Toni____________________
SUBS: De Santis, Sama, Crowley, Iheanacho, Dembele
Captain: James Ward-Prowse
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Luca Toni
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
General:
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition used by Dortmund, and now used by Taiwan. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with the attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Barkley and Ward-Prowse will drop back to help, Brandt stays up as the out ball and Toni prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines, and hoof up the pitch towards the strikers whenever possible. The ball must stay clear of the 18 yard box at all times. Communication is key with centre halves to avoid confusion when deciding who claims a loose ball / cross.
Hendrix and Can:
Deals with opposition attackers. Can keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Can will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Can or Tielemans will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Hendrix will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Hendrix will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Can. Can will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners.
Coleman and Shaw:
Will get forward in turns when we get possession, if they aren’t individually under too much pressure. Will sit back when without the ball, but bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. They should thump in crosses to Toni when it’s on. Shoot if there is a clear sight of goal. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Tielemans and Teixeira:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Tielemans is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Tielemans will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Teixeira will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Teixeira will be a bit ahead of Tielemans to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Tielemans stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Tielemans sticks to position when fullbacks flys forwards, providing cover if needed. Teixeira drops deeper when this happens.
Ward-Prowse, Barkley and Brandt:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Toni and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Ward-Prowse should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Toni and shoot if needed. Goes to near post to anticipate crosses. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball.
Toni:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Crowley ON
Go 4-3-3 to help keep hold of the ball and add legs into the midfield battle.
Losing:
75 mins: Teixeira OFF Dembele ON
Go 4-2-4 with Toni and Dembele centre Ward-Prowse right Brandt left. Barkley supports, Tielemans holds and sprays passes from deep.
Basingstoke Tactics (4-4-2 diamond)
-----------------------Fabianski--------------------
Johnson-------Zouma----Rekik------Kurzawa
-----------------------Carvalho------------------
---------------Vilhena-------Ramsey-----------
----------------------Quintero-------------------
----------------Austin------Boetius-------------
Subs: Mersin, Bellerin, Kallstrom, Kramer, Grimaldo
Captain - Ramsey
Vice - Zouma
All FKs & Corners - Ramsey
This week is the big one. Basingstoke Town vs The Fruit Machine. It's a big opportunity for us to show our pedigree and make a big impact in the title race. This week we have decided to try and overpower the Southend midfield, as they are notoriously powerful in this area. Our midfield has amazing quality and should have the ability to take control of the game, limiting Southends impact in the game and hopefully we can capitalize on our dominance.
GK - Standard stuff, he's a great shot stopper so needs to concentrate on his organisation skills and commanding of his area.
Full backs - Both are great athletes who can get up and down a lot. I want to see them both using their pace, stamina and power to get forward at every given opportunity. They're important for us to stretch the opposition allowing us more space in the middle where our dangerman can operate. They will be looking for the ball all the time. More vital than usual today as they will be the widest men for us throughout the game.
CBs - Zouma to play at the 'first knock defender', meaning he will be the one attacking the ball when it comes into the defence and generally going up against the attackers. This suits his game plan as he's a physical specimen and aggressive to match. Rekik will play a more reserved role, but equally important. He will be calling the line - we will be playing with a high line as we have the energy in the middle and the pace to recover if the line is beaten - and reading the game aiming to be able to cover the rest of the defence at the right times. These two are my first choice defence, and compliment each other perfectly and could be one of the best partnerships around in seasons to come.
Carvalho - Huge role in todays game plan. He's a player no-one will want to come up against and I'm looking to him to disrupt the oppositions rhymth. When the FBs are back in position he will be rampant in the MF, protecting the back 4. When the FBs are back he will drop into the defence and offer them support in numbers as he has all the attributes to play there.
Ramsey and Vilhena - Get to play their natural game today. They will dictate the play from deep often and will play as a more traditional box to box CMs, almost like they're playing in a 4-4-2, just with Carvalho behind him. It's important that if Carvalho drops into defence Ramsey makes sure he's protecting the defence, but it's his natural game to sit from deep first and attack when the time is right, so we should be tough to break down, especially given his incredible energy levels which should make it extremely tough for the opposition to play the ball in the middle, especially with our high line. When the time comes he can break forward at a decent speed and he has a knack of popping up at the right time to get important goals. Essentially the midfield energy levels and intelligence are vital today, as it will give us a solid foundation whilst also allowing us to get numbers forward to trouble the opposition.
Quintero - Second game for us today and I'm trying to get him playing his natural game and letting his talent flourish. Him, Vilhena and Ramsey will be the ones on the ball most often. He has license to come deep and pick the ball up if he likes and drive forward with it, but most of all I want him getting into the gaps left by the Southend midfield. They're not the most defensive midfield and have no natural anchorman, so there will be space for Quintero to exploit, and when he has the ball in this positions he can do it all - pick passes, beat men or hit them from distance. This variation will make him incredibly difficult to stop and will make the team less predictable as a whole. If people get drawn to Quintero, he can find the runners exploiting the space. If people back off him, he can drive forward or hit a twonker from range.
Boetius - Key role today as he is going to be our main outlet for the midfield, aside from the full backs. He basically has a free role today, allowing him to attack the opposition from anywhere along our front line. He can find the weaknesses and expose them, his movement will be key in giving us a more direct threat and giving the Southend defence something to think about, meaning they can't just push high and press us in the midfield. I have no doubt in his huge ability and I'm giving him the chance to be the game changer today, I truly believe he'll come through for me.
Austin - Just want him to play his natural game today, drifting into places where the defence don't know whether or not they should be picking him up. Holding the ball up and bringing players like Ramsey, Quintero, Vilhena & Boetius into play with his great all round play. And perhaps most importantly, getting into the area at the right times to show his composure in front of goal and get us the goals to win, which is what he does so well, time and time again.
Subs - 70 mins - Grimaldo & Kramer on for Kurzawa & Vilhena
Both changes are like for like, just to give us fresh legs and allow us to keep up with the style of play we want, whilst having genuine quality coming off the bench.
Sorry again, swapped a player only
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
______________________Navas__________________
Coleman_______Hendrix_______Can_________Shaw
_____________Tielemans__Ward-Prowse__________
Promes_______________Barkley____________Brandt
______________________Toni___________________
SUBS: De Santis, Sama, Teixeira, Iheanacho, Dembele
Captain: James Ward-Prowse
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Luca Toni
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
General:
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition used by Dortmund, and now used by Taiwan. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with the attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Barkley and Brandt will drop back to help, Promes stays up as the out ball and Toni prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines, and hoof up the pitch towards the strikers whenever possible. The ball must stay clear of the 18 yard box at all times. Communication is key with centre halves to avoid confusion when deciding who claims a loose ball / cross.
Hendrix and Can:
Deals with opposition attackers. Can keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Can will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Can or Tielemans will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Hendrix will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Hendrix will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Can. Can will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners.
Coleman and Shaw:
Will get forward in turns when we get possession, if they aren’t individually under too much pressure. Will sit back when without the ball, but bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. They should thump in crosses to Toni when it’s on. Shoot if there is a clear sight of goal. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Tielemans and Ward-Prowse:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Tielemans is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Tielemans will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Ward-Prowse will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Ward-Prowse will be a bit ahead of Tielemans to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Tielemans stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Tielemans sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Ward-Prowse drops deeper when this happens.
Promes, Barkley and Brandt:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Toni and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Brandt should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Toni and shoot if needed. Goes to near post to anticipate crosses. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball.
Toni:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Teixeira ON
Go 4-3-3 to help keep hold of the ball and add legs into the midfield battle.
Losing:
75 mins: Tielemans OFF Dembele ON
Go 4-2-4 with Toni and Dembele centre Promes right Brandt left. Barkley supports, Ward-Prowse holds and sprays passes from deep.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
what the actual fack is that mess?
I hadn't read it till now
----------------Ochoa
Janmaat--Kalas----Yepes---Balanta
----------Gerrard--Westwood
----------------Lallana
------Origi----------------Gutierrez
----------------Volland
Maguire
Silva
Aguilar
Ramos
Leckie
Our team for today is set up in a way that will lead to a strong, direct attacking style of play. Defensively we have a strong unit that will work well as a team and in midfield we are set up in a way that will compensate for each players strengths and weaknesses.
As a back four we will defend as a team. Versatility is key and a number of our players can play across the defence. We will play a flat back 4 when the other team is on the ball. Not being drawn out of position but still harrying their attackers. It is key to isolate their players and as a result mean they cannot play good football. When on the ball Janmaat will be allowed to attack the opposition and support Origi down the wing. When this is the case Balanta will come inside and we will play with a flat 3 at the back. If Janmaat is caught out of position Westwood will drop back into CB and Kalas will cover him at RB. on the ball we must be comfortable at playing from the back and being patient with our build up play. All members of the defence are capable passers and it is key that they utilise this to start attacks from the back.
Gerrard and Westwood will work as a well oiled machine in the midfield. Both are very capable on the ball and will look to start quick attacks. Westwood has the energy to compensate for Gerrard's lack of it and it will be his role to provide the dynamism in the centre of midfield. Westwood will also look to Harry the opposition midfielders when they are on the ball, forcing them into mistakes.
Lallana will look to play the free role in midfield providing attacking runs to peg back the opposition midfielders and find space for the other attackers. His runs will be intelligent and he will look to press them into submission to creat space.
Origi and Gutierrez will use a blend of pace, guile and power to run at the defence and create space for Lallana. Volland will play a unique form of target man, dropping back to draw the opposition centre backs out of position for Origi and Guiteirrez to exploit.
Substitutions
If losing/drawing/winning
Ramos on Gutierrez off 65 minutes
Ramos goes to centre forward and Volland takes Gutierrez's place.
Basingstoke Tactics (4-4-2 diamond) - correct version!
----------------------Yusef Mersin--------------------
Johnson-------Zouma----Rekik------Kurzawa
-----------------------Carvalho------------------
---------------Vilhena-------Ramsey-----------
----------------------Quintero-------------------
----------------Austin------Boetius-------------
Subs: Cropper, Bellerin, Kallstrom, Kramer, Grimaldo
Captain - Ramsey
Vice - Zouma
All FKs & Corners - Ramsey
This week is the big one. Basingstoke Town vs The Fruit Machine. It's a big opportunity for us to show our pedigree and make a big impact in the title race. This week we have decided to try and overpower the Southend midfield, as they are notoriously powerful in this area. Our midfield has amazing quality and should have the ability to take control of the game, limiting Southends impact in the game and hopefully we can capitalize on our dominance.
GK - Standard stuff, he's a great shot stopper so needs to concentrate on his organisation skills and commanding of his area.
Full backs - Both are great athletes who can get up and down a lot. I want to see them both using their pace, stamina and power to get forward at every given opportunity. They're important for us to stretch the opposition allowing us more space in the middle where our dangerman can operate. They will be looking for the ball all the time. More vital than usual today as they will be the widest men for us throughout the game.
CBs - Zouma to play at the 'first knock defender', meaning he will be the one attacking the ball when it comes into the defence and generally going up against the attackers. This suits his game plan as he's a physical specimen and aggressive to match. Rekik will play a more reserved role, but equally important. He will be calling the line - we will be playing with a high line as we have the energy in the middle and the pace to recover if the line is beaten - and reading the game aiming to be able to cover the rest of the defence at the right times. These two are my first choice defence, and compliment each other perfectly and could be one of the best partnerships around in seasons to come.
Carvalho - Huge role in todays game plan. He's a player no-one will want to come up against and I'm looking to him to disrupt the oppositions rhymth. When the FBs are back in position he will be rampant in the MF, protecting the back 4. When the FBs are back he will drop into the defence and offer them support in numbers as he has all the attributes to play there.
Ramsey and Vilhena - Get to play their natural game today. They will dictate the play from deep often and will play as a more traditional box to box CMs, almost like they're playing in a 4-4-2, just with Carvalho behind him. It's important that if Carvalho drops into defence Ramsey makes sure he's protecting the defence, but it's his natural game to sit from deep first and attack when the time is right, so we should be tough to break down, especially given his incredible energy levels which should make it extremely tough for the opposition to play the ball in the middle, especially with our high line. When the time comes he can break forward at a decent speed and he has a knack of popping up at the right time to get important goals. Essentially the midfield energy levels and intelligence are vital today, as it will give us a solid foundation whilst also allowing us to get numbers forward to trouble the opposition.
Quintero - Second game for us today and I'm trying to get him playing his natural game and letting his talent flourish. Him, Vilhena and Ramsey will be the ones on the ball most often. He has license to come deep and pick the ball up if he likes and drive forward with it, but most of all I want him getting into the gaps left by the Southend midfield. They're not the most defensive midfield and have no natural anchorman, so there will be space for Quintero to exploit, and when he has the ball in this positions he can do it all - pick passes, beat men or hit them from distance. This variation will make him incredibly difficult to stop and will make the team less predictable as a whole. If people get drawn to Quintero, he can find the runners exploiting the space. If people back off him, he can drive forward or hit a twonker from range.
Boetius - Key role today as he is going to be our main outlet for the midfield, aside from the full backs. He basically has a free role today, allowing him to attack the opposition from anywhere along our front line. He can find the weaknesses and expose them, his movement will be key in giving us a more direct threat and giving the Southend defence something to think about, meaning they can't just push high and press us in the midfield. I have no doubt in his huge ability and I'm giving him the chance to be the game changer today, I truly believe he'll come through for me.
Austin - Just want him to play his natural game today, drifting into places where the defence don't know whether or not they should be picking him up. Holding the ball up and bringing players like Ramsey, Quintero, Vilhena & Boetius into play with his great all round play. And perhaps most importantly, getting into the area at the right times to show his composure in front of goal and get us the goals to win, which is what he does so well, time and time again.
Subs - 70 mins - Grimaldo & Kramer on for Kurzawa & Vilhena
Both changes are like for like, just to give us fresh legs and allow us to keep up with the style of play we want, whilst having genuine quality coming off the bench
Notts County tactics vs Taiwan
------------------------------Scuffet----------------------------------
Yedlin---------Manolas-------Stones----------Bernat
Januzaj----------Iturraspe-------Thiago-------------Depay
----------------------------Meyer----------------------------------
----------------------------Alcacer---------------------------------
subs: Romagnoli, Aranguiz, Ibe, Diaz, Totti
Game Plan: We're switching things up this week with a big tactical change, moving away from our high line and fast pressing game and moving more towards a counter attacking philosophy utilising our immense pace out wide and up front. Speed of thought, speed of movement, speed of passing. Very little is as important as speed to counter attack; we have to catch the opponents backpedaling and undermanned and imperative to this is a fast tempo, we have the ability and pace in the side to go from our own area to the opposition area in 3 or 4 passes and just a few seconds. We know that Taiwan like to press high up the pitch and we want to draw them on to us, and transition quickly into attack, they are struggling with Injuries and suspensions particularly in defence.
Scuffet: very intelligent young goalkeeper, will command his area, very good under the high ball and from crosses, when he has the ball will look to release the ball quickly into wide areas to begin counter attacks, Schmeichel Style
Defence: The importance of the defence in a counter attack is two-fold: first, they must be strong and able to withstand a great deal of pressure, Manolas and Stones are both very quick and very good in the air and possess great concentration levels as they must be forever vigilent of runners from midfield and out wide into the channels, Yedlin and Bernat also possess great pace and tenacity in the challenge as well as excellent positional sense, they will look to stop crosses in the wide areas and must also watch the runs of the wide players if they look to make a move inside. The entire back 4 must be in constant communication with each other. Secondly the defence must be able to start attacks from deep, and Manolas and Stones are both very accomplished with the ball at their feet and have a great passing range, while Yedlin and Bernat both possess the pace to transition quickly into attack and support the wingers on the overlap.
Midfield: The midfield is the link between defence and attack, as ever, but their role is even more important in a counter attack. Our 2 defensive midfielders Ander Iturraspe and Thiago Alcantara give us extra solidity in front of the defence, as ever, but they also serve a higher purpose in that they will force Taiwan's wingers to go wide by denying them space to cut into. Since we have big, aerial defenders, this is exactly what we want as we can trust our defenders to win the ball and use their ball skills to play it out nicely. Both Thiago and Iturraspe while defensively very disciplined and strong are also very accomplished ball players and are able to start attacks from deep, they will look to use the ball quickly and effectively, they have 4 very quick and intelligent runners ahead of them.
Attack: The most important thing about the four forward most players is that they have the speed and movement to make each attack count, and this is certainly the case with Januzaj, Depay, Meyer and Alcacer. Paco Alcacer is a very intelligent player, who will have litte to no defensive responsibilty in open play, instead he will have to be aware of when the ball is turned over and then use his movement and pace to create space and cause havoc amongst the defence of Taiwan on the counter attack. Max Meyer as the attacking midfielder will also not have a great deal of defensive resonsibility, he is a player oozes flair, composure, decision making, creativity, passing, technique, pace and dribbling, he will use all of these attributes to create chances either for himself or the other forwards, the pace and movement of Alcacer will open up through ball opportunities for Meyer and he has the skill to execute these chances. Januzaj and Depay will have defensive resposibilty, they must look to drop back and help in wide areas and look to pick up clearances from our own box, they have the pace and energy to then get up the field quickly and transition into attack, they have very intelligent movement and can move inside or stay wide and look to stay on the defence's blind side.
Subs: Jordon Ibe for Adnan Januzaj 70 minutes, straight swap, very quick player, with excellent dribbling ability and goal scoring potential against tired Taiwan defenders.
Captain: Thiago Alcantara
Freekicks: Memphis Depay
Pens: Memphis Depay
Corners: Max Meyer
Sarth'hend Vs. SMACKDOWNPORT!
-----------------------------Forster-----------------------------
---------------Ginter-------------------Fonte------------------
-Clyne-----------------Schneiderlin------------------Durm
----------------Hughes----------------Clasie-----------------
------------------------------Rakitic-----------------------------
---------------------Deulofeu-----Ings-------------------------
Subs - Horn, Blackett, Muric, Gallagher, Lambert.
Tactics -
General - 4-1-2-1-2, counter attacking, with Deulofeu given licence to roam left or right to create from wide positions. Need to break immediately, with the pace of Ings opening up space for the packed midfield to exploit. In effect, it's similar to how Holland set up at the WC.
Defence -
The CBs will be nice and deep to invite pressure, and bring Tippy's whole team a good 10 yards forward, it is essential to our attacking plan to open up space between the CBs and their keeper.
Schneiderlin will drop very deep, effectively into a back 3 when Tippy has the ball, this allows us to deal with any ground attacks (something that HaaK noted was a weakness last game), Fonte and Ginter are both capable of defending these threats, but Schneiderlin, being so small and quick is a better bet.
When the attack comes through the middle, Schneiderlin will be the initial barrier, moving out to meet them when they get close enough, he needs to attempt to win the ball at this stage. Should he be beaten, Ginter or Fonte will step out and hold up the attacker, giving Schneiderlin time to get back and cover. Once he's back, the covering CB can make the challenge safe in the knowledge that we have back up should he miss it.
The FBs need to stick to the wide attacker, any overlapping FBs will be picked up by the flanking CB who will move out wide. Clyne and Durm need to try and show the wingers inside, into a highly congested area of the pitch (2 CBs, Schneiderlin as a DM/CB hybrid, and the two CMs tracking back).
On the attack, the CBs should initially try and find Rakitic who can then open up passes for the counter attacking runs of Ings. If this isn't on, then the long ball in behind the defence should offer us a credible threat due to the direct running and pace that Ings brings the team. As I said early, the defence's deep line should encourage Tippy's team to step up the pitch and open up a gap between the CBs and the keeper, this is what Ings can exploit. The FBs need tobe rushign forward, forcing the FBs to stay out wide to mark them, this should give Deulofeu space to create in the wide areas, and leave Ings with few obstacles to his central runs forward.
Midfield -
Schneiderlin goes deep when they ahve the ball, Hughes and Clasie need to come back, about 10 yards in front of the back three, they need to press and harry once the opposition get close enough to pose a danger to our penalty area, but don't be pressing too high up the pitch - Because again, we want to encourage Southend forward. When we win the ball, they need to be looking to get Rakitic on it, both are good passers, but Rakitic tops them for vision and the ability to play the killer pass. This conservatism will also ensure they aren't running out of position and we can retain our defence rigidity.
Rakitic is given licence to be a little less defensive, when they have the ball, he should be looking to find space where, once we win a tackle, he can instatnly be picked out by a short pass. From this point, he needs to use his range of passing to play it into the space behind the CBs for Ings, or he can get it out wide to Deulofeu who can run at whichever FB he has isolated in that instance. Once Rakitic has made the pass he needs to be moving forward, arriving late into the box for rebounds or pull backs from Deulofeu should the Spaniard get into a crossing position.
Strikers -
Deulofeu will play like Robben did at the WC (with Ings providing the pace that Deulofeu may lack, which will drag the defenders off him). He needs to be moving out wide to a) keep the FBs out of Ings' way, and b) to offer a secondary offensive probe meaning our attacks aren't one dimensional runs through the centre. he needs to isolate a FB and beat him, the run on into a crossing position. Ings should have been following the run, and with his pace, should be well in front of the recovering CBs, leaving him open for the horizontal pass which should place him 1-on-1 with the keeper. The ball should be low, giving Ings an easier job controlling it than if it was whipped in at head height. Otherwise, Deulofeu can run into the box and have a shot himself, or, if the CBs have tracked back enough to mark Ings, pull it back to Rakitic who will be hot on the heels of the CBs, but ever so slightly behind, leaving him the man in space (effectively, it's a case of Ings is in space, or Rakitic is for Tippy's defence).
Ings will sit relatively deep, enticing Southend's back line forward. But, once we win the ball he needs to start a clever run forward. His run should be timed so that he is running at full speed once the ball is played over the high-line defenders, this means they simply will not be able to catch him, no matter how fast they are themselves. Ings' head start would leave the defenders having to turn, start sprinting, then get up to full speed, whilst he's already shot past them, leaving him with just the keeper to beat. Deulofeu should follow the run in to mop up any rebounds.
Subs -
Losing -
60 - Hughes off, Muric on. Two winger/strikers now, giving us a very stretched pitch through which we can open up gaps and really hurt Southend.
70 - Lambert on for Schneiderlin - 4-4-2, with the wingers sticking out wide and getting in crosses. At this stage, Tippy's defence will be exhausted from chasing Ings' constant forward forays, they won't stand up to the physical battle that Lambert brings, leaving him the chance to win cross after cross.
Winning/Drawing -
80 - Harrison Reed on for Deulofeu. Lambert on for Ings. Reed, as a youth product of Southampton, is well versed in keeping the ball, keeping it moving with short pass and move strategies. It's now a case of keeping hold of possession and seeing out the game.
Lambert offers us the opportunity to go long as soon as we come under any concerted pressure. His powerful prescence, coupled with the exhaustion in Tippy's ranks should give us a very good chance of retaining the ball even if we are forced to resort to long ball tactics at the end.
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
_______________________Navas____________________
Coleman_______Musacchio_____Laporte_________Shaw
_________________Can_______Tielemans____________
Ward-Prowse___________Barkley____________Bellarabi
_____________________Di Natale___________________
SUBS: De Sanctis, Kolasinac, Teixeira, Promes, Drmic
Captain: Antonio Di Natale
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Antonio Di Natale
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach and will be our approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Ward-Prowse and Barkley will drop back to help, Bellarabi stays up as the out ball and Di Natale prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line. * When defending we will play two banks of four and be compact leaving little space in between the lines. So when defending we will go into this mode:
Ward-Prowse - Can - Tielemans - Barkley
Di Natale - Bellarabi
And when we get the ball we will look to set loose the speedsters up front with the whole team pushing up a bit to at least outside our 18 yard box and switch back to our normal formation.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines and play safe, take no risks. Looks to set off counters with his distribution.
Musacchio and Laporte:
Deals with opposition attackers. Laporte keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Laporte will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Laporte or Can will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Musacchio will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Musacchio will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Laporte. Laporte will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners. If in the event that an attacking midfielder / second striker is not played then Koscielny will just have to deal with the midfield runner but not get dragged too far out of his defensive line.
Coleman and Shaw:
Coleman will be disciplined for this match, but when we get the ball and whoever the opposition manager plays goes on one of his inside runs Coleman will look to overlap Ward-Prowse and run into the box. Coleman and Shaw both will show the opposition wide players to their weak foot, threat weakens when they are shown away from goal. Both will sit back when without the ball, but Shaw will bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Can and Tielemans:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Can is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Can will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Tielemans will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Tielemans will be a bit ahead of Can to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Ramsey will need to make himself a goal threat with his late runs into the box in this match. Can stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Can sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Tielemans drops deeper when this happens.
Ward-Prowse, Barkley and Bellarabi:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Di Natale and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Ward-Prowse should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Di Natale and shoot if needed. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball. Ward-Prowse will be drifting inside a lot and because he has stamina of six men he will therefore chase down the ball a lot and aim to create when he gets the ball. In this match when we don’t have the ball I will need Bellarabi to sit on their deep lying midfielder and disrupt him from running forwards. When Coleman gets forward during his rare forward runs Ward-Prowse will attempt to find him at the far post for Coleman to knock the ball across goal for Di Natale Bellarabi Barkley to knock in, with Ward-Prowse arriving late to gobble up possible rebounds. They will also try and double up on a full back if required (like Robben and Ribery both attacking the same fullback).
Di Natale:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Teixeira ON
Teixeira replaces Barkley and we go 4-3-3 with Teixeira dropping back. We will then aim to keep the ball for as long as possible even if we have to do pointless sideway passing but if space opens up, work the ball forwards to try and create a chance.
Losing:
75 mins: Can OFF Drmic ON
Go 4-2-4 with Di Natale Drmic centre Ward-Prowse right Bellarabi left. Barkley supports, Tielemans holds and sprays passes from deep. All out attack, have to go level at least if not win it. When we lose the ball Ward-Prowse goes central to provide support in centre mid and Drmic goes to the right to provide that outlet. Switch back when we have the ball. Both full backs go forwards in turns and we will squeeze them back into their 18 yard box. Our CBs will not stick too close to the striker in case they get turned, Laporte will be ready to chase back towards goal while Musacchio will position himself to nick the ball off the attacker as soon as he gets it. Whatever second attacker from the opposition will be watched by the full back staying back depending on which side.
Scored the goal(s) to get all three points / to win the tie ONLY AFTER the Drmic change:
Whatever minute: Di Natale OFF Kolasinac ON
Whatever minute: Bellarabi OFF Promes ON
They’re gonna pen us back whether we like it or not, so we will go 5-4-1 with Kolasinac slotting into a back 5. Barkley will come into the centre along with Tielemans with Ward-Prowse right and Promes left, Drmic up front. Promes will provide the counter attacking threat when we win the ball back and him and Drmic will break at their (supposedly) abandoned defence. This is not me playing defensive football voluntarily, this is the opposition forcing us into our box like we would’ve forced them into theirs and me providing a counter measure to this situation.
Fishguard vs BLYTH 3-2-5
....................Neto............
........Vlaar....Barzagli....Rugani..
...........De Jong...Alonso......
Berardi...........Insigne......Piatti......
...............Crouch....Destro.........
Subs: Rubinho, Maggio, Delph, Palombo, Neilton
Capt: Vlaar
Freekicks (short) Insigne
Freekicks (long) Alonso
Corners: (right) Alonso
Corners: (left) Insigne
Pens: Destro
Away in sunny Wales this week, expecting a tough game against a well organised team in Fishguard and a tactically astute manager in Welshy.
Blyth are setting up in an un-orthodox formation today as we hunt for goals after back to back goal-less draws.
We expect the Welshman to line his side up with a fluid 4-3-3 and although our shape looks uneven it is set up with drawing them on and smashing them on counter in mind, as our side is effectively broken down in to 2 halves with 5 defenders and 5 attackers.
General playing style
less about possession today as we look to move the ball quickly and with purpose, that doesn't necessarily mean long/direct ball, but it does mean moving the ball quickly from the back to the front.
Neto:
Returns today after his suspension last week, does the basics very well and can be relied upon to run a tight defence.
Centre Backs:
Playing 3 at the back but without full backs can be seen as a risk, but for me it's calculated and hopefully my tactics will show it.
Barzagli: will be the man who marks their CF, Andrea may have lost some of his pace but is a fantastic reader of the game and it's that intelligence that will give him the edge in his personal battle. Composed on the ball so in possession will look to bring it forwards but keeping it simple no suicide passes across the box, will go forward for all set-pieces
Vlaar/Rugani: If as we expect Fishguard go 4-3-3 then these two men will shuffle wide and watch the wingers, both are big strong units so won't dive in recklessly as they can't risk being skinned but both are capable of the snidey little kicks that Blyth are becoming accustomed to. As with Barzagli both will go up for all set-pieces.
I'm aware that there could be a lack of pace in my defence and baring this in mind we're playing a deeper line (holding the 18 yard line) and cutting off the space between the back of our defence and Neto, thus cutting off the spaces for Fishguard to run into, if we keep our back 3 from being turned we have a very good chance in this game.
De Jong/Alonso: Iron fist in a velvet glove is how I'd describe our central midfield pairing. Defensively both will sit and track the runs from Fishguards midfield acting as a shield for our centre backs. Offensively NDJ will push on in support to cut the space between midfield and attack but also to win the ball back higher up the field should we lose the ball. Alonso is more the architect strolling around the park spreading the ball around and dictating the pace of the game. If NDJ and Alonso can control the centre of the park we should be able to make the most of our numerical advantage in the final 3rd and come home with the 3 points. NDJ will sit for all attacking set-pieces providing cover for our centre backs to go up.
Berardi/Piatti: Both lightening quick direct widemen, will look to run at Fishguard's defence at pace and draw challenges. Both are clever players and will look to interchange positions during the game making it harder for them to be marked, They are both comfortable cutting inside and having a go themselves or running the line and pumping crosses in and it's this unpredictability that could turn the tide in our favour, Defensively both men are on "light duties" they won't track back as it's not what this formation is about they will hold the line with Crouch and Destro effectively creating a front 4, forcing Fishguards fullbacks to make a choice whether they push on and support the attack or sit and mark our wingers, ideally we can peg their full backs into their own half and isolate Fishes own wingers but if their Fb's do push then Berardi and Piatti drop to half way line and make it a foot race on the counter
Insigne: The number 10. The boy can do it all and today he finally gets a chance to play more centrally for Blyth instead of playing LW. Such a clever little player with a big game mentality if he shines we shine. Will drop to collect the ball from Alonso and then either hit the space infront of him or look to play in his team-mates. Will learn to master the art of the late surge as he has 2 strikers infront of him who are more than capable of holding the ball up.
Crouch/Destro: a return at last to a front 2 for Blyth. Crouch comes in for his debut, he has his critics but he's big strong and has a good touch for such a big man, will be the traditional target man for us attacking crosses holding the ball up and bring others into play. He will play slightly deeper than Destro by positioning himself infront of the 2 Cb's and making a nuisance of himself. with Piatti and Berardi banging crosses in and Insigne and Alonso on set-pieces and crosses from deep he should be a real handful for Fishes defenders. Destro today will be the Number 9, playing off the shoulder of the last defender looking to time his runs into space for our widemen and Insigne to pick him out as well as looking to latch onto any Crouch based flick ons, will operate a shoot on site policy today, if you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.
Subs: 65 mins regardless
Tactically none of the subs will really change the system or the style so all are like for like with fresh legs
Delph > Alonso
Palombo > De Jong
This system puts a huge amount of work-rate on a midfield two so these two come on for the final 25 mins to see the game out. Palombo is another solid Anchor man so will slot comfortably into NDJ's role. Delph although not as good technically as Alonso has a great engine on him and can box to box with the best of them
Neilton > Destro. Fresh legs, full of running will look to link up well with the wingers and Insigne, trying to play Crouch in
The end
FL. FART vs Taiwan
Formation: 4-3-3
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal—6. Batth---17. Zapata---3. Armero
--------------------22. Kondogbia---------------------
---------20. Wijnaldum---24. Yaya Toure---------
7. Menez----------------------------------11. Piazón
-----------------------9. Morata-------------------------
Subs:
33. Johnstone
12. Matthews
19. Cambiasso
8. Lampard
14. Kane
Captain: 24. Yaya Toure
Corners: 7. Menez
Free kicks: 24. Yaya Toure
Penalties: 24. Yaya Toure
This week we’ll line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Taiwan’s high-possession, high-pressing 4-2-3-1. We’ll look to invite the Taiwan team into our half, block off the space with our imposing and energetic midfield and smash them to pieces on the counter with our powerful and technical midfield runners and our lightning, skilful wingers. Think Bayern vs Real in the Champions League last season – if Taiwan are Bayern, then Fart are Real – Menez is Ronaldo, Piazón is Bale, and so on. We have the players to exploit the massive gaps Taiwan will leave between midfield and defence, and especially behind the defence. We’ll use Taiwan’s high line against them.
In goal we have Jefferson, who arguably should have started for Brazil this summer (although he’ll be glad he didn’t). A big, imposing and commanding keeper, he has excellent reflexes and is quick off his line in anticipating danger and will be instructed to roll the ball short to his centre halves or overarm it to the fullbacks, Toure or wingers if an opportunity to counter presents itself; he has an excellent Schmeichel-style long throw.
The centre halves complement each other quite nicely; Batth is tall and excellent in the air, and very composed for a lad of his age. He’s stepped up effortlessly to every new level he’s been asked to play at. He’ll look to dominate Di Natale aerially and physically; as good a finisher as the Italian may be, he’s only 5’7’’ and at almost 37 years of age he’s got barely any pace left. Anything that gets past Batth will be swept up by the tall, strong and rapid Zapata on the cover. They’re both capable distributors of the ball but they’ll look to offload the ball to the full backs or midfield when the counter is on.
The full backs are Carvajal and Armero. They’re both young, full of energy, quick and eager to get up and down their respective touchlines for the full 90. Carvajal is naturally more defensively inclined than Armero and he’ll keep a closer eye on his opposite number Bellarabi than Armero, who will instead push aggressively into the space when Ward-Prowse goes a-wandering inside. Carvajal will badger and harry Bellarabi who’s got great technique and skills but whose end product has been found wanting in the past; Armero will have a field day with so much room around and behind Ward-Prowse. Both full backs will sit deep with the defence, inviting the Taiwan midfielders on before aggressively winning the ball back and blazing forwards. As they’re both young and fit they’re more than capable of getting back again after their forward forays.
The midfield is as dynamic and powerful as any in the league. Our new signing Kondogbia will sit in as the anchorman; he has some of the world’s best stats for tackles and interceptions, with his natural ability to read and anticipate leading him to be linked with Europe’s biggest clubs for years. He’s also almost 6’3’’ and is a terrifying physical specimen; incredibly strong and far quicker than a man of his dimensions should be, he won’t be worried about Barkley’s pace and directness. I’ll ask Kondogbia to stick aggressively to Barkley whenever he looks to go in at goal. Barkley may have a great deal of talent but what he has in directness he lacks in creativity. He’s not a player to lace glorious through balls in behind the defence, he’s one who picks up the ball and runs at goal. In this match he’ll find that Kondogbia is an impassable wall, easily a physical match and with the technical skills to win the ball back and lay it off calmly to a more attacking colleague.
Speaking of which, the more advanced midfielders are again the impressive Wijnaldum and Toure. Both have energy and pace to burn and both are powerful and direct runners. Wijnaldum has more technique and creativity than Toure, but Toure has power in spadefuls and is a one-man army on the counter. Both midfielders will sit in deep to either side of Kondogbia while Taiwan pass the ball sideways. They’ll hassle and harry along the midfield line, supporting the full backs and Kondogbia, and as soon as the ball is won back, they’ll be off up the pitch with unstoppable speed and power. Both will look to push the ball wide to our wingers (more on them later) and will look to get in behind the Taiwan defensive mids, neither of whom is quick, Toure will be too powerful for Can and Wijnaldum likewise for Tielemans. Both midfielders will then be expected to push further forwards and overload the retreating Taiwan midfield and defence. While one midfielder bursts into the box the other will hang back nearer the edge of the box, ready to get back in support of Kondogbia who will stay back in support of his centre halves.
The wingers are a nightmare for opposition to mark; both are naturally right footed although strong with their left, both are incredibly skilful and both are very quick indeed. They’ll both stay wide and reasonably high up the pitch, only coming back to cover Taiwan’s Coleman and Shaw if they venture forwards on the overlap. Otherwise they’ll pen back the opposition full backs who will worry about their pace on the counter. The beauty of these wingers is they can switch at will, and both possess the pace and trickery to go around the outside or cut inside as the situation demands. When they go around the outside they’ll pull cutbacks to the arriving Wijnaldum and/or Toure; when they go inside they’ll look to get in on goal, and each will chase the rebounds from the other’s shots. In other words, the right hand winger will attack the far post when the left hand winger drives in at goal or pulls wide for the cross/cutback. Taiwan won’t know what will have hit them, given that they sit so high up the pitch and their centre halves aren’t relied for their speed or agility
Up front we have Morata, a tall and tough young striker well suited to the demands of leading the line on his own. In this match he’ll more often than not look to drop deep when the ball comes in short to feet or long to chest; he’ll take the ball with his back to goal, pulling one centre half out of the high defensive line with him, and he’ll lay the ball off to an onrushing Toure/Wijnaldum or play it through ahead of Piazón or Menez as they make intelligent runs behind the full backs or between full back and centre half. Morata will then spin past the centre half and charge forwards in support of the counter attack, looking to arrive into the box for a cross or to occupy a defender for the winger to bypass with a cutback. This way we’ll create countless overloads; by getting the ball to our frontmen quickly the Taiwan midfield will be bypassed and we’ll have Piazón, Menez, Wijnaldum, Toure and Morata charging at a retreating and out-of-position back four.
If we’re winning or drawing, then I’ll make changes to preserve tired legs. Piazón will make way for Cambiasso, Armero for Matthews and Morata for Kane on 75 mins, and the midfield will take the following shape:
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal--6. Batth--17. Zapata--12. Matthews
-------19. Cambiasso--------22. Kondogbia-------
------------------24. Yaya Toure----------------------
20. Wijnaldum----------------------------11. Menez
------------------------14. Kane-------------------------
The more compact midfield will continue to sit deep and release Yaya and the wingers on the counter. Cambiasso will add extra bite to the midfield and pressurise the increasingly desperate Taiwan attackers as they chase the game; they’re more likely to push forwards in search of a goal and will leave even bigger gaps to exploit as time runs out. Matthews will sit a bit deeper than Armero did, again reinforcing our defensive solidity. Kane is quick and strong up top and will continue Morata’s work.
So, if we’re winning or drawing:
3. Armero > 12. Matthews (75 mins)
11. Piazón > 19. Cambiasso (75 mins)
9. Morata > 14. Kane (75 mins)
If we’re losing after 70 mins, then we press even more aggressively and I will throw on Kane for Piazón and Lampard for Kondogbia. The team will take the following shape:
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal---6. Batth---17. Zapata---3. Armero
------------8. Lampard—24. Yaya Toure-----------
20. Wijnaldum------------------------------7. Menez
----------------9. Morata—14. Kane------------------
By going with two up top we’ll put immense pressure on the Taiwan back line; we’ll look to press harder in midfield and get the ball forward quicker, which means hitting the ball longer (although not just punting it aimlessly). Both Morata and Kane are strong and good with their backs to goal, and they’ll take the ball down on their chests and release forward runners (Toure will burst forward, Lampard will hang back a bit and lurk for long shot opportunities). We’ll really start to press from the front now and all players will be expected to give the opposition no time on the ball whatsoever.
So, if we’re losing:
22. Kondogbia > 8. Lampard (70 mins)
11. Piazón > 14. Kane (70 mins)
Oops - should say 7. Menez not 11. Menez on the winning subs lineup
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Pencampwriaeth Cynghrair Dream Tactics
Page 4 of 25
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
posted on 22/8/14
FARCELONA vs. Whoever TBag's Team is Impersonating.
(4-3-3)
--------------------------Speroni-------------------------------
Arbeloa------Martinez------San Jose------Balenziga
------------------Tiago-----------Gabi------------------------
---------------------G. Dos Santos--------------------------
-----Tello---------------Bamford---------J. Dos Santos-
Subs - Gil, Gurpegi, Cuenca, Kent, Arduriz
Tactics -
General - Game today is really to get the four front men on the ball and in the game, relying on their ability to secure the goods up front, whilst the other 6 create a defensive platform upon which the attackers can spring off from without fearing counters and such.
Defence -
FBs are to be relatively reserved, which really plays into their hands here today because they're getting on in years, and Arbeloa's talents have always been defensive as oppose to offensive. The deep lying nature of the FBs is to encourage TBag's forward, opening up space at the far end of the pitch for our front three to exploit. I've seen Kurzawa is out, and I'm assuming he's TBag's first choice LB, so hopefully he has to play an inexperienced one who should be eager to get forward, falling into our cunning trap!
CBs - Inigo Martinez will mark the point man if TBag plays one up top. Martinez will mvoe out to meet the threat higher up the pitch, with San Jose just behind him to mop up.
Martinez should look to win the ball on the initial phase of the defence. Should he be beaten San Jose will look to shepherd the attacker away from goal, slowing the attack down, allowing Martinez to recover and get a second chance of winning the ball.
Should the point striker run past Martinez for a through ball, San Jose will immediately pick him up, chasing him back to goal, whilst Martinez will look to close off the pass through. This is because, as I said above, San Jose will be sitting a bit deeper, giving him a 10 yard head start on any runs the strikers will be attempting to make.
Midfield -
Tiago and Gabi offer a solid base to build from, passing ability and a reserved nature in their play should see them control the centre. Sitting just in front fo the CBs, they should close the space behind them down for TBag's creative players to work in between the lines. As with the defence, these two will always sit deep, offering a block to TBag's forward forays.
However, just because they're sitting deep doesn't blunt their attack, both can spray balls long and should look to hit the spaces (hopefully) left out wide by TBag's FBs being pulled forward. If they can't do this, the ball should go to GDS.
Dos Santos (G.) should look to immediately turn and run directly at TBag's defensive midfielders. He has the skill and pace to beat a man so if he's doing this constantly then eventually he'll break through into the danger zone. Once he's clear of the midfielders he needs to pick the correct pass, and the correct pass is dependent on the space available.
If the FBs have gone forward for TBag, there will be a period of time when the wings are open and free, when this is the case Di's two wingers will be moving out wide, at this point, out wide is the correct pass. Once it's out wide, GDS should lurk on the edge of the box for rebounds and cut backs.
If Baggy's FBs have recovered, the wingers will be looking to move into a narrower trident with Bamford, in which case he needs to keep running at the defence until a CB engages him, the pass is then made into the space left by the engaging CB.
Strikers -
Apologies Welshy, this is basically a copy and paste of my own Stockport tactics for this bit, I feel like it's a tactical ploy that should work and is flexible to the situation of the game.
A narrow, trident in attack, is how these three will start off. But should a Basin-and-Toilet FB charge forward, Tello and JDS shouldn't be afraid to drift wide, demand the ball, and drag a CB out into the wing position (putting Bamford and the second striker (Tello/JDS) up against one CB). Should the ball come out wide to one of these two, Bamford will run to the front post (I expect the CB that's left in the box will follow him) and JDS/Tello will got to the far post (the FB on his side may chase him, but Tello/JDS should have the advantage of moving first and reaching the post unmarked because of it.
Should the BlazingSmoke FBs stay deep, the trinity will move centrally, working within the width of the penalty area. This will mean two BasicallyStoke players (the FBs) are completely out the game, sitting deep to mark no-one. It also means we should have a numerical advantage up top (3 attackers (+ GDS) against 2 CBs) so it's a case of pass, move, through ball. All the intricate play that these three are more than capable of pulling off. GDS will also be involved if the attack is coming through centrally, trying to pull a CB out of the defensive line and opening up space to exploit.
Before the ball has reached the front three, who will tend to be level with each other when they attack, Tello and JDS can drop a little deep, adding numbers to our passing game and working in the space between the lines of midfield and defence. All three need to put in a shift closing down the defenders who receive back passes.
posted on 27/8/14
FL Fart team vs Sekhukhune Lions
----------------------1. Jefferson---------------------
2. Carvajal---17. Zapata---16. Rojo---3. Armero
--------------------5. Cambiasso----------------------
-----------8. Lampard----19. Yaya Toure----------
7. Menez---------9. Morata-------10. Ronaldinho
4-3-3 for my men this week, we're fairly low on numbers with last week’s star man Wijnaldum out injured and Pirlo, Mexes and James all sold to make room for a big new signing who unfortunately didn’t arrive in time to play today.
Jefferson starts in goal to celebrate his real-life promotion to Brazil's #1 shirt in Dunga's new-look squad. Playing behind an excellent back 4 he'll act as an ordinary keeper without any of these modern "sweeper keeper" fancies. He's a great shot stopper and commands his area well.
The back four are all quick, all fairly young and all powerful runners. Carvajal and Armero will get up and down the line all match long, whereas Zapata and Rojo are both fast and aggressive and will look to dominate the Lions’ attack in the air and on the ground. They’ll sit reasonably deep given that the Lions don’t tend to play an orthodox striker, denying space in and around the box for the Lions midfielders to play the ball into. We’ll look to win the ball back in our own half and counter at pace while the multitude of Lions midfielders are banked in front of our defence; Zapata and Rojo will distribute the ball quickly to the flanks.
The midfield contains enormous guile and experience, and no small amount of skill. Cambiasso will harry and keep things simple, whereas Lampard is returned to his more natural advanced midfield position. He’s free to dictate the tempo with incisive passes out to the flanks before making his trademark late surges into the box. Toure will do his usual thing, dominating his opposite number and being a frightening source of pace and power on the counter. He’ll be expected to bomb forwards and support the strikers but also to help Cambiasso give the Lions midfield no space to operate in.
Up front we have a bag of tricks. Menez is flamboyant, lightning quick and capable of just about anything. Ronaldinho we all know is a box of tricks who can turn a game on its head in an instant. Morata is an excellent young all-round striker who will lead the line while Menez looks to get in behind and Ronaldinho drops deep in search of the ball. Both wide men will have licence to roam as they see fit, switching flanks at will, pulling the Lions back line out of position and causing havoc. Menez and Ronaldinho will have a field day pulling the defence all over the shop and leaving massive gaps for Lampard, Morata and Toure to exploit.
This week I'll bring on utility man Adam Matthews for his debut after 70 minutes to replace Carvajal, and Mario Pugliese will come on for Lampard after 80. He’ll be expected to sit a little deeper alongside Cambiasso, inverting the midfield triangle. Pugliese is a canny and composed passer of the ball and I’ll ask him to retain possession in our own half, and when we’re in possession higher up the pitch he’ll look to play through balls to our front men.
Captain: Yaya Toure
Pens: Ronaldinho
FKs: Ronaldinho
Corners: Ronaldinho
SUBS
33. Sam Johnstone
12. Adam Matthews (on for Carvajal, 70)
13. Jeffrey Bruma
23. Mario Pugliese (on for Lampard, 80)
28. Andreas Pereira
posted on 27/8/14
GW8
Blyth vs Pride 4-3-3
.................Howard.........
Maggio...Barzagli..Rugani...Robertson
....................De Jong..................
...........Gauld............Cristante.........
Berardi..........Destro..............Insigne
Subs: Rubinho, Souttar, Palombo, Dongou, Neilton
Capt: De Jong
Freekicks: Insigne
Corners: Insigne
Pens: Destro
Hit heavily today through injuries and suspensions so going for a youthful attacking line-up, will play fast paced free flowing football as we look to take the game to gáy-pride. Should be some good match-ups on the pitch and I think we have enough quality to swing a close game in our favour.
Howard: Makes his debut today after signing from Fart. Big and strong and a good shot stopper will command his area and marshal the defence. Tourettes will be encouraged and if he takes a for calling the ref a mother fúcker then so be it.
Maggio/Robertson: Normally given licence to push on but today will be more disciplined and stay back as lets be honest Robben is Prides only hope of victory. whichever flank he patrols our full back will stick to him and give him snidey kicks to see if he really is made of glass, Don't dive in as if you miss he'll be away but feel free to bring him down.
Barzagli/Rugani: Barz will man to man mark Immobile be like a second skin and basically rough him up in close in quarters, trying to put him off his usual game, force him to play with his back to goal and slow down their attacks, with the ball Barz will keep it simple with short crisp passing. Rugani will be the spare man and use zonal marking tracking runners and tidying up any lose balls, more comfortable in possession will be allowed to carry the ball out Baresi style. Both men will push up for all set-pieces as Maggio/Robertson cover.
De Jong: The enforcer of the side, will look to go head to head with Mascherano (if he plays Midfield not if Pride does a Barca and plays him CB) control the centre of the pitch and control the game so De Jong will need a real performance today.
Cristante: Milan starlet and one of about 50 Pirlo heirs, will get to match himself with his idol. Sits in the middle of the park dictating the pace of the game 2 footed so will get the ball down and spread it around the park trying to stretch prides midfield and defence
Gauld: playing deeper than usual and being asked to perform a duty he's not usually accustomed to doing, will be asked to play the box to box role, he may not have the defensive skills but all he has to do is add pressure to their ball holders and track runs, unless your called Glen Johnson how hard can it be? with the ball he has fantastic technique will look to run with the ball, drawing tackles/fouls from Prides strong but not especially quick centre mids.
Berardi/Insigne: Have them lined up as wingers but really they're more like inside forwards that will push out wide when we have the ball to try and over-load the opposition defence, both are full of tricks and can over play the game at times but their direct running and going for goal can pay dividends and should be encouraged
Destro: focal point for the attack will spend a lot of time back to goal holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Has a good touch and a decent scoring record so can play the lone striker role well enough. Will look to split the centre backs and force one of them to make a decision on who's marking him, full of running will look to drag his marker out of position for Berardi and Insigne to cut into that space
Subs: 65 mins regardless
all my game changers are out so subs are like for like to give us fresh legs
Neilton > Berardi The "new Neymar" will come slot straight into Berardi's position, no system changes
Doungou > Destro again like for like, squat and strong the bull like striker will be more like a battering ram charging at a tiring defence
The end
posted on 27/8/14
Colchester United v SWINDON TOWN
----------------------Stekelenburg
--------------Schär------------Hinteregger
Jedvaj-----------------------------------------Schennikov
--------------------------------Bentaleb
-----------------Denís Suárez
---Kampl------------Óliver Torres------------Tadic
----------------------------Saviola
Subs: Zelenika, Márquez, Engels, Horvath, Ould-Chikh
Tactics: We’ve picked a team where all 11 are comfortable on the ball. We’ve a composed defence, starting with probably the most experienced and assured keeper in the league in Stekelenburg in goal. Stekelenburg is an intelligent keeper who dominates his area – gives good, clear instructions to his defenders, and distributes the ball well.
In central defence we have a strong International pairing. Both do the simple things right, no fuss, and both will look to play the ball with composure, work together and anticipate through balls through to the opposition’s forwards. Both also have good height so are strong in the air to deal with any aerial threats they may come up against. Both Schär and Hinteregger have the ball playing ability to bring the ball out of defence, and create forward momentum from the back. Both will go up for corners in the opposition’s penalty box.
Our full backs are strong, pacy and intelligent. They’ll look to put the opposition’s wingers (or inside right/left forwards under pressure – trying to either take their attackers into positions where they cannot get the ball into our area – or if necessary force them inside where Bentaleb and Suárez will look to dispossess them. Whilst both first and foremost should concentrate on their defensive play, Jedvaj and Schennikov have the pace to provide overlaps for Kampl and Tadic, in the knowledge that Bentaleb’s presence is there to support the centre backs should we be ht on the counter.
Bentaleb will be the defensive midfielder. Covering all along the line – looking to support the centre backs and full backs. He’ll look to play good short passes into Suárez or well-timed balls out to Kampl and Tadic. When Schär and Hinteregger go up for corners Bentaleb will remain defensive and cover any counter attacks.
Suárez will combine well with Bentaleb and between the 2 of them we will hope for a good deal of possession. Suárez has an awesome turn of pace and will look to find the space to make progress into the oppositions half – from where he’ll look to bring Torres and Suarez into the game with precise 1-2s and well placed and timed through balls. Suarez will also look to bring Kampl and Tadic into the game – by slotting the ball into spaces where they can make runs into the danger areas or look to get crosses into the box.
Kampl and Tadic will constantly look to make themselves available to their teammates – they’ll work with our fullbacks to run into space and look for the return pass. They’ll look to beat the oppositions fullbacks on pace and skill and send dangerous crosses into the penalty area. They’ll also use their pace to come in – play 1-2s with Suarez/Torres to look to create chances for themselves or Suarez/Torres and Saviola. Kampl is insanely talented. Powerful and incredibly quick, he is literally a steamroller when running at a defence and the opponent’s left back will have to be up to the challenge. As a player who can also play as a sole forward he also knows exactly how to score when given the opportunity. Tadic meanwhile is full of pace, and full of tricks – a real whippersnapper with a hunger for creating and scoring goals.
Torres will play in the attacking midfield position – a little dropped off from Saviola – he will look to exploit any space in front of and between the oppositions defence. play well placed and well-timed through balls for Saviola – or look to create the space for himself – by working with his teammates to create accurate opportunities on goal. Torres will also like to interchange with Saviola making it difficult for the opposition to pick him up, or at very least allowing someone like Saviola to lose his marker. Torres is the ultimate box of tricks; watch out for him bamboozling his opponent. His opponent’s better watch the ball not the player or else Torres will run riot in his offensive role.
Saviola plays up front, and boy we have got fireworks on our hands here. Lightning pace and a footballing brain that others can one weep off. Working in tandem with Torres they’ll fluctuate between which one is the most advance. Looking the ball off of Suarez, or the two wide men, maybe Saviola will pick the ball up deep and play a sublime 1-2 with Torres before smashing one in the back of the net. Or maybe he’ll drift wide to the left, slipping the simplest of touches back in to the incoming and clear on target path of Suarez or Torres. Or maybe he’ll use all his guile in and around the penalty box to gratefully receive the ball into his feet from those talented players around him, or run onto one of their sublime through balls.
posted on 27/8/14
Swindon
Captain: Saviola
Free Kicks: Tadic
Corners: Kampl/Tadic
posted on 27/8/14
GREAT SCOTTPORT! vs. Fishguard AFC
What do you call a Fishguard when it's at work? A net! Wahey!
--------------------------Forster--------------------------
Clyne---------Ginter------------Fonte---------Durm
----------------------Schneiderlin-----------------------
--------------Rakitic-------------Hughes---------------
---Deulofeu----------Lambert-----------Draxler----
Subs - Horn, Lascelles, Reed, Muric, Ings
Tactics -
General - Welshy always sets his team up for a tactical battle, it's where he shines. So really, it's less about who puts out who, and more about who comes out on top in the tactical shuffle dance that we call "tactical shuffle dance".
Injuries have knocked out (at least) one of Welshy's wider defenders, and as he tends to play 3 at the back as it is, we are going to use our wingers to exploit the gaps left either side of the Welshman's defence. This is where the damage will come from for us, with two of our most dangerous players given time and space to pick out a cross, or run at pace into the penalty area and directly at Welshy's CBs.
Welshy also has changed his tactics slightly, to go all out attack with his front four or so. So I'm going to ask the defence to sit back, Clyne and Durm won't venture too far forward, and should stick to their wingers (without WBs they don't have the problem of overlapping runs).
Defence - Generally, as discussed above, Welshy doesn't tend to play with any FBs, so without any threat of an overlapping run, we can keep a nice, narrow back four, forcing the ball out wide, ensuring the main threat to deal with will be crosses. With Forster, Ginter and Fonte in the middle, we should dominate the aerial ball (and any low crosses) because they are all tall, very strong, powerful players. Forster, for example, has about 20cm on Finbogason who I'm assuming Welshy will play as his point man.
Clyne and Durm will keep nice and tight to Fonte and Ginter, this will close gaps in the middle and naturally make the ball move out wide. This, as I said, plays into our hands. These two won't be asked to break forward, because, with no FBs to beat, the wingers shouldn't be needing their help to beat a man. However, if Welshy's CBs start as a fairly wide three, they should try and get up, just behind the wingers, for 'give and goes' to get beyond the enemy CBs.
Ginter and Fonte will keep a relatively deep line, this again will force the ball out wide as the chances of Fishguard getting through the middle are dampened (i.e. there can be no cheeky through balls played behind us). Once the ball goes wide, Ginter will be the one go for the ball at the near post because he's the powerful strong defender who should win everything. Fonte will be marking the opposition striker, keeping close enough to a) prevent the striker getting in Ginter's path, allowing a clean clearance, and b) offering a distraction should Ginter fail to clear the ball, Fonte will prevent the striker having a free header on the cross.
Forster will be looking to mop up any balls that go beyond GInter, i.e. anything that goes beyond the near post. His height and power means he should be relatively unhindered in his taking of the ball.
When clearing the ball, the defence should look to get it out wide to the wingers. This is because the midfield, with Welshy's tactics, tends to be quite a congested area, whilst the wingers should be in a fair amount of space and will have time to take the ball down and pick a pass/run.
Midfield - As I said just above, the midfield tends to be a packed area when we come up against Welshy, so it's imperative that we get it out wide as quickly as possible, right into the areas where space should be available. At this point, I'm expecting Welshy's LCM/RCM to move out to meet our winger, giving us a numerical advantage (or at least equality) in the middle, so if the winger does not move forward, the ball can go right back into the middle where our players should have the quality to take the game to Fishguard.
Schneiderlin will be deep again, everyone knows his qualities as a DM so I'm not going to patronise you by telling you them. Should one of Welshy's midfielders break from deep, looking to get on the end of a cross (again, the attack that our defence will be limiting them too) Schneiderlin will chase back, ensuring they won't get a free header. What mustn't be forgetten about the Frenchman is he's a fantastic passer of the ball, so once the wingers have dragged a Fishguard midfielder out of position, he must get involved with the play to ensure the numbers game we've just set up isn't wasted. Sitting deeper than the other two, he offers an option if there are no runs to find or Rakitic/Hughes is put under too much pressure.
Hughes and Rakitic will sit slightly more advanced, and from here they must be looking to play the wingers in at every opportunity. Both are technically superb passers, being able to pass, control, and move in tight areas, even under pressure. So they should work the ball around until the opportunity to spray it out wide once the space has opened up for Draxler or Deulofeu.
Once that ball has gone, they need to move into space, just incase the Double D's can't move forward, offering an option to keep the ball and restart the move.
Once the ball has gone wide, and the wingers have decided to move forward rather than play it back into the middle, Rakitic must follow the run, lurking at the edge of the box for pull backs and rebounds. His cannon of a shot should provide a distinct threat to Welshy's goal. Hughes sits back with Schneiderlin just to negate any counter attacks.
Strikers - As discussed above, Deulofeu and Draxler will be starting out wide in the space that is naturally left by Fishguard's attack -3-5-2 formation. From here, they need to make a choice, a) run at the Fishguard defence, b) cross it in for Lambert (near post) opposite winger (far post) or c) realise that the space and move is breaking down, so draw out a Fishguard CM, and play it back in to Hughes/Rakitic to restart the attack against a now numerically weakened Fishguard midfield.
I'll just quickly run through these scenarios to show what our attackers should be doing:
A) If Draxler or Deulofeu choose to run at the CBs, they need, first and foremost, to get into the box, making it suddenly a lot harder to take the ball of them safely. They need to keep the actual running loose, I'm not going to demand they get to the by line and cut it back every time, and likewise I'm not askign them to cut inside and have a shot, do whatever feels right at the time.
When they start moving into the box, Lambert needs to move towards the six yard box towards front post for any rebounds or short passes into that danger area. The opposite winger needs to do the same as Lambert, but towards the back post offering an option should the ball go beyond Lambert, it should offer him an easy finish. Rakitic should be around the D, with all the defenders rushing back to deal with the three attackers now in advanced positions, I expect him to find space enough to take a touch and power a shot in from any pull backs from the wingers.
B) Crossing should be looking to find Lambert at the near post, Lambert needs to try and move back, pulling the defenders away from that area, before rushing forward to try and isolate the RCB/LCB depending on which side the ball is coming from. The opposite winger should be making a late run into the box, the late run allows the winger to build up speed and momentum for a header at the far post - This momentum is all important because against the two CBs that Lambert has dragged to that side they wouldn't otherwise have a chance of winning it.
C) passing it back, the ball should come out to them fairly quickly, if they are closed down before they can move forward, they need to get the closing midfielder right out position, before getting the ball back to Rakitic and Hughes (who will have moved out to offer an option). This gives the midfield a (sorry to use this term again ) numerical advantage because the winger has pulled one of Welshy's four (he usually uses 4, but with Klassen out it may be less, exacerbating the problems we're causing here ) well out of position.
As this is happening, Lambert needs to be getting right on the shoulder of the defenders, pushing them back making sure they can't compensate for Welshy's depleted midfield. The winger on the other side needs to get right out wide, right into the space so that when the ball comes back into the middle, Rakitic/Hughes can immediately have an option to keep the move going at pace.
Subs -
Losing/Drawing -
60 - Ings on for Lambert. Ings is much faster, and probably a better finisher than Lambert, however he lacks his power and heading ability. This means we should focus on getting the two wingers running at the defenders, using Ings' threat of pace to pin them right back.
80 - Muric on for Schneiderlin. Muric out to LW, performs Draxler's role. Draxler goes into a No.10 position in a 4-2-3-1 with Rakitic and Hughes getting forward. We need all three of the attacking midfielders to run at the defence, who, against Ing's pace, will be dropping deep opening up space between the Fishguard midfield and defence.
Winning -
70 - Muric on for Deulofeu - Draxler swaps to RW, Muric LW. Just fresh legs to ensure that a plan that is evidently working so far is kept at a high pace.
80 - Ings on for Lambert - Ings' pace keeps defence's naturally deep, ensuring Welshy can't pressurise high up the pitch and won't be able to throw the kitchen sink at us in the last minutes for fear of having the game totally killed off.
posted on 27/8/14
Stockport County v FISHGUARD SPORTS
Captain: Blind
Free Kicks: Hojbjerg
Pens: Finnbogason
Corners: Meleg/Fischer
----------------------Rajkovic
--------------Veltman------------Blind
van Beek---------------------------------------Aké
------------------Bazoer
------------------------------Höjbjerg
---Meleg------------Andersen------------Fischer
---------------------Finnbogason
Subs: van der Hart, Reyes, Scholl, Tankovic, Jovic
Tactics: We’ve picked a team where all 11 are comfortable on the ball. We’ve a composed defence, starting with a young but very assured keeper in Rajkovic in goal. Rajkovic is an intelligent keeper who dominates his area – gives good, clear instructions to his defenders, and distributes the ball well.
In central defence we have a strong International pairing. Both do the simple things right, no fuss, and both will look to play the ball with composure, work together and anticipate through balls through to the opposition’s forwards. Both also have good height so are strong in the air to deal with any aerial threats they may come up against. Both Veltman and Blind have the ball playing ability to bring the ball out of defence, and create forward momentum from the back. Both will go up for corners in the opposition’s penalty box.
Our full backs are strong, pacy and intelligent. They’ll look to put the opposition’s wingers (or inside right/left forwards under pressure – trying to either take their attackers into positions where they cannot get the ball into our area – or if necessary force them inside where Bazoer and Höjbjerg will look to dispossess them. Whilst both first and foremost should concentrate on their defensive play, van Beek and Ake have the pace to provide overlaps for Meleg and Fischer, in the knowledge that Bazoer’s presence is there to support the centre backs should we be ht on the counter.
Bazoer will be the defensive midfielder. Covering all along the line – looking to support the centre backs and full backs. He’ll look to play good short passes into Höjbjerg or well-timed balls out to Meleg and Fischer. When Veltman and Blind go up for corners Bazoer will remain defensive and cover any counter attacks.
Höjbjerg will combine well with Bazoer and between the 2 of them we will hope for a good deal of possession. Höjbjerg has an awesome turn of pace and will look to find the space to make progress into the oppositions half – from where he’ll look to bring Andersen and Finnbogason into the game with precise 1-2s and well placed and timed through balls. Höjbjerg will also look to bring Meleg and Fischer into the game – by slotting the ball into spaces where they can make runs into the danger areas or look to get crosses into the box.
Meleg and Fischer will constantly look to make themselves available to their teammates – they’ll work with our fullbacks to run into space and look for the return pass. They’ll look to beat the oppositions fullbacks on pace and skill and send dangerous crosses into the penalty area. They’ll also use their pace to come in – play 1-2s with Höjbjerg/Andersen to look to create chances for themselves or Höjbjerg/Andersen and Finnbogason. Meleg is extremely talented. Powerful and incredibly quick, he is literally a steamroller when running at a defence and the opponent’s left back will have to be up to the challenge. As a player who can also play as a sole forward he also knows exactly how to score when given the opportunity. Fischer meanwhile is full of pace, and full of tricks – a real whippersnapper with a hunger for creating and scoring goals.
Andersen will play in the attacking midfield position – a little dropped off from Finnbogason – he will look to exploit any space in front of and between the oppositions defence. play well placed and well-timed through balls for Finnbogason– or look to create the space for himself – by working with his teammates to create accurate opportunities on goal. Andersen is the ultimate box of tricks; watch out for him bamboozling his opponent. His opponent’s better watch the ball not the player or else Andersen will run riot in his offensive role.
Finnbogason plays up front, and he’s what is known as a complete centre forward. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he is extremely dangerous when dropping deep and running at the defence with the ball in possession. He is also a big strong lad, and centre backs are not used to playing against a forward who is gifted but also has a certain ruggedness about his style. He’s also fantastic in the air, and a deadly finisher.
Subs:
Tankovic on for Andersen in the 70th minute, Jovic on for Finnbogason on the 85th minute
posted on 27/8/14
For the benefit of Haak, post match
Sekhukhune Lions
General
Captain: Ospina
Vice Captain: Krychowiak
Penalties: Krychowiak
Corners: Calhanoglu
Freekicks: Calhanoglu
Starting Line-Up: 1-4-3-3
------------------------Ospina--------------------------
--------Gouweleeuw-----------Dragovic-------------
Aurier----------------------------------------Ghoulam
---------------------Krychowiak------------------------
----------Jorginho-----------------Sertic---------------
Sterling-------------------------------------Calhanoglu
----------------------Lacazette-------------------------
Subs:
Stark
Coric
Akinfenwa
Kostic
Benzia
Tactics
I’ve broken down our game-plan into 3 key phases that are important in the way we play the game.
Ideally we are a lightening quick transition footballing team that presses from the front and high up the pitch so effectively we will look to win the ball as close to their goal as possible or move the ball up the pitch towards the opposition’s goal as quickly as possible and score. This does not mean regular long punts up the field but by using the quickness of our one touch, short passing game and using the pace & dribbling ability of the attacking players. However when we do not win the ball from our initial press, we will revert to our defensive block to limit the opposition’s chances of scoring. Everything is done as a team. We defend and attack as a collective unit, limiting the space between the lines in which the opposition plays in.
The Offensive Organisation:
This is the general shape, movement & positioning of the team when we are in a long spell of possession and in the attacking phase. When in attack we will get forward in numbers, using the footballing intelligence & movement of our attacking midfielders & striker to create passing angles and overloads in the opposition’s area of the pitch both out wide and in central zones, looking to drag the opposition’s players out of position and exploiting the space they leave open. When the opposition is using a deep defensive block to shut out our team we will use our fullbacks to create numbers out wide to stretch the opposition (this will be assisted by our CDM splitting the CBs wider allowing the FBs to move up the pitch) simultaneously using our wide-forward to cut inside to create overloads in the central areas giving us a number’s advantage. When creating chances from the wide areas with the FBs or WFs, we will mostly use cutbacks instead of crosses but can use crosses when the perfect opportunity arises. Making runs behind the defence and beyond the striker is not prohibited by our attacking midfielders. There is a lot freedom in the movement of our striker & attacking midfielders. No one player is restricted to a specific zone on the field or specific task. All four attackers (Sterling, Ziyech, Calhanoglu & Lacazette) will either be provider or finisher with Jorginho providing the support needed and Krychowiak anchoring the midfield and supporting the centre backs. This is why the four of them have similar attributes, to make our style of play fluid & effortless when in a long spell of possession. Shooting from outside the box is not prohibited either. Remember that our players will also press instantly from the front when we lose possession of the ball but also retreat back to our defensive block when we don’t recover the ball from our initial press.
The Offensive & Defensive Transitions:
This is the players’ movements & reactions when moving from defence to attack & back again, whilst illustrating the movement of the ball and this is arguably the most important aspect of our game. Winning the ball back when your opposition is disorganized is the perfect moment you have to benefit from the game. We will aim for rapid movement up the pitch, with progressive passing to exploit the space left by the opposition. Whether it is from our defensive third of the pitch or whether we have won the ball back in our attacking third of the pitch we will exploit the disorganization of the opposition. We expect most of our attacking play will be as a result of our aggressive high press so we will use the following 3 triggers for pressing the opponent from the front:
1. The ball is played to a player facing his own goal
2. The ball is played to a player against the sidelines (using the sideline as an extra man in our favour)
3. A difficult bouncing ball is played to a player facing his own goal.
When any of these 3 triggers are errr…triggered, the players closest to the ball will press quickly and in numbers and another 2 or 3 players will hold of slightly adding depth to the press and closing down the easy option pass of the opposition. Once we win possession of the ball, we break in numbers again exploiting the opposition with either the pace of our attack and/or our quick one-touch passing. We also understand that we will not always get it right when pressing the opposition so will employ a 5-second rule on pressing from the front after which, if we did not win back possession of the football, we will revert to our defensive block. If we don’t win the ball after our initial phase of pressing it is imperative that the players work their way back into our defensive zone of the pitch and close the space that the opposition will look to play in. This must be done with the same speed at which we look to initiate our attacks. Close the space quickly and look to frustrate the opposition with intelligent positioning and non-fairy like tackling before winning the ball back and breaking forward at rapid speed again. We will compact the central zones and force the opposition wide where the quality of the chances are not as high and thus limiting the chances of breaking through our midfield and scoring against us. With regards to attacking from deep, long diagonal balls and quick releases are not prohibited as well when the perfect opportunity arises. Our forwards have the pace to run onto the through-balls.
Defensive Organization:
This is the team’s general shape and positioning when the opponents have the ball. Remember this is our defensive block we go into if we could not win the ball through our pressing phase. As a team we will defend deep in our half and close the space in the middle of the pitch. We will try to force our opponents to the wide areas of the pitch where their impact on the game should be minimal. Also when forcing the opposition closer to the touchlines, we will use the touch line as an extra-man and press them so that we can win possession of the football. More often than not we will outnumber the opponent when they are close to the touchline. The defence will always be organized and focused at all times. If the play is on the left of the field the team as a whole will move towards the left and squeeze the space and vice versa if the play is on the right. We more often than not will try to force our opponents to play hopeful crosses into our box where we have 2 towering CBs who are great at dealing with crosses. If a cross is coming from the right our LB will also move into the box to help deal with crosses and vice versa if the cross is coming from the left. The midfielders will be in & around the box pressing the opponent should they try to play it through the centre. Our wide forwards will help the midfield in closing the space in the centre and then proceed to help the fullback after we have moved the opponent towards the touchline. The wide-forwards are the real work horses in the team and I have 2 very good, hard-working wide-forwards. Our striker will also drop into our half to help the midfield press the opposition’s defence. Also the reasoning behind dropping the striker deep is to draw the opponent’s defence away from their goal creating ample space for us to counter attack.
Substitutions:
62-65min – Kostic for Sertic, to get fresh legs out wide and switch into a 1-4-2-3-1 with Calhanoglu taking up the CAM position.
75-77 min – Stark to replace Krychowiak to get some fresh legs in midfield.
80-82 min – Benzia for Calhanoglu to get some fresh legs upfront alongside Lacazette.
posted on 27/8/14
Week 8 - FC Pride
------------------------Enyeama------------------------
Janko----------Luisao---------Omerou------Oczipka
---------Kouyate-----Mascherano------Pirlo----------
------------Robben--------------T.Hazard-----------
-----------------------Immobile------------------------
Subs: Abidal, Rosicky, Lawrence, Green, Lingard
Squad: Areola, Ondoa, Abidal, Kouyate, James, Perrey, Schöpf, Suliman, Rowe, Robert, Roberts, Baker
Injuries: Samper, Wilson, Halilovic, Britton
Enyema takes his place in goal, he's and ever present at club and international level and has the experience needed to command his defence. He'll be looking to claim aerial balls and play the ball out to feet rather than hitting it long.
Janko and Oczipka take up the fullback positions. Oczipka is very much the modern attacking fullback though he is also good defensively. He has excellent positional awareness and gets up and down the pitch tirelessly. Janko is a beast with similar attributes as well as being solid. The fullbacks will provide width to our attacks, working in unison with the wide forwards.
Luisao and Omerou take up the cb slots. Luisao is a leader who is big, strong and powerful and has bags of experience. Omerou is a strong and quick, upcoming defender who is already a fully fledged international.
Mascherano will take up the defensive midfield role. He's an intelligent player who has ability with the ball at his feet. It's very difficult to get past him. When the fullbacks push on, Mascherano will sit between the 2 centre backs creating a back 3.
Kouyate and Pirlo will take up their midfield roles either side of Mascherano. Kouyate has been likened to Patrick Vieria in his heyday. He's strong, fast and can get up and down the pitch, he'll help keep us solid in the middle of the pitch. Pirlo is the the man with magic at his feet. He will set the tempo of our play. He'll make the passes that make us tick, slowing the game down if we're under pressure or being more direct if the counter attack is on.
Robben and T.Hazard occupy the wide midfield roles, both are very capable assisters but also have an eye for goal. Everyone knows Robben as one of the current best wingers in the world. Both men will be very important in linking the midfield and the attack. They will have a very high work rate today.
Immobile leads the line, he's young and quick with an eye for goal. He's a goalscorer who's also very good with the ball at his feet. He is capable of creating a chance for himself or holding the ball up for supporting players to join the attack.
We have a tough away trip this week so we've moved away from our overly gung-ho way of playing. We're going to be a bit narrower to force our opponents into wider areas of the pitch. I feel we have plenty of strength, height and experience to be able to deal with balls into our box, they'll find it very difficult to get in behind us and should ultimately not have space to create chances.
We're going to let our opponents have the ball in their own half, we won't start to press and close them down until they move into our half. This should help us in terms of counter attack as they will feel like they can push out and leave gaps in behind for us to exploit. As soon as we win the ball, our wide men will push forward, with Immobile coming to receive the ball. He'll have options left and right and also back to Pirlo or Kouyate in the centre of the pitch.
We're keen to keep the ball on the deck and not give the ball away needlessly. Aerial balls will only come when Pirlo receives possession on the counter and there is room for our attacking players to run into in behind. Otherwise we'll look to play in triangles and make our opponents chase the ball.
Captain: Pirlo
Penalties: Robben
Freekicks: Pirlo
Subs after 75 mins if losing:
Move to 4-2-3-1
Rosicky on for Kouyate, cool head to find a killer ball
Green on for Hazard, lightning pace
-----Masch---Pirlo
Rob------Ros------Gre
----------Imm
If winning/drawing:
Lingard on for Hazard to add more energy
posted on 27/8/14
GREAT SCOTTPORT! vs. Fishguard AFC
What do you call a Fishguard when it's at work? A net! Wahey!
--------------------------Forster--------------------------
Clyne---------Ginter------------Fonte---------Durm
----------------------Schneiderlin-----------------------
--------------Rakitic-------------Hughes---------------
---Deulofeu----------Lambert-----------Draxler----
Subs - Horn, Lascelles, Reed, Barmby, Ings
Tactics -
General - Welshy always sets his team up for a tactical battle, it's where he shines. So really, it's less about who puts out who, and more about who comes out on top in the tactical shuffle dance that we call "tactical shuffle dance".
Injuries have knocked out (at least) one of Welshy's wider defenders, and as he tends to play 3 at the back as it is, we are going to use our wingers to exploit the gaps left either side of the Welshman's defence. This is where the damage will come from for us, with two of our most dangerous players given time and space to pick out a cross, or run at pace into the penalty area and directly at Welshy's CBs.
Welshy also has changed his tactics slightly, to go all out attack with his front four or so. So I'm going to ask the defence to sit back, Clyne and Durm won't venture too far forward, and should stick to their wingers (without WBs they don't have the problem of overlapping runs).
Defence - Generally, as discussed above, Welshy doesn't tend to play with any FBs, so without any threat of an overlapping run, we can keep a nice, narrow back four, forcing the ball out wide, ensuring the main threat to deal with will be crosses. With Forster, Ginter and Fonte in the middle, we should dominate the aerial ball (and any low crosses) because they are all tall, very strong, powerful players. Forster, for example, has about 20cm on Finbogason who I'm assuming Welshy will play as his point man.
Clyne and Durm will keep nice and tight to Fonte and Ginter, this will close gaps in the middle and naturally make the ball move out wide. This, as I said, plays into our hands. These two won't be asked to break forward, because, with no FBs to beat, the wingers shouldn't be needing their help to beat a man. However, if Welshy's CBs start as a fairly wide three, they should try and get up, just behind the wingers, for 'give and goes' to get beyond the enemy CBs.
Ginter and Fonte will keep a relatively deep line, this again will force the ball out wide as the chances of Fishguard getting through the middle are dampened (i.e. there can be no cheeky through balls played behind us). Once the ball goes wide, Ginter will be the one go for the ball at the near post because he's the powerful strong defender who should win everything. Fonte will be marking the opposition striker, keeping close enough to a) prevent the striker getting in Ginter's path, allowing a clean clearance, and b) offering a distraction should Ginter fail to clear the ball, Fonte will prevent the striker having a free header on the cross.
Forster will be looking to mop up any balls that go beyond GInter, i.e. anything that goes beyond the near post. His height and power means he should be relatively unhindered in his taking of the ball.
When clearing the ball, the defence should look to get it out wide to the wingers. This is because the midfield, with Welshy's tactics, tends to be quite a congested area, whilst the wingers should be in a fair amount of space and will have time to take the ball down and pick a pass/run.
Midfield - As I said just above, the midfield tends to be a packed area when we come up against Welshy, so it's imperative that we get it out wide as quickly as possible, right into the areas where space should be available. At this point, I'm expecting Welshy's LCM/RCM to move out to meet our winger, giving us a numerical advantage (or at least equality) in the middle, so if the winger does not move forward, the ball can go right back into the middle where our players should have the quality to take the game to Fishguard.
Schneiderlin will be deep again, everyone knows his qualities as a DM so I'm not going to patronise you by telling you them. Should one of Welshy's midfielders break from deep, looking to get on the end of a cross (again, the attack that our defence will be limiting them too) Schneiderlin will chase back, ensuring they won't get a free header. What mustn't be forgetten about the Frenchman is he's a fantastic passer of the ball, so once the wingers have dragged a Fishguard midfielder out of position, he must get involved with the play to ensure the numbers game we've just set up isn't wasted. Sitting deeper than the other two, he offers an option if there are no runs to find or Rakitic/Hughes is put under too much pressure.
Hughes and Rakitic will sit slightly more advanced, and from here they must be looking to play the wingers in at every opportunity. Both are technically superb passers, being able to pass, control, and move in tight areas, even under pressure. So they should work the ball around until the opportunity to spray it out wide once the space has opened up for Draxler or Deulofeu.
Once that ball has gone, they need to move into space, just incase the Double D's can't move forward, offering an option to keep the ball and restart the move.
Once the ball has gone wide, and the wingers have decided to move forward rather than play it back into the middle, Rakitic must follow the run, lurking at the edge of the box for pull backs and rebounds. His cannon of a shot should provide a distinct threat to Welshy's goal. Hughes sits back with Schneiderlin just to negate any counter attacks.
Strikers - As discussed above, Deulofeu and Draxler will be starting out wide in the space that is naturally left by Fishguard's attack -3-5-2 formation. From here, they need to make a choice, a) run at the Fishguard defence, b) cross it in for Lambert (near post) opposite winger (far post) or c) realise that the space and move is breaking down, so draw out a Fishguard CM, and play it back in to Hughes/Rakitic to restart the attack against a now numerically weakened Fishguard midfield.
I'll just quickly run through these scenarios to show what our attackers should be doing:
A) If Draxler or Deulofeu choose to run at the CBs, they need, first and foremost, to get into the box, making it suddenly a lot harder to take the ball of them safely. They need to keep the actual running loose, I'm not going to demand they get to the by line and cut it back every time, and likewise I'm not askign them to cut inside and have a shot, do whatever feels right at the time.
When they start moving into the box, Lambert needs to move towards the six yard box towards front post for any rebounds or short passes into that danger area. The opposite winger needs to do the same as Lambert, but towards the back post offering an option should the ball go beyond Lambert, it should offer him an easy finish. Rakitic should be around the D, with all the defenders rushing back to deal with the three attackers now in advanced positions, I expect him to find space enough to take a touch and power a shot in from any pull backs from the wingers.
B) Crossing should be looking to find Lambert at the near post, Lambert needs to try and move back, pulling the defenders away from that area, before rushing forward to try and isolate the RCB/LCB depending on which side the ball is coming from. The opposite winger should be making a late run into the box, the late run allows the winger to build up speed and momentum for a header at the far post - This momentum is all important because against the two CBs that Lambert has dragged to that side they wouldn't otherwise have a chance of winning it.
C) passing it back, the ball should come out to them fairly quickly, if they are closed down before they can move forward, they need to get the closing midfielder right out position, before getting the ball back to Rakitic and Hughes (who will have moved out to offer an option). This gives the midfield a (sorry to use this term again ) numerical advantage because the winger has pulled one of Welshy's four (he usually uses 4, but with Klassen out it may be less, exacerbating the problems we're causing here ) well out of position.
As this is happening, Lambert needs to be getting right on the shoulder of the defenders, pushing them back making sure they can't compensate for Welshy's depleted midfield. The winger on the other side needs to get right out wide, right into the space so that when the ball comes back into the middle, Rakitic/Hughes can immediately have an option to keep the move going at pace.
Subs -
Losing/Drawing -
60 - Ings on for Lambert. Ings is much faster, and probably a better finisher than Lambert, however he lacks his power and heading ability. This means we should focus on getting the two wingers running at the defenders, using Ings' threat of pace to pin them right back.
80 - Barmby on for Schneiderlin. Barmby out to LW, performs Draxler's role. Draxler goes into a No.10 position in a 4-2-3-1 with Rakitic and Hughes getting forward. We need all three of the attacking midfielders to run at the defence, who, against Ing's pace, will be dropping deep opening up space between the Fishguard midfield and defence.
Winning -
80 - Barmby on for Deulofeu - Draxler swaps to RW, Barmby LW. Just fresh legs to ensure that a plan that is evidently working so far is kept at a high pace.
80 - Ings on for Lambert - Ings' pace keeps defence's naturally deep, ensuring Welshy can't pressurise high up the pitch and won't be able to throw the kitchen sink at us in the last minutes for fear of having the game totally killed off.
--------------------------------------
I've swapped Muric for Barmby, although I suppose it's really up to Welshy and Tippy if they're happy to accept these tactics
posted on 27/8/14
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
______________________Navas__________________
Coleman_______Hendrix_______Can_________Shaw
_____________Tielemans_____Teixeira___________
Ward-Prowse__________Barkley____________Brandt
______________________Toni____________________
SUBS: De Santis, Sama, Crowley, Iheanacho, Dembele
Captain: James Ward-Prowse
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Luca Toni
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
General:
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition used by Dortmund, and now used by Taiwan. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with the attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Barkley and Ward-Prowse will drop back to help, Brandt stays up as the out ball and Toni prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines, and hoof up the pitch towards the strikers whenever possible. The ball must stay clear of the 18 yard box at all times. Communication is key with centre halves to avoid confusion when deciding who claims a loose ball / cross.
Hendrix and Can:
Deals with opposition attackers. Can keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Can will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Can or Tielemans will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Hendrix will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Hendrix will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Can. Can will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners.
Coleman and Shaw:
Will get forward in turns when we get possession, if they aren’t individually under too much pressure. Will sit back when without the ball, but bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. They should thump in crosses to Toni when it’s on. Shoot if there is a clear sight of goal. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Tielemans and Teixeira:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Tielemans is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Tielemans will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Teixeira will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Teixeira will be a bit ahead of Tielemans to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Tielemans stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Tielemans sticks to position when fullbacks flys forwards, providing cover if needed. Teixeira drops deeper when this happens.
Ward-Prowse, Barkley and Brandt:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Toni and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Ward-Prowse should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Toni and shoot if needed. Goes to near post to anticipate crosses. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball.
Toni:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Crowley ON
Go 4-3-3 to help keep hold of the ball and add legs into the midfield battle.
Losing:
75 mins: Teixeira OFF Dembele ON
Go 4-2-4 with Toni and Dembele centre Ward-Prowse right Brandt left. Barkley supports, Tielemans holds and sprays passes from deep.
posted on 27/8/14
Basingstoke Tactics (4-4-2 diamond)
-----------------------Fabianski--------------------
Johnson-------Zouma----Rekik------Kurzawa
-----------------------Carvalho------------------
---------------Vilhena-------Ramsey-----------
----------------------Quintero-------------------
----------------Austin------Boetius-------------
Subs: Mersin, Bellerin, Kallstrom, Kramer, Grimaldo
Captain - Ramsey
Vice - Zouma
All FKs & Corners - Ramsey
This week is the big one. Basingstoke Town vs The Fruit Machine. It's a big opportunity for us to show our pedigree and make a big impact in the title race. This week we have decided to try and overpower the Southend midfield, as they are notoriously powerful in this area. Our midfield has amazing quality and should have the ability to take control of the game, limiting Southends impact in the game and hopefully we can capitalize on our dominance.
GK - Standard stuff, he's a great shot stopper so needs to concentrate on his organisation skills and commanding of his area.
Full backs - Both are great athletes who can get up and down a lot. I want to see them both using their pace, stamina and power to get forward at every given opportunity. They're important for us to stretch the opposition allowing us more space in the middle where our dangerman can operate. They will be looking for the ball all the time. More vital than usual today as they will be the widest men for us throughout the game.
CBs - Zouma to play at the 'first knock defender', meaning he will be the one attacking the ball when it comes into the defence and generally going up against the attackers. This suits his game plan as he's a physical specimen and aggressive to match. Rekik will play a more reserved role, but equally important. He will be calling the line - we will be playing with a high line as we have the energy in the middle and the pace to recover if the line is beaten - and reading the game aiming to be able to cover the rest of the defence at the right times. These two are my first choice defence, and compliment each other perfectly and could be one of the best partnerships around in seasons to come.
Carvalho - Huge role in todays game plan. He's a player no-one will want to come up against and I'm looking to him to disrupt the oppositions rhymth. When the FBs are back in position he will be rampant in the MF, protecting the back 4. When the FBs are back he will drop into the defence and offer them support in numbers as he has all the attributes to play there.
Ramsey and Vilhena - Get to play their natural game today. They will dictate the play from deep often and will play as a more traditional box to box CMs, almost like they're playing in a 4-4-2, just with Carvalho behind him. It's important that if Carvalho drops into defence Ramsey makes sure he's protecting the defence, but it's his natural game to sit from deep first and attack when the time is right, so we should be tough to break down, especially given his incredible energy levels which should make it extremely tough for the opposition to play the ball in the middle, especially with our high line. When the time comes he can break forward at a decent speed and he has a knack of popping up at the right time to get important goals. Essentially the midfield energy levels and intelligence are vital today, as it will give us a solid foundation whilst also allowing us to get numbers forward to trouble the opposition.
Quintero - Second game for us today and I'm trying to get him playing his natural game and letting his talent flourish. Him, Vilhena and Ramsey will be the ones on the ball most often. He has license to come deep and pick the ball up if he likes and drive forward with it, but most of all I want him getting into the gaps left by the Southend midfield. They're not the most defensive midfield and have no natural anchorman, so there will be space for Quintero to exploit, and when he has the ball in this positions he can do it all - pick passes, beat men or hit them from distance. This variation will make him incredibly difficult to stop and will make the team less predictable as a whole. If people get drawn to Quintero, he can find the runners exploiting the space. If people back off him, he can drive forward or hit a twonker from range.
Boetius - Key role today as he is going to be our main outlet for the midfield, aside from the full backs. He basically has a free role today, allowing him to attack the opposition from anywhere along our front line. He can find the weaknesses and expose them, his movement will be key in giving us a more direct threat and giving the Southend defence something to think about, meaning they can't just push high and press us in the midfield. I have no doubt in his huge ability and I'm giving him the chance to be the game changer today, I truly believe he'll come through for me.
Austin - Just want him to play his natural game today, drifting into places where the defence don't know whether or not they should be picking him up. Holding the ball up and bringing players like Ramsey, Quintero, Vilhena & Boetius into play with his great all round play. And perhaps most importantly, getting into the area at the right times to show his composure in front of goal and get us the goals to win, which is what he does so well, time and time again.
Subs - 70 mins - Grimaldo & Kramer on for Kurzawa & Vilhena
Both changes are like for like, just to give us fresh legs and allow us to keep up with the style of play we want, whilst having genuine quality coming off the bench.
posted on 27/8/14
Sorry again, swapped a player only
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
______________________Navas__________________
Coleman_______Hendrix_______Can_________Shaw
_____________Tielemans__Ward-Prowse__________
Promes_______________Barkley____________Brandt
______________________Toni___________________
SUBS: De Santis, Sama, Teixeira, Iheanacho, Dembele
Captain: James Ward-Prowse
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Luca Toni
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
General:
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition used by Dortmund, and now used by Taiwan. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with the attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Barkley and Brandt will drop back to help, Promes stays up as the out ball and Toni prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines, and hoof up the pitch towards the strikers whenever possible. The ball must stay clear of the 18 yard box at all times. Communication is key with centre halves to avoid confusion when deciding who claims a loose ball / cross.
Hendrix and Can:
Deals with opposition attackers. Can keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Can will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Can or Tielemans will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Hendrix will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Hendrix will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Can. Can will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners.
Coleman and Shaw:
Will get forward in turns when we get possession, if they aren’t individually under too much pressure. Will sit back when without the ball, but bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. They should thump in crosses to Toni when it’s on. Shoot if there is a clear sight of goal. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Tielemans and Ward-Prowse:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Tielemans is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Tielemans will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Ward-Prowse will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Ward-Prowse will be a bit ahead of Tielemans to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Tielemans stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Tielemans sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Ward-Prowse drops deeper when this happens.
Promes, Barkley and Brandt:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Toni and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Brandt should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Toni and shoot if needed. Goes to near post to anticipate crosses. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball.
Toni:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Teixeira ON
Go 4-3-3 to help keep hold of the ball and add legs into the midfield battle.
Losing:
75 mins: Tielemans OFF Dembele ON
Go 4-2-4 with Toni and Dembele centre Promes right Brandt left. Barkley supports, Ward-Prowse holds and sprays passes from deep.
posted on 28/8/14
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/8/14
what the actual fack is that mess?
posted on 28/8/14
I hadn't read it till now
posted on 28/8/14
Same
posted on 28/8/14
----------------Ochoa
Janmaat--Kalas----Yepes---Balanta
----------Gerrard--Westwood
----------------Lallana
------Origi----------------Gutierrez
----------------Volland
Maguire
Silva
Aguilar
Ramos
Leckie
Our team for today is set up in a way that will lead to a strong, direct attacking style of play. Defensively we have a strong unit that will work well as a team and in midfield we are set up in a way that will compensate for each players strengths and weaknesses.
As a back four we will defend as a team. Versatility is key and a number of our players can play across the defence. We will play a flat back 4 when the other team is on the ball. Not being drawn out of position but still harrying their attackers. It is key to isolate their players and as a result mean they cannot play good football. When on the ball Janmaat will be allowed to attack the opposition and support Origi down the wing. When this is the case Balanta will come inside and we will play with a flat 3 at the back. If Janmaat is caught out of position Westwood will drop back into CB and Kalas will cover him at RB. on the ball we must be comfortable at playing from the back and being patient with our build up play. All members of the defence are capable passers and it is key that they utilise this to start attacks from the back.
Gerrard and Westwood will work as a well oiled machine in the midfield. Both are very capable on the ball and will look to start quick attacks. Westwood has the energy to compensate for Gerrard's lack of it and it will be his role to provide the dynamism in the centre of midfield. Westwood will also look to Harry the opposition midfielders when they are on the ball, forcing them into mistakes.
Lallana will look to play the free role in midfield providing attacking runs to peg back the opposition midfielders and find space for the other attackers. His runs will be intelligent and he will look to press them into submission to creat space.
Origi and Gutierrez will use a blend of pace, guile and power to run at the defence and create space for Lallana. Volland will play a unique form of target man, dropping back to draw the opposition centre backs out of position for Origi and Guiteirrez to exploit.
Substitutions
If losing/drawing/winning
Ramos on Gutierrez off 65 minutes
Ramos goes to centre forward and Volland takes Gutierrez's place.
posted on 28/8/14
Basingstoke Tactics (4-4-2 diamond) - correct version!
----------------------Yusef Mersin--------------------
Johnson-------Zouma----Rekik------Kurzawa
-----------------------Carvalho------------------
---------------Vilhena-------Ramsey-----------
----------------------Quintero-------------------
----------------Austin------Boetius-------------
Subs: Cropper, Bellerin, Kallstrom, Kramer, Grimaldo
Captain - Ramsey
Vice - Zouma
All FKs & Corners - Ramsey
This week is the big one. Basingstoke Town vs The Fruit Machine. It's a big opportunity for us to show our pedigree and make a big impact in the title race. This week we have decided to try and overpower the Southend midfield, as they are notoriously powerful in this area. Our midfield has amazing quality and should have the ability to take control of the game, limiting Southends impact in the game and hopefully we can capitalize on our dominance.
GK - Standard stuff, he's a great shot stopper so needs to concentrate on his organisation skills and commanding of his area.
Full backs - Both are great athletes who can get up and down a lot. I want to see them both using their pace, stamina and power to get forward at every given opportunity. They're important for us to stretch the opposition allowing us more space in the middle where our dangerman can operate. They will be looking for the ball all the time. More vital than usual today as they will be the widest men for us throughout the game.
CBs - Zouma to play at the 'first knock defender', meaning he will be the one attacking the ball when it comes into the defence and generally going up against the attackers. This suits his game plan as he's a physical specimen and aggressive to match. Rekik will play a more reserved role, but equally important. He will be calling the line - we will be playing with a high line as we have the energy in the middle and the pace to recover if the line is beaten - and reading the game aiming to be able to cover the rest of the defence at the right times. These two are my first choice defence, and compliment each other perfectly and could be one of the best partnerships around in seasons to come.
Carvalho - Huge role in todays game plan. He's a player no-one will want to come up against and I'm looking to him to disrupt the oppositions rhymth. When the FBs are back in position he will be rampant in the MF, protecting the back 4. When the FBs are back he will drop into the defence and offer them support in numbers as he has all the attributes to play there.
Ramsey and Vilhena - Get to play their natural game today. They will dictate the play from deep often and will play as a more traditional box to box CMs, almost like they're playing in a 4-4-2, just with Carvalho behind him. It's important that if Carvalho drops into defence Ramsey makes sure he's protecting the defence, but it's his natural game to sit from deep first and attack when the time is right, so we should be tough to break down, especially given his incredible energy levels which should make it extremely tough for the opposition to play the ball in the middle, especially with our high line. When the time comes he can break forward at a decent speed and he has a knack of popping up at the right time to get important goals. Essentially the midfield energy levels and intelligence are vital today, as it will give us a solid foundation whilst also allowing us to get numbers forward to trouble the opposition.
Quintero - Second game for us today and I'm trying to get him playing his natural game and letting his talent flourish. Him, Vilhena and Ramsey will be the ones on the ball most often. He has license to come deep and pick the ball up if he likes and drive forward with it, but most of all I want him getting into the gaps left by the Southend midfield. They're not the most defensive midfield and have no natural anchorman, so there will be space for Quintero to exploit, and when he has the ball in this positions he can do it all - pick passes, beat men or hit them from distance. This variation will make him incredibly difficult to stop and will make the team less predictable as a whole. If people get drawn to Quintero, he can find the runners exploiting the space. If people back off him, he can drive forward or hit a twonker from range.
Boetius - Key role today as he is going to be our main outlet for the midfield, aside from the full backs. He basically has a free role today, allowing him to attack the opposition from anywhere along our front line. He can find the weaknesses and expose them, his movement will be key in giving us a more direct threat and giving the Southend defence something to think about, meaning they can't just push high and press us in the midfield. I have no doubt in his huge ability and I'm giving him the chance to be the game changer today, I truly believe he'll come through for me.
Austin - Just want him to play his natural game today, drifting into places where the defence don't know whether or not they should be picking him up. Holding the ball up and bringing players like Ramsey, Quintero, Vilhena & Boetius into play with his great all round play. And perhaps most importantly, getting into the area at the right times to show his composure in front of goal and get us the goals to win, which is what he does so well, time and time again.
Subs - 70 mins - Grimaldo & Kramer on for Kurzawa & Vilhena
Both changes are like for like, just to give us fresh legs and allow us to keep up with the style of play we want, whilst having genuine quality coming off the bench
posted on 28/8/14
Notts County tactics vs Taiwan
------------------------------Scuffet----------------------------------
Yedlin---------Manolas-------Stones----------Bernat
Januzaj----------Iturraspe-------Thiago-------------Depay
----------------------------Meyer----------------------------------
----------------------------Alcacer---------------------------------
subs: Romagnoli, Aranguiz, Ibe, Diaz, Totti
Game Plan: We're switching things up this week with a big tactical change, moving away from our high line and fast pressing game and moving more towards a counter attacking philosophy utilising our immense pace out wide and up front. Speed of thought, speed of movement, speed of passing. Very little is as important as speed to counter attack; we have to catch the opponents backpedaling and undermanned and imperative to this is a fast tempo, we have the ability and pace in the side to go from our own area to the opposition area in 3 or 4 passes and just a few seconds. We know that Taiwan like to press high up the pitch and we want to draw them on to us, and transition quickly into attack, they are struggling with Injuries and suspensions particularly in defence.
Scuffet: very intelligent young goalkeeper, will command his area, very good under the high ball and from crosses, when he has the ball will look to release the ball quickly into wide areas to begin counter attacks, Schmeichel Style
Defence: The importance of the defence in a counter attack is two-fold: first, they must be strong and able to withstand a great deal of pressure, Manolas and Stones are both very quick and very good in the air and possess great concentration levels as they must be forever vigilent of runners from midfield and out wide into the channels, Yedlin and Bernat also possess great pace and tenacity in the challenge as well as excellent positional sense, they will look to stop crosses in the wide areas and must also watch the runs of the wide players if they look to make a move inside. The entire back 4 must be in constant communication with each other. Secondly the defence must be able to start attacks from deep, and Manolas and Stones are both very accomplished with the ball at their feet and have a great passing range, while Yedlin and Bernat both possess the pace to transition quickly into attack and support the wingers on the overlap.
Midfield: The midfield is the link between defence and attack, as ever, but their role is even more important in a counter attack. Our 2 defensive midfielders Ander Iturraspe and Thiago Alcantara give us extra solidity in front of the defence, as ever, but they also serve a higher purpose in that they will force Taiwan's wingers to go wide by denying them space to cut into. Since we have big, aerial defenders, this is exactly what we want as we can trust our defenders to win the ball and use their ball skills to play it out nicely. Both Thiago and Iturraspe while defensively very disciplined and strong are also very accomplished ball players and are able to start attacks from deep, they will look to use the ball quickly and effectively, they have 4 very quick and intelligent runners ahead of them.
Attack: The most important thing about the four forward most players is that they have the speed and movement to make each attack count, and this is certainly the case with Januzaj, Depay, Meyer and Alcacer. Paco Alcacer is a very intelligent player, who will have litte to no defensive responsibilty in open play, instead he will have to be aware of when the ball is turned over and then use his movement and pace to create space and cause havoc amongst the defence of Taiwan on the counter attack. Max Meyer as the attacking midfielder will also not have a great deal of defensive resonsibility, he is a player oozes flair, composure, decision making, creativity, passing, technique, pace and dribbling, he will use all of these attributes to create chances either for himself or the other forwards, the pace and movement of Alcacer will open up through ball opportunities for Meyer and he has the skill to execute these chances. Januzaj and Depay will have defensive resposibilty, they must look to drop back and help in wide areas and look to pick up clearances from our own box, they have the pace and energy to then get up the field quickly and transition into attack, they have very intelligent movement and can move inside or stay wide and look to stay on the defence's blind side.
Subs: Jordon Ibe for Adnan Januzaj 70 minutes, straight swap, very quick player, with excellent dribbling ability and goal scoring potential against tired Taiwan defenders.
Captain: Thiago Alcantara
Freekicks: Memphis Depay
Pens: Memphis Depay
Corners: Max Meyer
posted on 28/8/14
Sarth'hend Vs. SMACKDOWNPORT!
-----------------------------Forster-----------------------------
---------------Ginter-------------------Fonte------------------
-Clyne-----------------Schneiderlin------------------Durm
----------------Hughes----------------Clasie-----------------
------------------------------Rakitic-----------------------------
---------------------Deulofeu-----Ings-------------------------
Subs - Horn, Blackett, Muric, Gallagher, Lambert.
Tactics -
General - 4-1-2-1-2, counter attacking, with Deulofeu given licence to roam left or right to create from wide positions. Need to break immediately, with the pace of Ings opening up space for the packed midfield to exploit. In effect, it's similar to how Holland set up at the WC.
Defence -
The CBs will be nice and deep to invite pressure, and bring Tippy's whole team a good 10 yards forward, it is essential to our attacking plan to open up space between the CBs and their keeper.
Schneiderlin will drop very deep, effectively into a back 3 when Tippy has the ball, this allows us to deal with any ground attacks (something that HaaK noted was a weakness last game), Fonte and Ginter are both capable of defending these threats, but Schneiderlin, being so small and quick is a better bet.
When the attack comes through the middle, Schneiderlin will be the initial barrier, moving out to meet them when they get close enough, he needs to attempt to win the ball at this stage. Should he be beaten, Ginter or Fonte will step out and hold up the attacker, giving Schneiderlin time to get back and cover. Once he's back, the covering CB can make the challenge safe in the knowledge that we have back up should he miss it.
The FBs need to stick to the wide attacker, any overlapping FBs will be picked up by the flanking CB who will move out wide. Clyne and Durm need to try and show the wingers inside, into a highly congested area of the pitch (2 CBs, Schneiderlin as a DM/CB hybrid, and the two CMs tracking back).
On the attack, the CBs should initially try and find Rakitic who can then open up passes for the counter attacking runs of Ings. If this isn't on, then the long ball in behind the defence should offer us a credible threat due to the direct running and pace that Ings brings the team. As I said early, the defence's deep line should encourage Tippy's team to step up the pitch and open up a gap between the CBs and the keeper, this is what Ings can exploit. The FBs need tobe rushign forward, forcing the FBs to stay out wide to mark them, this should give Deulofeu space to create in the wide areas, and leave Ings with few obstacles to his central runs forward.
Midfield -
Schneiderlin goes deep when they ahve the ball, Hughes and Clasie need to come back, about 10 yards in front of the back three, they need to press and harry once the opposition get close enough to pose a danger to our penalty area, but don't be pressing too high up the pitch - Because again, we want to encourage Southend forward. When we win the ball, they need to be looking to get Rakitic on it, both are good passers, but Rakitic tops them for vision and the ability to play the killer pass. This conservatism will also ensure they aren't running out of position and we can retain our defence rigidity.
Rakitic is given licence to be a little less defensive, when they have the ball, he should be looking to find space where, once we win a tackle, he can instatnly be picked out by a short pass. From this point, he needs to use his range of passing to play it into the space behind the CBs for Ings, or he can get it out wide to Deulofeu who can run at whichever FB he has isolated in that instance. Once Rakitic has made the pass he needs to be moving forward, arriving late into the box for rebounds or pull backs from Deulofeu should the Spaniard get into a crossing position.
Strikers -
Deulofeu will play like Robben did at the WC (with Ings providing the pace that Deulofeu may lack, which will drag the defenders off him). He needs to be moving out wide to a) keep the FBs out of Ings' way, and b) to offer a secondary offensive probe meaning our attacks aren't one dimensional runs through the centre. he needs to isolate a FB and beat him, the run on into a crossing position. Ings should have been following the run, and with his pace, should be well in front of the recovering CBs, leaving him open for the horizontal pass which should place him 1-on-1 with the keeper. The ball should be low, giving Ings an easier job controlling it than if it was whipped in at head height. Otherwise, Deulofeu can run into the box and have a shot himself, or, if the CBs have tracked back enough to mark Ings, pull it back to Rakitic who will be hot on the heels of the CBs, but ever so slightly behind, leaving him the man in space (effectively, it's a case of Ings is in space, or Rakitic is for Tippy's defence).
Ings will sit relatively deep, enticing Southend's back line forward. But, once we win the ball he needs to start a clever run forward. His run should be timed so that he is running at full speed once the ball is played over the high-line defenders, this means they simply will not be able to catch him, no matter how fast they are themselves. Ings' head start would leave the defenders having to turn, start sprinting, then get up to full speed, whilst he's already shot past them, leaving him with just the keeper to beat. Deulofeu should follow the run in to mop up any rebounds.
Subs -
Losing -
60 - Hughes off, Muric on. Two winger/strikers now, giving us a very stretched pitch through which we can open up gaps and really hurt Southend.
70 - Lambert on for Schneiderlin - 4-4-2, with the wingers sticking out wide and getting in crosses. At this stage, Tippy's defence will be exhausted from chasing Ings' constant forward forays, they won't stand up to the physical battle that Lambert brings, leaving him the chance to win cross after cross.
Winning/Drawing -
80 - Harrison Reed on for Deulofeu. Lambert on for Ings. Reed, as a youth product of Southampton, is well versed in keeping the ball, keeping it moving with short pass and move strategies. It's now a case of keeping hold of possession and seeing out the game.
Lambert offers us the opportunity to go long as soon as we come under any concerted pressure. His powerful prescence, coupled with the exhaustion in Tippy's ranks should give us a very good chance of retaining the ball even if we are forced to resort to long ball tactics at the end.
posted on 3/9/14
TAIWAN
4-2-3-1
_______________________Navas____________________
Coleman_______Musacchio_____Laporte_________Shaw
_________________Can_______Tielemans____________
Ward-Prowse___________Barkley____________Bellarabi
_____________________Di Natale___________________
SUBS: De Sanctis, Kolasinac, Teixeira, Promes, Drmic
Captain: Antonio Di Natale
Right free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Left free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
Penalties: Antonio Di Natale
Right corners: James Ward-Prowse
Left corners: James Ward-Prowse
GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach and will be our approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Ward-Prowse and Barkley will drop back to help, Bellarabi stays up as the out ball and Di Natale prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line. * When defending we will play two banks of four and be compact leaving little space in between the lines. So when defending we will go into this mode:
Ward-Prowse - Can - Tielemans - Barkley
Di Natale - Bellarabi
And when we get the ball we will look to set loose the speedsters up front with the whole team pushing up a bit to at least outside our 18 yard box and switch back to our normal formation.
Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines and play safe, take no risks. Looks to set off counters with his distribution.
Musacchio and Laporte:
Deals with opposition attackers. Laporte keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Laporte will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Laporte or Can will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Musacchio will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Musacchio will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Laporte. Laporte will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners. If in the event that an attacking midfielder / second striker is not played then Koscielny will just have to deal with the midfield runner but not get dragged too far out of his defensive line.
Coleman and Shaw:
Coleman will be disciplined for this match, but when we get the ball and whoever the opposition manager plays goes on one of his inside runs Coleman will look to overlap Ward-Prowse and run into the box. Coleman and Shaw both will show the opposition wide players to their weak foot, threat weakens when they are shown away from goal. Both will sit back when without the ball, but Shaw will bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.
Can and Tielemans:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Can is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Can will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Tielemans will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Tielemans will be a bit ahead of Can to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Barkley, even going level with Barkley at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Ramsey will need to make himself a goal threat with his late runs into the box in this match. Can stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Can sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Tielemans drops deeper when this happens.
Ward-Prowse, Barkley and Bellarabi:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Di Natale and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Ward-Prowse should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Barkley can burst past Di Natale and shoot if needed. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball. Ward-Prowse will be drifting inside a lot and because he has stamina of six men he will therefore chase down the ball a lot and aim to create when he gets the ball. In this match when we don’t have the ball I will need Bellarabi to sit on their deep lying midfielder and disrupt him from running forwards. When Coleman gets forward during his rare forward runs Ward-Prowse will attempt to find him at the far post for Coleman to knock the ball across goal for Di Natale Bellarabi Barkley to knock in, with Ward-Prowse arriving late to gobble up possible rebounds. They will also try and double up on a full back if required (like Robben and Ribery both attacking the same fullback).
Di Natale:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.
SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Barkley OFF Teixeira ON
Teixeira replaces Barkley and we go 4-3-3 with Teixeira dropping back. We will then aim to keep the ball for as long as possible even if we have to do pointless sideway passing but if space opens up, work the ball forwards to try and create a chance.
Losing:
75 mins: Can OFF Drmic ON
Go 4-2-4 with Di Natale Drmic centre Ward-Prowse right Bellarabi left. Barkley supports, Tielemans holds and sprays passes from deep. All out attack, have to go level at least if not win it. When we lose the ball Ward-Prowse goes central to provide support in centre mid and Drmic goes to the right to provide that outlet. Switch back when we have the ball. Both full backs go forwards in turns and we will squeeze them back into their 18 yard box. Our CBs will not stick too close to the striker in case they get turned, Laporte will be ready to chase back towards goal while Musacchio will position himself to nick the ball off the attacker as soon as he gets it. Whatever second attacker from the opposition will be watched by the full back staying back depending on which side.
Scored the goal(s) to get all three points / to win the tie ONLY AFTER the Drmic change:
Whatever minute: Di Natale OFF Kolasinac ON
Whatever minute: Bellarabi OFF Promes ON
They’re gonna pen us back whether we like it or not, so we will go 5-4-1 with Kolasinac slotting into a back 5. Barkley will come into the centre along with Tielemans with Ward-Prowse right and Promes left, Drmic up front. Promes will provide the counter attacking threat when we win the ball back and him and Drmic will break at their (supposedly) abandoned defence. This is not me playing defensive football voluntarily, this is the opposition forcing us into our box like we would’ve forced them into theirs and me providing a counter measure to this situation.
posted on 3/9/14
Fishguard vs BLYTH 3-2-5
....................Neto............
........Vlaar....Barzagli....Rugani..
...........De Jong...Alonso......
Berardi...........Insigne......Piatti......
...............Crouch....Destro.........
Subs: Rubinho, Maggio, Delph, Palombo, Neilton
Capt: Vlaar
Freekicks (short) Insigne
Freekicks (long) Alonso
Corners: (right) Alonso
Corners: (left) Insigne
Pens: Destro
Away in sunny Wales this week, expecting a tough game against a well organised team in Fishguard and a tactically astute manager in Welshy.
Blyth are setting up in an un-orthodox formation today as we hunt for goals after back to back goal-less draws.
We expect the Welshman to line his side up with a fluid 4-3-3 and although our shape looks uneven it is set up with drawing them on and smashing them on counter in mind, as our side is effectively broken down in to 2 halves with 5 defenders and 5 attackers.
General playing style
less about possession today as we look to move the ball quickly and with purpose, that doesn't necessarily mean long/direct ball, but it does mean moving the ball quickly from the back to the front.
Neto:
Returns today after his suspension last week, does the basics very well and can be relied upon to run a tight defence.
Centre Backs:
Playing 3 at the back but without full backs can be seen as a risk, but for me it's calculated and hopefully my tactics will show it.
Barzagli: will be the man who marks their CF, Andrea may have lost some of his pace but is a fantastic reader of the game and it's that intelligence that will give him the edge in his personal battle. Composed on the ball so in possession will look to bring it forwards but keeping it simple no suicide passes across the box, will go forward for all set-pieces
Vlaar/Rugani: If as we expect Fishguard go 4-3-3 then these two men will shuffle wide and watch the wingers, both are big strong units so won't dive in recklessly as they can't risk being skinned but both are capable of the snidey little kicks that Blyth are becoming accustomed to. As with Barzagli both will go up for all set-pieces.
I'm aware that there could be a lack of pace in my defence and baring this in mind we're playing a deeper line (holding the 18 yard line) and cutting off the space between the back of our defence and Neto, thus cutting off the spaces for Fishguard to run into, if we keep our back 3 from being turned we have a very good chance in this game.
De Jong/Alonso: Iron fist in a velvet glove is how I'd describe our central midfield pairing. Defensively both will sit and track the runs from Fishguards midfield acting as a shield for our centre backs. Offensively NDJ will push on in support to cut the space between midfield and attack but also to win the ball back higher up the field should we lose the ball. Alonso is more the architect strolling around the park spreading the ball around and dictating the pace of the game. If NDJ and Alonso can control the centre of the park we should be able to make the most of our numerical advantage in the final 3rd and come home with the 3 points. NDJ will sit for all attacking set-pieces providing cover for our centre backs to go up.
Berardi/Piatti: Both lightening quick direct widemen, will look to run at Fishguard's defence at pace and draw challenges. Both are clever players and will look to interchange positions during the game making it harder for them to be marked, They are both comfortable cutting inside and having a go themselves or running the line and pumping crosses in and it's this unpredictability that could turn the tide in our favour, Defensively both men are on "light duties" they won't track back as it's not what this formation is about they will hold the line with Crouch and Destro effectively creating a front 4, forcing Fishguards fullbacks to make a choice whether they push on and support the attack or sit and mark our wingers, ideally we can peg their full backs into their own half and isolate Fishes own wingers but if their Fb's do push then Berardi and Piatti drop to half way line and make it a foot race on the counter
Insigne: The number 10. The boy can do it all and today he finally gets a chance to play more centrally for Blyth instead of playing LW. Such a clever little player with a big game mentality if he shines we shine. Will drop to collect the ball from Alonso and then either hit the space infront of him or look to play in his team-mates. Will learn to master the art of the late surge as he has 2 strikers infront of him who are more than capable of holding the ball up.
Crouch/Destro: a return at last to a front 2 for Blyth. Crouch comes in for his debut, he has his critics but he's big strong and has a good touch for such a big man, will be the traditional target man for us attacking crosses holding the ball up and bring others into play. He will play slightly deeper than Destro by positioning himself infront of the 2 Cb's and making a nuisance of himself. with Piatti and Berardi banging crosses in and Insigne and Alonso on set-pieces and crosses from deep he should be a real handful for Fishes defenders. Destro today will be the Number 9, playing off the shoulder of the last defender looking to time his runs into space for our widemen and Insigne to pick him out as well as looking to latch onto any Crouch based flick ons, will operate a shoot on site policy today, if you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.
Subs: 65 mins regardless
Tactically none of the subs will really change the system or the style so all are like for like with fresh legs
Delph > Alonso
Palombo > De Jong
This system puts a huge amount of work-rate on a midfield two so these two come on for the final 25 mins to see the game out. Palombo is another solid Anchor man so will slot comfortably into NDJ's role. Delph although not as good technically as Alonso has a great engine on him and can box to box with the best of them
Neilton > Destro. Fresh legs, full of running will look to link up well with the wingers and Insigne, trying to play Crouch in
The end
posted on 3/9/14
FL. FART vs Taiwan
Formation: 4-3-3
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal—6. Batth---17. Zapata---3. Armero
--------------------22. Kondogbia---------------------
---------20. Wijnaldum---24. Yaya Toure---------
7. Menez----------------------------------11. Piazón
-----------------------9. Morata-------------------------
Subs:
33. Johnstone
12. Matthews
19. Cambiasso
8. Lampard
14. Kane
Captain: 24. Yaya Toure
Corners: 7. Menez
Free kicks: 24. Yaya Toure
Penalties: 24. Yaya Toure
This week we’ll line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Taiwan’s high-possession, high-pressing 4-2-3-1. We’ll look to invite the Taiwan team into our half, block off the space with our imposing and energetic midfield and smash them to pieces on the counter with our powerful and technical midfield runners and our lightning, skilful wingers. Think Bayern vs Real in the Champions League last season – if Taiwan are Bayern, then Fart are Real – Menez is Ronaldo, Piazón is Bale, and so on. We have the players to exploit the massive gaps Taiwan will leave between midfield and defence, and especially behind the defence. We’ll use Taiwan’s high line against them.
In goal we have Jefferson, who arguably should have started for Brazil this summer (although he’ll be glad he didn’t). A big, imposing and commanding keeper, he has excellent reflexes and is quick off his line in anticipating danger and will be instructed to roll the ball short to his centre halves or overarm it to the fullbacks, Toure or wingers if an opportunity to counter presents itself; he has an excellent Schmeichel-style long throw.
The centre halves complement each other quite nicely; Batth is tall and excellent in the air, and very composed for a lad of his age. He’s stepped up effortlessly to every new level he’s been asked to play at. He’ll look to dominate Di Natale aerially and physically; as good a finisher as the Italian may be, he’s only 5’7’’ and at almost 37 years of age he’s got barely any pace left. Anything that gets past Batth will be swept up by the tall, strong and rapid Zapata on the cover. They’re both capable distributors of the ball but they’ll look to offload the ball to the full backs or midfield when the counter is on.
The full backs are Carvajal and Armero. They’re both young, full of energy, quick and eager to get up and down their respective touchlines for the full 90. Carvajal is naturally more defensively inclined than Armero and he’ll keep a closer eye on his opposite number Bellarabi than Armero, who will instead push aggressively into the space when Ward-Prowse goes a-wandering inside. Carvajal will badger and harry Bellarabi who’s got great technique and skills but whose end product has been found wanting in the past; Armero will have a field day with so much room around and behind Ward-Prowse. Both full backs will sit deep with the defence, inviting the Taiwan midfielders on before aggressively winning the ball back and blazing forwards. As they’re both young and fit they’re more than capable of getting back again after their forward forays.
The midfield is as dynamic and powerful as any in the league. Our new signing Kondogbia will sit in as the anchorman; he has some of the world’s best stats for tackles and interceptions, with his natural ability to read and anticipate leading him to be linked with Europe’s biggest clubs for years. He’s also almost 6’3’’ and is a terrifying physical specimen; incredibly strong and far quicker than a man of his dimensions should be, he won’t be worried about Barkley’s pace and directness. I’ll ask Kondogbia to stick aggressively to Barkley whenever he looks to go in at goal. Barkley may have a great deal of talent but what he has in directness he lacks in creativity. He’s not a player to lace glorious through balls in behind the defence, he’s one who picks up the ball and runs at goal. In this match he’ll find that Kondogbia is an impassable wall, easily a physical match and with the technical skills to win the ball back and lay it off calmly to a more attacking colleague.
Speaking of which, the more advanced midfielders are again the impressive Wijnaldum and Toure. Both have energy and pace to burn and both are powerful and direct runners. Wijnaldum has more technique and creativity than Toure, but Toure has power in spadefuls and is a one-man army on the counter. Both midfielders will sit in deep to either side of Kondogbia while Taiwan pass the ball sideways. They’ll hassle and harry along the midfield line, supporting the full backs and Kondogbia, and as soon as the ball is won back, they’ll be off up the pitch with unstoppable speed and power. Both will look to push the ball wide to our wingers (more on them later) and will look to get in behind the Taiwan defensive mids, neither of whom is quick, Toure will be too powerful for Can and Wijnaldum likewise for Tielemans. Both midfielders will then be expected to push further forwards and overload the retreating Taiwan midfield and defence. While one midfielder bursts into the box the other will hang back nearer the edge of the box, ready to get back in support of Kondogbia who will stay back in support of his centre halves.
The wingers are a nightmare for opposition to mark; both are naturally right footed although strong with their left, both are incredibly skilful and both are very quick indeed. They’ll both stay wide and reasonably high up the pitch, only coming back to cover Taiwan’s Coleman and Shaw if they venture forwards on the overlap. Otherwise they’ll pen back the opposition full backs who will worry about their pace on the counter. The beauty of these wingers is they can switch at will, and both possess the pace and trickery to go around the outside or cut inside as the situation demands. When they go around the outside they’ll pull cutbacks to the arriving Wijnaldum and/or Toure; when they go inside they’ll look to get in on goal, and each will chase the rebounds from the other’s shots. In other words, the right hand winger will attack the far post when the left hand winger drives in at goal or pulls wide for the cross/cutback. Taiwan won’t know what will have hit them, given that they sit so high up the pitch and their centre halves aren’t relied for their speed or agility
Up front we have Morata, a tall and tough young striker well suited to the demands of leading the line on his own. In this match he’ll more often than not look to drop deep when the ball comes in short to feet or long to chest; he’ll take the ball with his back to goal, pulling one centre half out of the high defensive line with him, and he’ll lay the ball off to an onrushing Toure/Wijnaldum or play it through ahead of Piazón or Menez as they make intelligent runs behind the full backs or between full back and centre half. Morata will then spin past the centre half and charge forwards in support of the counter attack, looking to arrive into the box for a cross or to occupy a defender for the winger to bypass with a cutback. This way we’ll create countless overloads; by getting the ball to our frontmen quickly the Taiwan midfield will be bypassed and we’ll have Piazón, Menez, Wijnaldum, Toure and Morata charging at a retreating and out-of-position back four.
If we’re winning or drawing, then I’ll make changes to preserve tired legs. Piazón will make way for Cambiasso, Armero for Matthews and Morata for Kane on 75 mins, and the midfield will take the following shape:
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal--6. Batth--17. Zapata--12. Matthews
-------19. Cambiasso--------22. Kondogbia-------
------------------24. Yaya Toure----------------------
20. Wijnaldum----------------------------11. Menez
------------------------14. Kane-------------------------
The more compact midfield will continue to sit deep and release Yaya and the wingers on the counter. Cambiasso will add extra bite to the midfield and pressurise the increasingly desperate Taiwan attackers as they chase the game; they’re more likely to push forwards in search of a goal and will leave even bigger gaps to exploit as time runs out. Matthews will sit a bit deeper than Armero did, again reinforcing our defensive solidity. Kane is quick and strong up top and will continue Morata’s work.
So, if we’re winning or drawing:
3. Armero > 12. Matthews (75 mins)
11. Piazón > 19. Cambiasso (75 mins)
9. Morata > 14. Kane (75 mins)
If we’re losing after 70 mins, then we press even more aggressively and I will throw on Kane for Piazón and Lampard for Kondogbia. The team will take the following shape:
----------------------1. Jefferson-----------------------
2. Carvajal---6. Batth---17. Zapata---3. Armero
------------8. Lampard—24. Yaya Toure-----------
20. Wijnaldum------------------------------7. Menez
----------------9. Morata—14. Kane------------------
By going with two up top we’ll put immense pressure on the Taiwan back line; we’ll look to press harder in midfield and get the ball forward quicker, which means hitting the ball longer (although not just punting it aimlessly). Both Morata and Kane are strong and good with their backs to goal, and they’ll take the ball down on their chests and release forward runners (Toure will burst forward, Lampard will hang back a bit and lurk for long shot opportunities). We’ll really start to press from the front now and all players will be expected to give the opposition no time on the ball whatsoever.
So, if we’re losing:
22. Kondogbia > 8. Lampard (70 mins)
11. Piazón > 14. Kane (70 mins)
posted on 3/9/14
Oops - should say 7. Menez not 11. Menez on the winning subs lineup
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