Torquay United Fans Forum

yellowsmiffy wrote:Hmm not sure about this Chunky. I agree Prem players on that money should be the very best footballers, who are what we call 'complete footballers' where every side of their game should be polished, and accomplished. League 2 is different, each player will have one or two aspects wo their game which are strong, adn the rest weaker. That determines what position they are most suited to, and probably aren't anywhere near as versatile positionally.

However, Manse has played right back extremely effectively, and had an unbelievable season in central midfield last season. Player of the year at Oxford at left back. He knows how to play those roles just fine. Your previous comments about players not being able to pass or find time on the ball etc are borderline-absurd! Manse and Easton are both very good on the ball at turning out of danger under pressure, and passing the ball sideways. The only thinig they both lack, is the ability to play a cutting through-ball accurately, as they both lack the vision of someone like Eunan O'Kane, or Alex Russell. That's the kind of thing you're born with and can't coach. Not many league 2 players have that. Manse has improved as a footballer massively since his BSP days, however it's not so noticable, as we have filled the team around him with much better footballers, who all have decent touches and are much better at passing and being on the ball.

I'd also argue all the decent prem teams have attacking centre mids. Scholes/Yaya/Frank/Cabaye/Sigurdsson/Wilshire/Gerrard etc etc to name a few. They certainly don't use ball-winners and distribute the ball to the wings each time. I've seen countless interlinking exchanges in the middle of the park, leading to goals following a player being played-in on goal against the keeper. I've also seen plenty of long pin-point passes over the top, with the strikers finishing the move off with goals...

That's why Man United struggled for so long, when there was talk of them bringing in Wesley Sneider. They lacked the most integral component of a successful football team at that level, the player that makes the team tick going forward, who can control the pace of the game as he wishes. The tempo of the game is dictated by these sorts of players.

yellowsmiffy wrote:
I don't think we know what Knill wants yet Phil do we? He's only had one game, and hasn't had time to experiment much in training etc? Maybe you're right and Wycombe will be the same!

yellowsmiffy wrote:I've been thinking, and I genuinely believe we need to change our current style of play to a slightly more direct one... bare with me, I'm not sure I will explain myself that well at this time of night.....

I think our style of play really isn't suited to the lower divisions and players of this ability. We aren't direct enough, and we're too focussed on breaking teams down with our passing. Without a creative centre mid, we just sit of the edge of the box, and shoot from distance. The wingers don't cut inside and score, because Craig isn't a natural goal scorer, nor is Jarvis, and Billy has been hopeless in front of goal, and wants it on his left foot, and he's usually on the left wing anyway.

The current pitter-patter powder puff passing and posession game that we try to play is far far too easy to defend against it seems, and there is a much higher percentage chance of the move breaking down due to the number of passes, and touches, and flicks involved. If we were more direct from the wings, all you need to do is get the ball out wide, ball goes in the box, and two forwards compete to head at goal. It can take a few passes and you're already giving yourselves an opportunity on goal. We take about 15 passes at the moment, one players loses posession, and all the good work is undone without even coming close to their goal....

I'd be looking to be a tad less pleasing on the eye, and a fair bit more direct from the wings... In fact, Ling's passing game is the most boring style of football I've ever seen at Plainmoor possibly. .

yellowsmiffy wrote:
Football is a simple game,

SteveDeckchair wrote:Some very strange views on this thread. Chunky has obviously never played football in his life and Danny suggesting we drop Manse for Lathrope! I mean, come on. Lathrope has been useless when I've seen him this season.Can't pass for toffee and has been missing his tackles, which is what he's there for.

chunkygull wrote:on to our current midfield.- i am absolutely sick and tired of hearing phrases such as holding/defensive/creative/attacking midfielder. if these players are in the middle of the park they should be good enough to adapt and play whichever role or perform whatever task their manager asks of them. these guys are supposed to be "professional" footballers. if they cant keep a foot on the ball for a few seconds look up and find their team-mate with a pass they have no damn business being there.

the game is not easy i grant you but the principles and basics should be to a "professional". if any player cannot make the right decisions at the right time and pass the ball left, right, back or forward then they should not be playing. all the pro's on the pitch should have a good knowledge of the game and an abundance of skill which should see them be able to adapt and play at least adequetely in any position on the pitch.

also coaching and management should take some blame for our midfield creativity lacking. what the hell do they do in training. the players should all know their job by now and where each other are. a coach should have a team drilled in all the football, tactics, patterns and team-play that is required, if not what do they do.

we all hear how hard it is to make it and how a lot of players dont get in a league club. well tell me how the hell did our midfielders make it if they are unable to make a telling forward pass or even string a few possesion passes together.