https://www.theguardian.com/football...cal-crossroads
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I hope so. The malority of defenders, certainly at Championship level, have absolutely no business attempting to play out, invite the press etc. They play at the back for a reason, because they're not as technical or balanced. We all know that the shitter you are at football, the further back on the pitch you end up playing (That's why i can't respect goalkeepers) Every kid starts out wanting to beat players and score goals, then the reality kicks in...... So, although my tongue is firmly in my cheek while posting this :hehe: I would say that i'm glad the the footballing revolution that is playing out from the back and inviting the press is hopefully crumbling. I honestly had second hand embarrassment watching some players attempt it.
The idea of playing out from the back is great and I love to see examples of it working, but what I think of as playing out from the back is different to what passes for it now. I was an advocate of City playing out from the back for years, but what I meant was a more considered style which including passing from the back into midfield and then attack, rather than the slavish long ball game we followed.
However watching centrebacks taking goal kicks to keepers is daft and the basic question that needs to be asked and answered honestly is how many goals are scored directly as a result of playing out from the back compared to how many are conceded because of mistakes occurring through playing that way?
In a game that is becoming ever more money obsessed, it’s amazing that so many clubs are willing to take a hit through relying on a way of playing method that clearly counter productive. If I were an owner of a club who insisted on using the modern version of playing out from the back, I’d hire a respected football analytics company to do an unbiased check as to the balance between goals scored and conceded because of the style of play we used over the course of, say, half a season. If, as I suspect it would do at the large majority of sides, that the method was costing my team goals, I’d tell the manager to change how the team was playing and sack him if he refused to do so.
If there is to be a backlash against the modern version of playing out from the back, Then I hope and trust we’ll not see a complete about turn to the monotonous long ball stuff that was prevalent forty years ago. There was some discussion on here about the great pass Dylan Lawlor played to create the winning goal in last week’s under 21 game with the jacks and I’d hate to see him told to play a more basic game when he has the tools to offer any team he plays for a bit more than that.
And if they can do it, that means they can't defend otherwise they wouldn't play for us. Pep and Arteta are playing 4 CBs for a reason, they can all defend. I know why so many managers moved away from defenders being defenders first and foremost but it doesn't make any sense to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuerto
Its so that the keeper can take the ball in the middle of the 6 yard box and open up the entire pitch and "passing lanes" but the whole team has got to do it, be aware and be switched on. So often, teams try to play out when the front players aren't set up correctly, in space etc and it all breaks down. You're also asking Alnwick to play like a centre mid, which is fine if you're Ederson but less so if you're not! I think it's mental, for what it's worth.Quote:
Originally Posted by the other bob wilson