He made a great point about the keeper probably having 40% on his own! Is there anywhere we can find these sorts of stats or is it not available in league 1? @ReturnToSenda can you point in the right direction?
Yes it is an iconic statement & sort of sums up GA's philosophy, as he clearly stated it is all about what you do with the ball when you have it; some might call it "hoof ball" but is about moving the ball quickly & efficiently into the opposition final third to create chances. He has clearly set his team up & bought in players that can do that, good for him. It sometimes isn't pretty but when it works we transition quickly from defence to attack and create chances, a little more cutting edge in attack & we could & should be scoring hatfulls.
The goalie really seemed to set the tone, looking massively frustrated and shouting at his own players for not coming short when he had the ball, even when they were being marked. Most keepers would have hit it longer and it may come back but you have to have a bit of variety when you've been caught out overplaying.
We may underplay at times, I'm not saying we are anywhere near perfect but overplaying from the back and putting yourself under direct pressure from your own goal kicks is silly and the kind of thing we love to see from the opposition.
Dominating possession is probably desirable but it's not the only way and at the moment our attackers and defenders are probably better than our "holding" midfielders with the absences.
Just goes to show there’s more than one way to win a football match - and to the purists, what would you rather yesterday? Being on the losing side with MK with loads of possession, or winning the game with thrilling counter attacks.
Best thing is probably looking at a player's touches as a % of the team's overall touches. Cumming had 11% yesterday - and more touches than against any other team this season (although I'm assuming that includes saves).
Interesting that Gaz thinks we've become known as a more possession-based team 🤔 I'm confused.
"Different managers play different ways and since being here, we have probably been known as a destroying counter team, then a possession-based build-up team and I love playing that way."
Actually, I think the BFP have messed up the quote: I assume he said "known more as a destroying counter team than a possession-based build-up team". Oof.
I can only speak for the sports journalist(s). I leave it to mrs micra to tell me who’s died, who’s appeared in court, and what hygiene ratings various pubs and restaurants have been awarded. [We also have a friend who carries out pub and restaurant kitchen inspections.]
@glasshalffull aside, the standard of sports reporting is not great. But one recent plus (and I don’t know if it’s been sustained) was the introduction of dates for recent and upcoming matches and other related activities. There hadn’t always been clarity in that respect.
We are often a bit sloppy in forward passing, we might be taking this too literally.
"Possession for possessions sake can do one" is a bit less snappy, but casually kicking it out of play (even if as stylishly as Anthony did last night) is surely not preferable to actually passing to someone with the same coloured shirt and them scoring a goal.
Maybe to increase the fan experience a nice "Stop Fkng about and Wang it long" banner could be put on the top of the main stand and we could all point lasers at it
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Love it! I was thinking it was instantly iconic when I saw the interview too, so worthy of a thread. Worthy of a banner, too!
Yeah not for me but each to their own
He made a great point about the keeper probably having 40% on his own! Is there anywhere we can find these sorts of stats or is it not available in league 1? @ReturnToSenda can you point in the right direction?
Yes it is an iconic statement & sort of sums up GA's philosophy, as he clearly stated it is all about what you do with the ball when you have it; some might call it "hoof ball" but is about moving the ball quickly & efficiently into the opposition final third to create chances. He has clearly set his team up & bought in players that can do that, good for him. It sometimes isn't pretty but when it works we transition quickly from defence to attack and create chances, a little more cutting edge in attack & we could & should be scoring hatfulls.
The goalie really seemed to set the tone, looking massively frustrated and shouting at his own players for not coming short when he had the ball, even when they were being marked. Most keepers would have hit it longer and it may come back but you have to have a bit of variety when you've been caught out overplaying.
We may underplay at times, I'm not saying we are anywhere near perfect but overplaying from the back and putting yourself under direct pressure from your own goal kicks is silly and the kind of thing we love to see from the opposition.
Dominating possession is probably desirable but it's not the only way and at the moment our attackers and defenders are probably better than our "holding" midfielders with the absences.
Just goes to show there’s more than one way to win a football match - and to the purists, what would you rather yesterday? Being on the losing side with MK with loads of possession, or winning the game with thrilling counter attacks.
Was it Rochdale a few years ago who came here and played lovely possession football in their own half but fell apart every time we did get the ball?
That for me was the perfect example of the point that GA was (and has always) making.
It was indeed Rochdale. The number of times we robbed them of the ball that day was embarrassing.
Best thing is probably looking at a player's touches as a % of the team's overall touches. Cumming had 11% yesterday - and more touches than against any other team this season (although I'm assuming that includes saves).
Wasn't it away when we won 3-0 despite barely touching the ball?
That too. It was almost funny to watch. Let them have it, get near our third and we would rob the ball punt it forward and score. Simples!
Yeah, when Robert Sanchez had an absolute mare
I remember it well. 29% possession, 0 corners and won 3-0. Tremendous
Possession for possession's sake is of course fairly pointless, but you surely need some amount of it to control a game.
Possession is nine tenths of the law. Not in our house.
Interesting that Gaz thinks we've become known as a more possession-based team 🤔 I'm confused.
"Different managers play different ways and since being here, we have probably been known as a destroying counter team, then a possession-based build-up team and I love playing that way."
https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/highwycombe/23065110.wycombe-boss-gareth-ainsworth-prefers-less-possession/
Maybe he thinks we play like we're possessed?
Actually, I think the BFP have messed up the quote: I assume he said "known more as a destroying counter team than a possession-based build-up team". Oof.
I’m sure you’re right @ReturnToSenda. Makes a lot more sense.
As if there would be a typo in the BFP! 🤥
Yep, quite hard to believe.
The standard of journalism in the BFP is shocking.
I can only speak for the sports journalist(s). I leave it to mrs micra to tell me who’s died, who’s appeared in court, and what hygiene ratings various pubs and restaurants have been awarded. [We also have a friend who carries out pub and restaurant kitchen inspections.]
@glasshalffull aside, the standard of sports reporting is not great. But one recent plus (and I don’t know if it’s been sustained) was the introduction of dates for recent and upcoming matches and other related activities. There hadn’t always been clarity in that respect.
Won't ever match the time they actually wrote that Ukraine had invaded Russia!
But they regularly word stuff oddly and make typos etc.
There was a weird one last season that implied Bayo had scored his first goal against Doncaster when he played for them!
"Possession Can Do One" would be a decent banner I reckon
We could follow it up with "Passing Can Fuck Off" and "Ball Control's For Wankers"
"Scoring is boring"
Skills Don't Give Me Thrills
Hangovers Are Better Than Stepovers
A High Press Relieves Stress
A Good First Touch Don't Impress Me Much
We are often a bit sloppy in forward passing, we might be taking this too literally.
"Possession for possessions sake can do one" is a bit less snappy, but casually kicking it out of play (even if as stylishly as Anthony did last night) is surely not preferable to actually passing to someone with the same coloured shirt and them scoring a goal.
Maybe to increase the fan experience a nice "Stop Fkng about and Wang it long" banner could be put on the top of the main stand and we could all point lasers at it
I just hope the proofreading on the "family announcements" page is suitably thorough.