Possession, Penetration, Pressure, Patience
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Tatics and Analysis - ESPN
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/tacticsandanalysis/id/231?cc=5739
Can Charlie Adam fit in at Stoke?
At Stamford Bridge last season, Charlie Adam appeared to have become a proper Liverpool player, as Kenny Dalglish's side recorded a fine 2-1 victory over the eventual European Champions.
The Scot played a crucial role in both goals. First, he energetically closed down Jon Obi Mikel as AVB-led Chelsea tried to pass out from defence, won the ball, and prompted a rapid Liverpool passing sequence leading to Maxi Rodriguez's cool finish. His contribution for the winner was even better -- a 50-yard pass out to Glen Johnson, who had stormed forward from right back to slide in a late winner.
It was a slightly sad sight to see him back at Stamford Bridge last weekend with Stoke City. Adam had been renowned because of his excellent vision and passing ability, but the Reds discarded him because of his inability to play "The Liverpool Way" -- or at least the Brendan Rodgers Way -- and has ended up at the league's most direct, simple team.
Of course, that is a simplistic summary -- Rodgers demands short passing football, and Adam's trademark was always his long, ambitious diagonal balls. In fact, his style more naturally suits Stoke. Away at Chelsea, there were two primary attacking strategies. The first was hitting long balls towards the far post for Peter Crouch, who could either score himself or knock the ball down to teammates. The second involved quick switches of play, attempting to get wide players Michael Kightly and Jon Walters running towards goal between the opposition centre back and full back. Adam's left foot can play a part in both moves, right?
Wrong. Tony Pulis elected to play Steven N'Zonzi and Glenn Whelan in the two deep central midfield roles. Adam was used as an advanced playmaker in support of Crouch, where he didn't know what to do with the ball on the rare occasions it came his way. Furthermore, he didn't even take the majority of Stoke's set pieces, which were generally the responsibility of Whelan. Once described as being worth 10 million pounds for his corners alone by Sir Alex Ferguson, is the 4 million pound Stoke signing now into negative value?
It was an unhappy game for Adam -- he was booked for an utterly needless foul on Ramires high up the pitch, received a warning from the referee shortly afterward, had an exchange of words with Pulis just before half-time and was finally withdrawn after an hour, replaced by Michael Owen. And why not? He was a better candidate for picking up Crouch's knock-downs.
Few Premier League players have experienced such a turbulent couple of years as Adam. He was promoted with Blackpool in 2010-11, highly rated but untested at the top level. Ian Holloway's side offered great ambition but lacked discipline, and Adam was their key man, a natural in a side based around long diagonal passes. In a more negative sense, he summed up their naïve determination to attack at the expense of shape and structure, but as Blackpool had an excellent first half of the campaign, Adam was linked with a move to a top club.
The problem was, Adam believed the hype. Blackpool supporters became frustrated with his selfishness, his overambitious passes and his insistence on doing everything himself. Holloway, having declared one of Adam's early-season passes as the best ball he'd ever seen, suddenly realised the issue. "It's got to be 75 percent short and quick and tidy, and 25 percent lovely jubbly. Not the other way around,” he said. “He has to concentrate on playing simply, quickly, nicely and neatly, and forget all his World Cup Willie shots from the halfway line."
The Scot played a crucial role in both goals. First, he energetically closed down Jon Obi Mikel as AVB-led Chelsea tried to pass out from defence, won the ball, and prompted a rapid Liverpool passing sequence leading to Maxi Rodriguez's cool finish. His contribution for the winner was even better -- a 50-yard pass out to Glen Johnson, who had stormed forward from right back to slide in a late winner.
It was a slightly sad sight to see him back at Stamford Bridge last weekend with Stoke City. Adam had been renowned because of his excellent vision and passing ability, but the Reds discarded him because of his inability to play "The Liverpool Way" -- or at least the Brendan Rodgers Way -- and has ended up at the league's most direct, simple team.
Of course, that is a simplistic summary -- Rodgers demands short passing football, and Adam's trademark was always his long, ambitious diagonal balls. In fact, his style more naturally suits Stoke. Away at Chelsea, there were two primary attacking strategies. The first was hitting long balls towards the far post for Peter Crouch, who could either score himself or knock the ball down to teammates. The second involved quick switches of play, attempting to get wide players Michael Kightly and Jon Walters running towards goal between the opposition centre back and full back. Adam's left foot can play a part in both moves, right?
Wrong. Tony Pulis elected to play Steven N'Zonzi and Glenn Whelan in the two deep central midfield roles. Adam was used as an advanced playmaker in support of Crouch, where he didn't know what to do with the ball on the rare occasions it came his way. Furthermore, he didn't even take the majority of Stoke's set pieces, which were generally the responsibility of Whelan. Once described as being worth 10 million pounds for his corners alone by Sir Alex Ferguson, is the 4 million pound Stoke signing now into negative value?
It was an unhappy game for Adam -- he was booked for an utterly needless foul on Ramires high up the pitch, received a warning from the referee shortly afterward, had an exchange of words with Pulis just before half-time and was finally withdrawn after an hour, replaced by Michael Owen. And why not? He was a better candidate for picking up Crouch's knock-downs.
Few Premier League players have experienced such a turbulent couple of years as Adam. He was promoted with Blackpool in 2010-11, highly rated but untested at the top level. Ian Holloway's side offered great ambition but lacked discipline, and Adam was their key man, a natural in a side based around long diagonal passes. In a more negative sense, he summed up their naïve determination to attack at the expense of shape and structure, but as Blackpool had an excellent first half of the campaign, Adam was linked with a move to a top club.
The problem was, Adam believed the hype. Blackpool supporters became frustrated with his selfishness, his overambitious passes and his insistence on doing everything himself. Holloway, having declared one of Adam's early-season passes as the best ball he'd ever seen, suddenly realised the issue. "It's got to be 75 percent short and quick and tidy, and 25 percent lovely jubbly. Not the other way around,” he said. “He has to concentrate on playing simply, quickly, nicely and neatly, and forget all his World Cup Willie shots from the halfway line."
GettyImages / The FA/The FA/Getty Images"It's got to be 75 percent short and quick and tidy, and 25 percent lovely jubbly. Not the other way around," said Ian Holloway, Charlie Adam's coach at Blackpool.
Adam tried a few of those shots at Liverpool, too. Burdened by the task of becoming Liverpool's first reliable deep-lying playmaker since the departure of Anfield hero Xabi Alonso, Adam had a few moments like the one at Stamford Bridge, but failed to set the world alight and his departure was no surprise.
Adam is an unusual player. He's frequently criticised for his lack of mobility -- he lacks pace and stamina, and at Blackpool he had two midfield colleagues doing all his running. Regardless whether he was ahead of them or behind them, he didn't need to press, to chase, to close down -- he was the star man. He's not afforded that liberty elsewhere.
What kind of manager would cast aside a talented passer merely because he can't run around a lot? Well, Pulis, perhaps. But the point remains: A good footballer can compensate for his lack of mobility. Adam's technique isn't in doubt, but his footballing brain remains frustratingly underdeveloped; he's still too keen to play the killer pass. Maybe his advanced positioning is Pulis' attempt to calm him down and encourage neater, crisper passes, but this would mean a change of style from both Adam and Crouch, who is hardly ideal for sprinting onto measured through-balls.
Besides, if there's one side in the league that can easily accommodate a deep-lying midfielder who enjoys thumping ambitious, occasionally wayward long passes, it's Stoke. To do that, however, Adam should be dropping short and collecting the ball from the centre backs, and Pulis will surely try him there sometime -- Adam's two starts have been against Manchester City and Chelsea, where the midfield's main task is keeping a good defensive shape. Stoke will open up at home to Swansea this weekend, and Adam might be perfect for the system.
But if Pulis wants to recreate his Stamford Bridge strategy, Adam behind Crouch makes little sense; Stoke would be better with Walters there, and Adam on the bench. And this is the crucial point about Adam -- his skill set is so specific he's either the key player, or he doesn't fit into the side. At Blackpool it was the former, at Liverpool it was the latter -- which will it be at Stoke?
Adam is an unusual player. He's frequently criticised for his lack of mobility -- he lacks pace and stamina, and at Blackpool he had two midfield colleagues doing all his running. Regardless whether he was ahead of them or behind them, he didn't need to press, to chase, to close down -- he was the star man. He's not afforded that liberty elsewhere.
What kind of manager would cast aside a talented passer merely because he can't run around a lot? Well, Pulis, perhaps. But the point remains: A good footballer can compensate for his lack of mobility. Adam's technique isn't in doubt, but his footballing brain remains frustratingly underdeveloped; he's still too keen to play the killer pass. Maybe his advanced positioning is Pulis' attempt to calm him down and encourage neater, crisper passes, but this would mean a change of style from both Adam and Crouch, who is hardly ideal for sprinting onto measured through-balls.
Besides, if there's one side in the league that can easily accommodate a deep-lying midfielder who enjoys thumping ambitious, occasionally wayward long passes, it's Stoke. To do that, however, Adam should be dropping short and collecting the ball from the centre backs, and Pulis will surely try him there sometime -- Adam's two starts have been against Manchester City and Chelsea, where the midfield's main task is keeping a good defensive shape. Stoke will open up at home to Swansea this weekend, and Adam might be perfect for the system.
But if Pulis wants to recreate his Stamford Bridge strategy, Adam behind Crouch makes little sense; Stoke would be better with Walters there, and Adam on the bench. And this is the crucial point about Adam -- his skill set is so specific he's either the key player, or he doesn't fit into the side. At Blackpool it was the former, at Liverpool it was the latter -- which will it be at Stoke?
Friday, 28 September 2012
AFC Liverpool vs. Maghull FC Youth U15 - postponed
Sat 29/09/12 (10:30) – postponed (waterlogged pitch)
Under 15 Premier
Sandy Lane, Lydiate L31 4DW
AFC Liverpool vs. Maghull FC Youth U15
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
This is Anfield - The LFC Midfield Dynamic
This is Anfield
Guest writer Andrew discusses how the midfield works within Brendan Rodgers’ system and how the players at his disposal can fit into it.
A quick disclaimer: I’m going to make comparisons to Barcelona. I’m sorry, its exhausting, I know. Although the football Rodgers wants his team to implement is a bit different from Barcelona’s the midfield works in similar ways in both systems.
The Midfield Positions
Brendan Rodgers sets his team up to play possession based football. We all know that. But the dynamic of the midfield that he wants isn’t fully understood. Rodgers uses three central midfielders (from here onwards simply referred to as midfielders; wingers are wingers) to maintain possession of the ball, move it forwards, and set up opportunities for the three forwards. The midfielders in his system fall into three categories: a defensive midfielder, a passing midfielder, and an attacking midfielder.
The defensive midfielder in Rodgers’ system is not the type that we’re familiar with in England. We’re used to tough tackling destroyers in the mold of Roy Keane and Javier Mascherano who snap into tackles and play a very physical game. Rodgers prefers to use a more South American defensive midfielder called a “volante“. The volante tends to intercept more balls due to clever positioning than engage in tough tackles. Not that the volante doesn’t tackle, its just less of an “all action” style and a more thoughtful, apprehensive approach. The volante is also different than the typical defensive midfielder with the ball. Volantes come back to the central defenders, pick up the ball, and move itforward to the other midfielders where other defensive midfielders can have less responsibility on the ball.
Leon Britton fulfilled the role of the volante under Rodgers at Swansea. He had a very high pass completion percentage as well as a high interception count. He made tackles as well. Busquets fills this position for Barcelona. Lucas Leiva fits the bill for this position perfectly; we’ve seen him become a great defensive midfielder in the past few years but his ability to pick the ball up off the defenders and move it forwards (he doesn’t just pass sideways, preseason was evidence enough of this for those still skeptical) to the more creative players and the wingbacks. Nuri Sahin can play as a volante though it isn’t his most natural position. He reads the game well enough defensively, but he’s better suited a bit further forward. Joe Allen can play this role, and indeed he has in Lucas’ absence so far. However, he is more suited to the next position in Rodgers’ midfield.
The passing midfielder in Rodgers’ system isn’t quite the same we’re used to at LFC. The benchmark players are obviously Jan Mølby and Xabi Alonso. They were noted for their ability to sit deep and spray the ball around the pitch. Rodgers likes his passing midfielder to play short passes to the four players ahead of him and the wingbacks. More importantly, though, the passing midfielder has great movement and always finds space so that the attack minded players in front of him have an easy outlet pass to him in order to maintain possession and switch the point of the attack. I think of this player as a metronomebecause that’s what people call Xavi Hernandez, who very much fulfills this role forBarcelona. Xavi plays a bit further up the pitch than Busquets, and always find spaces to receive the ball from the players ahead of them if they’re in trouble, then plays a quick, short pass to switch the point of the attack.
Joe Allen fulfilled the role perfectly at Swansea and Rodgers obviously brought him here to continue in the same vein. There isn’t anyone in our midfield that can play this role as well as he can. His passing is fantastic, but its the way he’s always available for an outlet pass that has impressed me the most so far. Sahin can also play this role; he’s a natural passer and has good movement, but he does go for a “Hollywood pass” a bit more than Allen (judging by his Dortmund time and his first few games with us) and his movement needs to improve as well. I think Henderson might be learning this role at the moment as well. Gerrard seems to fancy this role for himself as a way of extending his career the way Scholes did, but he tends to break up the passing rhythm when he does.
The last role is the creator. This one is very similar to the attacking midfielder in most other teams. He’s expected to play ahead of the other two midfielders, hold possession of the ball with dribbling skills, and pass the ball on to the forward three using clever passing and flick-ons. At times, the attacking midfielder drops deeper into midfield to pick up the ball while at others, he plays more like a second striker behind the front three.
At Swansea, Rodgers used Gylfi Sigurðsson in this role. He scored a few goals and assisted a few as well. Rodgers is really spoilt for choice in this role here at LFC. Gerrard is arguably the best player at this role in England’s history, and though his star has faded a bit with his legs, he’s still competent as an attacking midfielder. Unfortunately, his all-action style doesn’t fit into Rodgers’ system as well as it fit into Rafa’s counterattacking system. Shelvey looks a very similar player to Gylfi Sigurðsson and could be tailor-made for this role, but his rash tackles make him a weak link in a high pressure defensive system. Henderson might be able to perform in this role, but I think he’ll be better off as the metronome. Sahin did this a bit for Dortmund, but has transitioned to a deeper role since then. I think he could still play it in a pinch, however. Suso looks a perfect fit for the role in two or three years time.
The Midfield Dynamic
Rodgers always uses a three man midfield. The three can vary in their relative positioning, though. We can see either a 1-2 or a 2-1 orientation of the three. I think the default, when Lucas and Allen are both available for selection is the 2-1:
However in Lucas’ absence, the creator has gained more defensive responsibility, leading to a flatter 1-2 midfield:
Regardless of their orientation on the field, the flow of the game looks the same; the volante picks the ball up off the defense, moves it on to the metronome who exchanges passes with the volante and the creator until either the metronome or the creator can find a gap in the opposition defense and thread it through to the forwards.
The Personnel
Steven Gerrard: Seems to fancy himself for the metronome role as a way of extending his career the way Scholes did at United, he ultimately plays too many Hollywood balls to be a metronomic midfielder and his forward runs put him in places where he isn’t available for the outlet pass. He really only fits as the creator or one of the front three.
Lucas Leiva: A tailor-made volante and easily first choice in the position when he’s available for selection. He’ll not play any of the other roles.
Joe Allen: Perfect for the metronome role and he can also fill in as the volante in Lucas’ absence, though this does leave us without a metronome.
Nuri Sahin: Can fill any of the three roles in midfield, but is probably best as the passer. Faces a fight to make himself first choice at any of the three positions but he should easily be first choice off the bench if anyone is out injured or needs a rest.
Jonjo Shelvey: Looks like a natural creator for the midfield, he does have deficiencies in defense which can break up a high pressure defensive game, but as the creator he doesn’t have too much defensive responsibility. He can’t play the other roles due to his deficiencies.
Jordan Henderson: Was a creator when he moved here but in the Young Boys match he showed he can play a deeper role as a passing midfielder. I think he’ll be molded into Allen’s backup the way Rafa molded Lucas from an attacking midfielder into a world-class volante.
Suso: Could be the future of the creator role for midfielder, but that’s 2 or 3 years away. He should get game time in the Europa League and the cups, though.
The defensive side of the ball
An important part of the possession based system Rodgers implements is the high pressure defense used to regain the ball once its lost. Pep Guardiola is famed for saying “You win the ball back when there are thirty metres to their goal not eighty.” Rodgers lived by a similar mantra at Swansea, though we have yet to see the high pressure that Barcelona plays implemented here.
Andrew
Monday, 24 September 2012
Southport Trinity vs AFC Liverpool - match report
Match report - Under 15 Premier
Southport Trinity vs AFC Liverpool
Sat 22/09/12 (09:45)
The Rookery #2
Match Officials: Gerry Glover
AFC Liverpool under 15’s traveled away to The Rookery, Roe
Lane in Southport on Saturday morning to visit Southport Trinity’s under15 team
in a much anticipated clash. The travelling AFC lads arrived at The Rookery on
a crisp autumn morning to be greeted by lovely conditions and a playing surface
ideal for fast flowing football.
The game started brightly with AFC passing their way through
the Trinity midfield and defence at times and creating chances predominantly down
the right-hand side for Jay Speed and Ryan Patterson who were both unlucky not
to open the scoring. Southport’s physical and robust approach produced very few
clear opportunities for the home team in the opening half hour or so and AFC shaped
some very disciplined and decisive play throughout the team that saw the ball
spread across the pitch and down either flank to the appreciation of the crowd.
A defensive slip during a period of Home team pressure led to the opening goal
via a mis-hit shot from Trinity leaving the unlucky AFC keeper Jake Young
helpless as the ball looped past him into the AFC net. Liam Worth headed home
the first AFC goal of the game when he climbed to meet a well delivered free
kick from Ryan Patterson on the right wing after a steady piece of sustained pressure
from the AFC lads.
Half time 1-1
The second half started to become a slightly more broken
affair with the AFC players trying not to be drawn into physical confrontations
because of the full-bodied style from Southport but the AFC lads were still assertive
enough to control the game and general flow of play. After a good through ball
into the right-hand channel followed by some strong running and pressure on the
Trinity defence by Jay Speed, he scored the second AFC goal with a calmly taken
finish with just the keeper to beat. Trinity had to finally concentrate on using
a long ball tactic because of a lack of clear cut opportunities because of the
strong defensive attributes shown by the AFC team through the majority of the
game, but slight laps whilst defending a corner unfortunately allowed Southport to
equalise with five minutes to go. The closing moments produced a very end to
end period of play with neither team able to crab a winner before the final
whistle.
Full time 2-2
Congratulations to the lads for their display on Saturday in
the face of some strong, physical and challenging opposition. Some great
interchanges and passengers of play throughout the team and right across the
pitch from all the players and they were very unfortunate not to collect the
three points. More importantly they stood their ground and continued to try and
play football when under pressure in a demanding and difficult game.
Daniel Blair – Manager
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Southport Trinity vs. AFC Liverpool
Sat 22/09/12 (09:45am)
Southport Trinity vs. AFC Liverpool
Under 15 Premier
Address
THE ROOKERY
ROE LANE
SOUTHPORT
PR9 7HR
PR9 7HR
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
(16/09/12) Match notes and general points
Sunday (16/09/12) Connah's Quay FC Academy vs AFC
Liverpool (3-0)
Match notes and general points
Again we showed we’re more than capable of completing with any team from any
sort of set-up from a non league basis through to a professional organisation. We dictated the pace and direction of play at
times because we kept to simple and affective passing football by choosing the
right pass, controlling the movement and direction of play. For periods of the
game on Sunday we out played and out passed the Connah’s Quay Academy side (especially
through the first half) and the lads demonstrated their ability to compete at
any level when they play to their strengths and within the system.
The main difference between the sides on Sunday was fitness. Specific individuals
and the team as a whole are lacking complete match fitness which is affecting players
overall concentration, positional sense and movement. This has been highlighted
especially during the later minutes of every period we’ve played so far this
season which was demonstrated in both Sundays defeat also the loss to Burscough
FC.
Academy style of play; the way the team is currently set-up is to enable
the lads to understand the style and level of play expected at professional teams which will
also prepared them to play against academies sides in the coming months but hopefully
and more importantly to play for them in the future.
We’ll be working on numbers things in the coming weeks and months to
rectify some issues and mistakes that every player is making at times but more
importantly enhance and build on their strengths and abilities.
Current training session targets;
- Fitness.
- Looking up when in possession of the ball and knowing where team mates are beforehand.
- Remove tunnel vision from players.
- Turning away from trouble and keeping possession of the ball.
- Mixing things up and varying play.
- Playing into channels.
AFC Liverpool vs. Town Green U15 Match report
Match report
Sat 15/09/12 10:30
Under 15 Premier
Sandy Lane, Lydiate L31
4DW
Match Officials: Stuart
Gravenell
Sandy Lane in Lydiate hosted
the encounter between AFC Liverpool under 15’s and Town Green FC in their second
game of the 2012/13 season.
The under 15’s AFC team created
very controlled and dominate display throughout Saturdays game against Town
Green. The first half saw the visitors pinned back into their own half for long
periods with AFC dictating the pace and direction of play in most areas of the
game and subsequently Jake Young the AFC keeper didn’t have to make a save
throughout the half. For all their domination and control of play AFC didn’t capitalise
in the final third of the pitch and wasted numerous opportunities and lacked attacking
intent or tenacity right through the team.
Half time 0-0
AFC continued with their control
of the game but started to push harder to create more opportunities and opening
to break the first half deadlock. Marcus McGinn and Ryan Patterson both came
close on a couple of occasions with efforts from the edge of the penalty area
and Mike McCay rounded of a solid defensive performance at right back by
overlapping the midfield and putting in some telling crosses from the right wing.
During a period of sustained pressure AFC earned a corner and the resulting
cross produced a penalty for the home team after Liam Worth was held back by a
Town Green player as he ran to meet the ball. James Tryer stepped up and coolly
slotted home the ensuing spot kick which was fully deserved for both the team
and James as they had given first rate displays.
Full time 1-0
A better overall display
from the lads on Saturday and they started produce a consistent level of simple
and affective passing football. With a little more determination and ownership
within the final third of the pitch from every player in the team and the games
should be won by larger margins in the coming weeks.
Daniel Blair – Manager
Learn a foot speed warm up with a ball - Football Soccer skill
2. Put nearest foot on the ball and roll it to the other foot DO NOT CROSS YOUR LEGS, stop ball with other foot
3. Do the same and slowly repeat
4. Pick up Speed and Rhythm and try to get as fast as you can
Practice as much as possible to get faster.
Head up and pick the pass - Young players should listen to this.
Gary Neville talks about Liverpool's 17 year-old winger Raheem Sterling on Monday Night Football. 17/09/2012
Friday, 14 September 2012
Sunday (16/09/12) Connah's Quay FC Academy vs AFC Liverpool
Sunday (16/09/12) Under 15's
Connah's Quay FC Academy vs AFC Liverpool
Dock Road
CH5 4DS
Kickoff 10:15am
meeting at 09:30am
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/connahsquaynomadsacademy/
http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/
Connah's Quay FC Academy vs AFC Liverpool
Connahs Quay
Dock Road
CH5 4DS
Kickoff 10:15am
meeting at 09:30am
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/connahsquaynomadsacademy/
http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/
Thursday, 13 September 2012
AFC Liverpool vs Town Green (15/09/12)
Sat 15/09/12
(kick off - 10:30)
Under 15
Premier League
Sandy Lane
Lydiate
L31 4DW
AFC Liverpool vs Town
Green
Meet up at 09:30am on Saturday morning as we’d like to take a
squad photo and individual player photos before we get started. Paul Young and
I would also like to have 5 minutes with all the parents before kick off to
cover off some issues, changes and FA and club policies & regulations.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Why the role of the Defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 is so Important & the Comparison of Busquets & Song
http://youthtoprosoccer.com/2012/09/11/why-the-role-of-the-defensive-midfielder-in-a-4-3-3-is-so-important-the-comparison-of-busquets-song/
Here is a diagram of the 4-3-3 (4-1-2-3) and its passing options. There are many teams that use this formation across the world. FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal just to name a few. Each team has a Defensive Midfielder which is vital for the team to function. In this case the Defensive Midfielder is the number 6.
The Role of the Defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 (4-1-2-3) is vital. They are the catalyst of of the speed of the play either slow (retaining possession) or fast (to penetrate). Their awareness of pressure and to play out of tight spaces is vital to keep the ball to manipulate the play. Their range of passing needs to be excellent and their distance and angles of support are important. They need to have the ability to run with the ball to penetrate the play. They are the link between the back four and the 2 central (attacking) midfielders in front of them. To play the role effectively they need to technically efficient.
Here is a diagram of the defensive midfielders passing options in a 4-3-3:
Defensively the need to be able to read the game to break the opponent down. Forcing opposing players towards pressure are out of play is vital. There energy levels need to be managed effectively to produce this kind of pressure on opponents all game. The have to maintain their positioning and sacrifice themselves for the team. They need to be a leader and communicate throughout.
The physical attributes a Defensive Midfielder needs to have are:
1/ Very Athletic (quick over 5-20 yds)
2/ Strong – Individual battles and To hold players off the ball to protect.
3/ Aerial ability – Powerful in the air
4/ Agile- To react to the game
Two of the best Defensive Midfielders: Sergio Busquets & Alex Song
Sergio Busquets is regarded as one of the spanish greats. His vision, technical ability, awareness is phenomenal however what Sergio does not have Alex Song Does. Alex Song is in my opinion has been very underrated for what he has done in the 3 years at Arsenal. His awareness, vision, technical ability is up their with the best.
To compare Busquets to Song technically Busquets would win however Song is not that far behind. What makes Alex Song stand out is his ability physically to dominate opponents. He is quick, agile, strong in the tackle, and can read the game. Busquets reads the game very well however he is not quick. Barcelona have lately struggled with pace at the back and in the Defensive Central Midfield Role against Madrid. Song could be that player. Song is good enough technically to be able to posses and penetrate the Barcelona style of play. Barcelona already have Xavi and Iniesta or fabregas to orchestrate the play and maybe they need that bit of physical dominance and speed to support the team defensively?
You cannot take away the brilliance of Busquets and his footballing mind though. He has been one of the main reasons behind Barcelona’s success: Here is a great video of Busquets’ attacking and defensive qualities.
Here is a clip of Alex Song’s Defensive and Attacking qualities
Maybe Song will be his cover when Busquets is injured but i believe Song has all the attributes to fill the position and maybe give Barca another option. Both players are versatile (and can play Central Defender) and can fit into Barcelona’s 4-3-3 style of play very easily. Alex song was a great purchase by Barcelona as i feel they need a little more pace when defending against teams like Madrid on the counter attack.
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on twitter: @JHarvCoach
Monday, 10 September 2012
Training (11/09/12)
10/09/12
Training will be on Tuesday and Thursday, 18:30 hrs. at Sandy Lane this week.
Training will be on Tuesday and Thursday, 18:30 hrs. at Sandy Lane this week.
Sandy Lane
Lydiate
L31 4DW
60 mins with Craig Johnston - Liverpool FC
A great story of hard work, determination and persistence that should be an inspiration, motivation and encouragement.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtf7n1_60-mins-with-craig-johnston-liverpool-fc_sport?start=1103
Andres Iniesta: How to boss the midfield
Andres Iniesta: How to boss the midfield
Receiving a pass
Before I receive the ball, I quickly look to see
which players I can give it to. Always be aware of who is around you: if you
feel them closing down, take a touch to move the ball away from them. Try and
put yourself in space to get the pass: the more space you have, the more time
you have to think. And when you get the ball, don’t move it towards the
opponent. That said, sometimes I’m happy to run at a player and just hold the
ball in front of him. That way I’ve moved the team forward.
Playing the pass
Every pass is important. A bad pass loses
possession and puts the team under pressure. Short passes build momentum and if
you have the ball then the opponents can’t do anything. Know the time to make a
killer pass. If you need a goal, search for the space to make the pass. If
you’re protecting a lead, keep possession and play safer. Because we have
played together for a long time to a certain system, everyone knows where to
move. That makes my job easier, knowing where Xavi or Leo [Messi] will be.
Thinking on your feet
If you think before your opponent where the ball
is going to go then you have an advantage. If you stay with the ball at your
feet and think about what to do, you are going to lose the ball. The best
players are the quickest thinkers. Where is my team-mate going to run to? Will
he stay onside? Which one has space? Which one is looking for the ball? How do
they like the ball – to their feet or in front? You can be the best passer in
the world, but without your team-mates being in the right position, it’s no
good.
Drawing a foul
Make the opponent think that you are going one
way, then go the other. Confuse him. And when your opponent has the ball, close
him down quickly. Put him under pressure before he’s even had time to think
about an attack. Another thing: if the attack has gone, don’t waste energy
playing catch-up. You can be as much use to the team as a defender if the ball
comes back. Or you can move up more slowly and still be in a position to shoot
if the ball comes back to you.
Dealing with a giant
If I play against a big player, I play the ball
quickly on the ground. Playing a quick one-two is also very effective as bigger
players are slower to react and turn. I also keep a distance from them so that
I can turn quickly and we don’t find ourselves going for the same ball. I only
weigh 63 kilos so I don’t have weight to throw around. If you can get the ball
past them a few times using a one-two they will be more reluctant to rush in
and tackle, so you have more space to play. Barça is a small team, so we use
our height well. It’s good for me to take corners, not just because I’m
unlikely to win the ball in the air.
Shooting from distance
I’m not a natural scorer, but if I see an
opening, I’ll shoot. I shoot if I think I can score and I’ll aim for the part
of the goal that’s most difficult for the goalkeeper. That’s what I did in the
World Cup final – the corner near the post. And against Chelsea too [Champions
League semi-final in 2009], because I saw a space through a crowd of players.
Opposition players in front make it more complicated – for me but also for the
goalkeeper – because they can’t see properly. And if there’s someone in a
better position, I’ll pass. So you need to know who is around you all the time
and where they are.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
AFC Liverpool vs. Burscough U15
Sat 08/09/12 10:30 – Match report
AFC Liverpool under 15’s
entertained Burscough FC at Sandy
Lane, Lydiate in their opening game of the 2012/13 season.
The AFC lads produced a very
encouraging display during the first half that contained periods of simple,
flowing, fast, one touch football that opened up a strong Burscough team on numerous
occasions. Unfortunately nobody in the AFC team could exploit any of the
openings or add the finishing touch to round off the hard work and possession.
In addition to the attacking intent some very impressive defending reduced the
visitors to very limited opportunities and removed any clear chances throughout
the opening half.
Half time 0-0
For all their dominance of the
first half AFC produced a very disjointed spectacle in the second period and
the team appeared to be affected by the very high temperatures and their normal
controlled footballing style eroded into a long ball game which left gaps and
spaces for Burscough to exploit. The visitors broke the dead lock via a speculative
long range effort that looped over the unlucky and stranded AFC keeper. Burscough’s first effort
on target seemed
to bring a little life into the AFC team and some strong running and incisive passing
created a number of openings and chances in the final quarter of the game but
unfortunately none were taken.
Full time 0-1
A very mixed back from the boys
today and the loss will hopefully galvanise their determination to produce a consistent
level of simple and affective passing football that has become synonymous with
the team. They are clearly capable of producing a long unbeaten run of results
within the league if they concentrate on honest hard work and genuine football.
The team contained a number
debutants who all showed a great deal of potential and they should add further strength
and depth to the squad and will hopefully help bring continued progression into
the team. A good start from all the new lads this morning and we’d like to
offer a warm welcome to them and their parents.
Daniel Blair – Manager
AFC Liverpool vs. Burscough U15
Sat 08/09/12 10:30
Under 15 Premier
Sandy Lane
Lydiate
L31 4DW
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