So far we have lost Scott Brown who was a stick on last season. Talk is that we will transfer a few players in the next few months. Talk is cheap. In just 6 weeks time we have no idea what our squad will be like when we play a vital game in Europe. Injuries occur all the time. I assume that our manager will decide the playing squad the day before the game. Any player who is given the honour of wearing the hoops has to fill the jersey. To come off knowing that you have given your all.
I confess that I'd be lucky to predict even half our starting lineup.
Football has a few basic principles that never change and that I teach to every youth team that I have ever coached.
1. If we have possession then the opponents cannot score.
2. If the ball is in the other half they cannot score.
3. If we do not shoot on target we cannot score.
4. If our defence does not allow them to shoot on target then they cannot score.
5. The more shots we have on target the more chance there is of scoring. 10 shots on target has twice the chance of scoring as 5 shots.
These 5 truisms at all levels leads us to the conclusion that we have to retain possession, we have to win back possession, we have to prevent opponents taking shots on target and we have to take shots on target.
Statistics show the percentage success rate of scoring from penalty kicks, corners and free kicks. The role of a good coach is to teach players how to increase the success rate for every part of the game. When a wing back crosses a ball into the penalty box what are the odds of conversion? I'd guess only about 8% or less.
What is the best way to take a penalty kick and what is the best way for a keeper to save a penalty kick. The answer will probably surprise you. The best place to kick the ball is where the keeper is currently standing as most keepers will dive to left or right. The best way for the keeper to save a penalty is by encouraging the player to kick the ball towards them.
At a free kick is it best to over the wall, around the wall or under the wall. The best defence tactic is having a player lie down behind the wall to enable the wall to be free to jump. But only if the ball is hit at the wall.
I would train players how to take a long throw in. How to perform a Cruyff turn. How to dribble and nutmeg. How to use both feet. How to explosively sprint for 5 metres. How to back flick and dummy. I'd make them watch videos of Ronaldinho and practice.
The only way to consistently win is by doing the basics well and showing some flashes of genius.
I'm 64 and in 1970 as a 13 year old I was stunned by what i saw Brazil do that i had never seen before. I hung up and old sheet and practised bending the ball around the sheet that was 9 yards away (I knew they would encroach.) for hundreds of hours till it became dark. If I could live my life over i would have practised with my left foot as well! I rehearsed a Cruyff turn for many hours. till i perfected it. At 18 I had the option of professional football player or becoming a professional doctor. By then it was impossible to do both. I chose the latter.
I cannot abide a professional player not aiming for excellence over mediocrity. Not accepting anything other than a win. Never dropping the head if we lose a goal or a player.
Back then teams lined up in 2-3-5 formation and were numbered 1-11. 7 was aways a right winger and 11 was always a left winger. Tactics change and skills evolve. Same old will not suffice.
