Rangers 1 Puss in Boots 11
Mini is a crock in boots!
Another disappointing week for the Rangers, who were hoping to get a double over Puss in Boots. A pretty strong team turned up, the same as the week before and the weather was decent if not spectacular.
Puss in Boots’ had improved their early season form and were third in the league, and had a much stronger team that the last time the two teams met, and unfortunately it showed.
The Rangers were not helped by Mini picking up a recurrence of his ankle ligament injury (out for 7-10 weeks), turning and falling awkwardly in an innocuous challenge. This was after only 5 minutes or so, so left Rangers with an uphill struggle.
Again, due to injury I did not focus on much of the 1st half, however, Rangers only managed the one, Piggy getting it after good tackling from Pie. The usual errors such as lack of communication and lack of support for teammates was the Rangers undoing. Belly did his best to stem the tide and managed to keep the score lower than was probably warranted, though did catch the Rangers-itus letting one slip through his legs!
I think a key problem we face is that too many in the team are happy to take on the defensive responsibilities are few are unwilling to take responsibility in the attacking third. The team tends to agree that when we defend, we try to as a team and get the plaudits as a team, but it seems that when we attack, if the “strikers” aren’t hitting the net then it is them that are failing the team. Why defend as a team and attack as individuals? It makes no sense.
With players like Hedderz missing and Mini having missed a lot of games this season there is perfect opportunity for someone to step to the fore and make a name for themselves. Piggy does a decent job and tries 100% I feel, but with a lack of support and what would seem to be the teams attacking prowess resting solely on his shoulders it is a hard skill to master.
Don’t forget, after Mini departed there were still 5 other outfield players. Maybe the problem lies in that quite often we have 1 (at most 2) attackers and 5 defence minded players in the team. It is going to be harder with just Piggy in upcoming games, hopefully Hedderz will be able to make a couple of games.
In future lets do what we do in defence and take responsibility as a team.
Final Score: Rangers 1 Puss in Boots 11
Goals: Piggy(1)
Another disappointing week for the Rangers, who were hoping to get a double over Puss in Boots. A pretty strong team turned up, the same as the week before and the weather was decent if not spectacular.
Puss in Boots’ had improved their early season form and were third in the league, and had a much stronger team that the last time the two teams met, and unfortunately it showed.
The Rangers were not helped by Mini picking up a recurrence of his ankle ligament injury (out for 7-10 weeks), turning and falling awkwardly in an innocuous challenge. This was after only 5 minutes or so, so left Rangers with an uphill struggle.
Again, due to injury I did not focus on much of the 1st half, however, Rangers only managed the one, Piggy getting it after good tackling from Pie. The usual errors such as lack of communication and lack of support for teammates was the Rangers undoing. Belly did his best to stem the tide and managed to keep the score lower than was probably warranted, though did catch the Rangers-itus letting one slip through his legs!
I think a key problem we face is that too many in the team are happy to take on the defensive responsibilities are few are unwilling to take responsibility in the attacking third. The team tends to agree that when we defend, we try to as a team and get the plaudits as a team, but it seems that when we attack, if the “strikers” aren’t hitting the net then it is them that are failing the team. Why defend as a team and attack as individuals? It makes no sense.
With players like Hedderz missing and Mini having missed a lot of games this season there is perfect opportunity for someone to step to the fore and make a name for themselves. Piggy does a decent job and tries 100% I feel, but with a lack of support and what would seem to be the teams attacking prowess resting solely on his shoulders it is a hard skill to master.
Don’t forget, after Mini departed there were still 5 other outfield players. Maybe the problem lies in that quite often we have 1 (at most 2) attackers and 5 defence minded players in the team. It is going to be harder with just Piggy in upcoming games, hopefully Hedderz will be able to make a couple of games.
In future lets do what we do in defence and take responsibility as a team.
Final Score: Rangers 1 Puss in Boots 11
Goals: Piggy(1)
posted by Mini at 11:01 am
6 Comments:
I too thought the same as Mini. Whilst we've not mastered defence, we have come a long way. However attack is something that tends to be more individuals, or at best partnerships with our team. I think we need a quick 5 mins before a match where an attacking minded player describes how the rest of the team should be behaving. Perhaps with Mini sidelined for a few weeks this would be an excellent opportunity to become a coach talking about some generic stratgies for us more defnesive minded players. I for one will be happy to do my best to follow any instructions on this, but freely admit that my strategy for going forward isn't the best, so wouldn't feel I could take the lead instructing people in this area.
What do people think? Mini, what do you think?
The biggest problem i felt last night is it seemed everyone wanted to defend at the same time, then suddenly everyone was up front at the same time leaving us exposed.
And we spend too often with the situation of Piggy being last man, and Mark or Russ being up front, which is never going to work. And despite me trying to tell him he didn't really listen. And that pirouette thing...don't get me started.
I got a bit disheartened last night and by the end of the second half i was getting fed up. So i apologise for that. I have been trying to concentrate on my attacking more the last couple of games - not so much shooting, but more running with the ball and trying to create, use a bit more flair. But i think my defensive duties have been taking a back seat a little, though i have tried to keep my marking tight. Again this is another problem i find, mostly with Piggy and Big Rick - they seem to prefer marking space and its difficult to follow who they are marking. I tried telling them yesterday but they didn't really seem to listen (well i expect that from Piggy but i would rather he listened).
I know none of us are perfect, myself included, but i feel this is something we should all be able to work on.
And Shiz, i feel that is an excellent idea. I keep meaning to have a chat with Mini to see how i can improve - after all Mini is probably the most technically gifted on our team and i am sure i can learn something...
Thats right. I am the best a man can get(?).
No, but I did see a few bits that can be worked on in ther nnext few games. We have a lot of runners into the corners and down by the boards who can more often than not get a rebound of the boards or a ball played accross the area. If we had more people committing forward then the chances of people stabbing it in are more. It doesnt need to much technical skill to rebound a ball off the baords but men need to committ forwards.
And, also, be willing to run back if it doesnt go to plan. This will be hard I think.
We have tried the man marking now for some time and whilst it is effective and has helped in defence, attack wise it has hampered us, as quite often it is there (defensive£ player who makes a run and into attack for a chance, thus drawing our "attacker" ie. Piggy into a defensive position where he is not as effective. We could try for a half against "weaker" opposition just leaving Piggy upfront and the defense picking up the runner. Granted there is a chance of a free man, but if we can utilise the space around Piggy on breaks it may put some doubt in their mind.
Anyhoo, thats first impressions.
I am happy to think of some other ideas.
Just call me Ron Atkinson.
"Just call me Ron Atkinson."
Ok, Mr Racist...
It is true that as strikers we're struggling. I'm personally getting annoyed with my sore throat on a friday morning from having yelled to people to get in the middle for a rebound. But piggy is content to go as close as possible to the player with the ball. I sometimes try to sprint forward to attack. I really want to score goals. But i'm not fit enough to sprint back everytime to cover. And if i'm honest, i dont trust many on my team for defensive capabilities. It got to the point where i was telling belly to shout louder at people, because they weren't listening to me telling them how to go about tackling.
Ultimately we have to start ALL shooting, but agree that mark and Me should probably sit at the back of the attacking group so we can mop up shots, but also get back fast if needed. We REALLY need a training session in the light of mini out for so long. After all, its looking remarkably likely that piggy will win the golden boot with maybe 11 goals this season. Unless Justin can turn it on when he gets back.
After all, if we only played for fun, then why are we all so pissed off by losing! Viva la Hat trick Rascle!!! (maybe someday!)
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