Harry Redknapp was playing it safe, and looking for the three points. Play with sufficient offence and take no unnecessary chances. Just get the win.
How did that work for him?
Well they blew it and have placed themselves under additional pressure in the run up to the end of the season, and a Champion's leagues position and/or a Europa League spot.
At 75 minutes they had a 2-1 lead and placed 10 men behind the ball. They limited their attacks and attempted to absorb pressure. The Baggies need the points to stay out of relegation. It was clear who was more desperate to get points.
At 80 minutes the score was tied. Did Harry have a back up plan, not for another 9 minutes, when with five minutes (including extra time) remaining he put on Peter Crouch. Too little, too late!!
Why, when you are desperate for points do you stop attacking? Why when aspects of the season are still in doubt, do you sit back and just barely defend? Complacency? Over confidence? Nope, fear of adventure and of losing $$.
This of course isn't what happened at Liverpool yesterday. Five goals against Birmingham, they didn't defend a lead and aggressively attacked to expand it. Who really knows why, but one thing is certain they are doing well on the goal differential calculation for the time being viv a vis Spurs.
Now Maxi(mus) Rodriguez, how did he score three goals? Because the whole team attacked and he was the fortunate beneficiary of that collective effort.
Training Idea
Soccer is a simple game in theory and it should be that in its execution. If one accepts the fundamental importance of passing and movement then the simplicity of the following small sided game is the soccer equivalent of the discovery of DNA. That being said I admit I am a big fan of this game because it forces the players to pass/move/defend/look/dribble/get fitter etc etc. Depending upon how you tweak the game you can change the emphasis with ease.
It is called the "Gates Game" by my squads and is also called the "Parma Game" where it is rumoured to have been invented.
You need a 20x30 field, 4 players per side, and five gates (about 2m wide) randomly placed around the playing area. You can have more players, but their must always be one more gate than the number of players each team has (e.g. 6 players 7 gates).
The object, pass the ball through an open gate (you can also dribble through if looking to emphasize possession skills) to a team mate. The players are in constant motion looking for an open space, using wall passes, man marking, looking for an open goal etc.
First team to 10 wins.
The game will encourage long passes, changes of direction and attack and when played at high intensity, will be very physically demanding.
The layout is as below:
Now Maxi(mus) Rodriguez, how did he score three goals? Because the whole team attacked and he was the fortunate beneficiary of that collective effort.
Training Idea
Soccer is a simple game in theory and it should be that in its execution. If one accepts the fundamental importance of passing and movement then the simplicity of the following small sided game is the soccer equivalent of the discovery of DNA. That being said I admit I am a big fan of this game because it forces the players to pass/move/defend/look/dribble/get fitter etc etc. Depending upon how you tweak the game you can change the emphasis with ease.
It is called the "Gates Game" by my squads and is also called the "Parma Game" where it is rumoured to have been invented.
You need a 20x30 field, 4 players per side, and five gates (about 2m wide) randomly placed around the playing area. You can have more players, but their must always be one more gate than the number of players each team has (e.g. 6 players 7 gates).
The object, pass the ball through an open gate (you can also dribble through if looking to emphasize possession skills) to a team mate. The players are in constant motion looking for an open space, using wall passes, man marking, looking for an open goal etc.
First team to 10 wins.
The game will encourage long passes, changes of direction and attack and when played at high intensity, will be very physically demanding.
The layout is as below:
Here 11 passes to 10 to score. 10 then passes to 9. 11 then moves to receive a pass from 9 for a second goal.
Simple, fast and effective. A quick set up and easy to learn.
So do you want more goals, more movement and a hat trick like Maxi Rodriguez. Pass and move!!!
Walk On
Hal White
Not only did I read this post, but I watched that game. I am practically a soccer fan.
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