Parma's Tactics Masterclass 13

[westcoastcanary 173]

"Luck" would be the wrong word Ron; a number of factors specific to the occasion combining to protect us from our endemic weaknesses. In that respect you could say Ayala''s lapse that afternoon played a similar role to Bogdan''s on Tuesday evening!

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

''The manager has spoken to us all week about discipline and sitting in there...we gave a bit of protection to Timm and Russell and managed to see the game out...

..We spoke about it over the week, I think it had to be spoken about because as you''d seen, we had been under a little bit of pressure in the last two games. But we went in after the game here and that was what a lot of free lads were saying, that we''d seen the game out professionally and it was good that we realised things we had to work on, and then did it.''

Graham Dorrans

Parma

[ZLF 273]

Spot on; interesting that Howson in particular was visibly more measured in the second half; he much sat deeper & together with Dorrans restricted the space that pereira was hurting us in the first half - and allowed them both time and space to use the ball more effectively.

In no way was this a negative tactic; but it gave us a firm platform to build from and both got on the scoresheet as they chose their moments to get forward without compromising the defence.

[It's Character Forming 1,160]

That was my feeling too ZLF and it''s interesting that it was echoed in one of the comments from a Forest fan forum - basically in the first half Forest had quite a lot of joy with the ball just in front of our back 4, in the 2nd half Howson sat a bit deeper and that route was completely cut off, reducing them to a long ball game.  This meant we controlled the game for the full 45 minutes and were able to go forward, sometimes in a measured way and sometimes on the break.  As you say, it was good to see Dorrans forward too and he took his goal really well, Jonny scored from a corner but excellent by both players nonetheless.

 

Quote from the local paper here in Nottingham that after we took the lead "... Norwich were unwaveringly professional.  They closed the game out.  Time was wasted.  Forest''s opportunities were limited."

 

Slightly unfair in that we created plenty of chances to score during that period and looked much more likely to get a 3rd than Forest looked likely to equalise, but I''ll not going to complain about those sort of descriptions and hope to see plenty more of the same for the rest of the season.

[westcoastcanary 173]

"''The manager has spoken to us all week about discipline and sitting in there...we gave a bit of protection to Timm and Russell and managed to see the game out... "

OK, but are we going to "give Timm and Russell a bit of protection" now every time it is needed, and have we acquired the ability to judge when it''s needed and when not? It''s not enough that we can do it after having minds focussed on precisely that all week following two heart-in-mouth games when the need was there but ignored. Good practice doesn''t become second nature just like that. 

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

“It’s a disappointment, the thing is letting the game go,” stand-in skipper Bennett said after the fourth round loss at Elland Road.

“We were winning the game twice so for us to let that go was even more disappointing and for them it was jubilation at the end.

“We need to work on that and put that right and hopefully we’ll go on Saturday and prove that.”

“We dominated the game early on.......So our job was to keep them quiet and we did that for large parts of the game and they had little spells, which is going to happen, so we need to work on that to not concede in those moments.”

Ryan Bennett

Plus ca change........

Parma

[Van wink 2,994]

Nothing new there then

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

I''m not a fan of generalisations when coaching players.

''We need to tighten up at the back'' or ''we need to make better decisions'' or ''we need to learn to protect a lead'' are fine for the pub, but they are not nearly specific enough for managers or coaches looking to modify on-field actions of players in-game.

Whilst the sentiments of Dorrans, Bennett et al are of course what media and fans want to hear, the detail of movement, pattern of play and repeatable scenarios need to be altered, reinforced or created.

We previously discussed points such as:

1. Tettey not making an automatic 2 or 3 yard forward movement after making a pass or forward action.

2. Martin''s natural tendency to move between the right-sided centre back and right back areas, allowing right back Pinto to play min 15 yards higher increasing midfield passing options

3. Tettey''s station dropping between split centre backs when we have attacking possession must be occupied by him - or someone - at all times

4. If wide of three 3/4 midfielders drive into wide areas full backs are exposed to counter if playing high. Middle two defensive midfielders must then hold, with the non-Tettey pivot ''sweeping'' on the overloaded side. Ideally opposite wide 3/4 should also tuck in:

5. If exposed to wider counters, goalkeeper should be encouraged to risk a higher starting position, allowing for further coverage of penalty spot crosses or even beyond. Risk is a shot behind or a goal from a direct cross. Worth taking.

6. Higher 3/4 midfielders must be schooled to make quick, ''nothing'' fouls at the start of counters. There are ways to commit these without a high risk of yellow card. It can be coached.

7. Forwards and 3/4 midfielders must be schooled to notice and recognise the repeated, riskier attacking scenarios that can lead to counters. Repeat 6.

8. When in front forwards and 3/4 midfielders must be taught the art of winning cheap free kicks. This buys time and is a ''free hit'' when ahead. Again it is an underrated and undercoached skill. See Grant Holt.

9. Fans must learn that neutral possession that does not drive forward, create chances or appear to go anywhere is actually far better defending than last ditch tackles or goal line blocks. Clap and cheer neutral play at the right time. It is clever, winning football.

10. Always, always have a set piece specialist on the field. If you don''t have one, buy one.

Parma

[westcoastcanary 173]

A "set piece specialist"? You mean a specialist deliverer of balls into the opposition box? Or a specialist repeller of balls into our box? [;)]

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

I''m with Guardiola on that one Westie....

....a ''Specialist repeller of balls into our box'' is called ''a Goalkeeper''.....

11. Goalkeeper to play higher, dictate defensive line more, sweep balls behind defensive line, use height and reach advantage aggressively to full range of box, start play quickly with feet, be intelligently engaged with play at all times - actively or vocally - have the intelligence to know what to do with the ball before it arrives.

Parma

[Feedthewolf 4,846]

Highly insightful stuff in those 11 points Parma, and I agree with them all.How would you rate our set-piece specialists? Brady as the incumbent, and Pritchard possibly as a second option?How would you rate our goalkeepers in terms of point 11? Ruddy clearly has an advantage in terms of height and reach, but I would say McGovern holds the aces in terms of mobility, agility and distribution. Are either/both of them good enough?

[westcoastcanary 173]

Feedthewolf wrote: "Highly insightful stuff in those 11 points Parma, and I agree with them all."

Yes, but the most interesting thing about Parma''s more recent posts for me is that, whereas the Masterclasses began with the stated intent of giving us greater insight into the different perspectives of fan and professional coach (less kindly, between fan superficiality and professional in-depth analysis), the sub-text appears to have subtly changed. My best stab at capturing it would be that whereas at first it was "and this is what you are seeing on the field, and why", it has more lately become "this is what you ought to be but aren''t consistently enough seeing on the field, and why". Another way of putting it would be to say that what Parma writes, while insightful for us fans, ought to be, but doesn''t seem to be, everyday grist to our players. 

[Feedthewolf 4,846]

[quote user="westcoastcanary"]Feedthewolf wrote: "Highly insightful stuff in those 11 points Parma, and I agree with them all."

Yes, but the most interesting thing about Parma''s more recent posts for me is that, whereas the Masterclasses began with the stated intent of giving us greater insight into the different perspectives of fan and professional coach (less kindly, between fan superficiality and professional in-depth analysis), the sub-text appears to have subtly changed. My best stab at capturing it would be that whereas at first it was "and this is what you are seeing on the field, and why", it has more lately become "this is what you ought to be but aren''t consistently enough seeing on the field, and why". Another way of putting it would be to say that what Parma writes, while insightful for us fans, ought to be, but doesn''t seem to be, everyday grist to our players. 

[/quote]So in summary, Neil out, Parma in? [:)]

[westcoastcanary 173]

Feedthewolf wrote: "So in summary, Neil out, Parma in? "

No, I was careful to follow Parma''s lead in NOT attributing responsibility. Like government ministers, managers carry the can for more than their own actions.

[Van wink 2,994]

Good point WC.

I would like to enquire of Palma where and when his footballing knowledge and experience has been aquired, we obviously all benefit from his knowledge and are enriched by his posts. I for one greatly appreciate his perspective.

I would fully comprehend if you didn''t want to share this information Parma but would welcome some enlightenment, if you feel able to illuminate.

[ron obvious 1,502]

It would be lovely to think that Phgm could be involved in the club''s management structure in some way. A sort of disinterested spiritual guide. Swami Parma anyone?

[lake district canary 4,531]

The idea of neutral football is interesting.  Not playing to score, not playing to defend, but just "playing".   It''s arguably a mentality that gave us our best football in the late eighties under Stringer - we just played - and it was great to watch.  A patient, passing game, denying the opposition the ball and getting success, simply because we were in control of most matches.   Football these days tends to be more direct, but the mentality of just playing to deny the opposition the ball is something we should do more of.  So often we get a goal or two up, but rather than be patient and just control the game, we just carry on attacking in the same way, looking for a third or fourth goal.  All well and good if you can get that third goal - but if you don''t you are vulnerable to the next goal being against you because you are too open. In short the situation needs a bit of intelligence applied to it on the pitch.  Get  two goals up if you can - then forget scoring a third and just deny the ball to the opposition - not by defending, but by playing patient passing football all over the pitch. The opposition gets frustrated and gives you chances to get that third goal later on.  So it''s game management that needs work - that involves the manager of course, but also the players need to show the intelligence and a bit of common sense to change the way they play once ahead.

[Van wink 2,994]

The problem with that LDC, and I do agree by the way, is that it''s when we are a couple of goals up that we seem to lose concentration and misplace passes. I think the intention is to keep the ball but for some reason we lose focus.

[lake district canary 4,531]

[quote user="VanWink"]The problem with that LDC, and I do agree by the way, is that it''s when we are a couple of goals up that we seem to lose concentration and misplace passes. I think the intention is to keep the ball but for some reason we lose focus.[/quote]Yes, you are probably right, but the impression I get is that they don''t commit to that way of playing as a team  - either that or there is a mental issue with it - fear?  Complacency?  Lack of confidence?   They have to believe in doing it to make it work.

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

Bravo Lupo, sharp of you..

In terms of set piece specialist I am looking for something very particular (and would encourage my scouts to do the same in the recruiting process) which is a certain shape and pace to the strike and a player that - naturally or coached or practised individually - is able to hit what I call the ''table tennis'' strike.

This is a strike up, over and somewhat across the ball, typically from a more sideways-on position that produces a top-spinning, fast delivery with a rising-then-dipping trajectory.

It is achieved by striking from under the mid-point of the circumference of the ball and a rolling action of the foot, connecting above the instep, though typically appearing to be struck with it.

It can be seen on the field of play when players take free kicks from - say - 35 yards out on the left in line with the right side of the penalty box. The ball is then struck as described and on a pathway that may dip inside the far post and will bounce around the 6 yard box line.

Pritchard shows the most promise and has been practising the skill for years (important), the Murphy''s also practise it and Brady can on occasion do it also.

The key factor with this invaluable, priceless skill is that it requires confidence. Fans should understand that using this technique is far higher risk than a similar-looking strike that has a bit less pace, spin and a slightly higher trajectory.

As a coach the benefits far outweighs the risks, getting right often leads to a direct or indirect goal or high quality, dangerous corner. It can however make a player look silly, skewing or shanking off the foot, or - often - dipping lower on a flatter trajectory and hitting the first defender.

A good coach will see the difference between process and result. A good process does not always lead to a good result and conversely a passive technique - let''s say in this case a floated non-spinning ball to the penalty spot that a centre back powers into the net from nowhere - looks good, it is in reality is a passive set piece technique that my mother could hit and has been made to look good when it was a very safe'' nothing set piece and not a ''brave'' attempt at an assist.

Parma

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

Westie you''re getting far too clever.....

Indeed there are times when there is a ''coaches subtext'' to some more recent Masterclasses. I didn''t expect anyone to pick it up......

Players comments to the press are often revealing when combined with what is worked on at training and what the Manager''s specific weekly instructions are, plus what the over-arching and ongoing themes, preferences and patterns of play are from the Manager over a broader timeframe.

There are occasions where there is a disconnect between what players hear and what players understand. What players take from the message and what the message was intended to be.

This is when specifics - not generalisations - are the order of the day.

Managers must however be able to identify, coach and implement these specifics and the players must be good enough technically - or ideally by natural inclination - to do so...

...and all must be intelligent enough to recognise when the specifics require defining, redefining or changing.

The 11 points we identified are a starting point and are not intended as criticism. In order to maximise your strengths you must first recognise your weaknesses and address, cover or amortise them via tactics, personnel or training.

This goes for Managers as well as players.

Parma

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

VW,

I qualified as a coach under an International Manager in England, worked for an English club (Prem/Champ), played and coached in Italy, was a coach in the UK and was also schooled in the Dutch tradition by an Ajax coach.

Parma

[Bagster 101]

Would you like a new job:)

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,219]

Post Script:

One thing that is universally damaging in dressing rooms, on training fields and within matches is the covert or overt sense that teammates feel that they don''t belong here, that they are above this.

Relegation can easily engender this sense of entitlement, as can missing out on a prospective transfer.

Brady (say) :''Club turned down £15m Premier offer for me after brilliant Euros. They only paid £7m for me....''

Olsson (say): ''Club turned down £3.5m Premier offer for me. I''ve only got a year left on my contract. I''ll engineer my next move now''

Klose (say): '' we''re losing, but I''ll do something that shows I''m much better than this level''

Tettey (say): ''I''ll run around and show the crowd how busy I am, I could play at a much higher level (even though I would help the team more by standing still). I don''t need to work on my passing technique at my age''

Alex Neil (say): ''Why don''t they want it like I do? Why doesn''t it hurt them enough?''

Players will have to now show on the pitch that these feelings - which other sport in the dressing room will be attributing to them - are not fair....

Alex Neil will have to find an answer to his own question and quickly...it is not rhetorical.

Parma