The Mail Bag
Same old kick-off
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I wonder if anybody has noticed the lack of invention and originality when we take kick-offs! It really frustrates me to see the ball played back to either Neville or Hibbert who then just whack the ball to nobody upfront. This is not very constructive play to give the ball away in the first minute.
Keep the ball, play it around, give Howard a touch, frustrate the opposition. Sometimes I wonder about Moyes and his tactics and style of play. I am not criticising him. He has done wonders for the club. But please try something different at kick-offs.
Mark McDonald, Posted 03/02/2009 at 16:41:53
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Er ? give Howard a touch? Then presumably let him boot it up the field.
Mark, I am not really sure what you advocate will give us.
Mark, I am not really sure what you advocate will give us.
Most teams do it in the League to be honest, back to the fullback who then hits it upfield. Chelsea and Liverpool also do it.
I think Arsenal and Man utd are the only teams that don?t, I could be wrong though.
I think Arsenal and Man utd are the only teams that don?t, I could be wrong though.
"Give Howard a touch, frustrate the opposition?".
What???? For 10 seconds at the start of the game?
How frustated do you think that would make anyone??????????
What???? For 10 seconds at the start of the game?
How frustated do you think that would make anyone??????????
The least of our problems...
A much more pressing issue is our lack of ability to make use of our own throw-ins! How many times against Man U did we lose the ball on our own throw ins? It’s like they don’t really have an idea; as if they didn’t get to practice those in training.
Thank heavens we’ve only done it once a game so often.
Howard will only spoon it for a throw-in.
In the matches, I?ve hardly seen Hibbert and Neville hoofing it as much, I?d say it's the centre-backs more like.
Yeah, we really should be more inventive with our kick-offs.
How about we take a shot from the half-way line? Or all of the rest of the team could point upwards at an imaginary alien space craft and while the opposition look for it, one of the team skips through the lot of them and slots one past their bemused keeper.
Or we could set fire to our own goalposts and whilst waiting for the fire-brigade we could sneek up on the oppostion under the cover of a smokescreen?
FFS... It?s a kick-off... the clue is in the title!
How about we take a shot from the half-way line? Or all of the rest of the team could point upwards at an imaginary alien space craft and while the opposition look for it, one of the team skips through the lot of them and slots one past their bemused keeper.
Or we could set fire to our own goalposts and whilst waiting for the fire-brigade we could sneek up on the oppostion under the cover of a smokescreen?
FFS... It?s a kick-off... the clue is in the title!
Come on Kevin, I think you are being a little harsh on Mark. The kick-off sets the tone for the whole game. I can always tell how a game is going to pan out from the kick-off, can't everybody? Now what really pisses me off is the amount of times that we lose the toss. If Moyes could just sign somebody who knows how to win a bloody toss, we could become European Champions!
Thanks for all the feedback. I agree it is the least of our problems. I would just like us to act that bit smarter, keep the opposition guessing... plus the longer we hold the ball, the less chance the opposition can score. School boy stuff really.
Can we really be expected to be more inventive with kick-offs when we seem to have the same old same old routines with corners and free kicks?
I think the lack of variation theme is something that perhaps blights us in general play too. Anyone else seem to think we are over reliant on the left-hand side and Baines bombing on in the attack department?
I think the lack of variation theme is something that perhaps blights us in general play too. Anyone else seem to think we are over reliant on the left-hand side and Baines bombing on in the attack department?
Haven’t you got some manure to be analysing for microbiotic biddies or something lil bro? ;-)
Actually, to be serious and fair to Mark... I can remember the script for kick-off we had in the 1980s off by heart.
Kick off to Trevor Steven... back to Gary Stevens... big hoof to Sharp who had run to the left touchline who would then try and head it to Sheedy or Heath who’d be running inside just off him... Shot on goal if everything worked... which it hardly ever did..
Actually, to be serious and fair to Mark... I can remember the script for kick-off we had in the 1980s off by heart.
Kick off to Trevor Steven... back to Gary Stevens... big hoof to Sharp who had run to the left touchline who would then try and head it to Sheedy or Heath who’d be running inside just off him... Shot on goal if everything worked... which it hardly ever did..
Andy Morden: yeah just about everyone thinks it. The official site had a piece the other day about the understanding Baines and Pienaar have with each other. You can rest assured that there will never be a similar piece released about Hibbert and Osman/Anichebe. As good as Hibbert is at tackling his abilities stop there.
With regards to the kick-off: GOOD LORD!!
I’m surprised Michael let this one through his stringent screening process!!
With regards to the kick-off: GOOD LORD!!
I’m surprised Michael let this one through his stringent screening process!!
Shaun, that was the funniest moan I have ever heard :))))))))))))
Trust this is a wind up. Just how much can we critisise the club and moan.
I seem to recall a certain era when it was Kicker to assistant to Sheedy to opponents Left back touch line. Someone somewhere knew the plan, it escaped me but at the time apart from being frustrating it was predictable fodder from the best team in Europe.
There must be a master plan and we can only guess what it is or in times gone by what it was.
And we love our Pyscho pat...
I seem to recall a certain era when it was Kicker to assistant to Sheedy to opponents Left back touch line. Someone somewhere knew the plan, it escaped me but at the time apart from being frustrating it was predictable fodder from the best team in Europe.
There must be a master plan and we can only guess what it is or in times gone by what it was.
And we love our Pyscho pat...
Sorry Mark, was just having a little fun, hope you didnt take any offence. I think there is a lot of things we would all like to see changed. Let's start with a win against the shite tomorrow.
Kevin, the microbes can do without me tonight, I am more concerned with this single malt I have in front of me.
Ian, did you also love our Roland Rat?
Kevin, the microbes can do without me tonight, I am more concerned with this single malt I have in front of me.
Ian, did you also love our Roland Rat?
No problem Shaun. It’s all good banter. I just take issue with the fact that if we have the kick-off then retain "the bloody thing" as long as possible without giving the opposition the opportunity to take it off us. Don’t give the ball away too cheaply and at crucial times. The very same can be said just before half-time (ManU) and injury time (Arsenal) Not too mention Villa.
I do agree with you Mark. By the way I see that you Live in New Zealand. I am hoping to move there myself in the next couple of years. Are there many other blues over there and do you get to see much of them on the TV?
Shaun, Mark, I am also a Blue in New Zealand, there are a few kiwis over here who support Everton, the rest mainly support the so called Big 4. TV coverage is pretty good on Sky for league games but ESPN have lost rights to FA Cup this year so I haven't had the opportunity to watch that. And be prepared for sleep deprivation on Saturday nights/Sunday morning staying up til 3am to see the game!
I’m thinking... slow news day!
Who?s the ref for tonight?s game?
Luke,
Has technology not reached New Zealand? There are DVRs and TIVOs that one can use. This way you can get your sleep wake up first thing in the morning and watch our beloved blues!!
Has technology not reached New Zealand? There are DVRs and TIVOs that one can use. This way you can get your sleep wake up first thing in the morning and watch our beloved blues!!
Santosh,
Alan Wiley is the man SteG and the gang will be threatening with nights out in Southport tonight.
Alan Wiley is the man SteG and the gang will be threatening with nights out in Southport tonight.
The reason we get the ball upfield so quickly is so we can re-organise the defense which will have lost it?s shape in the past 4 seconds or so. Sets the tone for the rest of the game really although I was suprised to see us have some decent possession v Manure.... Chelsea had the ball from kick off for 40 seconds against the shite last week which is a long time and then it only came to an end with a foul.
The best I have ever seen was the Holland v Germany WCF in 74. The cloggies had the ball for over 1 minute and then got a pen from which they scored... Love to see that football again.
You have obviously never played football. You are the most vulnerable after kick off when the ball is in your own half. Therefore, teams play to win a throw or set piece in the opponnents half giving you a vital minute or two to organise and settle, work out who's playing where and pick up the men.
So, win a throw in opponnents hafl, push up, pick up and settle the game.
So, win a throw in opponnents hafl, push up, pick up and settle the game.
Andy: [[ Can we really be expected to be more inventive with kick-offs when we seem to have the same old same old routines with corners and free kicks? ]]
The routine of scoring goals?
The routine of scoring goals?
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1 Posted 03/02/2009 at 20:39:38
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