Turning it on to Level 3

[Kronenburg1892]

Not sure if I'm allowed to link directly to another forum thread, and probably a lot of you here have read this. But I think it warrants some space on this site. A fantastic, long but compelling, well constructed read, on what and how Rafa is shaping this team and club.

Hats off to Royhendo, probably the best post I've read in years.

http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=225239.0

[Shaggy]

Wow.

At first, when I saw how long it was, I thought "**** that", but I haven't got anything better to do and so I made myself a cuppa, rolled a joint and read it all.

One of the most fascinating and insightful posts I've read on a football forum.

Having said that, I can't make my mind up whether or not I think this is over-analytical and making football too theoretical. It's all well and good talking like this, coaching like this, but footballers are humans, not robots. How much does this sort of approach help when a 6 foot plus striker with the pace of an Olympic sprinter and the skill of Lionel Messi is waltzing past three defenders and about to blast an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net? A lot of the best football is played off the cuff and instinctively.

Hmmmmm.

Nevertheless, a fine post and one everybody should take the time to read.

[Kronenburg1892]

It is very theoretical and he goes a long way to explain his comparisons. But in my mind, it does fit, on what and why Rafa has done things which seemed to on the surface just baffle sometimes. For example, we know he dropped out of a playing career early on, we also know he's a driven man in terms studying the game with all this Pro-Zone and player cam videos. So it isn't much of a leap of imagination for him to have studied peer doctrines on the hows and whys. Probably with a lot of his own thoughts thrown in for good measure, especially that part on Rafa commissioning his own developed version of Pro-zone.

As for handling a centre forward sent back in time by despot AI to shape the future course of history, I guess that's where the "strategic team building" part comes into play. By either man marking, interception of position, cutting out his source or shoving pipe bombs made out of household chemicals down his shorts, comes into play.

[Shaggy]

It is very theoretical and he goes a long way to explain his comparisons. But in my mind, it does fit, on what and why Rafa has done things which seemed to on the surface just baffle sometimes. For example, we know he dropped out of a playing career early on, we also know he's a driven man in terms studying the game with all this Pro-Zone and player cam videos. So it isn't much of a leap of imagination for him to have studied peer doctrines on the hows and whys. Probably with a lot of his own thoughts thrown in for good measure, especially that part on Rafa commissioning his own developed version of Pro-zone.

As for handling a centre forward sent back in time by despot AI to shape the future course of history, I guess that's where the "strategic team building" part comes into play. By either man marking, interception of position, cutting out his source or shoving pipe bombs made out of household chemicals down his shorts, comes into play.

Can't argue with that.

[Fivex]

Wow.
..a fine post and one everybody should take the time to read.

Seconded

[El Jefecito]

I read that a while ago and while its good, I just couldn't buy into this whole 3 level thing. To me they are not mutually exclusive and one isn't really any "better" than the other just more appropriate in certain circumstances.

Watching one of our champions league ties is usually an object lesson in this. You'll see all three levels in use at various times.

[Joe King]

Outstanding post.

I'm gonna have a second read of that tomorrow with the links to take it in fully!

[Kronenburg1892]

I read that a while ago and while its good, I just couldn't buy into this whole 3 level thing. To me they are not mutually exclusive and one isn't really any "better" than the other just more appropriate in certain circumstances.

Watching one of our champions league ties is usually an object lesson in this. You'll see all three levels in use at various times.

I agree, but to be fair, he's not saying they are exclusive. He's describing three phases of a game and the ability of a team to switch between them fluently.

To me it explains why he persisted with Kuyt for example, and his value in the latter part of last season to the team.

[El Jefecito]

I agree, but to be fair, he's not saying they are exclusive. He's describing three phases of a game and the ability of a team to switch between them fluently.

To me it explains why he persisted with Kuyt for example, and his value in the latter part of last season to the team.

Another bit I like from that is when Rafa was talking about "real footballers". Kuyt is definitely a "real footballer" and that's why Rafa loves him.

In the first place, I will let you know that my idea of good football and my concept of a good team relies on team order, balance on defence and cutting-edge on attack. To accomplish this you need players who are able to read the game well, who know when it’s time to play short or long passes, when you need to attack through the middle or down the flank, when it’s time to keep possession of the ball or when you need to start a quick counter-attack. I’m talking about real footballers, who will take advantage of their abilities to help the team win by playing as well as possible, who will be able to adapt when needed, who will try to impose their style of play, but who can also vary that style for the benefit of the team and to help it win games.

In today’s football, cutting-edge in attack is becoming more and more of a collective or tactical effort, depends more on a group of players or positioning on the pitch than on a single player. This is why a skilful player tends to draw our attention more often, but we must be able to distinguish between the skilful player and the cutting-edge player.

The first will dribble or dwell on the ball showing his technical ability; the second wins matches, is a constant threat to opposing teams and the solution for his team-mates when they can’t find their way. With a single touch he can find an open team-mate, he can find an open space when and where he should, makes an effort to do things the right way and always tries to do what will benefit his team the most. In other words, he will play good football in order to win matches, not just for show.

[wiw]

I read that a while ago and while its good, I just couldn't buy into this whole 3 level thing. To me they are not mutually exclusive and one isn't really any "better" than the other just more appropriate in certain circumstances.

Watching one of our champions league ties is usually an object lesson in this. You'll see all three levels in use at various times.

I agree, but to be fair, he's not saying they are exclusive. He's describing three phases of a game and the ability of a team to switch between them fluently.

To me it explains why he persisted with Kuyt for example, and his value in the latter part of last season to the team.

We're slowly building to Level 3, and we're now making the signings to tie it all in together...a clever strategy tbh. I know it says don't get your hopes up but I seriously cannot wait for next season We absolutely demolished teams last season, but we were only ever as good as our weakest links; we now have a lot less of them

[El Jefecito]

I kind of see us like this:

Level 1 - Backs to Wall - 8/10
Level 2 - Compact / Counter - 7/10
Level 3 - Possesion, Domination - 5/10

8 or so across the board is when we'll win the EPL

[Paddy]

My Ip is barred from there. Can someone post it up please?

[redheart]

personally I thought it was mostly common sense writ large as grand theory.

For example take the way he emphasises the way that RB constantly talks about mentality.

So does every manager in the word!

[Kronenburg1892]

For example take the way he emphasises the way that RB constantly talks about mentality.

So does every manager in the word!

That did grate a little. But then when you're setting up a club ethos, repetition sets into the mind. Take the military for example, through repeated exercises, training becomes an instinct.

[Paddy]

No?

Please.