Pompey Post Match

[Neil Young]

My point is that sometimes on a bad run the fact that your best team is not dictated by the players ability as much as what selection will be most up for a game and build players confidence. There have been a number of games where whilst tactically I think pairing Mascherano and Lucas say was fair enough tactically that it sent the wrong signals to players who were low on confidence and that they played safety first football. A team selection that looks like you have confidence in the players to go out and win (even if say last season when people were confident it would have been less suitable) can, I think, lead to people going out more positively.

I don't believe that Rafa ever goes out to do any thing other than win games. I do sometimes think though that the players get other impressions as his selections don't look traditionally attacking. I would suggest, obviously I admit this is all conjecture, but I think that Gerrard in particular responds badly to teams that don't look aggressive. A problem I feel is made worse by the fact that most of our players seem to look to him for inspiration.

Thanks for explaining.

I see what you mean and you could well be right - as you say it's conjecture but, as usual, at least you haven't just plucked it all out of nowhere.

I'd just make two observations which might qualify your remarks:

1. Everyone's going to get things wrong from time to time. If that's one of Rafa's faults (and I don't accept it is but then we don't really know) then it needs to be set against the benefits of the approach he takes. I know you do this already but perhaps sometimes not everyone does.
2. I think we've been brought up to overvalue the psychological element. One thing Rafa has done, along with other managers, is to greatly increase the tactical element, at least overtly. I'm not saying he's the greatest tactician in the world but he's no slouch. (It's arguable even the degree of innovation is overstated - the move from the gung-ho, all guns blazing style of Shankly to a more possession-orientated style under Paisley is just one example of a change in approach at both strategic and tactical levels, although I'd argue it was really more of the former). In short the emphasis on exploiting marginal tactical advantage has become more important in recent years. It's notable that the playing careers of most, if not all, high profile pundits predate this shift, leading them to blame poor results on mindset rather than anything more sophisticated.

[dww]

I know your not his biggest fan Dave, but Johnson makes such a difference to our team as well.

I've never argued against that from an attacking point of view. He just can't defend very well.

[dww]

Thanks for explaining.

I see what you mean and you could well be right - as you say it's conjecture but, as usual, at least you haven't just plucked it all out of nowhere.

I'd just make two observations which might qualify your remarks:

1. Everyone's going to get things wrong from time to time. If that's one of Rafa's faults (and I don't accept it is but then we don't really know) then it needs to be set against the benefits of the approach he takes. I know you do this already but perhaps sometimes not everyone does.
2. I think we've been brought up to overvalue the psychological element. One thing Rafa has done, along with other managers, is to greatly increase the tactical element, at least overtly. I'm not saying he's the greatest tactician in the world but he's no slouch. (It's arguable even the degree of innovation is overstated - the move from the gung-ho, all guns blazing style of Shankly to a more possession-orientated style under Paisley is just one example of a change in approach at both strategic and tactical levels, although I'd argue it was really more of the former). In short the emphasis on exploiting marginal tactical advantage has become more important in recent years. It's notable that the playing careers of most, if not all, high profile pundits predate this shift, leading them to blame poor results on mindset rather than anything more sophisticated.

I think there is a lot in point two. I guess part of what I feel is that there obviously is a psychological element and it many ways the English players were bought up by coaches of the generation of the pundits you talk about. The results of which appears to be that they think less tactically and hence the psychological element is more important for them.

[Matt]

any links to the goals or elbow incident? my flat mate, who watched it at home, and who I always remember to sky plus the game for if he is out at work or something - forgot to sky plus it for me the cunt so couldn't watch it when i got back.

Bizarrely, ESPN didn't seem to be able to get a clear shot of it. Considering all the players seemed to just get on with it and it was only the commentary team screaming blue murder, I don't know if the FA can do much, especially if the ref has seen and dealt with the incident.

[red g]

wow different game, different team - what a bunch of knobheads (rafa and the players) how can you go from wigan to that in one week.

We played with some pace, passion, we kept the ball going forward in neat triangles, we filled the box when attacking, in one attack i counted 5 men in the box with a 6th arriving late in johnson and i jizzed in my pants.

Lets not carried away, pompey are ****e, and thats not going to paper over the cracks but at least it was enjoyable to watch for the first time in 6 months.

any links to the goals or elbow incident? my flat mate, who watched it at home, and who I always remember to sky plus the game for if he is out at work or something - forgot to sky plus it for me the cunt so couldn't watch it when i got back.

it looks worse on the slo mo

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtksxQSNmYU"]YouTube- Steven Gerrard elbows Michael Brown[/ame]

[The Birdman]

Bizarrely, ESPN didn't seem to be able to get a clear shot of it. Considering all the players seemed to just get on with it and it was only the commentary team screaming blue murder, I don't know if the FA can do much, especially if the ref has seen and dealt with the incident.

The ref didn't 'deal with it though' in the eyes of the FA 'dealing with it' means a Yellow card, as I understand it the ref can take another look and say yes I should have done xy or z there but in my opinion it is a yellow card at worst.
Gerrard does elbow Brown in the back of the head but Brown deliberately ran across Gerrard's path so he initiated the contact if that makes sense.

[Vermilion]

It looks terrible from behind...but from the front he does nothing wrong at all. from behind he smacks Brown on the back of the head, but the other view just shows him trying to get past a player...six of one half a doz..etc

Looked like he just couldn't resist giving Brown a smack on the head...it was there..so hit it.. sort of thing..

[dww]

That looked shockingly deliberate to me. Not what I want to see from our captain.

[squaddie]

Thanks for explaining.

I see what you mean and you could well be right - as you say it's conjecture but, as usual, at least you haven't just plucked it all out of nowhere.

I'd just make two observations which might qualify your remarks:

1. Everyone's going to get things wrong from time to time. If that's one of Rafa's faults (and I don't accept it is but then we don't really know) then it needs to be set against the benefits of the approach he takes. I know you do this already but perhaps sometimes not everyone does.
2. I think we've been brought up to overvalue the psychological element. One thing Rafa has done, along with other managers, is to greatly increase the tactical element, at least overtly. I'm not saying he's the greatest tactician in the world but he's no slouch. (It's arguable even the degree of innovation is overstated - the move from the gung-ho, all guns blazing style of Shankly to a more possession-orientated style under Paisley is just one example of a change in approach at both strategic and tactical levels, although I'd argue it was really more of the former). In short the emphasis on exploiting marginal tactical advantage has become more important in recent years. It's notable that the playing careers of most, if not all, high profile pundits predate this shift, leading them to blame poor results on mindset rather than anything more sophisticated.

Good post.

[Vermilion]

That looked shockingly deliberate to me. Not what I want to see from our captain.

Looked like a reflex action to me...but still deliberate i guess...he saw Brown's head infront of him and just hit it...maybe he doesn't get on with him...or as i say it was a reflex reaction to Brown being in his way, no excuse really....especially if he missses a game.

[cream]

it looks worse on the slo mo

YouTube- Steven Gerrard elbows Michael Brown

Stevie will be applauded by football players up and down the country. You can see brown blatantly run in front of Gerrard and stick his arm out, Gerrard thought **** it, have that you cunt. Nasty from Gerrard, but you see the intentions of Brown were there first.

[squaddie]

Clearly forearm smashed him in the back of the head.... Not the smartest of things to do but he was asking for it all game.

[-V-]

I not really got much more to add to this as everything's been covered and iv had my say on Aquilani.

But im really surprised at how little mention Torres is getting for his display last night. He was ****ing awesome, don't be taking him for granted. 2 goal and 2 assists! Rafa gave him a bit of support and movement behind him FINALLY and he did the business

[Taxi]

I've never understanded the retaliation rule in football. Why is it ok for someone to make the decision to go in 2 footed or high or in this case to attempt a forearm/elbow block, but the split second retaliation is always treated worse???

[Craig_H]

I dunno, is it because the retaliation undermines the referee's ability to deal with the first incident?

In short, i dont know.