Riise: Only a coward gives up

[Morph]

But the thing is you cancel that disadvantage by not having to track attackers deliberate ploys to move you around. The defence is in control in the sense that their job remains the same no matter what the attackers do - move to attack the ball. Only one player can effectively get the first touch on a ball in most instances, so the aim of the defender is always to be going for the ball, that way it is harder for whichever opposition player is going to get the critical touch.

Neither zonal or man marking systems are perfect but they have both been shown to be able to work well. It is harder to see who is at fault in zonal marking without knowing exactly whose zone is where.

It becomes harder as a fan to try and work it out as pundits tend to either a/ work on the basis that we should be man marking anyway and blame who they would do if we were or b/ just go well that will be down to zonal marking. I have said it before but I would like to see a top european coach used to the system do some punditry on British t.v. just to give some insight into the finer points of the system.

Yes but you can say the advantage can still be with the attackers in the end, because say a player like a Rio Ferdinand ends up in the same zone as Gonzalez, we all know who's going to win that battle, whereas man for man someone like Sami would always be tracking him.

I'm not knocking zonal marking, I just think there are some obvious deficiencies in it.

[Rich]

There isn't a perfect system though is there? Unless you pick 10 Hyypias in your team, and if you did I think we'd be complaining about the lack of pace in the team!

[Morph]

no i'm just saying that it seems easier to find a way through it because all Rio for example would have to do is find the zone of someone he knows is a weak header of the ball, and stand in the same zone as them all the way through the game.

[Rich]

I might be wrong but (for example) Gonzalez wouldn't have a 'zone' or if he does it would be within the 6 yard area.

The four strongest headers of the ball will split the 6 yard area into four, with the two strongest in the centre, that way the immediate danger of a headed goal should be reduced, as our strongest players are waiting to clear.

We also have two on the posts to stop attempts, and a Goalie that should punch anything too close.

All that coupled with the other players taking up positions to block runs, pick up other important areas, and the like means that it should work well....

[REDSCOUSER]

"It was neither mine nor Steven's fault that Gallas was unmarked. We saw the episode on TV afterwards, and it was not our responsibility."

What a stupid thing to say carrothead
So basically reverting the blame on another team mate.

[mchaggis]

It was Galas' fault!

[G]

He's talking out of his arse.

Only a coward blames someone else for a preventable goal.News flash John,its the whole teams responsibilty to prevent goals.Gallas could see Hyypia had tracked a runner and left a gap,so surely himself and Stevie could see it too.one of them shouldve attacked the ball.

[Morph]

He's talking out of his arse.

Only a coward blames someone else for a preventable goal.News flash John,its the whole teams responsibilty to prevent goals.Gallas could see Hyypia had tracked a runner and left a gap,so surely himself and Stevie could see it too.one of them shouldve attacked the ball.

But then they leave their zone, so what if the ball had ended up were they should have been?

[Rich]

Sorry, but the principle blame for the goal rests with Hyypia, although Riise shouldn't have spoken publically about it not being his and Gerrard's fault.

[G]

But then they leave their zone, so what if the ball had ended up were they should have been?

I know thats a risk but it wouldve been obvious the ball wasn't going to make it that far as it came over.Riise had a man beside him but Gerrard was all alone so he shouldve made the move IMO

Hyypia followed a runner thinking he might get on the end of it.Whats he supposed to do,stand there and see if the runner does get on the end of it.By then its too late.Someone else shouldve been alive to the gap and plugged it.

I don't think zonal marking is as black and white as one man to one zone.Very often when the ball enters a zone more than one attacker will enter that zone chasing it therefore more than one defender must leave his zone to defend it.

[Morph]

See it all gets fairly complicated at times, and we're not necesarily talking about the most intelligent people in the world here in footballers are we. If we are having a hard enough time debating back and forth about it, can you imagine the trouble those guys are having.

If they understood it then fair enough, but they just don't seem to get it half the time. Carra looks like he knows whats going going on, and marshalls them, which is quite obvious when he doesn't play, i'm not sure about anyone else tho.