Blue vain wrote
Quote:
Ditch the zone defence.
A lot of teams are reverting to a man on man defensive structure and moving away from zones. The Saints largely employed it Saturday night.
The problem with zone defences is it gives players a chance to be lazy and unaccountable. And we've got more than our share who like to exploit it.
When is the last time you saw Weitering spoil a leading player outside defensive 50? He just doubles back and makes it someone else's problem. Compare that to a Harris Andrews or Sam Collins. It's their opponent and they want to beat them.
100%. We can't play a zone defense when oppo decided to go one on one. We obviously are very uncomfortable with one on one strategy. Probably because of a lack of conditioning. Why else would they not be able to adapt?
Quote:
Same with our midfielders and rucks. Twice on Saturday Pittonet filled space whilst his opponent took an easy mark within 30m of goal.
Our players don't like to have touch on their opponent when defending. That's 101 defending IMO. Forwards love to run and jump at the ball. Don't let them. See TDKs chest mark in square vs Reidy? Reidy didn't have any body pressure on TDK. No touch at all. Ball just fell in TDKs hands. WTF is that? Unaccountable footy.
Quote:
We make it far too easy for our players to hide in the bludge zone. "I'll just stand here, you pick up my player". Our captain excels at it.
@#$%&! that. Let's see some accountability. And let's see some expectation and demand of standards within the playing group.
A simple request BV. A simple solution. The interim coach may have to enforce accountability if Vossy continues with this zoning off, and corralling instead of bringing the heat. Almost feels like the players need to bring their mouthguards to training.
I watch Weiters opponent allowed to freely run out for a lead and as always Weiters has no hope of stopping him once he's off. What does Weiters do? Points to his team mate upfield, who has his opponent to mind, to ... ooops, too late... Weiters rethinks his instruction and asks his team mate to stand the mark. Where's the body contact? Standing with one foot infront of your opponent? The sense of intensity and desperation to defend? It becomes contagious, then the likes of Dean learn from Weiters bad habits, or is that defensive coaching that causes the separation? Whatever it is, it doesn't work.
Quote:
Whilst we accept these standards for not wanting to upset people, nothing changes.
Time for a few home truths. Call selfish players out. Get comfortable about being uncomfortable with direct home truths. Gosh, I thought that was instilled in players back in Bolton days. Do these players learn, or are they not being taught?
Login
Register
FAQ
