Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 22, 2008 15:12:23 GMT
Are you sure about Wood, Dave? I think he had a shocker last season. Does he look any better this pre-season? My view is that he has looked good and has only made one mistake that I saw and still has plenty to give this season. I do believe he will be picked over Hargreaves, but there will be games when Hargreaves, will start in place of Woods. So Thompson and Wroe, will start together, If anyone of them is injured, you would see Hargreaves, stepping into midfield, if both, then he would be joined by Adams. If anyone of them plus Woods, I think Hargreaves would replace Woods and Adams would replace the missing midfield player. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 22, 2008 15:47:39 GMT
 My reading of pre-season posts and most people's "dream team" is that rarely is balance and variety of purpose a contributory factor when they compile them. Too many look on pre-season as some form of "beauty contest",counting off the individual "mistakes" they think they see players make, as a general basis for selection. It needs to be considered that some players just cannot play to their best in a non competitive environment..............I certainly couldn't at my modest level and it usually went against me when the first meaningful selection of the season was made for the league opener(s) Then again, Capital Gull made reference to the "inept" referee last Saturday whilst chatting to me. Well there again when I took up refereeing, it was the friendlies that were the hardest, followed by the uncompetitive games where one team was so much better than the other; and as for pre-season - forget it...........I only approached them as a means to get myself fit as I actually felt it was like trying to direct traffic without using one's hands - not wanting to use the official line (ie cautions or sendings off), and when regretfully it was necessary; usually incurring the wrath of all around. One habit I never let go during my time reffing, was training with a club. I felt it was an essential part of my preparation by mixing it on the same level as footballers, taking the knocks; giving them out and feeling the pain and frustration that all players go through. Mind you it cost me big time on one occasion as the club I trained with (Liverton United, where I once played) had me handling a big end of season game with another of my former clubs Newton Spurs and a heavy challenge I had put in on someone in training brought retribution in the form of a punch in the mouth in front of hundreds of witnesses right out there on the pitch. The player had turned to return to me after having left the pitch on being sent off and I knew it was coming, but what could I do? run, hit him first? Of course not so all I could do was ride the blow and make sure the game finished. It cost the player seven years out of the game, a criminal record and a hefty fine plus costs...................sad really because I had a lot of respect for him; but give me the competitive and fiery element any time over those damned friendlies!
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midlandstufc
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Post by midlandstufc on Jul 22, 2008 22:51:00 GMT
My best mate has just retired from reffing. Mostly Southern Premier but has been 4th official for BSP and 2nd Div League.
We have an inter-work tournament (Civil Service) and he reffed one of our games where some of the players didn't like being reffed to a certain standard. I'm organising the tournament again and, as those players are the better ones, and have complained, I've been told not to use my mate as a ref.
I said 'sod that'! If they don't like it, stop whinging and play football!
Mind you, in the game in question, I was playing in goal and tried to rip the throat out of the opposition striker. I dunno, kids of today, he was all hard until my old self give what for!
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 23, 2008 16:48:49 GMT
My reading of pre-season posts and most people's "dream team" is that rarely is balance and variety of purpose a contributory factor when they compile them. Too many look on pre-season as some form of "beauty contest",counting off the individual "mistakes" they think they see players make, as a general basis for selection. I really MUST disagree with this statement, you have made Merse. I really believe posters have made their judgments, more on how the players played. How well the player got control of the ball, what he then did with it, how and what he did when he was closed down, how well he passed the ball. How well he tackled, how well he shot at goal. How well he fitted not only into the team, but the the style of football that was bing played. You make it sound as if a player did not make a mistake, then we have put him in our team. I think you will find, the views here are based on people taking a balanced view and forming a balanced opinion, based on what they have seen so far, in the games they have watched. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jul 23, 2008 17:49:28 GMT
Too many look on pre-season as some form of "beauty contest",counting off the individual "mistakes" they think they see players make, as a general basis for selection. How well the player got control of the ball, what he then did with it, how and what he did when he was closed down, how well he passed the ball. How well he tackled, how well he shot at goal. Isn't that rather the point I was making - that people "select" a team in the image of their own opinion? What I was trying to put across that there will inevitably be a different view point from the manager because he, and only he; knows in his own mind what is required. I am convinced Bucks is the type of manager who eschews individual "form" in deference to make up and balance of the team and that any players struggling to attain their competitive touch and form will be encouraged to individually work on those aspects before he would ever decide to leave them out of his planning. During pre-season a team can and often will carry out of touch individuals in the overriding interest of team balance and output................remember the "stick" that Tim Sills was getting from website fans during last pre-season yet the manager stuck with him with almost immediate reward once the proper stuff started. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 23, 2008 18:19:46 GMT
Merse at the end of the day, only one person's opinion, is going to count and that is the manager. I really believe fans, often seem to know better than the manager, how many times have we seem players played out of position, when there was no need. How many time was a game and the fans calling out for a substitution, but the manager didn't see it. Those who have posted their views on what the team should be, have based it on not only their knowledge of the game, but what they have seen those players give. Most won't be to far from what should be the perfect team, but then we do have a managers views to consider  |
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My reading of pre-season posts and most people's "dream team" is that rarely is balance and variety of purpose a contributory factor when they compile them.