Watching the Brewers game today it dawned on me, after watching all home games and a few aways this year, exactly what instructions Ollie is giving to the players.
"Right lads, no more than 2-3 passes in an approach. I don't want to see any of that tippy-tappy bollox. We're not here to entertain. We're here to lump the ball up. If you have the ball and you're under pressure, just make a blind pass forward. If you've got the ball anywhere near the back, lump it up towards the forwards. Ignore the fact that I've chosen two forwards under 5'10", just send it forward. Put pressure on the other team and, as soon as you gain possession, let the other team put pressure on you. Don't try to out pass them. It doesn't mean if they're a struggling championship club, go back to the plan. Your place in this league is hoofball and hit and hope."
At least... that's the only way I imagine his team talks can possibly go, what with players quite clearly not trying to play in any other way. It sometimes seems absolutely clear that they have been given specific instructions and are actually carrying it out. And still the football looks this shockingly bad, even against teams like Burton. Today, Burton crumbled. At what point did you see us start to fully outplay them with passing football?
This is not an "Ollie out" thread. He's the best we've got, considering no one would come here at the moment. And he is getting some results. But by god, the football is awful, is it not? Of course, we've had a bit of decent football here and there and I actually prefer what we've seen under him compared to several other managers but there are times when we look so awful, especially against poor teams.
"Right lads, no more than 2-3 passes in an approach. I don't want to see any of that tippy-tappy bollox. We're not here to entertain. We're here to lump the ball up. If you have the ball and you're under pressure, just make a blind pass forward. If you've got the ball anywhere near the back, lump it up towards the forwards. Ignore the fact that I've chosen two forwards under 5'10", just send it forward. Put pressure on the other team and, as soon as you gain possession, let the other team put pressure on you. Don't try to out pass them. It doesn't mean if they're a struggling championship club, go back to the plan. Your place in this league is hoofball and hit and hope."
At least... that's the only way I imagine his team talks can possibly go, what with players quite clearly not trying to play in any other way. It sometimes seems absolutely clear that they have been given specific instructions and are actually carrying it out. And still the football looks this shockingly bad, even against teams like Burton. Today, Burton crumbled. At what point did you see us start to fully outplay them with passing football?
This is not an "Ollie out" thread. He's the best we've got, considering no one would come here at the moment. And he is getting some results. But by god, the football is awful, is it not? Of course, we've had a bit of decent football here and there and I actually prefer what we've seen under him compared to several other managers but there are times when we look so awful, especially against poor teams.
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