Walter Ball

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TigerMarv

TigerMarv

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2011
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Walter Ball myth, propaganda or work in progress.

I've only seen a bit of preseason but I've not really seen any evidence of this completely new style of play.

Listening to those who seem to know about it, it just sounds like 5 a side on bigger scale but with fly goalie.

All I've seen is a bit faster play with a few flicks.

This isn't intended as a thread to skate Walter before he's even got going just wondering what to expect for this new season
 
there has been no myth
the essentials of walter ball have been shown
its the rotation, but we have 2 signings by 1st of august
marvin signed today

with our current squad, then 20th is a success

walter will be a success if he gets the squad he needs

remember, hes playing with an absolute barebones squad for all of preseason.
the club have let him down

who can he bring on?
all youth players apart from seri or longman, whoever starts.
thats literally it
 
Last edited:
TigerMarv said:
Walter Ball myth, propaganda or work in progress.

I've only seen a bit of preseason but I've not really seen any evidence of this completely new style of play.

Listening to those who seem to know about it, it just sounds like 5 a side on bigger scale but with fly goalie.

All I've seen is a bit faster play with a few flicks.

This isn't intended as a thread to skate Walter before he's even got going just wondering what to expect for this new season
Click to expand...


I was tempted to respond with: The Walter Ball Myth by Ian Kershaw

But I won't, as it might get taken the wrong way
 
There are, to me at least, clear elements of our play which are very unusual from the two home friendlies I've seen. Mostly the specific way in which we play out from the back, but also the positions the defenders take up in general. Very often we have nothing close to a traditional back four, as the four of them have all made forward runs and ended up all over the place. McLoughlin has been effectively a striker at times.

Whether it's a success, who knows. I think as always a lot will depend on the quality of our attack, and our execution in attacking moments. Too often in recent years that's been really poor.
 
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Sounds utter chaos from what I've heard. Fingers crossed it comes together but I have my doubts, even if he gets all the players he needs
 
There is definitely less rigidity to players positions. Whether it will work or not is another matter, but I can see how it would cause problems for the opposition if we had some better players in certain areas. Signings are crucial.
 
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I think the key is the transition in midfield to the forwards, in that article on TW the other day it mentioned body position, being in the right position to go forward. If the midfielders can drop the shoulder and take out the opposing midfielder, that suddenly opens up space going forward. So, as Tim has said, bravery on the ball is needed rather than just pass the ball backwards when the midfield receives it.

P.S. Also, McLaughlin looks to have adapted to Tim's style and had a great shot himself at goal in the 2nd half of Tuesday, we are likely to see more of that.
 
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I’m optimistic. It’s a system which will create a higher number of chances (at both ends!). That’s what Acun wants. That’s what I want as a fan.

A lot of the modern game (not just Rosenior) is too focused on keeping the ball. It’s why the Premier League is not great to watch anymore, because there are teams that are so good at it. Some people enjoy it. I want to see goals. I want my team to go for it more.

I always say, there is a time for keep-ball and that’s when you’re running down the clock or playing against high level opposition who have great strikers.

We do need better attacking players in and a great goalkeeper for it to work though. We haven’t got that yet, but there is still time. <cool>
 
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The thing that Walter ball does well that breaks the mould of modern football is the moving parts. We saw a lot under Rosenior and still do in most teams that try building from the back that they try to create a box in midfield to dominate the middle. Teams counter this by playing brave and pressing man to man daring you to play through it and in more stagnant moments its difficult to break down.

By having movement the middle of the field opens up more and often our best moments have come when the full backs have drifted in with their front facing to goal. Slater's chance against Newcastle came from a smart run by Jacob which caused a huge overload on the right hand side. Newcastle at points did struggle with it but we didn't have the quality to push on when we had control in the middle third. Our midfielders aren't the most progressive. Simons is a good all purpose disruptor in midfielder same as Slater.

At Hamburg Walter had 2 really direct midfielders in Benes and Reis who got the ball and pushed on or found a pass. We get Zombrano, Mehlem and Robertson I think we would see more productivity.

We saw a lot more confidence after Omur's freekick. You can call it a weaker Fiorentina side but there was an element of realisation with Omur in the middle of getting the ball forward more.

We were told its heart attack football sometimes due to the space it leaves. We saw that with Fiorentina's second with a decisive counter. I think it will come good with some tweaks
 
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John Ex Aberdeen now E.R. said:
I think the key is the transition in midfield to the forwards, in that article on TW the other day it mentioned body position, being in the right position to go forward. If the midfielders can drop the shoulder and take out the opposing midfielder, that suddenly opens up space going forward. So, as Tim has said, bravery on the ball is needed rather than just pass the ball backwards when the midfield receives it.

P.S. Also, McLaughlin looks to have adapted to Tim's style and had a great shot himself at goal in the 2nd half of Tuesday, we are likely to see more of that.
Click to expand...

It would really suit a John Stones / Harry Maguire type of player. Really hope we get Charlie Hughes from Wigan who seems to be ideal for this sort of play.
 
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Seri doesn't seem to fit in with Walters system. He's not very mobile, which lead to a poor spell 2nd half vs Newcastle and first half vs Fiorentina. When he is on the pitch the system seemed more similar to that played under Rosie. When Seri went off, we started to be more fluid in midfield and more effective.
 
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