Cup ball was a problem for us – Cotterill. please log in to view this image Aden Flint rises highest to head the official FA Cup ball at goal against AFC Telford United Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill claims the official FA Cup football for the 2014-15 competition was a major factor in his team's below-par display in Sunday's second-round tie against AFC Telford United. Kieran Agard's last-ditch strike at Ashton Gate ensured the Robins won 1-0 and moved into the third round of the world's most famous domestic knockout competition, but the League One leaders were not at their best and were relieved to get past the Conference's bottom team. Cotterill claimed his players had been adversely affected by the type of ball used. Introduced last season, Nike's controversial 'Incyte' ball attracted criticism from players and managers alike when used in a third-round tie between Arsenal and Spurs in January. The manufacturers went back to the drawing board during the summer and came up with the Mango 'Pink' ball, which was modelled on the Nike Ordem ball used in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga competitions. It debuted in the FA Cup first round last month and, so far, City's players have used it in just two matches and a handful of training sessions. "The FA Cup balls are different from the ones we use in League One and the other cup competitions," said Cotterill. "It's not a case of them being a little bit different, they are massively different. These balls are very much lighter and, although we've practiced with them a couple of times, it presents problems. "To be able to score a goal from outside of the box, you really have to concentrate on getting over the ball and keeping it down. Not only are they a lot lighter, they are far livelier and, when you want to pass quickly, it requires concentration to make sure the ball goes where you want it to. "It was a factor in us not playing nearly as well as we normally do. There was also a strong wind blowing and, given that the ball floats around a bit, it was another factor that has to be taken into account. "I thought we showed fantastic concentration and patience to overcome that and win the game." City goalkeeper Frank Fielding backed his manager's claims and confirmed the balls used in this season's FA Cup competition were causing a major headache. Having kept a second successive clean sheet, the 26-year-old former Derby stopper said: "The balls are not ideal, but there is nothing we can do about it. It's not a great football, to be honest, and it does move about, which gives goalkeepers as well as outfield players a problem. "Because Aaron Wilbraham was playing Premier League football (at Crystal Palace) last season, we asked him what the balls were like. He said they were completely different, even though they came from the same manufacturer. "Now we've used them in a couple of games and in training, I have to say they are completely different from what we are used to using in League One. We cannot use it as an excuse and, now that we've had a week or so using it, we are getting better with it. "But we'll be pleased to go back to the normal balls for the JP Trophy tie (at home to Coventry) on Wednesday." Meanwhile, City's clash with former boss Gary Johnson's Yeovil Town on Boxing Day has sold out for home fans. The League One encounter on December 26 will see Ashton Gate packed, with the Glovers well on the way to shifting their allocation. A small number of tickets still remain for Saturday's league encounter with Crawley, which can be purchased by calling Supporter Services on 0117 963 0600, online or from the Bristol Sport Megastore. For those without tickets for the league clash with Yeovil, the Crawley game represents the last time to see the team in league action at Ashton Gate until January 10. Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/...tory-25449900-detail/story.html#ixzz3LP0PMMT2 Follow us: @WesternDaily on Twitter | WesternDaily on Facebook I'm sorry but this as an excuse is crap, AFC Telford were skilful enough to play the ball okay and they're NON - LEAGUE, why should our boys have all the difficulties, also, surely the match balls should be standard for all games. We'll result to blaming it on the weather soon, rain - the balls too slippery, snow and mud - the balls too heavy, sunny - the ball is too dry and light, what a load of old cobblers.
Piss poor excuse and just not necessary given we won - eventually !! Blaming the ball isn't sportsmanlike or dignified. What about blaming the underperorming players ?
"The FA Cup balls are different from the ones we use in League One and the other cup competitions," said Cotterill. "It's not a case of them being a little bit different, they are massively different. These balls are very much lighter and, although we've practiced with them a couple of times, it presents problems. "To be able to score a goal from outside of the box, you really have to concentrate on getting over the ball and keeping it down. Not only are they a lot lighter, they are far livelier and, when you want to pass quickly, it requires concentration to make sure the ball goes where you want it to. "It was a factor in us not playing nearly as well as we normally do. There was also a strong wind blowing and, given that the ball floats around a bit, it was another factor that has to be taken into account. Mr Cotterill has a point. These lines "To be able to score a goal from outside of the box, you really have to concentrate on getting over the ball and keeping it down. Not only are they a lot lighter, they are far livelier and, when you want to pass quickly, it requires concentration to make sure the ball goes where you want it to", indicate as he says the ball is massively different. Modern balls generally allow players to pass and shoot without having to place their body weight over the ball. Lively = Limited.
Law 2 of the game says the ball must weigh between 14oz and 16 oz. So at the most it can only be 2oz different. Cotterill makes it sound like we were playing with a beach ball. Poor excuse I am afraid
A futsal ball is the same weight and it will barely bounce. The composition of most modern footballs allows the be ball to be struck in different manners. Mr Cotterill makes it sound like striking the ball above the valve, not pushing the foot through the ball has been made difficult, or not possible. It is a reasonable point.
