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Ronald Koeman discussion

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davek said:
Tony Hibbert's 3rd leg said:
We are playing the system we are because it's best suiting the players we have.

Finding Lukaku is viable option. But our goals of late have come from nice build up play.

I expect when we sign attacking players in the Summer we will revert back to Koeman's preferred system, we continue in fine for to force a decision.
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This ^^^ is spot on for me. The penny finally dropped with Koeman that to get any results with these players you have to play to their strengths: which is allowing them to get on the ball and construct a move and get bodies forward to overwhelm the opposition. That is a clear change from the pre December set up Koeman which was all about bodies behind the ball and the quick ball out from deep in our half. The Bolasie injury probably forced his hand in that respect. It was a fortuitous accident for Koeman as we haven't looked back since apart from the FA cup exit and the away game versus Hull. But you're also right to suggest that when the summer comes and Koeman has revamped the first team we will see a reversion to his way of playing with players capable of playing in that more direct manner.
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I see it differently. I don't think Koeman likes hoofball any more than you (or I). Koeman inherited a squad that was unfit and lacking confidence. As a team we were unable to affect a coordinated midfield press and incapable of reliably playing through an opposition's. Koeman identified these weaknesses and adjusted tactics accordingly. He focussed on improving fitness, looked to sign players better suited to a more possession based, high(er) pressing style, and offloaded players that he thought couldn't make the transition.

Think we'll see less and less route one as he moulds the squad to his liking. He strikes me as a pragmatist, willing to do whatever needs to be done to deliver results while building a foundation for more attractive, winning football.

Tbf I had similar concerns as yourself early on, including being less than enamoured with some of his public comments. But you can't judge his relationship with players based of public soundbites. He spends a lot of time communicating with the squad in private and all indications suggest they are responding positively.

Any decent manager (not just in football) knows you can't be everyone's mate, you need to establish an appropriate professional relationship or things can go bad very quickly (I know from experience). I'm more concerned with the stick our lads get from the fans rather than criticism from Koeman. Joel didn't react the way he did v Bournemouth because of anything Koeman did, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if some of Koeman's comments were for the fans benefit as much as the players.

COYB

EDIT: Why are my posts still under moderation? This is the 8th one.
 
longers said:
One match doesn't magically override the countless matches we did play long ball.

We also did a fair amount of hoofing in that city match if you go back and watch it all.
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Why is everyone so averse to long balls? It's not as pretty but neither is watching my keeper and centre halves do Cruyff turns in the box.

Whatever is most effective with the players at his disposal I'll happily watch.
 

Nymzee said:
Why is everyone so averse to long balls? It's not as pretty but neither is watching my keeper and centre halves do Cruyff turns in the box.

Whatever is most effective with the players at his disposal I'll happily watch.
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I think it's the festering wound of 85/86 when we just hoofed it to the boy Lineker and ended up potless.
 
Nymzee said:
Why is everyone so averse to long balls? It's not as pretty but neither is watching my keeper and centre halves do Cruyff turns in the box.

Whatever is most effective with the players at his disposal I'll happily watch.
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Because I absolutely detest watching long ball football. Simple as that.
 
Nothing weird about not liking hoofball, footy fans moan about it all the time.

Luckily we don't exclusively play hoofball under koeman, although we do resort to it at times... Such as at the weekend when panic set it in after they scored their first goal. We just started doing aimless punts galore resulting in them constantly have possession and pressuring us.
 
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longers said:
Nothing weird about not liking hoofball, footy fans moan about it all the time.

Luckily we don't exclusively play hoofball under koeman, although we do resort to it at times... Such as at the weekend when panic set it in after they scored their first goal. We just started doing aimless punts galore resulting in them constantly have possession and pressuring us.
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Sometimes it's needed. Sometimes it isn't. A good manager will realise this.
 

longers said:
One match doesn't magically override the countless matches we did play long ball.

We also did a fair amount of hoofing in that city match if you go back and watch it all.
Click to expand...
The football we played in the Autumn was terrible. I have no real explanation for it and hope we never go back there. But we cant have those games back so have to put it behind us.

Going forward we need to strike a balance. Sometimes we need to clear our lines. Others they are a genuine solid tactic such as Barks goal at the weekend.

Mixing up our game makes it harder for our opponents. I think RK understands this and lambasted the defence a few times during that second half for conceding pissession with aimless punts. Thats why he changed things around imo.

I think we all need to chill for a bit and see where it goes. RK seens to have a handle on it now.
 
Barnfred 55 said:
The football we played in the Autumn was terrible. I have no real explanation for it and hope we never go back there. But we cant have those games back so have to put it behind us.
Going forward we need to strike a balance. Sometimes we need to clear our lines. Others they are a genuine solid tactic such as Barks goal at the weekend.
Mixing up our game makes it harder for our opponents. I think RK understands this and lambasted the defence a few times during that second half for conceding pissession with aimless punts. Thats why he changed things around imo.

I think we all need to chill for a bit and see where it goes. RK seens to have a handle on it now.
Click to expand...

we possed away pissession
 
blupedro said:
I see it differently. I don't think Koeman likes hoofball any more than you (or I). Koeman inherited a squad that was unfit and lacking confidence. As a team we were unable to affect a coordinated midfield press and incapable of reliably playing through an opposition's. Koeman identified these weaknesses and adjusted tactics accordingly. He focussed on improving fitness, looked to sign players better suited to a more possession based, high(er) pressing style, and offloaded players that he thought couldn't make the transition.

Think we'll see less and less route one as he moulds the squad to his liking. He strikes me as a pragmatist, willing to do whatever needs to be done to deliver results while building a foundation for more attractive, winning football.

Tbf I had similar concerns as yourself early on, including being less than enamoured with some of his public comments. But you can't judge his relationship with players based of public soundbites. He spends a lot of time communicating with the squad in private and all indications suggest they are responding positively.

Any decent manager (not just in football) knows you can't be everyone's mate, you need to establish an appropriate professional relationship or things can go bad very quickly (I know from experience). I'm more concerned with the stick our lads get from the fans rather than criticism from Koeman. Joel didn't react the way he did v Bournemouth because of anything Koeman did, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if some of Koeman's comments were for the fans benefit as much as the players.

COYB

EDIT: Why are my posts still under moderation? This is the 8th one.
Click to expand...
Great post mate. Saved me 20 minutes of typing on my pbone!!

Welcome to the forum.
 

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