Build from the Back

[jimmy millar 107]

Been to all the home games,saw Falkirk game online,watched ESPN yesterday.Read all posts on Ally,Auchenhowie and training methods,coaches etc.,and don`t pretend to be an armchair tactician.I believe it`s only a matter of time before goals start arriving,especially with Dean Shiels back,as he is an intelligent footballer.Obviously width is seriously lacking,and I`m sure the much maligned KK would net plenty from decent crosses.Ally surely must see this,and hopefully he will find a decent wide man.My big concern is the defence,or lack of it.Do we have a good right back?Bocanegra has been very poor.Goian,well he`s away,and I know it`s early days,but Cribari? Who is this guy?Played in Italy and Brazil?Fine son we`re going to Forres,and wait till the cold wind and rain really start.I really hope I`m wrong,but I don`t fancy this guy at all.Surely a big mauler of a centre back is required,somebody who clears his lines a la Big Marv.Remember when we got the odd goal from this area? There`s got to be that type available around the lower leagues in England.I know a lot of you are demanding silky soccer,but solid foundations first.Whaddyasay?

[BigAmo'sThighs 848]

Been to all the home games,saw Falkirk game online,watched ESPN yesterday.Read all posts on Ally,Auchenhowie and training methods,coaches etc.,and don`t pretend to be an armchair tactician.I believe it`s only a matter of time before goals start arriving,especially with Dean Shiels back,as he is an intelligent footballer.Obviously width is seriously lacking,and I`m sure the much maligned KK would net plenty from decent crosses.Ally surely must see this,and hopefully he will find a decent wide man.My big concern is the defence,or lack of it.Do we have a good right back?Bocanegra has been very poor.Goian,well he`s away,and I know it`s early days,but Cribari? Who is this guy?Played in Italy and Brazil?Fine son we`re going to Forres,and wait till the cold wind and rain really start.I really hope I`m wrong,but I don`t fancy this guy at all.Surely a big mauler of a centre back is required,somebody who clears his lines a la Big Marv.Remember when we got the odd goal from this area? There`s got to be that type available around the lower leagues in England.I know a lot of you are demanding silky soccer,but solid foundations first.Whaddyasay?

I see what your saying

Our back line seems to have been shocked at the pace and strength of some of the Division 3 forwards. I also don't think our new formation of three at the back helps when we have three extreamly slow centre halfs. ( the home game against East Stirling both Boca, Goian and Broadfoot were well too slow to play in a back 3.)

For me however, the main problem comes from a lack of protection from midfield and forward areas. If we press opponents into making stupid mistakes and passes our team would run ragid. Instead we seem to stand off and look jaded whilst letting the other team knock us around. I'm sure I read somewhere that Barca have had the least amount of shots against them in terms of European teams... Now do Barca stand off with a back 8 and look to hit aimless balls upfront? Do they fuck - they press press press press and press so no team has anywhere to go but to give up possession or hump a long aimless ball up the park.

I'm prepared to give our new defenders time to settle, but we should be able to play fucking Walter Smith and Stevie Wonder at the back if our tactics are right... which they're not.

[PapaShango 7]

I see what your saying

Our back line seems to have been shocked at the pace and strength of some of the Division 3 forwards. I also don't think our new formation of three at the back helps when we have three extreamly slow centre halfs. ( the home game against East Stirling both Boca, Goian and Broadfoot were well too slow to play in a back 3.)

For me however, the main problem comes from a lack of protection from midfield and forward areas. If we press opponents into making stupid mistakes and passes our team would run ragid. Instead we seem to stand off and look jaded whilst letting the other team knock us around. I'm sure I read somewhere that Barca have had the least amount of shots against them in terms of European teams... Now do Barca stand off with a back 8 and look to hit aimless balls upfront? Do they fuck - they press press press press and press so no team has anywhere to go but to give up possession or hump a long aimless ball up the park.

I'm prepared to give our new defenders time to settle, but we should be able to play fucking Walter Smith and Stevie Wonder at the back if our tactics are right... which they're not.

We don't have the quality to press like that. Do you honestly think Kevin Kyle could " press press press " I understand what you are saying, we need a change, I think we should deffo be playing the ball on the deck, surely we have better passing abillty than the other teams. So why punt the ball up the field

[BigAmo'sThighs 848]

We don't have the quality to press like that. Do you honestly think Kevin Kyle could " press press press " I understand what you are saying, we need a change, I think we should deffo be playing the ball on the deck, surely we have better passing abillty than the other teams. So why punt the ball up the field

It doesn't take quality to be able to press teams. It takes a basic level of fitness.

The only departement we should match barcelona in is fitness levels and their ability to control a game - what we don't have is the guile to split open teams like they do ( Although, in pure domestic terms we should - on the european stage we are a back water)

I agree that big Kevin Kyle can't play a pressing game, Although in Div 3 I imagine he probably could

We should set up so teams adapt to our game plan - not the other way around. If the preparation and tactics are right - it shouldn't matter how Berwick set up

[BlueSuedeSambas 56,337]

Been saying this since the Peterhead game. We need a centre half who is going to be phased standing toe to toe and battling with these guys for 90 minutes.

So far I've seen nothing from Goian, Emilson, Bocangra or Broadfoot that suggests that they are going to be up to it.

The only defender who is certain of his place right now is Wallace.

[MaddistonKnight 1,577]

It is a wee bit hard to stomach when you think of guys in the not too distant past like Butcher, Gough, Amo, Moore, Marv and the big Algerian whose name escapes me for a moment, who would take a game by the nads and win the ball on the deck or in the air. Speed isn't everything, especially at this level, if you can bully the opponent and direct the game. That should not be beyond us. A wee bit too much respect is being shown to our opponents - I don't think the guys I mentioned would stand for some painter and decorator trying to take the piss - no disrespect to any painter and decorators out there, but you get my point!

[The Godfather 75,550]

Never forget Boogies name!

[MaddistonKnight 1,577]

Never forget Boogies name!

Big Madheid, how could I forget!

[jimmy millar 107]

All I want to see is a big no nonsense centre back who is not afraid to mix it with some of these 3rd Division hatchet men.Oh for Graham Roberts or Terry Hurlock!

[True Azure 1,414]

Aye, where's the likes of big Jim Steele when you need one. On loan from Southampton, played 5 games, got sent off twice(I think) and was named player of the year 1976 by one of our supporters clubs. Hard as fucking nails.