I have posted before about how boring modern football can be where teams endlessly play the ball backwards and sideways and never take any risks. At times you see defenders passing the ball back and forth to each other and ask yourself "what is the point of that". At worst it looks as if those players are scared to try and pass the ball forward - they want someone else to take responsibility. Build ups become slow and predictable. Inevitably all attacks come from wide positions - rarely is the ball passed through the middle. Boro have been as guilty of this way of playing as anyone in the past. But it seems to me that under Carrick things are changing. Watching the Boro yesterday out pass and out class the team in third spot was a thing of beauty. Carrick has given the players the confidence to express themselves and be positive on the ball.
Boro now have the confidence to pass the ball forward
- Thread starter iamborome
- Start date
Agreed. Watched this video of Barlasser:
He has the vision and the technique to make those defence splitting passes. He also reminds me of Hayden Hackney in his calm and poise on the ball, which seems to give him time to make those passes. I think Jonny Howson will have his work cut out to keep his place.
He has the vision and the technique to make those defence splitting passes. He also reminds me of Hayden Hackney in his calm and poise on the ball, which seems to give him time to make those passes. I think Jonny Howson will have his work cut out to keep his place.
Soem of those passes are wonderful but very like Howson's sublime pass through for our second yesterday which brings up the question does Barlasewr replace Howson? I thoiught Howson was poor vs Sunderland but yesterday he was superb. We all know he cant go on forever with his age but it woul dbe harsh to simply replace him with Barlaser straight away?
TheBlueButterfly
Well-known member
Had a look on the Watford forum earlier, one of them said words to the affect of "Boro play football the way I would love us to play". For a supporter of team who have only recently been relegated and have some exciting players themselves, I would say this is a major compliment and a testament to how Carrick's got us playing.
parmoboy
Well-known member
I've also noticed our movement off the ball has massively improved since Carrick took over. A player will make the pass and will often look for the return ball. We're not just recycling possession for the sake of it.
The understanding the players have with one another is brilliant. At times we'd move the ball side to side and players would play the pass without even having to look to see where their teammate was.
We're also playing those little triangles we used to under Wilder. It's like an upgraded version of the way we played under Wilder shortly after he took over, before it all went wrong.
The understanding the players have with one another is brilliant. At times we'd move the ball side to side and players would play the pass without even having to look to see where their teammate was.
We're also playing those little triangles we used to under Wilder. It's like an upgraded version of the way we played under Wilder shortly after he took over, before it all went wrong.
"I've also noticed our movement off the ball has massively improved since Carrick took over. A player will make the pass and will often look for the return ball. We're not just recycling possession for the sake of it."
One of the basic rules of football is "pass and support". With possession football, the supporting player is always behind or beside the player on the ball. With "attacking football", the supporting player can be someone moving into space ahead of the player on the ball. How often have I groaned in frustration to see the ball recycled backwards and sideways when there is a big fat space ahead that no-one is moving into. So as you say, pass the ball and run into space ahead looking for the return pass. Turgid possession football is based on the fear of losing possession that makes players always choose the "safe option". Carrick is now giving the players licence to look for the attacking, creative option.
One of the basic rules of football is "pass and support". With possession football, the supporting player is always behind or beside the player on the ball. With "attacking football", the supporting player can be someone moving into space ahead of the player on the ball. How often have I groaned in frustration to see the ball recycled backwards and sideways when there is a big fat space ahead that no-one is moving into. So as you say, pass the ball and run into space ahead looking for the return pass. Turgid possession football is based on the fear of losing possession that makes players always choose the "safe option". Carrick is now giving the players licence to look for the attacking, creative option.
Donald_Pump
Active member
When MFC did a ‘Carricks First Training Session’ video this is exactly what he was focusing on…passing the ball but making yourself immediately available for it back. I was very sceptical at the appointment at the time watching it thinking “yeah, world class midfielder / very inexperienced manager” but 100% YIKES…For atleast the past 10 years I can’t ever remember a time where we where just so fluid / probing / forward thinking and I just absolutely blumming love it. It’s a great time to be a fan right now and dare I even say it:-
We’ve got super Michael Carrick,
He knows exactly what we need.
Dael Fry at the back, Chuba in attack,
BOROS GOING TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE
haha, seriously though, what a turn around in such a short time!!! I still just can’t get my head around it really but starting to really love the man so much and just so proud to have the team playing the way they are right now. Archer and Barlaser looks like such shrewd accusations on top of this and hopefully the next few months / years are magical and memorable. UTFB!!!
changingman
Well-known member
I've been very impressed how quickly (and well) he's been able to implement his style on the team. We're incredibly confident in possession these days and much more comfortable taking risks. Our movement off the ball has been superb too, really shifting teams and making it difficult for them to commit without opening space elsewhere.
There's definitely a time and place for possession at the back (to move a team laterally and pull them forward) but crucially it's jus one element of our play now.
There's definitely a time and place for possession at the back (to move a team laterally and pull them forward) but crucially it's jus one element of our play now.