Newcastle-Online comment: 11th June 2004
Something different...
The all conquering Liverpool side of the 70's and 80's had a simple
football philosophy; Pass & move, pass & move. When Kevin keegan took
over Newcastle he also shared this philosophy, not surprising considering
his Anfield schooling and although he took it a step further by instructing
his team to pass & move while attacking at all times, passing and
movement was very much the core of his tactics.
KK and tactics don't often get lumped together in the same sentence
(unless there is an 'inept' thrown in) but his ideas not only produced
one of the greatest footballing sides to have graced the English game,
that side very nearly won it's first Championship since 1927 also
and to this date that 1995-96 season happens to be the best season
we've had in the Premiership (and for many a year before that too).
A season based on passing and movement which brings me to the current
Toon class of 2004.
Mention passing and movement to our lot and you'll get quizzical looks
because quite simply they've lost all recollection of how to do it...certainly
for sustainable periods of more than 5 minutes anyway (or 5 passes).
I can't remember many instances of scintillating football last season
from us, instances where we've moved the ball and the opposition about.
My enduring image of last season reads like this: Dreaded penalties,
7 games for a first League win, last minute equalisers, 1-1 draws,
West Brom in the League Cup, Liverpool in the FA Cup, Marseille away,
booing and the sky.
No not Sky TV, the sky up above, where most of our football was played
last season. It may seem like big grey clouds lashing down with rain
followed our season but I can assure you that on match day the skies
were clear. The clouds had had enough of being pelted none
stop by fizzing long balls from Bramble and Co. so they decided to
hover over to the Stadium of shite instead. Even those in the Milburn
Level 7 had to look up. I even saw Ball boys up in the Sir John Hall
Level 7. Why do you think there's no Pigeons left in Newcastle? They,
like the clouds have had enough. Pigeons aren't daft...
Our football is daft though because it often plays into the hands
of the opposition. Tie up Shearer, push our midfield towards our defence
and the game's your's.
We are as fluent in football as a Charva is in English. The reason
why we haven't bought a player in over a year isn't because Fat Fred
is being tight but because he's saving up to buy a roof for St. James'
Park - to keep the balls from going over the Stands. Did you know
in the Stargazers weekly Titus Bramble was named the world's most
hated man? Apparently over 1,000 new 'stars' were 'discovered' this
year but at their annual bash some Toon supporter kindly pointed out
that those 'stars' were merely the result of a Bramble punt down field.
They weren't impressed.
And neither are the Toon Army impressed with the style and standard
of football that we currently play because it more often than not
hands the initiative to the opposition. By lumping it long all the
time our midfield hardly ever has the opportunity to get into the
game, especially the attacking 3rd which renders any creativity or
drive from the central area almost redundant. Our defence rarely gets
into the game either - other than to defend and all of this just makes
it easier for the opposition to defend against us.
If we don't have the ball, they do. If we have the ball, they don't.
The more we are in possession the less the opposition can hurt us.
Bobby if you do one thing this Summer, please drop the long ball tactics
and hand out fines to those who insist on hoofing it long. That is
the only way we'll ever get our money back from Bramble.
I can't stomach another season of neck strains so for the love of
pigeons, clouds and those poor folk at the flat pack stadium, please,
please instruct the lads to pass and move, pass and move Bobby...it's
simple! |
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