28 Sep 2014 11:42:27
Slightly off topic.
Well there is always this talk about how physical and fast the premier League is and that many players can't handle it. This brings up an interesting point. How much does this nature of the league affect the National team in the wc and the euros? And how much does it affect the pl clubs in the champions League?
We generally tend to think that many players from spain, Germany and italy tend to struggle here and yet the last three world cups and euros were won by these countries. Is there a relation here?
The pl clubs almost invariably change tactics for the champions League. They always go for a very defensive approach. While the clubs from the other big leagues almost still play like they would in their respective leagues. Or at least the change is much much less drastic in their cases.
Another aspect is managers like big sam. You could say that he manages team with a low budget so he plays a certain way. Well now he's managing west ham and yet its the same old. Its like Blackburn with better players. Its taken for granted that possession football doesn't do very well in the bpl. isn't that a little counterproductive as the same teams/players struggle in anything outside the country? Players like cattremole get praises for ridiculous tackles and bullying and yet technical players like ozil and kagawa and criticized for not being manly enough. What's the use cause the moment you play in any other competitions, half those tackles will get you a booking.

1.) 28 Sep 2014
Totally agree mate

2.) 28 Sep 2014
28 Sep 2014 14:45:42
This is the biggest problem in English/ Scottish football, too much emphasis on the physical and not enough on the technical. This is a huge problem at youth level, where there exists a win at all costs mentality so its a case of lump it up to the big man upfront. Until this changes we will continue to experience failure in international tournament's

3.) 28 Sep 2014
Great post. I would always wonder the same. Every other player who moves from England to some other league comments on how tactical the game is every minute. No wonder, PL clubs get found out in the UCL.

4.) 28 Sep 2014
At the age of 19 I can tell you its not getting any better, I played with so many players who were not offered scholarships or contracts at clubs despite being good enough purely based on 'not being big enough', if you're not over the height of 5'6 by 16 you've basically got no chance of making it unless you're a top top talent.

5.) 28 Sep 2014
28 Sep 2014 18:44:34
You'd think with so many foreign managers and coaches over here it would start to change. This is what I want the van gaal legacy to be. A much better youth set up and a stream of players coming through. I know we haven't done too bad but we could also do better.

6.) 28 Sep 2014
28 Sep 2014 19:00:12
This has been going on for decades. It's not a new problem. I played at a good level when I was younger and a saying I heard whish I despise is "get rid". Also when you have to run around the perimeter when warming up why not each person do it with a ball at their feet?