Charles Hughes, the Director of Coaching at the English FA in the 1960s, studied how goals were scored in the game, concluding that most goals came from three passes in a move or fewer. It was therefore beneficial to get the ball forward as soon as possible, basing his findings on over 100 games at all levels from England Youth, Brazilian and English League.
Previous to Hughes' publication, second World War Wing Commander Charles Reep analysed the game as a science and established POMO-the position of maximum opportunity, the places on the field where goals are most likely to be scored. As a result of these two studies, many British coaches advopted the long ball, encouraging their players to get in crosses and to win free-kicks, throws and corners in the final third of the field and as early as possible.
Exponents of this form of play gained considerable success, but usually at the lower levels. John Beck at Cambridge United left long grass in the corners of his pitch, so the ball pumped into the final third would hold up. Wimbledon FC under David Bassett, was very successful and worked their way through the leagues in the 1980s. They used tall centre forwards for knock downs and clever positions of midfield players to get the second ball. Sanchez's goal in the Cup Final against Liverpool was a classic of winning a free kick in the corner of the final third and a flick on at the near post. Graham Taylor, at Watford, then as national team manager, adopted this style of play but that didn't get the England team very far at the higher level. It was embarrassing for poor old Turnip head.
So at the weekend, Sam Allardyce (didn't he get a reputation for using POMO? Kevin Davies, Long throws,Andy Carroll??), of all people, criticised Manchester United's tactics in their desperate attempts to snatch a draw at West Ham, by playing in long balls. Blind's goal came from a cross and a poor defensive header by Jenkinson, with Fellaini a target man. West Ham's earlier goal also came from a corner. Statistics do not lie:- the team in the Premier League that has played most long balls is Burnley (1877), United, with the Dutch master, comes second with 1861 and the passing masters, Arsenal, least with 1098. West Ham come 10th.
It is significant that the top ranked teams at the moment lie lowest in the “long ball league”. Man City, Liverpool, Swansea, Chelsea and Tottenham fill the lowest places. Surprisingly Stoke are just above these “tiki taka teams” and of the highest exponents Southampton rank 7th. Those struggling against relegation fill the top places, QPR 3rd, WBA 4th, Leicester 5th, Hull 6th, Villa 8th and Palace 9th. When the going gets tough the POMO gets going. Don't mistakes in your own half, work hard to get the ball back and then get it forward as early as possible.
Previous to Hughes' publication, second World War Wing Commander Charles Reep analysed the game as a science and established POMO-the position of maximum opportunity, the places on the field where goals are most likely to be scored. As a result of these two studies, many British coaches advopted the long ball, encouraging their players to get in crosses and to win free-kicks, throws and corners in the final third of the field and as early as possible.
Exponents of this form of play gained considerable success, but usually at the lower levels. John Beck at Cambridge United left long grass in the corners of his pitch, so the ball pumped into the final third would hold up. Wimbledon FC under David Bassett, was very successful and worked their way through the leagues in the 1980s. They used tall centre forwards for knock downs and clever positions of midfield players to get the second ball. Sanchez's goal in the Cup Final against Liverpool was a classic of winning a free kick in the corner of the final third and a flick on at the near post. Graham Taylor, at Watford, then as national team manager, adopted this style of play but that didn't get the England team very far at the higher level. It was embarrassing for poor old Turnip head.
So at the weekend, Sam Allardyce (didn't he get a reputation for using POMO? Kevin Davies, Long throws,Andy Carroll??), of all people, criticised Manchester United's tactics in their desperate attempts to snatch a draw at West Ham, by playing in long balls. Blind's goal came from a cross and a poor defensive header by Jenkinson, with Fellaini a target man. West Ham's earlier goal also came from a corner. Statistics do not lie:- the team in the Premier League that has played most long balls is Burnley (1877), United, with the Dutch master, comes second with 1861 and the passing masters, Arsenal, least with 1098. West Ham come 10th.
It is significant that the top ranked teams at the moment lie lowest in the “long ball league”. Man City, Liverpool, Swansea, Chelsea and Tottenham fill the lowest places. Surprisingly Stoke are just above these “tiki taka teams” and of the highest exponents Southampton rank 7th. Those struggling against relegation fill the top places, QPR 3rd, WBA 4th, Leicester 5th, Hull 6th, Villa 8th and Palace 9th. When the going gets tough the POMO gets going. Don't mistakes in your own half, work hard to get the ball back and then get it forward as early as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment