There are comments on various matches about the team using the long ball too much. I had a rather narrow view of things, thinking the complaints were that the keeper was always kicking a long ball up to the striker.
But actually it now looks as though the complaints about the long ball also include the defenders whacking the ball as far away as possible, without looking for a more accurate pass.
I remember at the start of the season we weren't that effective at quickly clearing the ball from our area, whereas now we are better at clearing it more quickly. But football is all about continuous improvement, so maybe we need to start clearing with more precision?
The long ball can be useful as one of the tools for a team, as most goals are scored from moves with very few touches, and powerful, direct football is often effective, but it can be boring if it is the only tool that is used.
So just to help make this clearer, who are the players or positions that are using the long ball too much?
There wouldn't be too many concerns if we were top of the league and easily winning games! It's not all the time I know but when we do hit it long from the keeper or down the right channel from defence/midfield it's just not effective. We saw in the game yesterday how Chi got forward, took their defenders on and got some decent balls in - this would have been impossible if we hit long down the left. Azeez has to go chasing lost balls as well and found himself out on the right several times.
For me, with our budget and higher expectations, I just don't think we need to do it against certain teams, we saw yesterday that our best attacking moments were from a bit of passing. Maybe at Dartford it will work, maybe if Payne was up top it might work and going away to certain teams we might need to do it.
The pitch is the best it's been for several years and we have more fans coming in so our style of play could be better. Not sure if there's a slight fear factor, i.e. if we pass more we'll get caught out more. Same as players being too small, too young. Gamble more in my opinion. We have the talent to do it.
Good post this Gary. One thing that frustrated me was our keeper always kicking it long when always in possession of the ball, it was never rolled out to the defenders to start a move. When we play it on the floor we can compete with anyone we just dont do it enough.
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The replies are really helpful in explaining where it is happening, and thinking back spot on about the issues.
Maybe it is a case of we have solved one problem but created another, as thinking back to earlier this season we had a problem of not clearing decisively enough so did silly little passes in our area that got cut out by the opposition who then sometimes scored. So to fix that we have gone for massive clearances, but then that long ball approach causes problems as it loses possession a lot. So maybe it is best to adjust to playing it out of defence. Central defenders aren't usually asked to play the ball out, they tend to pass to wing backs to take the ball out, but playing three at the back means the three defenders are taking on more distribution responsibilities, so more accurate distribution may be one of the next priorities worked on. The keeper's distribution is also something that may be open to change, as the fashion these days is for sweeper keepers. These are areas that will come up at the meet the manager, as like pretty much everyone here I am not that keen on too much long ball, though know it is useful sometimes, so interested about the views at that meeting.
The replies are really helpful in explaining where it is happening, and thinking back spot on about the issues.
Maybe it is a case of we have solved one problem but created another, as thinking back to earlier this season we had a problem of not clearing decisively enough so did silly little passes in our area that got cut out by the opposition who then sometimes scored. So to fix that we have gone for massive clearances, but then that long ball approach causes problems as it loses possession a lot. So maybe it is best to adjust to playing it out of defence. Central defenders aren't usually asked to play the ball out, they tend to pass to wing backs to take the ball out, but playing three at the back means the three defenders are taking on more distribution responsibilities, so more accurate distribution may be one of the next priorities worked on. The keeper's distribution is also something that may be open to change, as the fashion these days is for sweeper keepers. These are areas that will come up at the meet the manager, as like pretty much everyone here I am not that keen on too much long ball, though know it is useful sometimes, so interested about the views at that meeting.
Yes, I am going along to that, as I am really interested in asking how Warren managed the escape from relegation, as he took over with 10 games to go, 5 of which were against top 7 teams, so it looked an impossible situation to recover from, but he managed to keep us up by rebuilding Peter Taylor's side. And then rebuilding to our new side this season, hitting the ground running, where we have had 7 clean sheets from our first 19 league and cup games, and been in the top 10 for most of the first third of the season so far. Warren has bags of quality domestic and international experience as a player and manager, so looking forward to learning a lot.
I only found out about the evening from the mention on this forum, it isn't mentioned on the club twitter yet, so good to add it there and the other media outlets, though good to see it has been put on the club site today. Also wondering if putting a text box in the programme about this forum will help more fans know about it, as at the moment it is a bit hidden, couple of clicks away on the clubsite, so nice to make its existence clearer, as I find this a great way to keep in touch with fans views in between matches.
Hopefully anyone I have fallen out with will be there, as at the end of the day we all want the same thing, for Welling to do really well, and play good football, and life is too short for problems.
Yes, I am going along to that, as I am really interested in asking how Warren managed the escape from relegation, as he took over with 10 games to go, 5 of which were against top 7 teams, so it looked an impossible situation to recover from, but he managed to keep us up by rebuilding Peter Taylor's side. And then rebuilding to our new side this season, hitting the ground running, where we have had 7 clean sheets from our first 19 league and cup games, and been in the top 10 for most of the first third of the season so far. Warren has bags of quality domestic and international experience as a player and manager, so looking forward to learning a lot.
I only found out about the evening from the mention on this forum, it isn't mentioned on the club twitter yet, so good to add it there and the other media outlets, though good to see it has been put on the club site today. Also wondering if putting a text box in the programme about this forum will help more fans know about it, as at the moment it is a bit hidden, couple of clicks away on the clubsite, so nice to make its existence clearer, as I find this a great way to keep in touch with fans views in between matches.
Hopefully anyone I have fallen out with will be there, as at the end of the day we all want the same thing, for Welling to do really well, and play good football, and life is too short for problems.
Are you a WUSA member as its members only I believe
Yes, I am going along to that, as I am really interested in asking how Warren managed the escape from relegation, as he took over with 10 games to go, 5 of which were against top 7 teams, so it looked an impossible situation to recover from, but he managed to keep us up by rebuilding Peter Taylor's side. And then rebuilding to our new side this season, hitting the ground running, where we have had 7 clean sheets from our first 19 league and cup games, and been in the top 10 for most of the first third of the season so far. Warren has bags of quality domestic and international experience as a player and manager, so looking forward to learning a lot.
I only found out about the evening from the mention on this forum, it isn't mentioned on the club twitter yet, so good to add it there and the other media outlets, though good to see it has been put on the club site today. Also wondering if putting a text box in the programme about this forum will help more fans know about it, as at the moment it is a bit hidden, couple of clicks away on the clubsite, so nice to make its existence clearer, as I find this a great way to keep in touch with fans views in between matches.
Hopefully anyone I have fallen out with will be there, as at the end of the day we all want the same thing, for Welling to do really well, and play good football, and life is too short for problems.
It wasn't 100% certain until after the cut off time for publication in the programme.
Hello, ok, that has got me a bit puzzled, as the news item on the site says "Wings supporters will have a chance to meet Warren Feeney and his management team at a Meet the Manager event at Park View Road on Friday evening (November 4th), thanks to the Welling United Supporters Association (WUSA). The event will take place in the downstairs bar at the stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm, and is open to all supporters, free of charge. With the event likely to prove popular, supporters are urged to arrive in good time to ensure all attendees are in place for the Q&A to begin. With no match this Saturday due to the Emirates FA Cup, Fridays evenings event is the perfect way to get your Wings fix this weekend. To find out more about WUSA or how you can become a member, click here." so I interpreted that as meaning it had been set up by WUSA, but all fans can attend, whether or not they are WUSA members, but it sounds as if maybe I got that wrong.
There is a specific thread about the meet the manager evening, it would probably be best to make it clear on that thread whether or not it is open to only WUSA, or all fans. It would be good if open to all fans, as that will increase bar revenue and hopefully WUSA can get some of that. But either way good to spell it out. And it could also be used as a way to get new members, with people joining WUSA on the night, as for example it is something I have meant to do but not got round to it yet. But good to make it as clear as possible in advance, ie if it is WUSA only attending to read along the lines "The event will take place in the downstairs bar at the stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm, and is open to all WUSA members free of charge/ all supporters either WUSA or not."
I don't think the long ball question is likely to be particularly extended in that meeting, as I guess it is just a short term temporary reflection of the new team gelling, so first of all sorting out the defence (and 7/19 clean sheets shows that has been done really well) and then the next stage may be passing out with more precision, so not much that can really be said about it, as I doubt it will be a long term issue.
Sorry, I was meaning is it possible to put mention of a link to this forum in the programme each week in a text box, as not everyone will know about this forum, as the link is a little hidden on the site, and it is really useful forum, sorting out things like who can attend the meet the manager meeting, or feedback on club things, so the more that contribute here the better.
-- Edited by Johnny Hartley on Monday 31st of October 2022 06:03:37 PM
7 clean sheets in 19 games for example. 2 of those against a pub team in the FA Cup and 1 in the London Senior Cup against a Ryman South side which wasn't exactly a first team fixture from our point of view.
So that's 4 clean sheets in 15 league games. In those other 11 games we have conceded 22 goals - an average of two each game so, that suggests, there is work still to do.
Furthermore, since we went to three/five at the back, Saturday was our first win and first clean sheet playing that formation.
Hi Wingnut, I get your point, and I have always liked your name, so appropriate here, and when I see it I wish I had thought of that first. I guess the point I was trying to make is to look at the total picture of the season long story, not just pick out parts which fit into ones more selective version of events. So yes, we have had some easier games, but we have also had some difficult games, and even seemingly easy games can turn out to be more difficult than expected. I think our defenders are quickly learning how to play 3/5 at the back, and I dont have hard figures, but I get the sense that since we changed to that formation we create more chances, as we have freed up a guy from defence who can then help us attack more. That extra player in midfield or attack may be another reason to gradually move from the long ball, but time will tell. All the best.
