An oldie like me usually looks at the importance given to tactics with some disdain. After all, back in “the old days” footie was just footie wasn’t it? I was taught that the game is simple. You learnt your own part of the game as a defender or midfielder or forward and then somehow slotted in with the other specialists to form a team. To win or not win depended on (1) the skill in individuals (2) understanding between the players and (3) the desire and effort to win.
That was all that was needed really but now we’ve inculcated the belief that it’s much more serious than that and we have to look at it more scientifically. Once-upon-a-time the older players coached the younger ones during the actual course of the game, but now coaching is a big-time profession.
So I’m thinking I must be a dinosaur not to agree with and follow that line of thinking, and, hey, I never came near to being a professional footballer anyway, so what do I know.
Then, in the Daily Mail of Saturday October 21, Graeme Souness told us that he believes that the old approach towards games was the best. “There is little that is new”, he says, “just a lot of spoofing and bluffing”. He thinks tactics are over-used. Well, well, well; is there room for the non-expert after all, I wondered! And I have a lot of time for Souness: for me he was a fine player; he could be brilliant in his play and tough, too, if the occasion demanded it.
Graeme elaborated on his thinking. “There’s one thing I don’t get”, he said. “I don’t know how Jose Mourinho gets that message across to his players. You know the one I mean. At the final against Ajax at Anfield last week. ‘We’re not good enough to take them on in a game of football. So we’re going to go long and stay behind the ball'”. Graeme continued. “I don’t know how you say that to players – because when I played at Liverpool, it was the opposite. We were made to feel unbeatable.”
He had more to say: a lot more. Particularly about interpretation of the stats that pundits love so much. “A couple of years back we had figures on who had completed the highest rate of passes of any Premier League player. It turned out to be Per Mertesacker. Five yards this way, five yards that way. So what?”
Graeme also referred to the hero-worship of the blade-runners; those players that cover every inch of grass and are hailed for it. Graeme said: “I got injured with Liverpool once. I was returning from a bad back. Joe Fagan said to me: ‘Today, son, obviously your fitness won’t be where it should be. Try just standing still occasionally.’ I don’t think I ever got so many touches. How did he know that? Years and years of experience.”
He said of Ronnie Moran: “He always left the feeling there was room for improvement, that every game was vital, that you showed no mercy, but stayed humble when you won. He was ruthless, but he had a way of making you strive to be better.”
Interesting, isn’t it, that since the old guard departed from Anfield that the club has never been league champions. And when I saw Liverpool play back then I always wondered about the look they had about them, a sort of “we’ve won this game” look before they’d hardly started. It didn’t always work, of course, with that thrashing by Villa of 5-1 in 1976 as proof. But it was Liverpool that won the title that year, not Villa.
There were some lovely anecdotes in that article of Graeme’s; click here to read it.
So, in reality, is football really what I always thought it was? More to do with love for the game, common sense and character than anything else. Perhaps it would be except someone invented the idea of money.
He summed up the main part of his article with this statement: “There are so many myths of what is important these days. We’ve got to go back to the strengths of being British. Instead, we look at Spain, we look at Germany. We’re like the Chinese. We’re trying to make copies of Louis Vuitton handbags.”
Yep, it was the Villa that invented modern football and led the world. Wasn’t it?
And isn’t Bruce trying to instil those British values that Graeme talks about? I’m happy with that: it’s footie I recognise! OK, yes, you might say that still makes me a dinosaur!
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P.S. – A ‘Call For Help’. I am sorry to state this, but frankly, I need to sell my latest book ‘The Villa Way – 1874-1944’ in some numbers to help make ends meet. My wife’s long-term health issues and the fact that our central heating doesn’t work (and backup electric heaters are hugely expensive to run), have helped to create this situation.
I know you will enjoy my book. One happy purchaser (David) has written: “I must say you have completely upset my schedule today as once I started glancing through I couldn’t put it down! You clearly have invested a lot of time and effort in this book and it is worth every penny.”
In addition, ‘Mick’ has informed me that the book is “beautifully written”.
For further information please click here for the bookshop.
And you will also find that the blind Villa fan John Flanner MBE has his highly enjoyable book, “Beautiful Game, Beautiful Memories”, available at the same bookshop. John’s wife is bed-ridden, so you might understand that he also (as a blind person) is finding it difficult to cope, though in his case his children are at hand.
I am sure you will find both books a great Christmas stocking filler and well worth the investment!
Thank you for reading this.
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 50
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Book is winging its way to me even as I type, John. Looking forward to the read!
With tactics, I tend to agree with you and others. At a certain level, there has to be a degree of cohesion and planning in terms of patterns of play because the game moves so quickly. You’ve got a quarter- to half-second to really make a decision a lot of the time, and knowing where someone will be is necessary.
But, as I’ve said, it really does come down to individuals deciding to impose themselves. In recent times, I think of Delph as someone who pushed it forward, raced all the way back to chase it down, just took it on his shoulders to make something happen at either end.
John,
Your order is greatly appreciated! If I could send it by drone I would! 🙂
Yes, I fundamentally believe it’s the drive from within that makes the difference – as in any sport.
I’m thinking that between around 2012 and 2016 the payers we were taking on board were mainly journeymen. Desire was missing from them although they seemed to be running around enough, but doing what I don’t know.
Two players who had quite a lot of drive and we let go were Albri and Weimann. For me, what Weimann lacked in skill he made up for in determination.
Agreed, John—there didn’t seem to be a lot of commitment from several players in any number of recent Villa iterations.
Marc and Andi both put in shifts.
Hello, JL.
You wrote a good leader. Thanks.
I agree with your leader in principle. I see where you are coming from regarding SB and tactics. “I don’t do tactics.” He probably is more in the Graeme Souness camp-old school.
Interestingly, I did an Anfield tour in 2011. The tour guide told us LFC didn’t adjust well to the money era.
As we’ve all said, SB and Villa still have a lot of work to do on their cohesiveness. I guess it is for SB and his staff to get the subs and team selections right with an eye to getting the balance right between youth and experience. In Villa’s youth, we’ve got zest, nous, athleticism, skill and a will to do well, the kind of qualities you’ve mentioned.
I agree the remedy to Britain’s football woes is to be found at home. There has to be a British way, at least a much better one than the British public is getting now.
I look forward to reading your book.
Iana,
As people are oft saying on here, when Villa get to the Premiership (note the ‘when’!) they reckon a different kind of manager will be required. Now I agree with that but only to the point that Bruce has not shown great capability in progressing in the Premier Lague before, and also he’s getting closer to retirement.
But whether we need an overseas manager just because he’s from overseas is a moot point in my mind. I do feel that British players have their own character which, if correctly honed, can be more devastating than their overseas counterparts. And of course they have more affinity with the local support.
I like the proportion of British (old and young) and foreign in the Villa team right now, and I’d hope it stays at that level and not go all or mostly foreign.
Iana,
That book sounds as though it’s taking its time in getting there! I wonder if mail still flies by piston-engines biplanes…
JL,
They only deliver here three days a week now and we had a national holiday on Monday (Labour Day), so I suspect it’ll arrive tomorrow or Monday.
Two weeks ago I flew from Hamilton to Wellington in a piston engine plane.
Iana,
Back in 1965 I treated myself to my first flight in a 2-engined Dakota from Brum airport to the Isle-of-Wight, where we landed on a grass airfield.
That was great. Cost? £5 return.
Hi JL,
Have made a purchase, which should cover the cost of your Dakota flight, without the interest..!!
I think most of us would have agreement with your leader, and it is good to see all the young England sides doing so well. I really loved the old Villa teams and how football was played with a REAL leather caseball, laces and all.
Today’s game is so different, but it is still possible to get enjoyment watching genuine talent, which still has skills, wizardry and an ability to read the game, as in the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s.
I would love to see top English coaches, but where do find a David Wagner????
Howdo Paul,
Many thanks for that. Greatly appreciated.
Yes, I was thinking exactly the same about Mar;s favourite, Wagner.
Mind you, I believe a lot in time and place’ – i.e. that a certain person at a certain place may be the perfect combination.
John
The link doesn’t work for me.
IanG,
I don’t know why that is, but if you wish you can deal with it by simply sending a payment for £7.90 (UK) or £11.90 (Overseas) through PayPal to the e-mail address ajl.solutions at btinternet.com
Thanks!
Oh, and please include your delivery address in full!
IanG,
If you are the guy trying to get through from the Walsall area you seem to be clicking yourself into a loop! 🙁
When you get to the shopfront all you have to do is click where indicated on the message against my image which says…
“Please select books by this author from the ‘Categories’ tab or by clicking here.”
Thanks!
JL
I’m a brummie mate, I try to avoid walsall, wednesbury & other things beginning with’w’.
No, I click on the link above & it freezes after it opens another page.
JL
I was a right back when I was taught to play at school[& remained that for my playing days], & a second row /No 8 inRugby Union.
That’s exactly how it was in football in those days, but playing rugby gave me a much better positional & defensive sense.
IanG: “I try to avoid walsall, wednesbury & other things beginning with’w’.”
🙂 Interesting, isn’t it, with Wolverhampton and Willenhall as well, and I feel sure there must be more.
Yep, I played rugger for awhile (starting at school), but it’s those rules that got me!
On you trying to get into the bookshop, do you have Javascript enabled?
But as I said you can order straight through PayPal if you want to do that, as detailed above.
JL
Yes I do have javascript enabled, & I think it is the software here that is the issue, not being inclusive or matching even within it’s microsoft environment.
But as you say… the other route
can’t see how people have a problem with your site, unless the omit to fill in EVERY detail required, as in telephone (mobile), then they will not progress, and once paypal has taken card details , etc…they must press the confirm button, or they will have no joy…..
It is a big problem with us old gits, unless we are really switched on to online purchasing..
Paul,
Nah … I’ve found out that IanG’s ahead of us – he runs a Rolls Royce for computer power, called OSX. It’s too clever for us PC mortals.
Any of you old gits interested in the game this weekend?
I’m expecting a 4-1 win. Can’t see BCFC doing Villa in this week end. Agbonlahor will be on the bench.
I see that negativity or positivity has pushed people to stop posting but can’t dispute that flogging merchandise has driven everyone away.
Can’t see us winning 4-1 this weekend Ian. Think it will be close, maybe a draw or 1 goal in it. Having just watched Leeds brushed aside on their own patch by a fired up Sheff U, we need a win to keep up with the front runners. Enda Stevens was energy personified at full back…..sigh.
SB could do worse than let Frem or ST75 into the changing room 15 minutes before kick off to give the team a rant about what the game means especially as GA won’t be fit. We need our cannons firing at full tilt on Sunday. Anything less and the sirens will be wailing.
You’ve got that right Plug. I just don’t want Bruce falling back on his old ways. Those two could bend an ear or two.
Didn’t want Stevens to leave. Lerner’s fault—he sold everything worthwhile.
Steve Bruce’s presser didn’t exactly exude confidence. Last time I remember him claiming Villa knew exactly what to expect, we got a hiding. Surely that wasn’t expected.
My brain says it’ll be a draw, but I believe if Villa plays unrestrained, it will be a win for the claret & blue.
I wondered what had become of Enda Stevens.
I reckon Bruce will be playing for a draw.
St75 & Frem in the dressing room!! One of those ‘if carlsburg did…’ moments.
I would concur that it could be close, unless we vibe em back to their kennel
IanG, we don’t need Frem or st75 in the dressing room before kick off, we need them there at half time. Villa have the worst second half performance record of any team in the division. Eleven of our 13 goals conceded have come in the second half
It’s inexcusable.
It’s not chance. We’ve talked about it on here enough times. Even joked about the tranquillisers in the half time tea.
If we come out sleepy for the second half ‘yet again’ tomorrow I will be thoroughly pissed off.
Hey rObbO
A nap in the afternoon for the aged is about when halftime happens. I know it does for me. My dog yips at me when naptime comes around and I’m still vertical. She wants a lie down too.
lol , me and frem , nice one , been busy taking brother for chemo and monday he starts 4 weeks of radiotherapy ,
tomorow lm being picked up at 7am !! , not going the game but were all meeting in a pub in ladywood called the Vine , proper villa pub , gaffer has some of the old fittings from the hHolte and Trinity road , worth a visit if your on your travels
good to see most of you still keeping this site going ,
JL will drop to yours for some of your new books , handy with Xmas coming up ,
l got my mate to put a bet on for me at 3-1 to villa , got to hope havent we , l dont know how to bet so l gets him to put them on for me ,
Ian some great jokes mate thanks .
Frem have you changed your mobile number ,
reason l havent gone the game , its a joke now , seems you have to get on a coach and beings l used the halesowen lions branch , that coach has got to pick fans up then go to villa park to have an escort to the ground then KEPT in 1 hour after the game , same as last year and lm not doing that rigmaroll again,
well have a great weekend all , lm waiting for the trick or treaters as lv made some toffee apples , but lv used spanish onions instead , the little shits wont be coming to my house next year ))) ,
all the best all , long day tomorrow
Jenny XXXXXXXXXX
Hey Deano,I fancy that score too,enjoy the day.
Some observations from today.
Wolves aren’t the world beaters some tell us they are.
Fulham last home game 96th minute equaliser,today Fulham 94th minute equaliser poorBolton.
Preston who we play this week gone done 2-3 at home to Brentford,they don’t like a clean sheet do they?
Bristol City away kit?Yikes looks like jelly and blamange mixed with vimto.
Have a good weekend all.
Oh well done England u17s beat Spain 5-2 in the WC final,this after being 2 down.
steamers75 – fancy 3-1 myself ….. but maybe just wishful thinking. This league is full of ups and downs for all the clubs – any one who can put a decent run together will get to automatic promotion places ……………….. could the Villa do it?
Good luck to all Villans going to the Sty tomorrow, happy memories of good days out there …… and a few bad ones.
steamers 75 – hope your brother gets through all the treatment and comes out the other end with positive results.
oldvilla
steamers75
All the best for the bro.
B6toBrasil
Good on the U17s, hope their success permeates through the ranks
It will
Ian
It has in the U18s & U20s, world cup winners in their category.
How long it will take to filter through to the U 21s is a question.
If I was to be pessimistic, I would say another generation for the senior team [if ever].
Mark [if you’re still corporeally out there].
What is your take on Liverpool’s comprehensive 3-0 against Huddersfield.
Has the bubble burst?
IanG
I don’t know if I have another generation in me.
I don’t understand how a complete turnover of players ends up with the same losing mentality. AlthoughA corner seems to have turned.
steamers75
7am incomprehensible, but a 3-1 feels about right.
Have a good fruit of the vine & all that, & best wishes for your brother.
This month could be the pivotal month, & I have a feeling we will win more than those around us.
Ian
Being in my 70th year it would be a bonus.
Corner A implies that there’s another 24, & that’s if the England team & the FA don’t get a go to jail card.
IanG
Who is your favourite Brummie band? ELO? I think JL liked Black Sabbath, head banger from way back.
1-1
Trinity
Traffic mate.
I went to school with Sabbath’s roadie but that’s as far as my connection with head bangers goes except on here.
Although some of the old rock n roll bands around 1960/61 were brilliant, lying down on the floor playing, & all the Hendricks tricks.
The problem was many of the gigs were in church halls in those days
Just watched some of the U17 semi & final.
Potentially even better than the U20’s with more skill & panache.
Hope it isn’t trained out of them.
Hey guys
Dreading the game to be honest. Have no faith in Bruce. He will be telling all the players during the week not lose, instead of we must win
No real surprises with the team selection
The same as last, in fact:
Johnstone, Elmohamady, Terry, Chester, Hutton, Snodgrass, Hourihane, Whelan, Adomah, Onomah, Kodjia.
Frem
Yeah he’s set us up for a draw, I just think they will give us some chances, if we don’t fold, so am optimistic while there’s still a chance mate.
If I was them I’d bombard us with long balls & wait in numbers for us to try & break, then wait for us to run out of ideas.
IanG,
I don’t follow the “set us up for a draw argument”.
I think the side (Bruce’s approach) is set up to contain – restricting opponents’ chances – and then hit him on the break.
jl
normal game plan for bruce then
stupid booking from snodgrass
Apologies for the late arrival. Match thread page is up now.